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Tubino jackie & julietta pinup fifties style
Tubino jackie & julietta pinup fifties style

There is something about pencil skirts and dresses. I have always been fascinated by them. They are so classy and feminine. A while back I’ve written a post about the history of the pencil skirt. Remember how it all started with a propeller in 1908 and that it was first called the Wiggle skirt propeller in 1911 and that it was first called the Wiggle skirt? It wasn’t that long ago when women were only allowed to wear skirts and dresses. Things have changed though. Thanks to classic icons like Katherine Hepburn, fashion trends and a huge mentality change later in the 20th century. But there is one thing that didn’t change: pencil skirts and dresses never went out of style. Let’s wiggle back from the old vintage days to the present, because nowadays it’s still that classy item that is always right and suitable for every occasion. Read more

Hobble skirt postcard 1911

Nowadays pencil skirts are a basic part of any female (work) wardrobe. This classy fashion item came to life in a very interesting way. Let me take you back to 1908…

In that year two brothers named Wilbur and Orville Wright, allowed the first female passenger, Mrs Berg to their aeroplane. Apparently this was quite a challenge. Mrs Berg was wearing a long skirt. Propellers of the aeroplane rotated very closely to her and the wind was blowing her skirt. To prevent accidents, the two men tied a rope around the ankles of Mrs Berg. And that was the very early beginning of a new fashion trend.

The flight and especially the skirt of Mrs Berg, became a hot topic in  newspapers and magazines around the globe. It didn’t take long before designers spotted the pictures and turned it into a new trend with a new name: The hobble skirt. Which was also known as the speed limit skirt. Since the skirt was “roped” around the knee your speed of walking had indeed a limit. It also created a wiggle in the walk of the person who was wearing the skirt. (Which is why tight pencil skirts are also referred to as wiggle skirt nowadays). Besides that, it required walking gracefully. Also stumbling over your own feet was important to avoid. The original hobble skirt craze didn’t last long, but was a forerunner of today’s mermaid gowns that are often seen on Hollywood’s red carpet and in bridal fashion.

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