A pencil skirt is timeless, classic and hard to beat when it comes to all out feminine glamour!
A narrow cut skirt that hugs the curves of a woman's body, the flirty shape of the pencil skirt was created by christian Dior in the late 1940s and has a long history through western fashion.
In the 1940s, the design was revolutionary and almost shocking in the way it hugged a woman's curves. Because the pencil skirt is more restrictive than fuller skirts, it created a distinctly feminine wiggle when the wearer walked, particularly in heels.
The form flattering pencil skirt was embraced by glamour icons like Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Sophia Loren.
The pencil skirt went out of fashion briefly in the sixties when poodle skirts and prom skirts came into fashion favor, but made a huge resurgence in the 80s with power dressing and sexy suits.
In 2010, the pencil skirt is once again appearing on catwalks and fashion pages, in a variety of colors and textures from black satin, black cotton, denim and leather.
Due to the restrictive nature, many pencil skirts feature a back slit, pleat or zipper to give more room to walk and stride. Sometimes, a side slit or a slit above one leg is featured to show a little leg when walking.
A pencil skirt has the unique ability to flatter almost all body shapes because of it's curve accentuating style. A pencil skirt adds curves to a slender body, and creates a sexy hourglass shape by hugging the natural curves of fuller figured women without adding the additional bulk that a fuller skirt adds.
Best of all, the pencil skirt transcends age and can be worn by women of all age, from trendy teenagers to sixy-plus. It's just a matter of choosing the right top and accessories.
The classic, curve-hugging straight skirt can be worn many ways to
achieve a variety of fashion looks from office to evening to party and beyond.
Like sewing? You may enjoy my pattern for a pencil skirt
