Flirty skirts (all lengths and types) or practical pants (cropped and coloured)? Choose from these two big trends

Flirty skirts (all lengths and types) or practical pants (cropped and coloured)? Choose from these two big trends
S kirts have had great fashion moments ­ Marilyn Monroe epitomised a skirt, so did Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Very recently, it was Britney Spears who gave skirts a naughty name.
Skirts are associated with femininity (even now) and are sexy. A hint of skin, a frivolous play of the fabric around a woman's body, make it a pleasure for men to see a woman in a skirt. Says fashion stylist Amit Hansraj, “Someone wearing a skirt well comes across as eclectic, experimental and free-spirited.“ This year fashion designers are going gaga over skirts.
Marc Jacobs had models in fitted pencil skirts, Louis Vuitton showcased A-line ones in lush velvets, Christian Dior had silk knee-length pleated ones, Chloé had maxi ones and Moschino propagated floorskimming, ghera or pleated ones. And of course, minis too were a favourite with Dior and Viktor & Rolf.
But skirts are very difficult to carry off. You need to be in shape to carry off a skirt. Great legs are a prerequisite. Most skirts require you to tuck in the blouse or wear a belt. That can be tough if you have bulge on your stomach.
Skirts are also a little restrictive. Before a skirt day, take into account the direction of the wind, stairs you might have to climb and the way you sit. T here has been an evolution of sorts with pants ­ from being the working woman's outfit (worn by women working in the factories in the 19th century and during the Second World War) to now, when it is a must-have on the hangers in your wardrobe and a staple showcased on the ramps by designer houses such as Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès, Gucci and Brioni.
Pants still remain a more utilitarian (they keep you warm) than fashionable option for most women. Especially for Indian women, says fashion designer Nachiket Barve, “It is only now that women have started experimenting with pants outside the purview of office wear. They are realising that practicality can be matched with style.“ Pants conceal as well as reveal (the shape of your posterior, to be precise). They work well for pear-shaped Indian women ­ a long tunic can hide a stomach bulge or an ungainly backside and a short one can flaunt a `Pippa' derriere.
They are versatile pair them with a white shirt and you are office-ready.
With a tee, head for a casual outing.
With a silk, cleavage-revealing blouse, pants look high-fashion.