For me, though, the true value of the floaty-fabulous skirt is its versatility. I wear them to various events and in all kinds of weather – with a shirt to a meeting, or to a posh do with a cropped cashmere cardi (do hitch them up and gather them out of the way on escalators and steps). But I’ll also don them for a country dog walk with chunky jumpers, woolly tights, a cagoule and wellies.
‘From a designer’s perspective, tulle skirts are so much fun to design and wear because they are just so adaptable,” says Laura Green, whose latest collection features the ultra-luxe Luna Tulle Skirt in navy. “They can be mixed with other fabrics, layered as much or as little as you like and be as maximalist or minimalist as you choose.”
Budget versions have long been at the heart of my capsule travel wardrobe, especially as they don’t crease. In the past, I’ve worn them sightseeing, from Pompeii to the pyramids. They also work as a cruise essential. For my most recent holiday – an African safari – I bought one in khaki (it doubled as a mosquito net for my legs).
People are always coming up and complimenting me on my skirts, interested in how to rock the look. In fact, when I pictured them on my pro-ageing website, 60.life, I had so many enquiries, I drew up my top tulle rules.
Firstly, there’s the skirt itself. Avoid anything with loads of gathering around the waistband. This creates puffiness and makes you look like an angry fairy in a music box. The best option is a gored design that offers a flatter fit at the waist and over the hips. However, it then needs to kick out with some fullness (if the silhouette continues in an A-line shape, you lose the fluffy, flirty quality). I’ve purchased from numerous sources, including online from uk.chicwish.com and southoftheriver.co.uk, and stores such as The White Company. I also snoop and shop around on eBay and Etsy.
Next, opt for a generous fit, checking actual measurements, rather than purely going on label size, which these days can be a concept so varied as to border on misleading. And remember, psychologically, slightly slouchy rather than bunchy-bunchy helps you appear more comfortable in your skin.
Lastly, what you pair with them with is crucial – and that starts from the ground up. If you slip on dainty kitten heels or classic court shoes, you risk tiptoeing into a Buckingham Palace garden party. Instead, subscribe to the “wrong-shoe” theory, which means seeking out a potentially jarring juxtaposition to add some delicious subversion.
“The key to wearable tulle styling is all about balancing its femininity and softness with a contrast, whether that’s sturdier fabrics, structured silhouettes or pieces with opposing associations, such as a leather jacket – call it ‘fluff with tough’,” says Green. That’s why I favour chunky boots or schoolgirl plimsolls.
Ditto with hats. If you wear tulle with a fascinator, immediately, you’re off the races. Which is fine if you really are off to the races, but not if you’re going anywhere else, bar a wedding. In summer, a straw fedora fits the bill; in winter, one in felt does the job. And if it’s slightly travel-worn or weather-beaten, so much the better. Just watch out for those puddles.