I’m a child of the 60′s.  I was the 9-year-old kid in the purple granny glasses, fringed suede vest, and puffy-sleeved shirt, all way too big for me because they only sold them in the men’s departments.  It was an iconic decade for fashion, and maybe the most notable was the advent of the Mini-skirt.  Reaction and judgement, even condemnation came from everywhere, and all I was thinking was- “If my Barbie had one, it would make her legs look so great”…or something like that.  The next day, Barbie was sporting the mini.

So let’s start this journey at the shortest point   It took a long time in my adult career to embrace the short skirt.  Not only is my client mature, I just like the look of a knee-length skirt.  And when I started Regalia, it was meant to be an all-natural, Earth-matron look that could go from a day hike to a fine restaurant dinner.

In the last few years, I have let my eye wander from the solid color linens to the bold florals and geometric prints of vintage cottons.  I comb Ebay and antique malls for unused yardage from the 50′s and 60′s for something to spice up the solid rich colors I’m known for.  The fact that some pieces are not much more than a scrap is what lead me to the “Beachcomber Skirt”-  a simple, elastic-waist mini with a contrasting band of linen at the hem that usually ties into the blouse it’s paired with.  The results have been wonderful.

Heading down the leg in length   If there’s a bit more yardage to play with, and if the fabric has drape and swing, I like to add a little fullness to it, like the “Fiesta Skirt”.  This one is made of eight trumpet-shaped gores, knee-length, same contrasting color hem.  It is very flirty and great for evening or day.  I’ve even used cotton stripes on the bias for a chevron effect.

While we’re at the knee, here is another good skirt- the “Origami”, which has interesting construction- One long curved piece starts at the bottom of a pointed yoke piece, and sews all the way around the hip line, passing the point of origin, and continues to the hem.  It’s cut on the bias as it goes across the back for a smooth fit and ample swing.

We arrive at the Promised Land!   Here’s the whole reason for writing this post- I have always been a lover of the long skirt, or “Maxi” as we called it back when.  I got over my fear that no one would want a long skirt, and came up with two this Summer.  The first is the “Eureka Skirt”, which is a simple A-line from the front, but something much more in the back.  The back is actually a half a circle, so there’s no fullness at the waist, but plenty of flowing fabric by time it reaches the ankle. Look closely at the photos and see the difference in fullness from front to back.

The “Solstice Skirt” is a longer version of the Fiesta, popular in the 1980′s as the “Gored Skirt”.  I have re-discovered my love for lightweight cotton lawn in beautiful prints for this one.  Eight long trumpet-shaped gores put smoothness over the hip and yardage at the ankle, so walking is more of a performance than an action.  The contrasting band draws attention to and emphasizes the fullness.  This skirt has gotten a lot of attention lately, and the women who have gotten one are getting in touch with their inner Hippie Chick.

As the season settles down and Autumn approaches, I hope to find time to get these beauties posted on my website for purchase.  At the moment, you just have to call and see what’s available.  There are several great cotton prints not pictured, and I’m always happy to send samples to you.

I hope your Summer is a fashionable one.

Thanks for reading!

Mark