Bubble Skirts: The Latest Style Comeback From The 60’s

By: Claire Rothaupt

Public Service Announcement for all fashion aficionados – the bubble skirt has made an undeniable comeback on social media, often unnoticed but ever-present. Fashion moguls have brought the voluminous and unique 3-dimensional skirts out of the archives, now classically inventing new ways of styling Jackie Kennedy-esque bubble skirts. 

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Fashion Archives

The iconic bubble skirt has been around since the 60s, merging in and out of style during the early 2000’s. We see it peaking into our fashion trends again in modern day fashion through fashion designers, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Honored for challenging fashion norms of typical skirt designs, the designers have been known to showcase the iconic and voluminous bubble skirt in early designs. With its unique and playful structure, it is no surprise why this poofy skirt has resurfaced in 2024. 

Dior on the left, Yves Saint Laurent on the right (circa 1950-60s)

Couture to modern day, the bubble look has been modeled by many celebrities throughout the years. Princess Diana, for example - in her white trench coat over a polka-dot maxi bubble dress. Debuted at the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival, 1987, the fashion moment shifted creative liberty. Talented musician, Ariana Grande is a bubble-skirt girly, photographed arriving to the 2018 Billboard Awards in a violet bubble dress with over the knee boots. She was celebrated as ‘Billboard's Woman of the Year’ that year – and as woman of the year, we’re smitten with her bubble-skirt ensemble to commemorate the moment.

Princess Diana (left), Ariana Grande (right)

Styling Tips

Fashion content creators have taken social media by storm in styling the dynamic bubble skirt; whether it be advice on styling the skirt up, or down. 

We’ve noted that these are a few of the most recommended ways to dress a bubble skirt:

●  Casually: Wearing the bubble skirt with a tank top or long- sleeve top, paired with intentional pieces of jewelry. Pair with boots or sneakers depending on the occasion. If you’re feeling like a cutie, pair it with Hermes sandals.

●  Layering: Dress up the bubble skirt with a pair of lace or sheer tights, layering vests, sweaters, or jackets over the skirt. A pair of kitten heels are essential. Another option is wearing the skirt over straight-leg jeans with a button-down, and vest layered on top. Add a small shoulder bag to complete the look. You’re a star. 

Bubble Skirtin’ on a Budget:

For those who want to make an impression while the skirt is IN without breaking the bank, we’ve asked content creator, Amadi Oubichon to guide us on all things fashion DIY. Oubichon shared a tutorial on her TikTok account revealing how she recycled a few of her vibrant button-down shirts into a bubble skirt, keeping the makeshift skirt intact with the help of safety pins. To achieve this trendy look, she recommends that you “wrap the button down around the waist, button it all the way down, take the extremities [sleeves, front and back of the skirt], then hold it in place with safety pins.” Her styling tips video has surpassed 310,000 views with many trend-setting divas re-creating the look.

Amadi Oubichon pictured effortlessly posing in her repurposed button down bubble skirt:	
https://www.instagram.com/amadiakilah

Though Oubichon had some reservations about posting the look on TikTok, she is glad she pushed through the temporary setback. She knew there would be people who would have mixed feelings about the trend, but she has since appreciated seeing everyone’s positive feedback on her take of the modern bubble skirt!

Fashion is a really important part of Oubichon’s day to day life, as she loves the freedom of being able to choose how she wants to feel based on her outfit vision. She finds it healing being able to connect to her inner child by playing dress up everyday, having fun with her ever-evolving eye for fashionable opportunities to be creative. 

It is rumored that the bubble skirt will be a statement piece in the upcoming fashion seasons, and according to Amadi, it is very cool girl coded. Make sure to keep the stylish bubble skirt in mind while shopping, or creating your own authentic fit creation.