To make a skirt appear poofy, wear a petticoat or crinoline underneath. These undergarments are designed to add volume and fullness to a skirt, creating a more dramatic silhouette. A tulle or organza petticoat can be worn under a formal or wedding dress for added volume, while a crinoline or layered tulle skirt can add volume to a casual or everyday outfit. Additionally, choosing a skirt with a fuller shape, such as an A-line or circle skirt, can also help create a poofy effect without the need for additional undergarments.
Skirts are often seen as a wardrobe staple….. which makes them a great addition to any wardrobe… But what if you want a skirt with more volume?
Puffy skirts are often associated with cheerleaders….. but they can be just as trendy as they’re flirty… They come in different styles that have one thing in common: volume.
A puffy skirt is a style of skirt that is characterized by its volume and fullness… Puffiness is achieved when the fabric is gathered or pleated into many folds….. creating multiple layers of fabric that are draped over one another… Puffiness is also referred to as “fullness” or “volume.”
What Do You Put Under a Skirt to Make It Poofy?
Skirts come in all shapes and sizes….. but there is one thing they have in common: they need something to make them poof out… Whether you are wearing an A-line or pencil skirt….. they need some kind of volume underneath… There are many different methods you can use to accomplish this task….. including crinoline slips….. petticoats….. and ball gown slips.
Poofy skirts are back again this spring and the best way to keep your skirt poofy is by adding fullness to it… There are many ways to do this; here are some of them:
- Use crinoline – Crinoline is a type of stiff fabric that comes in different thicknesses… The thicker the crinoline is….. the more volume you will get… You can fold it and sew it into your skirt for that voluminous look… It is a great option if you can’t find the perfect petticoat or don’t want to spend on one.
- Use multiple layers of tulle – Tulle is a type of netting fabric used for tutus as well as petticoats… You can buy rolls of tulle and layer them on your skirt for more volume… If you use 2-3 layers….. you will definitely get a nice amount of volume.
- Use petticoats – Petticoats are the easiest way to add fullness to your skirt because they come in many shapes and sizes and they are specifically designed for this purpose… For example….. there are circle petticoats….. which give you that classic bell shape skirt look.
There are also voluminous skirts made with a slash or slit in the back….. which allows the wearer to show some skin while adding volume at the same time… Even though this type of skirt was made popular by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” it has been around for centuries… The slit was used as a functional piece of clothing that allowed women to ride horses more comfortably.
How Do You Add Fullness to a Skirt?
Creating volume in a skirt can be a challenge… But if you have a full skirt….. you might not have to do much to make it poofy.
Add fullness to a skirt by cutting it from a piece of fabric that is larger than the pattern piece… You’ll have plenty of fabric left over to create the fullness with gathers or pleats.
The crinoline under-layer can be made from any lightweight material that’s stiff enough to support the layers of fabric above it… Skirts with crinoline are usually made from sheer fabrics like tulle and chiffon but don’t limit yourself to these materials if the look you want isn’t available in those… Sheer cotton and other light fabrics can work well too.
Full skirts are often called “ball gowns.” If you’re going for this look….. add some weight or stiffness to the outer fabric using lining or interlining….. or adding interfacing.
Tucking in a blouse or shirt
This is the most popular method… By tucking the blouse or shirt into the waistband of the skirt you will get a big volume at the front… This way is perfect for skirts that do not have any petticoat attached to it… If you want to get more volume in the back….. then you can tuck in several layers of clothes.
The skirt is also tucked into the waistband and some folds are created at the front by pushing them up with your hands… This gives a nice volume….. especially if you have a petticoat under the skirt….. which makes it puffier further up as well.
Another interesting idea is to wear a petticoat under your skirt even when you don’t need one otherwise… By wearing a thicker petticoat….. you will get more volume even without pushing up any folds… This makes your legs look longer and slimmer than usual.
How Do You Give a Skirt a Volume?
There are many ways to give a skirt a volume but you have to choose the right one for your purpose… If you want a skirt to look like a princess skirt….. then you should use layers of tulle and if you want to create a ballerina effect then use layers of netting or chiffon.
You can also go for other materials that could be used in your skirt like organza….. taffeta….. cotton….. or wool… You can use these fabrics not only for skirts but also for tops and other clothing items… Below we have listed the steps that will help you in making some really fancy skirts.
Skirts made from rich fabrics such as satin….. silk….. or velvet will automatically add volume to your lower half… You need to decide whether you want a pencil skirt or a flared skirt with more volume.
A pencil skirt is more contemporary and will look great on women with thin legs….. while flared skirts are more ideal for those with fuller legs… Consider your age and body type when choosing the length of your skirt.
A short skirt looks best on young women who want to show off their legs and their confidence… On the other hand….. long skirts suit older women better as they help them appear slimmer and more elegant.
What Is Slash Method?
The slash method is a way to add volume to your skirt… It’s a handy trick when you want to make a very full skirt but don’t want to use petticoats or gathers.
The slash method creates the illusion of volume by cutting long vertical slits at regular intervals into the fabric….. then folding the top and bottom edges in toward each other to create pleats.
The slash method is a simple way to add volume to a skirt… Instead of adding buttonholes….. darts….. and other closures….. you simply cut the skirt open and then pull it back together in one big seam… The slash method uses 4-5 inches of fabric on either side of the slit… By adding gathers or tucks….. you can make your skirt super full.
The slash method works best for pencil skirts and A-line skirts… It’s also a good idea to choose a fabric with some stretch in it because it will make movement easier.
What Is Crinoline Used For?
Petticoats and crinolines are both used to give skirts fullness but they shouldn’t be confused with each other.
Petticoats are typically made of cotton and lace or silk fabrics while crinolines are made of plastic or metal rings. Both petticoats and crinolines come in an array of colors and designs so you can match them with your outfit depending on how you want your skirt to look.
Crinolines were first used during the Victorian era because they were used as hoopskirts in the front of the dress and in the back….. they would use fabric to make them more voluminous hence the name “crinoline”
- Crinoline is a type of stiff….. starched fabric that has been used for centuries to give skirts and dresses volume… Because crinoline resembles a giant….. cotton version of the shapely plastic strips found in modern undergarments and petticoats….. it is often used as a foundation for these items.
- Crinoline can also be sewn directly into clothing… This is especially common with skirts….. where it can be used to add volume to the bottom portion of the garment and create an exaggerated silhouette… Many full-skirted garments….. such as wedding gowns….. are constructed almost entirely from crinoline to help them retain their shape and appear voluminous.
- Crinoline is usually made from cotton or nylon… Although both types are stiff….. nylon crinoline tends to be more pliable and can conform better to curvy figures than cotton crinoline can… Some brands of crinoline have elasticized edges to help them fit more snugly around the waist.
Crinoline is still used today….. although it is not as popular as it once was… A few examples of its use include lingerie….. tablecloths….. and display items for shops such as bridal stores… Crinoline is also used in crafts by people making costumes for things like ballet or plays and historical reenactments.
What Are Puffy Skirts Called?
Puffed skirts are also known as bubble skirts….. poodle skirts….. or puffball skirts… They were very popular during the 1950s….. but have remained a favorite among vintage clothing enthusiasts… If you’re into vintage fashion and love that classic look….. then this is a must-have addition to your wardrobe.
The term “puffy” is applied to any style of dress made with multiple layers of fabric or netting… The type of puffy dress most commonly seen today is a long….. flowing style that has a high waistline and is worn with a short bolero jacket… It is often worn on formal occasions such as weddings or proms.
In summary….. Puffy skirts look great when you walk down a street or party in the club… Although the concept may seem relatively simple….. there are actually a lot of details that make it work… In general….. there are 3 methods to make a skirt puffy or full: slash….. crinoline….. and petticoat.
They all have their pros and cons.
- The first method (slash) is the most common and also the cheapest….. but it usually has an evident pattern that ruins any illusion of smoothness.
- The second method (crinoline) is more expensive but more reliable and invisible.
- The third method (petticoat) is the most versatile but completely invisible which requires that you buy extra layers on top of your daily clothing to be able to pull off the puffy look.
You may also be interested in… Can You Wear a Skirt with Leggings? and Can You Tailor Sweatpants?
Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel.
Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion.
As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.