New Skirt Shape of a Confused Economy: Hi-Lo Tulip

3.1 Phillip Lim Resort 2010

I was looking at the Resort 2010 collections and noticed that something interesting was going on with the hemlines. No longer is the micro mini or the maxi the new length, but hi-low tulip style skirts seem to be the way to go. Designers like Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Alice Temperley and Alexander Wang showed this look with Wang pushing hardest with 5 out of 41 looks featuring the new skirt shape.

Perhaps it's because the economic outlook looks uncertain and if you abide by the Hemline Index Theory, designers are not sure where to go next? The Hemline Index theory believes in a relationship between skirt lengths and the economy, in good times the hemlines rise, while in bad they fall. This hasn't seemed true recently but it's an interesting concept nonetheless.

I think this look could be lengthening to the leg, which is a good thing but not for everyone especially for women when hoping to hide upper portions of leg. While the back portion of the skirt is longer the front reveals just as much as a mini, if not more when sitting down. I like Lim and Wang's fluid drapey approach as opposed to Wu and Temperley's approach that may add unwanted hip attention.

Alexander Wang Resort 2010 included multiple Hi-Lo looks

Jason Wu Resort 2010, Temperley Resort 2010