Why the A-Line skirt is my Wardrobe Hero this Spring!

Traditionally, I'm more of a dress girl but, this Spring, I'm feeling an urge to have fun with separates and my favourite and most worn garment is my super simple a Line skirt! I really can't seem to stop sewing them!

 So, What Is an A-Line Skirt?

The most simple way to describe this flattering garment is to think of it's silhouette as being shaped like a capital A. It's fitted at the waist and gently flares to the hem.

It was designer Christian Dior who introduced the “A-Line” collection in 1955 thus naming this garment officially even though the A Line skirt concept had been gracing the wardrobes of many a woman in the decades before.

The silhouette softened the dramatic fullness of earlier post-war fashion and created a clean, elegant line.

A few A Line skirt moments from sewing patterns to the skirt of Schiaparelli's couture Lobster dress.

Whilst I'm not a huge fan of 1960's fashion on myself ~ the silhouette is just wrong for me, I do love the romanticism of Biba and the 1930's references.

Why It’s a Wardrobe Hero

• Flattering Shape ~ Balances proportions naturally.

• Easy to Style ~ Works with blouses, knitwear, tucked tees.

• Seasonal Versatility ~ Linen in summer, wool in winter.

• Beginner Friendly to Sew ~ Simpler than many garments.

• Adaptable ~ Length, flare amount, pockets, waistband options.

One of the reasons I’ve made so many A-line skirts is that once you understand the shape, you can draft your own version again and again. And you can really change the look of the skirt through the fabrication and addition of trims. And nothing can beat a garment that makes you feel fabulous whilst being super comfortable.

I made this version from a viscose satin and trimmed it with black Chantilly lace. I wanted that bias cut petticoat feel without the bias cut as it really doesn't look great on my figure. The A line is a wonderful compromise.

I've created a short, focused lesson you can follow in minutes so that you can draft your own A line skirt. There is something very satisfying about a simple project that gives you a wonderfully versatile sewing pattern that you can enjoy for years to come!

The beauty lies in proportion, something I mention all the time to my students and it's so important. The simple way I show you how to draft your A line skirt takes proportion and the way fabric behaves into account, giving you a really beautiful pattern that you can use over and over again.

One of the biggest misconceptions about pattern cutting is that you must begin with a perfectly drafted bespoke block. Personally, I like my dressmaking to be more of a pleasure than a pain and I'm not here to gatekeep. I feel that drafting your own is so empowering and gives you so much more freedom when it comes to your dressmaking ~ it's a skill I want to share with as many people as possible.

An A-line skirt can be created by transforming a simple straight or pencil skirt base. Simple! The skill lies in understanding how to add flare and reshape the side seam — not in complex drafting systems.

If you’d like to explore drafting your own version, you can find the tutorial here:

Draft Your Own A-Line Skirt | Easy Step-by-Step Pattern Cutting Video

£7.50

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For me, how I feel in my clothes is just as important as how I think my clothes look and the A line skirt has dependability within my handmade and thrifted wardrobe ~ it goes with practically everything. It’s simple. It’s flattering. It moves beautifully. And it adapts to the seasons with ease! And importantly for me, I feel elegant, feminine, comfortable and confident.

I've picked a few fabrics that I thought would be fabulous sewn up into an A line skirt ~ the simplicity of the shape means you can really add the drama through choice of cloth or by those special design details you can add ~ frills, trims or embellishments all elevate a very simple concept into something akin to couture.

This beautiful silk from Liberty has a wonderfully vintage feel with it's Spring fresh, vibrant colours. The silk will move on the body so elegantly.

The iconic Catherine Deneuve wearing a perfect A Line skirt!

I'm such a fan of monochrome and dark florals. This updated Carline print from Liberty is available on a few different cloths and colourways and would look stunning throughout the seasons. Just layer for the colder months.

This tweed from the New Crafthouse would give a very different look to the A Line skirt ~ very Chanel, very 60's French It Girl.

And don't forget, you can use your A line Skirt pattern with your favourite bodice styles and add some fabulous sleeves and you're creating the dresses of your dreams! I used mine to create my Vampires Wife style dresses amongst many others!

The A-line skirt isn’t dramatic. It doesn’t rely on trends, something I'm rarely interested in anyway. To my mind, this classic style of skirt, offers quiet reliability as I know it's always going to look fabulous and the fun is building outfits around it.

My favourite version I've made is this ruffle hem style in a higgledy piggledy polka dot viscose. I'm styling it here with an Edwardiana style blouse I found recently in a local charity shop.

I filmed a YouTube Video all about my recent makes which you can watch here!

Styling up the same skirt ~ I honestly can't tell you how often I'm wearing this one! It's at least 3 or 4 times a week. I knitted this vintage style blouse and I love the sort of 30's but 70's vibe!

A chef knows that the finished dish is all in the quality of the stock they use. For me, the A line skirt is that foundational. It's my stock for my bouillabaisse or the most perfect gravy!

The A Line skirt is my wardrobe hero, for Spring and beyond~ made all the more perfect because you've drafted it yourself. The very best in thoughtful making and sustainable sewing.

Tara x