Pleated skirts are a great way to add some flair to your outfit without having to worry about matching your shoes. But sometimes, they can make you look a little bit… well… fat.
We don’t want that! So we’ve put together 11 tips for how to wear pleated skirts without looking like a marshmallow in a tutu.
1. Wear the right size.
This is a pretty obvious one, but it can be hard to know what’s right for you. If you’re looking for a pleated skirt, try on different sizes and see which one fits best. This way, you’ll know exactly what size to look for when shopping online or in stores!
2. Avoid pleats that are too small.
A lot of people think that a skirt with small pleats will give them a waist and make them look more slim, but in reality, it can actually make you look bigger than you are. For example, if you have a larger waist and smaller hips, this type of skirt will accentuate your hips while making the waist appear larger.
If you want to get away with wearing this type of skirt, you should choose one that has larger pleats or no pleats at all.
3. Know which styles flatter your figure.
A lot of fashion is about knowing what works for you, and it’s important to make sure you’re always wearing the right thing. If you’ve tried on a few different shapes of skirt and haven’t found one that really works, think about what kind of shape you have—are you curvy? Tall? Short? Just try to match your body type with the right style of skirt.
For example, if you’re tall, pleated skirts will make your legs look longer. If you’re short, a pencil skirt will help balance out your proportions (and who doesn’t want a good pencil skirt?). And if you’re curvy, try a crinkle-pleat or a flat-front pleat skirt—they’ll help hide some of those curves!
4. Keep your top simple and focus on accessories that draw attention away from the waistline.
A key thing to remember when you’re wearing a pleated skirt is to keep your top simple. You want to draw attention to your waistline, not your hips or thighs—so make sure you keep your top simple, and let the skirt do the talking!
One great way to do this is by adding some fun accessories that draw attention up instead of down. A statement necklace or earrings will add pizzazz and make sure people are looking at your face, not down at your waistline!
5. Wear a high-waisted skirt to make your waist look smaller
If you’re worried about how the pleats will make your waist look, try wearing a high-waisted skirt to balance things out. A high-waisted skirt will help pull in your waist, while the skirt’s volume will help balance out any extra weight around your hips and thighs!
6. Choose a pleated skirt that comes down past your knees
If you want to wear a pleated skirt without looking fat, the best thing you can do is make sure that it comes down past your knees. That way, it will create some more volume in the front and balance out your figure.
7. Wear a fitted top that hits at or above the waist of your skirt
If you’re worried about how to wear a pleated skirt without looking fat, you can start by trying out this tip! Fitted tops that hit at or above the waist of your skirt will help to keep everything in proportion, and they’ll show off your curves without drawing too much attention to them.
8. Add some accessories like a belt or scarf to add interest to the outfit
This is a great way to add some visual interest to your outfit without adding bulk. You can use belts, scarves, and even hats to create a new look with your pleated skirt. If you want to try this approach, we suggest choosing a scarf that’s about the length of your waist.
9. Find a blouse with long sleeves to cover up any chubby arms you might have
We’ve all been there: you show up to work in your favorite pleated skirt and suddenly, you look like a stuffed sausage wrapped in bacon. It’s not the end of the world—you can still rock that skirt and look great! The key is finding the right blouse to go with it.
If you’re worried about covering up any chub on your arms, try a blouse with long sleeves to make them disappear (and just make sure to roll them up if they’re too long). If they’re too short, try going sleeveless or pairing it with a cardigan.
10. Wear tights under the skirt so you don’t look too exposed
This is a quick and easy way to make your pleated skirt look less revealing. Just pair it with opaque tights, or even better, leggings if they’re not too long. That way you get the look of tights without being entirely covered in them!
11. Choose shoes that are low heel and have a small toe box
Pleated skirts are great for adding volume to your hips, but the last thing you want is to look like you’re wearing a skirt over pants or leggings. If you don’t have much of a thigh gap, this can be an issue.
The solution: make sure your shoes aren’t too high and have some flexibility in the toes. This will keep your legs looking long and lean, not short and stubby.
Final words
Thanks for reading! We hope you found this article helpful, and that you’ll continue to share your thoughts with us.
If you want more tips on how to wear a pleated skirt without looking fat, check out our other articles!
Hi, I’m Isabella! I’m a fashion-obsessed writer who loves everything about it: the clothes, the accessories, and especially the people. I’ve been writing about fashion for nearly 8 years now—and during that time, I’ve learned a few things. First of all, there’s no such thing as bad style. It’s just a matter of what works for you. Second of all, fashion is more than just clothes—it can be a way to express yourself or your personality. And finally: Fashion is fun!