A wrap skirt has a deeper history than a seasonal trend, and the V&A describes Tehuana wrap skirts as a pre-Conquest tradition on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Frida Kahlo wore floor-length versions at her 1929 wedding to Diego Rivera. This is how to choose a wrap skirt that ties well and stays put.
Wrap Skirt: Tehuana Tradition and Frida Kahlo
An old way of dressing
The V&A describes Tehuana wrap skirts as a tradition on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec that goes back to before the Spanish Conquest, and says some Indigenous communities still assemble them from home-woven panels. In 1828 Claudio Linati's lithograph, Young Woman of Tehuantepec, showed a wrap-around cotton skirt woven on a backstrap loom. The V&A notes that Frida Kahlo wore floor-length skirts at her 1929 marriage to Diego Rivera, and that one Tehuana enagua she wore fastened at the side with fabric ties. A wrap skirt is a simple idea with deep roots.
How a wrap skirt should close
A good wrap skirt overlaps enough that it stays closed when you walk. Check the overlap, the tie and the inner button. A wide tie lies flat and a thin one can dig in. A hook or snap inside gives extra security. The skirt should hang evenly when you stand, without the front drifting open.
Fabric and length
Linen and cotton wrap skirts look relaxed. Satin and crepe look dressy. A midi is the easiest length, and a mini wraps playfully. Picture her in a linen wrap midi, a striped tee and leather sandals, buying fruit at a market. A tie at the side adds movement, and a high waist keeps the line neat.
Dressing it up or down
Pair a wrap skirt with a tucked tee, a bodysuit or a fitted knit. In cooler weather, wear it with boots and a turtleneck. A belt is not needed since the skirt has its own. Hand wash delicate versions and steam them flat.
What I would skip
I would skip wrap skirts with very little overlap, which open at every step, and those with a stiff, bulky tie at the waist. A wrap skirt should feel like a small secret that stays closed.
