May 09, 2006

Bubble Skirt

The bubble hemmed skirt has been all over the high street stores recently.

While they may look super cute on the Derek Lam and Chanel runway (above), that does not however translate very well onto the sidewalk.

I especially don't like the short bubble skirts, like these two above from Urban Outfitters and Top Shop. Its so unflattering. It looks like one is wearing diapers underneath or something.

While the brown one on the left from Theory is still ok acceptable, the cargo black one from Urban Outfitters on the right is truly hideous. Cargo and bubble are not meant to be.

These two just look like really badly made dresses. The model in the blue C&C dress looks like she's wearing her pajamas. And as much as I love Velvet, this plum dress is just not very flattering. Esp in the back.

Even as evening dresses, this bubble hemline thing just makes the two dresses look unfinished- even if they are from Carmen Marc Valvo and Vera Wang Lavendar respectively.

Somewhat better would be this shiny Norma Kamali skirt because it just looks heavily pleated albeit a bit awkwardly and this shiny one from Anthropologie (although I daresay it won't look as good on a person as it does on the mannequin).

Both dresses above are from BCBG. Again, the bronze dress on the left doesn't look too bad because it looks super pleated, but the black one on the right just looks really really weird.

64 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

okay i completely agree with you especially about the dresses...except for the last black BCBG one...its actually kind of cute. A little weird yes but i like its weirdness.

5/10/2006 1:48 AM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

I kind of like the black BCBG dress too. It's different that's for sure! But it looks like a dress you'd wear for something special - so the differentness is kind of fun. I can't imagine wearing a bubble skirt down the street. They look so silly!

5/10/2006 2:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wooo ! Beautiful skirts, I'm like the blue !

5/10/2006 2:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Somehow I always thought these kind of skirts, are called TULIP-SKIRTS?

5/10/2006 2:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I could never wear a bubble (or pouf) skirt only because it would look unflattering on me. I do think it could make for an interesting design element, though. And fabric is key. Choose the wrong fabric and you've got a soggy looking diaper. But some of the skirts you've shown work the bubble look in a pretty cool way, like the BCBG ones, even if it may appear weird or trendy.

-fashion student at esmod

5/10/2006 3:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some of them actually look cute. I think fabric is key. But like any fad, this too shall pass.

5/10/2006 4:26 AM  
Blogger Lisa Riley said...

I tried on the bronze one at BCBG a couple months ago - the bubble-ness felt very "80s high school dance." No thanks.

5/10/2006 5:48 AM  
Blogger ChelleBell said...

I actually have one of these style dresses similar to the Velvet one and it is flattering on me because it has a layer of tighter fabric underneath which sucks in my wobbly bits and then the outer fabric doesnt cling too much. Plus the color is also similar and looks great with my skin tone :)

5/10/2006 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i agree--
i like the theory skirt, the Norma Kamali skirt, and the 2 BCBG dresses.

i wore a bubble-style dress for my semi formal (im only 13) :) everyone loved it. it was green satin 2 layers of black tulle on top, the outermost layer had green polka dots.

5/10/2006 8:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

puhahaha... diaper...

i think it depends on how it's cut, but bubble skirt can easily look cute or truely hideous.

5/10/2006 9:32 AM  
Blogger rachel said...

i saw someone wearing bubble shorts the other day when i was out shopping. now that was even worse!

5/10/2006 10:34 AM  
Blogger The Tooth Fairy said...

Bubble skirts somehow manage to look better on the hangars than on me. I think you really need to hv long skinny legs in order to carry it off.

After reading your post, I've come to the conclusion that bubble skirts are gruesome, and I shan't even bother trying them on anymore! Yay! Your pictures have proven that bubble skirts can make otherwise nice dresses look really bad. What a waste! I wonder why the designers even bother.

Hope this bubble thing goes away really really soon. They are taking up precious display space in the stores.

5/10/2006 11:08 AM  
Blogger fjl said...

I've noticed that when the superstars are stopped by the fashion police it's usually for this outrage. I so agree. It's the one skirt that makes everyone look terrible. As unflattering as possible. What made them think of it atall I wonder. Have you any idea who it originated with, so we can all have a good laugh? :-)

Love the bags by the way.

5/10/2006 11:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, I have to agree that this style is very unflattering no matter who wears it...very unfinished and messy looking. I foresee it going out of fashion very quick.

5/10/2006 12:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it is a way to add dimension and make the hem stand out a bit without relying on ruffling or a petticoat, perhaps we're headed that way. i dont like the top of the bcbg bronze dress, but skirt on that dress is gorgeous.

5/10/2006 12:52 PM  
Blogger Mónica Lice said...

I love the first black dress!

5/10/2006 7:21 PM  
Blogger Gemma said...

bubble, puffball, tulip...whatever you want to call it, it's all just fashion speak for 'we ran out of good ideas' isn't it!

5/10/2006 10:15 PM  
Blogger princessdominique said...

I love love love this blog!

5/11/2006 4:26 AM  
Blogger Alison at Wardrobe Oxygen said...

I too despise them, I thought it was because I wore a strapless bubble dress to my 10th grade homecoming. Wish I still had it, seems as though it would go for a killing on eBay these days...

When I see them on the street, they look terrible. They always look as though the hem is hiked up or the woman is larger than she really is. One sits in a bubble skirt and the volume is pressed out and you look as lifeless as a two-week old mylar balloon.

I fully agree with you, better on a hanger than a human. And I too love your blog!

5/12/2006 7:38 PM  
Blogger Shopaholic D said...

When this look first came out, I really hated it. But the other day, I saw a simple black bubble skirt in the window of Miss Priss, and thought, what the hey, I'll try it on. I thought it looked really cute with my cardigan set and at 75% off (the store is going out of business), I figured it'd be worth it! You can see my skirt on my blog (click here - you may have to scroll down a bit). I also got a bubble tank which is cuter. I just checked the picture....it doesn't do the skirt justice. Maybe I'll post it again...hmmm? Anywho, the skirt is super lightweight cotton, and I love how flowy it is...very comfy!

5/12/2006 10:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hate them! They only look SOMEWHAT good if you're stick thin!

5/13/2006 12:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I DONT THINK YOU HAVE TO BE STICK THIN TO LOOK GOOD IN THEM .JUST GET A LONGER ONE IF U HAVE BIGGER LEGS.I THINK THEY R H-O-T!! I LOVE THE RED ONE ON A YOGURT COMORCIAL. AND I LOVE THE DARK BROWN ONE IN THE PICTURES

5/21/2006 10:44 PM  
Blogger pj said...

dont really fancy bubble skirt... only thin ppl look good in it

5/23/2006 4:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I made myself a dress shaped like this a couple of months ago, in immitation of a jellyfish. Mine looks more 50s than 80s. Pictures of the jellyfish dress.

I found that adding a ruffle on the bottom made the shape a lot more flattering for diverse body shapes (e.g., I have stubby legs and I love wearing this). Seriously, a properly puffed out skirt can be flattering the same way an A-line or Cinderella skirt is.

5/28/2006 10:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i absolutelyy love the bubble dresses! i just bought a diane von furstenberg one just for fun this summer and i got a $500 carmen marc valvo red and white one for my 8th grade graduation. my mom and i love it so much. i think they are adorable.

6/04/2006 10:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a bloke I love the bubble skirt look, sadly it is only seen on shop hangars and never on women in the street. I think they look great on women of all shapes and sizes. I wish I could wear them myself. I love this blog, thanks for the hot photos!

6/06/2006 5:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The bubble absolutely rocks! The choice of fabric, length and what you pair it with is what is ultimately going to draw the line between flattering and unflattering.
The most fun thing to have shown up in fashion for a long, long time.

9/15/2006 10:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I enjoy wearing short skirts and have just bought myself a mini bubble skirt - which I feel flatters my legs and when worn with a pair of black tights feels good too !!

And I am a man

10/21/2006 11:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A bubble skirt can be amongst the most flattering of skirts on a woman. I love them in all lengths.

10/27/2006 7:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

^_^
Its all about the person.
Bubble skirts look darling as with a long wide wasit band to let the poof "poof" out and nice slender long waits doesnt go a miss.I use them alot for shoots and im making a micro bubble skirt right now to accompany a lolita inspired pale coloured baby look.
Its somthing that you have to work, just like anything else.

1/28/2007 4:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Am I the only one who thinks this is stunning? I mean, you could definitely say this is way different from what we're used to, but it's much better than some ankle-length large ball-gown style skirt we still see at proms. It's a lot less awkward, much cuter, and it's in style now! ..and who ever said "80's high school dance" couldn't distinctive and therefore cool?

2/12/2007 11:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, give bubble skirts a chance. I have an "average" body, and I own two bubble items. One is a skirt in a khaki green, the other is a soft jerseyish material - both for summer. they are not unflattering and are a fun change from either straight or the traditional full skirt. I think that if you stay away from stiff materials (too high school prom) and wear a simple top along with a wedge of chunkier style shoe, it looks great.

3/06/2007 11:21 PM  
Blogger pshlover said...

I love the idea of bubble skirts but I never realized how unflattering they look and how unfinished they make outfits look....except i love the bronze dress at the end its gorgeous

3/21/2007 2:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the last black dress looks like a hersheys kiss

4/14/2007 12:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i looove the bronze one.. the model really look good on it =D

5/27/2007 7:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to agree with your assessments wholeheartedly! I don't even think the pleated ones look all that great. The only bubble skirt that I've seen that ever looked good was on my niece when she was a flower girl. It came down to mid-calf, and was a sheer white with faux rose petals scattered inside. But I think adults should steer clear away from bubble skirts.

7/25/2007 5:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am about to order myself a pink satin bubble skirt from Littlewoods direct at £7 - what a bargain !!

And Yes I am male

12/28/2007 4:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The only way to make a bubble skirt work is to wear it with flats or heels (not tennis shoes.) The material should be a cotton-jersey and have a thick waist band (about two inches) and the skirt's length should hit above the knee, a little lower than half way. Delias made this skirt like that when they started being a "fad" and it worked well on a lot of girls that I saw wearing them.

1/02/2008 4:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

is it too late to jump on the bubble-skirt bandwagon? i saw a really cute taffeta one on bluefly. i don't want to buy it if it'll be outdated in a month.

1/06/2008 1:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

love the last black one

1/13/2008 11:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love all of them. Bubble skirts are hot!

1/23/2008 12:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what r u on about bubble skirts r awsome wateva size or color but the cargo 1 was weird

8/12/2008 2:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i think bubble skirt arent that badd.for example this one from papaya;;

http://www.papayaclothing.com/shop/goods_detail_v1.php?goodsIdx=4410


(copy & paste in web adress section)

*i would actually wear it..
atleast with a a white tee and black flats for a casual look.

12/01/2008 12:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

actually i think the bubble dress is more of a young adult - teen kind of style. However, i admit these dresses are probably not the best, in the context its in. I have to say, i really LOVE the last black dress. I think its more of a prom/grad kind of dress, though.
:)

3/13/2009 4:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the girl in the white 'pleated' one looks cute for everyday, but i think the last black one is cute and fun for more formal events. people would notice, but it's more of a fun young-ish dress.

3/15/2009 3:17 AM  
Anonymous Shelly said...

I agree that they do look better on the runway vs. an everyday gal BUT on children...adorable! You can find them here: www.figgys.1000markets.com or if you want a pattern to make yourself: www.figgyskids.etys.com

5/22/2009 10:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love the short bubble skirts.And the last black dress, I like it alot more than the gold one, even though gold is my favorithe color.

6/03/2009 1:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I will wear any clothes that look good on me - but never bubbles - how am I supposed to breathe ?
I reckon this is a CONSPIRICY ?

9/28/2009 3:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice Skirts, I love it. I often check New Look Voucher for great skirts.

10/21/2009 12:15 PM  
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12/15/2009 2:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I honestly think you just chose some really bad examples and pictures. There are some really cute bubble skirts out there. Several people commented on them looking better on thin people. Not to be an a$$, but isn't that the case with a lot of fashion?

1/25/2010 4:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what you are talking about because the black dress looks better than the bronze one!

1/31/2010 9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's a difficult style to create and to wear and most people can't do it. I would suggest avoiding it unless you are fashion forward, tall, skinny and you have long legs.
But just to make the point it's not the "bubble bottom skirt" that is the problem.

3/19/2010 10:25 PM  
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Blogger Unknown said...

I don't really care for bubble skirts. They're not very flattering.

5/21/2010 2:38 AM  
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