Item of the week: the asymmetric skirt

What it is:

It was rare to find a straight-hemmed skirt on the runway for the
spring/summer 2024 season, and if there was one, it was often formed using
multiple slits that trailed up the leg and therefore only confirmed the
desire for asymmetry in designs. Designers strayed from the standard
silhouette, opting instead for high leg slits, patchworked layering or
flowing trains that each offered a more dynamic shape for the wearer. The
resurgence of such styles can be attributed to rising interest in 70s
fashion, with asymmetrical silhouettes being a defining hallmark of the
era.

Why you’ll want it:

While the skirt itself may be a standard staple for the womenswear and,
more recently, also for the menswear wardrobes, opting for the asymmetrical
silhouette provides shoppers with a bit of diversity in a collection,
offering something a little different and more daring than the typical
skater. As seen on the runways, modernised iterations of Y2K styles are
being transformed with the use of practical detailings, such as adjustable
straps and patchworked layering, giving the look even more depth and
allowing for it to appeal to a broader audience.

Where we’ve seen it:

Asymmetric skirts could be spotted in all varieties on the SS24 runways.
Most commonly, however, were the use of tentacle-like slits that could be
seen in the collections of Emilia Wickstead and Supriya Lele, among others,
offering up flowing new depths to the shape. The standard side slit was
also present at Michael Kors and Ulla Johnson, while the Y2K high-low shape
– defined by a flowing train – made a statement at Knwls. Others created
asymmetry through the use of patchwork and layering, techniques seen at
Burberry and Sacai where fashionable lopsidedness was tied together using
floral prints.

How to style it:

For daywear, an asymmetric skirt can be paired with a simple t-shirt and
sneaker combo, bringing it into a more casual wardrobe that can be worn to
run daily errands or go for a coffee. It is evening wear when this skirt
type can really be played with, however. For the top, a slinky button-up
shirt or an adjustable tank top with a clashing print can elevate the
piece, alongside either strappy sandal heels or calf-length boots, the
latter of which can be shown off due to the shape of the skirt itself.

Asymmetric skirts are an SS24 ‘must-have’, perfect for the beach, nights
out or trips to the supermarket, and offering customers an alternative to
standard silhouettes that have dominated in recent years. Updated
iterations have allowed this to come to head, providing new takes on the
silhouette that still reference the currently popular Y2K era.