Midisummer dream

This season, a new silhouette is making its mark — the midi skirt. and it promises to outlive the summer

From the runway to everyday street style, midi skirts are making a bold comeback. With a hemline that falls below the knee and is most often written off as dowdy — the midi skirts are on their course to being one of the top fashion hits of the summer. Well, why shouldn’t they be Aren’t they a saviour when you are not completely in the mood to show off your legs in a mini or cover them completely with a maxi piece Thanks to several winning combination a la international and national runways, women are rediscovering midi’s sartorial appeal.

“The midi-skirt, much like most fashion trends, has had its fair share of a tumultuous trend history where it moved from being an emblem of grace and elegance to being replaced by the ‘progressive’ minis and later regaining its popularity. Both the name and silhouette of the ‘midi-skirt’ came into being in the 1940s. However, it isn’t the silhouette we think of when we say ‘midi’ today — in fact the shape and hemline of the midi has undergone much evolution. At a time when women were trying to herald movements of change, the hemline was a silent yet striking form of protest,” says designer Ashish Soni about the evolution of the mid-length attraction.

Shalini Jakaria from Geisha Designs by Paras and Shalini agrees and adds, “Midi skirts were born in a fashion decade that was known for its style and charm. French designer Christian Dior brought the focus of fashion back to Paris when he introduced his 1947 collection dubbed ‘The New Look’ by Carmel Snow, editor of Harper’s Bazaar. The collection featured long, very full skirts. In the year of 1970, John Burr Fairchild declared that 1970 would be the year of the midi and thus it was introduced to the world. An intense marketing campaign was waged, in which retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman made their salesgirls wear the new-length skirt. However, the public was not thrilled. The midi tried its best but its reincarnation in the 1970s didn’t work out as planned. Luckily for modern-day women, designers have injected a new life into this trend, highlighting its attributes and flexible wearability with a range of fabrics and creative styling to suit just about anyone.”

On the other hand, designer Anupama Dayal shares, “The midi is grownup but slightly subversive. And that is a winning combination.” She adds, “The midi trend will outlive the summer. Fashion at the moment is completely polarised between a hip, street aesthetic and a minimal ultra-luxe stealth look — both of which have a place for the midi-skirt.”

According to designer Sneha Mehta of Kukoon, midis aren’t just for tall women. She adds, “Midi skirts are characterised by their lengths which can reach anywhere from just below the knee to mid-calf. And petite girls can wear the skirt silhouette too. Choose a high-waisted bottom and cropped top. The sliver of exposed skin will break-up your longer midi look, so as to not overwhelm your petite frame. Try out the ruffled hem with cascading hemline. The ruffle hem extends lower than the slim skirt silhouette, adding more volume and shape to lengthen your legs. Another great option that you can try is a printed midi skirt. Polka dots are a terrific choice for a petite frame. Style it with a cropped top and a leather jacket on the weekend or blouse and blazer for work days.”

Designer Pallavi Mohan points out that the fabric of a midi skirt is important. “Anything too thick or stiff will not sit well. Go for fluid cotton jerseys or denims. Silk organza, lace fabric and tulle work beautifully if you want volumn. The most effortless way to rock a midi is to choose a bold colour like a tangerine, lime green or hot pink to stand out from the crowd. Adding a pair of strappy heels will give you an easy boost, elongating your look and adding that fancy factor. Also carrying a statement bag in a shade matching your heels would complement the entire look,” she says.