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What's the best advice for how to stop skirts from twisting around? Is it a slip problem, a skirt problem, or a sizing problem? Reader C asks a question about a problem that I know I've experienced: the rotating skirt. I did some digging to find some solutions, and spoiler alert: one of the tips on how to stop skirts from twisting around blew my mind. Here's Reader C's question:
What slips do you recommend under work (suit) skirts? And how do you prevent the skirt from “spinning” around while you walk to and from the train? I like the lightweight Commando slips, but I cannot seem to keep my suit skirts from spinning around while I walk, and it takes the slip and tucked in blouse with it (and bunches up unattractively). Is this a slip problem or a skirt sizing problem? Help!
VERY interesting question, C. I always hated when this happened to me — nothing screams professional like arriving at work with your skirt twisted around so the zipper (and vent!) is in the front. (BTW, PSA for the newbies to officewear: if your vent is sewn shut with an X you should rip the X to open the vent.) I had one favorite skirt where this was particularly problematic — I eventually decided it was because it fit my hips, but not my waist — and tailoring did help keep my skirt from twisting around. So my initial response would be that, if you need to stop your skirt from twisting around, check the fit of the skirt before anything else.
Looking around the web it seems like the problem of the skirt twisting around may also be due to a few other factors, though:
where the skirt sits on your hips — a lot of forums and blog posts mention that if the skirt sits on your hips (versus sitting at your natural waist) it's more likely to twist — but this may then produce a problem where tailoring results in skirts that are too short for work. (As a reminder, in our last discussion about when a dress is too short for work, most readers liked position C, or right at the knee, instead of just above it — but the latest discussion has lots of interesting comments, particularly from taller readers, so do check that out if you have a question about it.)- the shape of the skirt — pencil skirts are the worst offenders, particularly if they're shaped like rectangles
- the lack of a waist band — if the skirt doesn't have a separate waist band that may be the problem
- if you're carrying a bag that sits at your hips — I wonder about this one, but a lot of the other articles on the topic note that if you're carrying a bag that sits at your hips it can cause rotation. But in my own experience there's no correlation — I almost always carry a shoulder bag that sits above my hips, and some skirts twist around anyway, while others don't twist around at all.
Some other things you can try if tailoring every single pencil skirt you own is out of the question:
- buying skirts with lining built in (so at least you don't get the bunched-up slip problem)
- safety pins
- a belt — a skinny belt like this one (affiliate link) can be a great look anyway, and hey, if it's a style secret from Selina Meyer you know it'll be good
- WHOA: Refinery 29 has a super clever tip, particularly if you're a fan of Jockey slipshorts (they're a reader favorite for a reason!), tights, pantyhose, or other underpinnings that are firmly anchored to your body and have enough fabric that you can yank them up a few inches over the waistband (the video is super brief and makes it very clear what to do). Seriously, #mindblown.
- Jean at ExtraPetite has the 411 on some menswear tips, including rubber grippers
Readers, do you have a problem with your skirts rotating on you? What is your best advice for how to stop skirts from twisting around — do you use any of the methods above, or do you have a method to stop skirt rotation that's all your own?
Further reading:
- How to Keep Your Skirt from Twisting Around, Riding Up, and Ruining Your Life [Refinery 29]
- How to Keep Your Skirt from Twisting Around When You Walk [SheFinds]
- How to: Stop A Rotating Skirt (And Keep Your Shirt Tucked In) [ExtraPetite]
- How do I stop pencil skirt rotation [YouLookFab forum]
- How to Stop the Shifting Skirt [YouLookFab]
Picture credit: Shutterstock / sirtravelalot.
Anon
It’s only a problem for me when I’m carrying a messenger bag (or something else hitting at my hips). I think it’s the rubbing of the bag that rotates the skirt.
Ellen
In my expereince, it is the vent, which always needs to be sliced into the open position. I know all of us like to be seen wearing pencil skirts, which are very flattering, but with suits and particularly if we do NOT wear slips (in the summer), our skirts do get twisted and we look silly. I remember this one time that I JUST wore a new 2 peice out fit I bought from L&T to court, and between the twisting and running up the stairs to the courthouse, by the time I stood up to present my case and the judge made me stand the way he likes, the skirt had twisted about more then 1/2 way around so that the slit was more in the front then in the back, where it should have been. The judge said he liked my legs, but from the back, not the side! I was mortified, and when I went back to L&T, they immediately made the adjustment for me. FOOEY b/c even opposing council was laughing, even tho he also took the opportunity to stare at my l’egs! I still won the case, tho so I suppose I got the last laugh!!!! YAY!!!!
Anonymous
I carry a backpack daily and have this with 2 different skirts. One spins and bunches up because of lining, tights and coat all rub along with the backpack. If I could have it higher on the back, it isn’t as much of a problem.
The other skirt I wear in the summer and I have given up. It was taken in some at the waist but I have since put on a little and have taken that stitching out and voila! spins around and around.
I just fix the problem once I get to the destination. But I am not client-serving and I get into the office at 7am and no one is around.
Mrs. Jones
I don’t wear slips anymore. On the rare occasion I wear a skirt that might be a bit transparent in sunlight, I figure that people already know I have legs, so why do I need a slip to hide them under my skirt?
Christina
I find that a lot of the shifting is due to the skirt having been cut in a way that doesn’t fit your body. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting in at the waist and widens at the hip, it also means allowing for the curve of your butt and waist, as well as the flatness or otherwise of your front. When all of that fits you appropriately and isn’t loose, it shouldn’t move around very easily. Taking in or letting out certain seams would likely help with this issue. OTherwise, wearing “sticky” materials tucked in to the skirt will likely also help (sweaters, cotton blouses vs silk or polyester blouses, etc.)
Anabag
I’ve had this issue and I think it usually happens because: (a) the skirt doesn’t quite fit right; and (b) I’m carrying a bag that hangs against my hips.
Jessie
If I am wearing tights or slip shorts, I can sometimes pull their waistband up just enough that I can clip my skirt and tights together with my work badge holder. I was thinking about looking for a cute little clip of some sort, maybe like a clip-on earring.
JP
Honestly, the only time this happens to me is when I wear skirts with the built-in slip (i.e., Calvin Klein suit separates or the like). The slick lining causes the spin and drives me bananas all day. I’m wondering if tacking the lining to the skirt would help in part.
Rita Chin
Thanks for your interesting post. I experience this problem many times. Because of this problem, I have created a product called the “Stay Skirt”. This stops my skirt from rotating. Interested? Check out the “Stay Skirt” at https://www.it-za.com
ntc
I found this product which is a simple cute clip which attaches to your undergarment and skirt and keeps it in place. Its on Amazon or Superflymountaingirl.com. Its called a SKLIP….cute and it works.