The Best Houndstooth and Plaid Skirts
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Our Picks For The Top Houndstooth Skirts
- 1. Verdusa Stretch Waist Plaid Pencil Skirt
- 2. Kate Kasin Women’s Hight-Waist Knee-Length Houndstooth Pencil Skirt
- 3. Floerns Slim Fit Plaid Pencil Skirt
- 4. WDIRARA Checkered Women’s Ring-Zip Houndstooth Mini-Skirt
- 5. chouyatou Women’s Pleated A-Line Fitted-Waist Houndstooth Mini-Skirt
- 6. Hybrid & Company Stretchy Below-Knee Pencil-Style Houndstooth Skirt
- 7. Floerns Women’s Fitted-Waist Bodycon Houndstooth Mini-Skirt
This eye-catching plaid pencil skirt is both flattering and comfortable. With a high waist and a hem stretching all the way to the calf, this skirt has a length of 34.6" to 37.2" and comes in sizes from XS to XXL. It also comes in dozens of colors.
Versatile OptionThis calf-length plaid pencil skirt is both flattering and professional.
This knee-length stretchy pencil skirt hugs your curves. It has a back split at the hemline, a high elastic waist and a concealed zipper. It is made with a touch of Spandex for an added stretch that is both flattering and comfortable.
Form-Fitting Yet ComfortableYou will look professional and stylish whenever you wear this sharp, slim-cut polyester/Spandex skirt.
Made from a polyester material with 5% spandex, this plaid pencil skirt has the stretch you need to stay comfortable while also providing a slimming effect. It's available in a variety of patterns and sizes, from XS to 4X.
Classy LookThis skirt is great for work functions or special events, with a knee-length fit that’s both flattering and classy.
Made from 97% cotton and 3% Spandex, this comfortable yet attention-grabbing high-waisted miniskirt has a cool O-ring zipper in the front. It comes in different colors and patterns, so you can easily match it to any outfit.
It’s Short and SweetThis miniskirt is so versatile: Add a jacket for work, throw on a t-shirt to make it casual or dress it up for parties.
Buying Guide
Traditional houndstooth textile patterns feature small, broken checks in rows of different colors or abstract, four-pointed shapes. The iconic pattern is often seen in black and white or other neutral colors (like brown and gray) — but these days, the sky’s the limit. You can find any color of the rainbow and more in houndstooth patterns, and the checks may come in a variety of shapes.
Houndstooth is also referred to as plaid, but it is not really the same thing. Instead, Houndstooth is categorized as a check pattern. The two most similar textile patterns to houndstooth are Glen plaid and shepherd’s check.
Plaid and check patterns have always looked good on skirts of all lengths, but they are quite trendy for shorter skirts. People wear them to work and for play, and you can easily dress them both up and down. You can pair a houndstooth skirt with a silk top or a tank top and still look great. Some styles are much more body-conscious than others, but they can be made with flexible fabrics that feel quite comfortable.
Love Plaid? Check out top picks for plaid scarves.
Pencil skirts feature straight, narrow cuts and hems that fall below the knee. Look for ones that are made with cotton and Spandex so you can stay comfortable all day long. Circle skirts have hemlines near the knee and offer a more retro look. Miniskirts obviously have less fabric and usually fall high above the knee; they are the opposite of maxi skirts, which sweep the ground. A-line skirts are usually fitted at the hip and widen gradually down towards their hems.
Back and front zippers are generally easier to use than side zippers, but the latter can provide a smoother-looking fit. Or, you might look for a skirt with an elasticized waist to provide extra comfort and flexibility.
What to Look For
- Although houndstooth and plaid used to have stuffy reputations, anything goes these days and you can wear them however you like.
- Always check the manufacturer’s size chart before buying skirts (or any other kinds of clothing) online. Your best bet is to measure your hips and waist and match your measurements up with theirs. You should also check reviews to find out how others with your height and general shape fill the clothing item in question.
- Some skirts stretch and others do not. If you want your skirt to be more comfortable, look for styles that feature Spandex, polyester and cotton.
More to Explore
Houndstooth History
It is thought that the houndstooth pattern was created on woven wool cloth starting during the early first century A.D. in the Scottish lowlands. In the 1930s, houndstooth patterns reappeared and were adopted by wealthy patrons; it was one of Christian Dior’s favorites.
Author John Telfer Dunbar wrote in his book “The Costume of Scotland” that shepherds wore the pattern for protection, interestingly enough. He theorized that it worked like camouflage since the pattern colors blended together from a distance, making the wearers look as though they were farther away.
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