Skirt Over Pants Origin
Skirt over pants outfits surprisingly have a very long history. In ancient China the women wore long tunics and sometimes pants were worn under the tunics.
Suprisingly, skirt over pants have been worn by women in the US since the 1850s. The first woman to go public with this outfit was Elizabeth Bloomer (Later to be associated with the term bloomers for underwear). This association happened mainly because she allowed her undergarments to show from under a mid-calf-length skirt.
Ancient China
1850s US
1940s US
1950s US
1940s – 50s Skirt Over Pants Re-surgence
Women entering the workforce during WWII often wore skirts on top of their pants out of necessity and modesty. For safety in the factories, it was suggested that they wear trousers or pants. Some women would also wear a skirt for the purpose of modesty. So while these women weren’t doing anything trendy, they actually were.
Hostess gowns became popular in the 1950s and were made more famous by popular actresses such as Lucille Ball. These gowns were open in the front and worn over slim-fitting cigarette pants. These gowns varied from casual to formal, as did the materials.
Early 2000s
Winter 2025
Winter 2025
Winter 2025
2000s Skirt Over Pants Trends
Early 2000s saw young women wearing skirts over pants, and I have to say that, for the most part, it looks like a do-it-yourself project gone bad.
One thing that the earlier styles have in common is a belted or cinched at the waste garment on top, and for the most part, straight lines. Also, similar materials in complementary colors and patterns. The belt gives definition and creates a smooth, neat, intentional look. While the materials unite the look and make it look intentional.
This year, we saw quite a few skirt-over-pants outfits on the runways, and they definitely looked more polished than past attempts at this modern trend. If you want to try this trend, perhaps look for a pre-made skouser or skirt over trouser set like the ones shown below.