Nineties fashion has been dominating the trendscape for years now, resuscitating formerly outdated items like fitted-waist blazers, sock boots, and corsets in the process. One silhouette from the era that I didn’t expect a fashion renaissance for, however, was the pencil skirt aka the often-drab skirt genre that’s not quite maxi or mini and has long been associated with “professional office attire.” Constricting and rarely flattering, the style fell out of favor for anyone outside of the C-suite years ago—and for good reason. But now that Miuccia Prada and Victoria Beckham have taken them under their wings, pencil skirts are gearing up for a comeback of epic proportions. And this time, I can’t say I’m mad about it.
In their spring collections, Prada and Beckham as well as Peter Do, Courrèges Artistic Director Nicolas Di Felice, and longtime Max Mara Creative Director Ian Griffiths played with midi- and knee-length pencil skirts in unexpected and surprisingly enticing ways, designing them in leather with matching boatneck jackets (Prada) and adding eye-catching details like oversize cargo pockets (Miu Miu) and fold-over waists (Victoria Beckham). The result? A spring selection that deserves attention as well as a spot in our actual wardrobes. Below, see how pencil skirts were displayed on the runways last September and the street style looks that followed. And while you’re at it, shop the skirt trend that’s about to be everywhere.
