Probably the most common question I’ve gotten since I started this blog (other than, “Are those your real clothes?”), is “How do you get your skirts so gloriously full?? I have my standard response, which is that I have always been a two-crinoline minimum kind of gal. But, much like every vintage huntress out there, I’m always in search of the next magical solution to the full-skirted glory I crave….
Enter Petticoats by Lori, who I happened upon one day on IG. I was pleasantly going about my day, scrolling aimlessly, and everything came to a screeching halt when I saw a 6-layer pink polka dot confection that looked like I could sail away on cloudless climbs of cotton candy. You can imagine how thrilled I was when Lori DM’d me and asked if I would want to collaborate on a petticoat to call my very own.
If you’ve never heard of Petticoats by Lori, pull up a chintz and get ready to float in a sea of tulle. All handmade in the USA, they offer pettis in soft nylon chiffon or bridal tulle varieties, from 1 up to 6 layers of fullness (though if you wanted more I’m sure that could be arranged). You can 100% see the 1950’s inspiration in her designs, each one with their own special flair.
After a bit of back and forth, Lori designed me the petticoat of dreams: 6 layers of poof in sky blue, with a dreamy pastel rainbow colored ribbon trim on the outer skirt, and the 5 layers underneath with raw edges (clearly, she gets me). I salivated over the in-progress shots as Lori worked on my confection, which I was told was very fairy kei inspired (if you had to look that up like I did, fairy kei is a form of Japanese pastel fashion that pulls from an 80’s fairytale fantasy. Needless to say, I am HERE for it). I could hardly wait until she was zooming across the country to my tulle-loving arms.
When she arrived and I pulled her out of the package (which I swear made a “poof!” sound as it burst forth from the box), she was so full that she could stand up on her own! I knew then and there this was my kind of petticoat. The first thing I noticed was how high quality the tulle was – although tulle has a reputation for being hopelessly scratchy, this one was surprisingly soft to the touch. The satin waistband also meant that the part touching my skin was uber soft – which is pretty important for long term wear.
With a generously stretchy waistband, it fit me perfectly and fell to 27″ length, as requested (my fellow tall girls will appreciate the struggle). I was so in love with the soft azure blue of the tulle meeting the pastel rainbow rim across the outer edge – like my very own cloudless sky. These kinds of details are amazing – they can peek out when you sit (or if you’re me, twirl like a loon), and can add a bit of a secret to an outfit. Much like wearing lingerie that no one sees, a pretty petticoat tends to give me a smirk that doesn’t fade throughout the day….
The second AMAZING thing I noticed was that this was the first petticoat in the history of petticoats (and trust me when I say we have a long history…) where…wait for it…only ONE petticoat was required. Two-crinoline minimum no more! I shall wait for the gasp to end. The glorious fullness my heart has been searching for through wind and sleet and dark of night was achieved with this single underskirt, making my skirt bell out perfectly and giving me about 6 reasons to twirl.
As many of you know if you’ve been following the blog for awhile, I’ve spent some time over the last few years focusing on the art of fashion. Making art through my sewing, working with creators who paint on fabric or are reducing their imprint on the world by using zero waste textiles. Part of why I love vintage is the investment in the story of a garment. I have fallen equally in love with investing in an artist. In letting them tell their own story through their chosen medium.
Lori creates beauty in something that is hidden away from the public eye, and to me there is true magic in that. In a world where outside validation has been ingrained in us, I love supporting someone who celebrates the parts of a garment that have nothing to do with anyone but the wearer. It is my secret indulgence. A flash of rainbow tucked beneath folds of fabric, a peek of blue when I lean over the lab bench. But it’s something that gets to be mine and reflects the way I celebrate myself when no one’s opinion is even a part of the equation. Neither for compliments nor for judgment. My version of self-care. This petticoat is the dream I get to lose myself in. The thing that holds my dress and my chin up high. The swish that takes me into that board meeting, rustles encouragement as I stand in front of a classroom, and who’s beauty exists for no one but me.
If the dress tells the story, then the underskirts whisper of how we got to the point where we were strong enough to tell it in the first place.
Lori offers her high-quality petticoats at a range of fullness and price points. These are investment pieces, but trust me when I say a high quality petti will last you for YEARS. I spent a good part of my early vintage journey acquiring less-expensive petticoats from Amazon that (a) wouldn’t give me the shape I wanted and (b) would fall apart after a few wears. Plus, Lori is currently having an amazing sale through the end of October – where all of her petticoats are 25% off! But, as an added bonus exclusive to my readers, you can use the code SPOOKYSEASON for an additional 10% off (run don’t walk, run don’t walk…).
If you are after a bit more of a subtle shape than I, Lori offers her handmade petticoats in 1-, 2-, and 4- layer versions as well (with customization). I haven’t tried them personally (though I see you pink flocked hearts), but if they are anything like the quality of my 6-layer version, you won’t be disappointed. She ships worldwide and all of her creations are made to order.
If you are equally smitten with full skirts and a fairy tale vibe, I hope you also keep up with Petticoats by Lori on Instagram to see what amazing new designs she’s working on.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more twirling to do….
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: eBay (similar modern and vintage here, here, & here)
6-Layer Petticoat: c/o Petticoats by Lori
Necklace: Efva Attling
Bracelet: vintage, Legendary Beast (similar)
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Handbag: gift, Betsey Johnson (similar here)
Shoes: Sophia Webster, sold out (similar here & here)
Lip Color: Nars Niagara
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.