In fashion, as in physics, everything has its equal and opposite – and this season, the two skirts that dominated catwalks and streetstyle were the micro-mini and the column.
Here at PRIMER HQ, we appreciate both, but it’s the cool elegance of the column skirt that has captured our hearts. (Anna has a silky ESSE column on high rotation already, having spied the trend early at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week.)
“Prada, The Row and Tibi have championed the column skirt, and on the local front Christopher Esber, Sir and Michael Lo Sordo are fans,” says stylist Lucy Wood, who notes the skirt has once again found fashion favour after a period when tailored pants were in charge.
“After seasons of fantastic tailored pants and suits ruling the runways, we’ve seen an increase in skirts of all varieties,” she adds. “Column skirts are a sleek alternative for those of us who love tailored pants. Some versions have pant-style belt loops, front and back pockets, so they feel like your favourite wide-leg trousers, too.”
The defining features of column skirts, as opposed to a maxi or pencil (which can also be narrow), are that they’re straight, don’t taper towards the bottom and have minimal splits, ensuring the column shape is retained.
If you remember wearing a column in the 1990s (we do), you’ll doubtless have worn them back then with a chunky boot and sweater, and a heap of teenage attitude. This time round, the look is more grown up, just like us. Column skirts look polished with a crisp shirt for the office; wear them with a simple tank or relaxed t-shirt at the weekend.
“They look great with leather accessories – for ones with belt loops, add a man-style leather belt and pumps or sandals,” says Lucy. “I’d avoid trainers, as it’s nice to show some skin to balance the length.”
Shopping selects: Lucy Wood
BY Felicity Robinson
Felicity is PRIMER's co-founder
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