1. November 24 - December 7 45
life & stylestyle solutions
this classic folded style is getting a runway revival
Pleat Beat
Petiteshapes:
Pleated skirts are
good for adding
bulk to your frame.
Look for balanced
proportions and opt
for shorter skirts.
Tallshapes:
A slim midi skirt is
your best choice.
Tuck in a loose-fitting
or skin-tight top with
it to create volume.
Pair it with flats.
style
your
shape
Pearshapes:
Midi or long skirts are
practically made for your
body type. Wear it high on
your stomach with a crop
top so it falls perfectly
over your waist.
Bustywomen:
Sit the skirt on your natural waist
and wear heels to extend your
legs. Color is an important factor
here. Wear high-contrast colors if
you want to show off your curves
or low-contrast colors if not.
Salvatore
Ferragamo
A/W 2016
Zara
¥299
www.zara.cn
H&M
¥249
www.hm.cn
Know your history
The pleated look actually started with men as
far back as the 15th century, where it was fash-
ionableinwesternEuropetowearpleateddou-
blets that were belted and tailored. They soon
became essential in clothing for both genders
to add fullness and volume to a garment. Over
thecenturies,doubletsdiedoutandpleatsbec-
camemorepopularaswomen’sfashion,andby
the 1920s pleated dresses with dropped waists
had become essential to the flapper style. Issey
Miyake brought back pleats in a big way in the
’90s with the micropleat, made by heat-press-
ing fabric.
Why you need it now
This look is spreading like wildfire this season,
with high-end brands like Gucci, Ferragamo
andChristopherKaneparadingpleatsdownthe
high-fashion runway in both dress and skirt
form. Valentino’s dresses use all-over velvet
in a single color, while Ferragamo
throws in bright layered colors for
a little more funk. Designers like
Proenza Schouler are also pairing
matte tops with matching metal-
lic skirts for some unexpected
shimmer and sophistication.
What to look for
Length is really just an option
here. Wear it with a loose-fitting
crop top for daytime, or under an
all-around formal top for evening
plans. Update a ’20s-era look by
tuckingasweaterorloosetopinto
a short skirt. What’s especially
popular this fall is to pair long
pleated skirts with oversized
sweaters; just be careful not to
cover up the hemline.
 Ludovica D’Angiò
Valentino
¥44,500
www.valentino.cn