Shopping for Skirts
If the terms of fashion leave you feeling lost, designer Bradley Bayou offers his easy guide to shopping for skirts.
By Bradley Bayou
![A-line A-line](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-a-line-600x411.jpg)
A-Line
This skirt steadily tapers out from the waist to the hem in strong, straight lines, revealing a silhouette like the edges of a capital letter A.
![Asymmetrical hem Asymmetrical hem](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-asymmetrical-hem-600x411.jpg)
Asymmetrical Hem
Rather then running straight across the skirt bottom in an even line, this hem is slanted on the diagonal, revealing more leg on one side then the other.
![Circle Circle](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-circle-skirt-600x411.jpg)
Circle
Named for the fact that the hem of the skirt, stretched out, forms a large, complete circle, this style is very full. (A less-full version of this is called a semi-circle skirt.)
![Denim Denim](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-denim-skirt-600x411.jpg)
Denim
Made from cotton denim, this casual skirt shares the hip-styling of a pair of jeans: belt loops, angled pockets and a button or zipper closure.
![Gathered Gathered](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-gathered-600x411.jpg)
Gathered
The waistband of this skirt consists of small fabric folds gathered and sewn together into an elastic waistband or separate fabric waistband.
![Godet Godet](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-godet-600x411.jpg)
Godet
Similar to the gored skirt, this style hugs the hips, then features triangle swatches of fabric, called godets, sewn between the panels to create more fullness at the hem.
![Gored Gored](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-gored-600x411.jpg)
Gored
This skirt is constructed from any number of vertical panels of fabric, called gores. Fitted through the hip, the panels have flare on the bottom to create a flirty flounce at the hem.
![Handkerchief hem Handkerchief hem](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-handkerchief-hem-600x411.jpg)
Handkerchief Hem
Rather than running straight across the skirt bottom in an even line, this hem falls in various-length pints around the base, the way a handkerchief would looks when held in the center.
![High-waisted High-waisted](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-handkerchief-hem-600x411.jpg)
High-Waisted
The fastening button or snap of this skirt hits above the navel, making one's waist appear higher than it is.
![Pleated Pleated](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-pleated-600x411.jpg)
Pleated
Though there are varied types of pleated skirts, the general style features permanent vertical folds in the fabric. (This illustration shows a box pleat from the waist to the hip, where the pleat then releases).
![Prairie Prairie](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-prarie-skirt-600x411.jpg)
Prairie
A western-inspired skirt made from tiers of ruffles. It comes in various lengths and can be either a knit or a woven fabric for a variety of effects.
![Trumpet Trumpet](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-trumpted-skirt-600x411.jpg)
Trumpet
This style is slim fitting from the waist through the hips, then flares or ruffles outward, like a trumpet, at the knee. (One that tapers in just slightly before flaring out is called a tulip skirt.)
![Wrap Wrap](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-wrap-600x411.jpg)
Wrap
This skirt is created by cross-wrapping fabric and securing it (usually with a tie or a belt) on the side, back or front of the skirt, thus creating a soft flare or an A-line silhouette.
Bradley Bayou's guide to jackets and blazers
Bradley Bayou's guide to jackets and blazers
Published 06/16/2010