Definition

Noun: A skirt whose fabric is drawn together around the waist, creating a full, often ruffled appearance. This is achieved by gathering the fabric onto the waistband.

Examples

• She wore a beautiful gathered skirt made of light cotton.
• The pattern instructs you to sew a gathered skirt with an elastic waistband.
• A gathered skirt provides more room and movement than a straight skirt.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Use: The term is often used in fashion design, sewing, and pattern-making to specify a construction technique. It can be modified by fabric type (e.g., "a tulle gathered skirt") or length (e.g., "a midi gathered skirt").

Variants and Related Words

• Gather (verb): To draw fabric together along a line of stitching to create fullness. This is the action used to make a gathered skirt.
• Full skirt (noun): A general category for skirts with significant fullness, which can be achieved by gathering, pleating, or using a circular cut. A gathered skirt is a type of full skirt.
• Dirndl skirt (noun): A specific style of gathered skirt, traditionally from Alpine regions, that is typically made of a straight panel of fabric gathered at the waist.

Synonyms

• Full skirt
• Dirndl (for a specific traditional style)

Related Phrases

• Gathered waist: A waistline treatment where fabric is gathered, not limited to skirts (e.g., gathered waist pants or a gathered waist dress).
• Elasticated waist skirt: A common feature of many casual gathered skirts, though a gathered skirt can also have a fitted waistband with a zipper.

Noun

1. a skirt whose fabric is drawn together around the waist