The 2010s Bubble Skirt Is This Summer’s Unexpected It Girl Staple

When I hear the words “bubble skirt,” I am instantly transported to a different world—one ruled by Blair Waldorf, where statement necklaces, super-high platform heels and enormous metallic designer bags rule. Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans in High School Musical is the governor, and The Hills-era Lauren Conrad is the mayor of Bubble City.

The bubble skirt has been “back” multiple times since its late 2000s-early 2010s heyday, but like many of the big (and often cringeworthy) trends of that era, it has made a triumphant return to stores and closet shelves. Some of us receive this news with a gasp and a “Whyyyyyyy?,” while others are excited to re-interpret the humble bubble for a new generation, or to wear it for the very first time. If you’re curious about the polarizing skirt shape or yearning to revisit your youthful club days, the bubble skirt is ready and waiting to party with you once more.

The Trend

Though it originated in the ’80s, the bubble skirt had its big spotlight moment in the late ‘00s and early 2010s, when maximalism reigned and we layered pretty much anything and everything together: big belts, bubble skirts over jeans, tons of necklaces, armwarmers, cowboy boots, you name it! The skirt fit right into the “anything goes” aesthetic of that era and was frequently spotted on the red carpet on young stars like the aforementioned Tisdale and Conrad, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and even Kim Kardashian and Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw. As the name suggests, the hem of said skirt “bubbled” with gathered stitching to make it look like a cloud.

Once the bubble silhouette faded in popularity, it was generally considered one of the worst trends of that time period and spoken about in whispers of sartorial shame, but like pretty much every single trend of the ‘00s, it has been unearthed from the back of the closet and is ready to shine again.

It’s one thing to say a trend is back because you saw it on TikTok a few times, but the bubble skirt really is back—it got a co-sign from the ultimate fashion icon and It girl, Chloë Sevigny, at a recent event for Feud: Capote vs. the Swans. Sevigny donned a breezy, airy white dress with puffed sleeves and yep! A bubble hem. If Sevigny says it’s cool again, it’s cool again. Kylie Jenner also wore the silhouette on a recent European vacation, and it made an appearance on the runways at Tibi, Alaia, Staud, and more. Need any more convincing? Just take a look at the streets of NYC or a scroll through your favorite retailer, and you’re bound to see some version of the skirt in a mini or maxi length.

How to Wear It

The 2024 version of the bubble skirt is, thankfully, much more subdued than its short and cheerful predecessor. Instead of coming in hot pink and metallic purple, today’s bubble skirts are neutral in tone, typically in shades of black, cream, and tan. More natural fabrics like cotton poplin make the hem look modern; Revolve and Reformation are doing it right, whether it’s Reformation’s strapless Clea Dress, Apres Studio’s chic Bubble Skirt in black or tan, and Belle the Label’s Balloon Skirt.

When styling a short bubble skirt today, skip the ‘00s accessories like the big waist belt in favor of more streamlined pieces. The bubble skirt or bubble dress looks flirty and coquettish with a kitten heel, delicate strappy sandal, or a sneaker, not a stiletto. Opt for slightly oversized, cropped sweaters or shirts when getting dressed. It’s also cute with a long layering piece like a jacket, cardigan, or blazer to balance out the short skirt.

Retailers like Anthropologie and Free People are also experimenting with the maxi bubble skirt, a twist on the typical mini bubble skirt that feels both formal and casual at the same time. Wear it old-school Lucky magazine style with a white tank, show some skin with a tube or bandeau crop top, or dress it up with something sparkly. Wait … do I want a bubble skirt now? If you’re in the same boat, shop some of our faves below.