Puffball Skirt also known as a “
bubble skirt” or “
harem skirt,” a
Puffball Skirt is a
short to
mid-length skirt that’s been folded under at the hem and sewn to the lining, gathering the fabric and creating a
puffed effect.
Puffball Skirts are usually fashioned from taffeta or satin, but have also been created in tweed, denim, and other more casual fabrics.
When a
Puffball Skirt is fashioned from a relatively relaxed fabric, it’s usually then stuffed with tulle to give the
skirt structure and added fullness.
In the
1950s,
Puffball Skirts were a popular women’s fashion item often worn at cocktail parties and proms.
French designer Yves St. Laurent designed a
Puffball Skirt under his apprenticeship with
Christian Dior, and the
skirt was also a signature piece of
The House of Balenciaga. During the late 1980s, the
Puffball Skirt appeared on the runways in a collection by
fashion designer Christian La Croix.
La Croix is often credited with inventing the design, which was dubbed le pouf and included in his debut couture collection along with
corsets, bustles, bows, and other details inspired by
18th century ball gowns.
The
Puffball Skirt retreated from fashion during the grunge era of the early 1990s, when luxe fabrics and overly-ornate details were traded for plaid flannels and no-fuss minimalism.
Puffball Skirt then made a comeback in the late 2000s, and were accompanied for the first time by “
puffball sleeves” sewn using the same folded-under technique. Today,
Puffball Skirts are a popular feature on
prom dresses,
wedding dresses, and dance costumes.The
Puffball Skirt is best worn with a sleeker, more fitted top, to avoid overloading the frame with too much volume.
Puffball Skirts are also generally more flattering when the waist of the skirt is cinched with a belt or bow. Intricate details or accessories should also be avoided elsewhere on the outfit when wearing a
Puffball Skirt, which should be the outfit’s central, stand-out piece. Some modern twists on the
Puffball Skirt include asymmetrical hems as well as
tiered hems.
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