Do you know what is a pencil skirt? A pencil skirt is a slim-fitting skirt with a straight, narrow cut. In most cases, the hem is close-fitting and falls to or just below the knee.
The pencil skirt is a versatile garment that you can wear in both a professional and casual setting. Find out more about how to wear this timeless silhouette for both work and play.
What is a Pencil Skirt?
A pencil skirt is a tight, narrow garment, named for its pencil-like shape. This traditional skirt shape has a slit to facilitate easier movement and is form-fitting from the waist to the hips to the hem.
The hem of the skirt is typically 20 to 25 inches long and sits at or just below the knee, giving the lower body a slimming appearance.
Longer pencil skirts with a blazer make a stylish office outfit, while shorter styles with a spaghetti strap tank are more appropriate for a night out.
Related Reading: Are Pencil Skirts Still in Style?
History of Pencil Skirt
The pencil skirt has been a staple in women’s wardrobes for 70 years.
Although Christian Dior is frequently credited with popularizing the pencil skirt among women in 1954, some variation of the straight skirt had already been in use for some time.
Women have worn some variation of a very straight skirt since the turn of the twentieth century.
Early in the 20th century, a style of skirt known as the “hobble skirt” gained popularity because it made it difficult for the wearer to walk with proper strides because of its constrictive, straight shape.
The dresses of the era were short and straight. The 1940s saw the introduction of clothing made with little fabric due to rationing during the war, so straight skirts and narrow jackets were common.
The pencil skirt has been around for a while in some shape or form.
Also Read: How Should a Pencil Skirt Fit?
Tips for Styling Pencil Skirts
Pencil skirts come in many forms that can be suitable for an evening out or office wear. For a few pencil skirt outfit ideas, see below:
Business Professional
Longer-hemmed pencil skirts are a timeless office wardrobe essential that you can wear with a variety of tops and sweaters.
A white button-down shirt and blazer look sharp and sophisticated when styled with a black pencil skirt.
Business Casual
A traditional pencil skirt and a cardigan or blouse make a smart business-casual outfit. Depending on the dress code at your particular place of employment, you can complete the look with a pair of cozy flats or ankle boots.
Casual
For brunch with friends or a laid-back lunch, you can dress down a pencil skirt. For a casual and fun look, tuck a t-shirt into a denim or floral pencil skirt and accessorize with white sneakers and hoops.
Evening
A leather pencil skirt, a black sleeveless crop top, and a pair of stiletto heels make a statement-making outfit for a night out.
A pencil skirt also works well as part of a fun date outfit when worn with a moto jacket, a vibrant tank top, and corset booties.
For more pencil skirt outfit ideas, please read our guide on How to Wear a Pencil Skirt in Winter.
What Body Shapes Suit the Pencil Skirt?
Despite being short and straight in shape, pencil skirts are incredibly forgiving. Of course, they look good with rectangular shapes because they highlight your lean silhouette and legs.
They do, however, work for hourglass and pear shapes as long as the hemline ends at or just above the knee.
Pear shapes typically look best in an a-line skirt shape, but if the proportions on the pencil skirt are just right, they can wear another shape.
The pencil skirt is a fantastic fashion choice for apple shapes. It shifts attention away from the waist or a slightly protruding tummy and places it on the lower body, which is typically an asset to the apple shape.
Inverted triangles will also look fantastic in a pencil skirt because they offer a great balance between broad shoulders and generally long legs. All body types can wear the pencil skirt, it’s true!
Related Post: How to Wear a Pencil Skirt With a Tummy?
Final Thoughts on What is a Pencil Skirt
These straight skirts, which were a symbol of women’s emancipation in the workplace, eventually changed into modern-day short, straight, and useful pencil skirts.
You can wear a pencil skirt wherever and whenever you want.
It is a sign of professionalism and a woman’s desire to be taken seriously at work when paired with a jacket to form a suit. It can be paired with countless outfit combinations and is very simple to wear and travel in.
If you are interested in DIY pencil skirt, please check How to Sew a Pencil Skirt for more information,
FAQs about What is a Pencil Skirt
What is the Difference Between a Pencil Skirt and a Normal Skirt?
A pencil skirt is a significantly more fitted skirt – so a skirt style! – and would need a slit or vent of some sort to enable movement when worn.
Why Do They Call It a Pencil Skirt?
A pencil skirt is a tight, narrow garment, named for its pencil-like shape. From the waist to the hips to the hem, this traditional skirt shape is form-fitting, and it typically has a slit to facilitate greater mobility.
What Body Shape Can Wear a Pencil Skirt?
This classic silhouette is ideal for women with an hourglass or rectangular body shape.
