Girlish pleats have been knocking about for a while now, we grant you; mainly on the ever-preppy Alexa Chung (remember that ace cream leather pleated skirt of hers?). But how to wear them in reality always eluded us – they always seem to look a bit too cutesy.
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But when Lady Gaga stepped out in an all-white look (her 'thing' at the moment), wearing a pleated pinafore dress from Alexander Wang it made us see pleats in a whole new pared-back way. (Minus the headdress, of course). And it's not just Gaga. Jessica Harthas been doing sexy geek chic with knee-high boots, a pleated leather miniskirt and thick black specs (NB: this is the kind of look that potentially only works on a supermodel.) Then there's Taylor Swift looking true to type in a diddy little pleated taupe mini and mega-babe supermodel, Karolina Kurkova, in a white pleated skirt and polka-dot jumper (we told you the total white-out look was back.)
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If it's all sounding a bit too 'anyone for a game of tennis', don't worry – they don't just have to be white. American actress Maisie Williams made us want to come over all girlie, with her Alice & Olivia Resort lip-print chiffon skirt at The Golden Globes and Olivia Palermo tipped up at the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi show during London Fashion Week, in an unexpectedly sexy black leather biker jacket and pleated skirt combo.
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You can thank the celebs, because where they have led the high street have followed; pleated skirts are dropping everywhere. If you still haven't spent your entire paycheque, Alexander Wang and Celine both have pleated midi skirts, or if you're looking for a more affordable version, ASOS have so many you'll be spoilt for choice.
How to wear them? If your look is more street than sweet, add a cropped hoodie with some ankle socks and trainers to a pleated black or silver midi skirt. For girlish preppy, go the whole Clueless hog and add a button-down oxford shirt, boxy jacket and over-the-knee boots to a pleated, printed mini. For maximum 'ahead of trend' points (why not, eh?) pair a white pleated skirt with a tailored jacket, cinched in with a contrasting fabric belt, a la Burberry. Just grab any blazer or cotton jacket in your wardrobe, add a belt like this one and voila.
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Ellie Colour Block Pleat Skirt £125, Whistles; Bracha Pleated Crepe Mini Skirt, £165, Karl Lagerfeld at Net-a-Porter; Concertina Pleat Skirt, £40 Topshop; Hot Knife Pleated Skirt in Metallic, £125 Antipodium at ASOS; Pleated Skirt, £235 Sonia by Sonia Rykiel at ASOS; Knee-Length Fine Pleat Skirt, £45.99 Zara
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Pictures: Getty, Rex
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.