SKIRTS: Fashioning Modern Femininity in the 20th Century
By Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell
Introduction
Hello, dear sartorial seekers! Today's Fashion Book Friday delves into Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell's Skirts, a vivid, thread-by-thread history of how the skirt has been both a weapon and a wardrobe in the story of modern femininity. As a fashion and culture writer, I loved how this book doesn't just catalogue silhouettes—it excavates their political power, cultural resonance, and yes, their flair.
While I listened to this book as an audiobook, I found it a hard slog at the beginning. I re-listened to specific chapters and had to push through the first chapters. I'm not sure if Chrisman-Campbell relaxed into it or if I did, but I finally found my way into it. And from that point on, I not only learned a lot about fashion and fashion designers I wasn't familiar with, but also about the social and political movements reflected in women's attire in the 20th century.
SKIRTS -About the Author
Dr. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell is a powerhouse in fashion history, holding a PhD in Art History from the University of Aberdeen, an MA from the Courtauld Institute, and a BA from Stanford. She has authored acclaimed titles such as Fashion Victims and The Way We Wed, and writes for prominent outlets including The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Kent State University Press. A NEH Public Scholar and museum curator in L.A., Chrisman-Campbell blends scholarly rigour with pop-culture sparkle—precisely what this book needed.
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell
SKIRTS-The Body of the Review
Structure & Style
Rather than chronologically march through eras, Skirts pivots around ten iconic silhouettes—from the ancient‐inspired Delphos, pleated and goddess-like, to the sleek, vampish Bodycon. Each chapter is a meticulous case study, weaving designer notes, wartime rationing, feminist movements, celebrity moments, and even tech (hello, sound computers wearing skirts!)
The tone is buoyant yet fact-dense—an academic dressing room with catwalk panache. Skirts is thorough…and you'll pick up a whirlwind of new vocabulary. Indeed, this isn't a light skim; it's a full‐on fashion history immersion.
Highlights & Insights
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Social Shifts in Hemlines: Rationing during WWII sends hems soaring; Dior's postwar Bar Suit swoops in as a symbol of prosperity.
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Gender Fluidity on the Horizon: Chrisman-Campbell nods to male-skirt moments—from Kurt Cobain to Harry Styles—foregrounding a gender-fluid future.
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Pop Culture & Power: From Barbie's Bar Suit to Marilyn Monroe's illusion rhinestone dress, these iconic pieces demonstrate how femininity is encoded and broadcast.
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Intersectional Gaps: Though she touches on Serena Williams and "misogynoir," some readers note that more profound commentary on race, class, size, and ability could've enriched the narrative.
SKIRTS- Visuals & Accessibility
Readers consistently mention wishing for photographs or illustrations. Despite "beautifully illustrated" blurbs, many editions lack visuals, which, given the subject, feels like a missed opportunity.
Still, the storytelling is so vivid that you can practically see the pleats in Fortuny's Delphos or feel the liberating snap of a miniskirt. This is a treat for fashion lovers who don't mind flexing their mental runway.
SKIRTS- Critical & Cultural Reflection
…a love letter to social history through skirts. The book decodes how each skirt silhouette reflects waves of liberation—and restriction. As one trans reviewer shared, wearing skirts became a powerful act of reclaiming femininity and continuity with her heritage kara. reviews. For LGBTQ readers, designers, feminists, and anyone interested in the cross-currents of clothing and identity, Skirts resonates deeply.
SKIRTS-Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Skirts is a spirited exploration of wardrobe and world. Chrisman-Campbell writes with scholarly depth while maintaining an upbeat and accessible narrative—although I wish there were more intersectional critique and visual accompaniment. Still, it's a celebration of femininity's shape-shifting power and a reminder: skirts aren't timid—they've marched, danced, rebelled, and embraced change.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely—for the feminist historian, the LGBTQ reader, the art-obsessed, and anyone who's ever crossed their legs and thought, "There's a story here.” My readers who are fashion students should take special interest in learning about the social impact of clothing, specifically skirts, and those who choose to wear them. While skirts have traditionally been considered female attire, our sensibilities and perceptions are evolving. Indeed, a man wearing a skirt still turns heads; however, as designers and stylists, we can move forward with the idea that fashion has no gender.
SKIRTS: My Takeaway
Inspired, educated, intrigued—and yes, a little skirtsy. After this read, I've been imagining tomorrow's runway threaded with genderless skirts and body-diverse cuts. It's a powerful prompt: fashion isn't just adornment—it's declaration. Where will you stand—in a skirt or otherwise?
That's it, style seekers! I hope this slice through Skirts whets your appetite for wardrobe history and sparks a fresh conversation about what we choose to wear—and why. Drop your thoughts below: what silhouette speaks to your story?
CIAO FOR NOW, J. ANDREW JACKSON
