About This Quiz
One of the most common forms of clothing, skirts have been worn since prehistoric times. Unearthed artifacts dating back to 4000 B.C. depict both men and women wearing long, skirt-like garments covering the lower half of their bodies. These pieces were very simple — usually, just animal skins tied around the waist with reeds. But by the time ancient cultures like the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Sumerians figured out how to weave, they were creating stylish, colorful skirts complete with pleats, patches and other intricate designs.
Fast forward to Europe and America in the early 18th century. Because fabric was so expensive, full, floor-length skirts served as a sign of wealth and prestige. They featured complex details such as trains, bustles and steel hoops, all of which were designed to show off master craftsmanship and costly materials. Once fabric became more affordable, and mass production was made possible, these lavish details were no longer a significant sign of status. The garments became much more streamlined as a result, and by the time World War II rolled around, women were sporting skirts that were shorter, smarter and more conducive to a work environment.
Today, it seems that no style of skirt is off-limits. From fabric-rich maxis and peasant skirts to revealing miniskirts and skorts, the possibilities are endless. This quiz will test your knowledge of skirt styles through the ages. How many can you identify?
A-line skirts are fitted at the waist and flare out evenly as they reach the hemline, resembling the shape of the capital letter "A." A universally flattering shape, they can be thigh, knee-. calf- or ankle-length.
Made of felt or wool, these wide swing skirts feature a decorative appliqué on the front, often in the shape of a poodle (hence the name). Created by American designer Juli Lynne Charlot in 1947, these playful skirts became a must-have item for teenage girls in the 1950s.
Like a mermaid's tail, this hourglass-shaped skirt is wide at the top, tight and narrow around the knees and flared at the bottom. It's also sometimes referred to as a fishtail skirt.
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Long and slim (like a pencil!), these fitted skirts typically have hemlines that fall above or just below the knee. Originally designed by Christian Dior in 1954, they can be worn either as a separate piece of clothing or as part of a suit.
This type of full-circle skirt features narrow, evenly spaced pleats pressed into the fabric. The folds are widest at the hem and become narrower by the waist, creating a fluid, flared shape.
Short and statement-making, bubble skirts feature material that's gathered at the waistline to create a voluminous, bubble-like shape. They're also sometimes referred to as balloon skirts.
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While short skirts existed before the 1960s, the term "miniskirt" was not coined until then. With a hemline often reaching the upper thigh, the miniskirt became a staple of Swinging Sixties fashion.
Long, loose and billowy, maxi skirts flatter a wide range of figures. They're comfortable, versatile and can be dressed up or down. Pair them with a flirty tank top in the summer or a chunky knit sweater in the winter.
Broomstick skirts are full, usually ankle length and pleated down to the hem. Slightly gathered, they usually feature bright colors and patterns, and have comfortable drawstring or elastic waistbands.
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A skort is essentially a miniskirt with an attached pair of shorts. They're popular in women's sports such as tennis and field hockey, and they are often incorporated into athletic uniforms for girls.
Short, full at the hips and narrow at the hem, this style resembles and an upside-down tulip. Tulip skirts sometimes feature irregular hemlines and/or draped, overlapping panels in the front.
While tulle is the material typically used in ballet, tutus can be made from a range of materials, including nylon, gauze, tarlatan and muslin. They can be made from one uniform piece of material or numerous strands pulled together at the waistline.
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As the name suggests, a midi skirt has a length between that of a miniskirt and a maxi skirt. Most midi skirts have hems that fall midway down the calf, somewhere between the knee and ankle.
This type of skirt is wrapped around the body, usually once or twice, and secured with a tie. Wrap skirts typically fall below the knee and are made from soft, lightweight fabrics.
Sometimes called gypsy skirts, tiered skirts are usually knee- or floor-length and have a sweeping, A-line shape. They have horizontal layers of fabric and often feature ruffled hemlines.
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Worn as undergarments, Victorian hoop skirts featured stiffening agents (such as steel, whalebone or rope) that were sewn directly into the fabric to hold up long skirts. Today, they usually feature nylon hoops and are often worn under wedding gowns.
Culottes are technically trousers, however, they're cut with very full legs so they resemble a skirt when worn. While they can range in length, modern culottes typically fall just above or below the knee.
Short and sexy, sheath skirts are designed to fit snug against the body and show off the waistline. Their hemlines typically reach anywhere from the middle of the calf to the middle of the thigh.
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Featuring a row of buttons either at the front or along the side of the garment, button-up skirts are fun and casual. They feature hemlines that fall just above the knee or above the ankle.
Skater skirts are so named because they resemble the short, flowy skirts worn by professional figure skaters. They're typically made of lightweight materials and always have a hemline well above the knee.
Any skirt with varying lengths can be called an asymmetrical skirt. One of the most popular types is the high-low skirt, which is short in the front (usually the hem falls at or just above the knee) and longer in the back.
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Denim skirts come in all different lengths and shapes, from super-short minis to full-length maxis. They first became popular in the 1970s, when people started to recycle their aged denim jeans and fashion them into skirts.
Skirts that are bell-shaped flare out slightly over the hips, then fall straight to the knee, mimicking the outline of a bell. They are usually made with heavier fabrics to help them hold their shape.
While a traditional bustle is usually found on the back of garment, bustle skirts can have this feature on the front, the back or all around the skirt. They are usually long and feature textured materials.
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A dirndl is a skirt that features a tight-fitting bodice and is typically paired with a puffy white top. They were worn by domestic workers in the early 19th century and eventually became popular with the upper class.
Long and pleated, peasant skirts usually feature bright and colorful patterns. They have a loose fit, feature lightweight fabrics and are sometimes made with more than one type of material.
A sarong is simply a rectangular piece of fabric worn on the lower half of the body. They usually feature bright, colorful fabrics and are worn around the world, including India, Indonesia and the Arabian Peninsula.
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First worn as underskirts in 16th-century England, petticoats were popular throughout Europe and America well into the 20th century. They were often meant to be seen and designed to be worn with open gowns.
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same style of skirt. A godet skirt features a pronounced A-line flare at the hem, while a gored skirt features triangular fabrics inserted into the hemline to give the garment extra movement.
A cross between a skirt and a dress, this type of A-line skirt features shoulder straps. Typically worn in the summer, the style first became popular in the United States during the 1920s.
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Derived from the Greek word for tunic, a peplum refers to a short, slightly flared piece of fabric that wraps around and cinches the waistline. It can be attached to a skirt, a top or a jacket.
A pegged skirt is full at the waist and narrows at the hem, resembling the shape of an upside-down pear or inverted wedge. They're typically formal in style and most often made of cotton, wool, linen or silk.
Any skirt that's made of a warm material, such as leather, wool or polyester, can be considered a fall/winter skirt. They're usually pleated and fall just below the knee or at the ankle. They look great with boots!
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Flared skirts are A-line skirts that feature extra width at the hem. They allow for a lot of movement and twirl easily when the wearer spins around. It's best to style this type of skirt with a fitted top to avoid creating a silhouette that's too wide.
Hobble skirts were named for their very narrow hems, which made it nearly impossible for women to walk properly. Most likely for this reason, this style's popularity fizzled out by World War I.
A knife pleated skirt has one inside fold and one outside fold. The pleats are narrow, sharply pressed and layered one over the other so that they face in the same direction. Knife pleated skirts typically have a hemline above the knee.
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A yoke is a fitted band that's placed at the top of a skirt in lieu of a waistband. Instead of sitting up around the waist, yoke-waisted skirts fit right on the waist and go down over the hip.
Draped skirts are similar in shape to tulip skirts, but feature a loose piece of fabric that drapes off one or both sides at waist level. They are usually worn for formal occasions and are popular for their slimming effect.
True to their name, ruffled skirts (which are also called flounce skirts) feature lots of frilly ruffles. Often worn as attire for dancing, they usually have hemlines that fall near the ankles, though sometimes they are knee-length.
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A gathered skirt is fashioned from fabric that's drawn together around the waist. They are full and typically fall above the knee, although some styles can reach down to the mid-calf.