Without fail, each year some fashion “comeback” is made where everybody says “I knew that would come back in style again!” Usually it involves denim; will legs be wide and breezy this fall, or will skinny jeans continue to reign? Sometimes a specific trend will return, like leggings or light washed jeans. These changes in fashion rarely make a blip on my radar (though I do like leggings, and jeggings are my best friend on casual Fridays). However, as I was perusing my usual gamut of clothing merchants via the web last week, I was shocked to see that full skirts and cardigans are making a comeback in some circles.
Since the airing of the hit show Mad Men, the mimicking of fifties fashion has been on the rise, and while I have always loved full skirts, crinolines, and ladylike accents, I am absolutely over the moon that I no longer have to modify less-than-full dresses and skirts to fit over my fifties-esque crinolines that I wear regularly. Banana Republic’s line of clothes “The MadMen Collection” for women celebrates the return of sleek, elegant styles reflected in modest yet attractive full-skirted dresses, sweet yet sassy sheath-style work appropriate dresses, and feminine details like lace and pearls. Classic pumps, clutch pocketbooks, cozy cardigans, and neck scarves round out the collection for women. And while the flashback in time to the fifties is a relatively new trend, Talbots’ summer catalogue included several full-skirted sundresses, and the cover of the catalogue at one point featured a woman in a full skirt with an adorable crinoline peeking out the bottom.
Before the return of the fifties in the fashion world, women like me had to scour the internet for specialty designers who carried dresses with true circle skirts as well as the pettiskirt or petticoat to wear under them. My fifties-esque wardrobe was comprised of full skirts purchased from places like Macys and Dillards, but I often had to cut the lining out of the skirts to enable a crinoline to fit under them. I also stocked up on basic cardigans and simple, round-toe pumps.
With the return of the fifties, I am able to find fashion that suits my style more easily, and I can only hope that this new trend continues through fall and winter. After all, who needs tall, flat boots and leggings when she can flaunt an impossibly full skirt and pearls? The key to rocking this style is to accessorize simply. If I wear a full skirt and a buttoned-up cardigan, I don’t also throw on all pearl jewelry. One piece will suffice. But if I’m wearing a more demure sheath-style dress with a classy cardigan, statement jewelry works well. The fifties style is all about femininity and elegance, and I for one am pleased to see these styles more readily available.