If you’re planning on a career as a femme fatale, there’s one item of clothing you’re going to need in your wardrobe. No, it’s not those pink dungarees with teddy bear patches sewn into the pockets; it’s the single garment around which a seductive, dangerous image can be built that will render weak-minded men helpless. We’re talking pencil skirts.

How many times has Hollywood deployed this wondrous item since the early days of cinema? You can probably picture the film noir star emerging from the shadows, cigarette holder in hand, clicking her high heels as she descends on her victim. In a single garment there’s power, seduction and feminity that is without equivalent in the world of fashion. If you’re not convinced, settle down and watch Linda Fiorentino in The Last Seduction, or Christina Hendricks in Mad Men.

Now of course nobody is suggesting that being a femme fatale is a wise, honest and honorable path to take. In fact, any life choices that can be described in a phrase with the word “fatale” in it should probably be approached with caution and possibly the expectation of time behind bars. But on the screen? Let’s watch those guys squirm!

Like many contemporary fashions, the pencil skirt can trace its roots back to the turn of the century, in this case, the \”hobble skirts\” worn by stylish women before the first world war. Utterly impractical to wear (as suggested by their name) but mystifyingly popular, the skirts were full length and made above-knee leg movement all but impossible. The war, and its increased use of female labour, put paid to this style, and it was not until the next world war was over that the hobble skirt’s updated offspring came into being.

Designed by Christian Dior, the pencil skirt captured the mood immaculately. It was unquestionably sexy, despite being partly driven by the scarcity of material in the post-war market. This time round, the skirt didn’t reach the ankles, but stopped around the knees, walking being greatly assisted by a slit (sometimes pleated to maintain modesty) which could be positioned at the rear or up one thigh. Worn with heels, a chic form of attire was born that was as smart as any men’s suit but had immeasurable femininity sewn into every stitch.

So with over sixty years’ worth of culture behind it, the not-so-humble pencil skirt remains a staple garment that can be worn (with a little practice) formally or in a more relaxed manner. But it retains an elegance for never falling below certain standards of formality – you’d never see one worn in a festival field, for example – which means we will probably still wear the pencil skirt in another sixty years. And while there are some gorgeous skirts on the high street at the moment, a retro pencil will not look out of place, so do remember to check out vintage clothing stores if you’re missing a vital element of a stylish formal look. Just one small tip, though: remember to practice emerging from cars.

Author Bio: Vintage fashion is something Sally has appreciated most of her life. Her wardrobe includes pencil skirts and other pieces of vintage clothing that offer plenty of creative choices when it comes to putting together a retro look.

Category: Culture
Keywords: vintage, retro, skirts