To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn: Cinco De Mayo Edition

Fiesta skirts. Suddenly these gaily colored garments are everywhere you turn. Likewise their full-circled kissing cousins: the peasant skirt, the prairie skirt, the handkerchief skirt, the pouf, and all the other ersatz ethno-flounciness that's been foisted upon us this spring. No longer the exclusive kitschy domain of rockabilly revivalists (aka The Black Hair People), the fiesta skirt has come, well, full circle. From shrewdly stylish junior publicists maxing out their credit cards at Scoop to red-state bible study moms going Boho Light at Walmart, this wide panelled whirling dervish speaks to the gypsy in our sequined soul.

In fact, the circle skirt has enjoyed quite a long-hemmed history. Middle-aged belly dancers, dirty hippies, hula girls, Renaissance Faire wenches, square dancers, figure skaters, the Martha Graham dance company, and Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls Wilder have all known the joy and versatility of the humble orb.

But despite its generous proportions, the fiesta skirt, like most fashion foibles, is best left to those who stick index fingers down their throat. If you're like me, with extra acres to hoe in the lower forty, all that festooned fullness can make your ass look more like a pinada than a Bill Cunningham photo in Sunday Styles of the Times. In fact, you might as well hang a Wide Load sign out back. Ah, but who needs a fiesta skirt when there are Nachos Supreme to be had at Chi-Chi's Cinco De Mayo Festival? Now unzip me out of this post and pass mother her frozen margarita.

Comments

[Zach in Philly]

I could look at that first skirt (top, left) all day. That's just a sweet pattern.
'Preciate the square dancing reference. My grandmama has been doing that gig for years and each skirt is quite the statement -- as is the case with Flamenco skirts. My wife made her own and each time one of her dancin' pals goes to Spain, it's a treat to yak up what the latest styles are.

[Skirts]

I just bought this really cute short pleated skirt from American Eagle. It is kind of a dark denim with a green wash over it. It has two ties on the side. You can look it up on the American Eagle website if it would help. I need to know what shoes to wear and what top. Thanks so much--it would really help.