By LAJU ARENYEKA

A few years ago, if your school uniform looked anything like the pleated skirt, you wanted it to be as short as possible, as straight as possible, and you also wanted to wear your uniform for as short a time as possible.  Times have changed however, as the fashion item we once thought belonged to the mary amakas and sister spiros now wave the fashion flag across the waists of thousands of fashion gurus in Quadlife-style parlance. Stop pretending like you don’t want to join the band wagon; learn how to wear the pleated skirt just right.

•Tucking-in-is-the-in-thing: If there is any reason to work on your tummy, it’s the pleated skirt. This presents a striking hour glass shape that is irresistible.

•To ‘top’ it all up: ‘Fitted’ is the key word here. Go for a body hugging blouse or tank top that is a few shades away from the colour of your skirt.

•Buckle up: Belts, whether slim or wide could save your pleated skirt escapade. Wear slim belts on the band of your skirt and wide belts on the space between your blouse and skirt

•Step it up: A pair of stiletto or wedge heels are a step in the right direction especially if you are not too tall.

•Watch what’s underneath: Because the pleated skirts in vogue are made of light transparent material, it is paramount to ensure that all your stakes are covered underneath.

Today, if you had a school uniform anything like the pleated skirt, you’d want it to be as long as possible, as full as possible, and you’d want to wear it for as long as possible!