Women's skirts from India

by Cecile de Veyra (Managing Editor)

The apparel market in India is the sixth largest globally, expected to finish 2022 at $59.3 billion, according to McKinsey's FashionScope. Its supply side is just as strong, with exports of textiles and garments forecast to remain in an upturn in the coming years. In 2021, the country ranked fourth among the top exporters of dresses and skirts to the EU based on a study by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports, an agency under the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

India will figure prominently in the Asia Pacific’s women’s dresses and skirts market in the coming years. Its contribution, along with China’s, will propel the region’s 5.7 percent CAGR between 2022 and 2028 – the highest globally in these categories, according to Grand View Research. Dresses will remain the larger segment worldwide, but skirts will post a more sizeable growth during this period. The former will register a CAGR of 4.9 percent compared to skirts’ 5.7 percent.

In India, skirts come in a wide variety of styles, from short and knee-length to midi and maxi, to suit any occasion or season. Most are loose, according to Yashita, a senior content writer at Styles At Life’s Fashion & Lifestyle.

In the skirts handpicked by our market analyst Naheed Siddiqui below, gathers are a predominant sewing technique and are held together by drawstring elastic waistbands for adjustable and comfortable fit. Pure cotton and cambric cotton are common in these mostly maxi designs. There are solid colors and variations with motifs or patterns made using azo-free dyes and hand block printing.

90gsm pure cotton

The MH-01 from Meera Handicrafts is made of 100 percent cotton fabric in 60sx60s or 92x88 count and 90gsm. This loose and flared gathered white skirt features a blue floral motif applied using hand block printing. Its drawstring elastic waistband and hemline have blue stripes. Azo-free dyes are used. Skirt length is 38in. MOQ is 100 pieces and lead time 30 days.

Pure cambric cotton

A pure cambric cotton women’s skirt from Meera Handicrafts, the MH-02 has a flared cut with gathers and a drawstring elastic waistband. Fabric used is 60sx80s and 90gsm. This garment, with a half-length lining, has red and green floral motifs applied using azo-free dyes and hand block printing and striped waistband and hemline. It is 40in long. For a minimum quantity of 500 pieces, orders can be shipped in 30 days.

Jaipuri print

Made of 100 percent cotton with 20s and 52x52 count, model 01 women’s skirt from Rajlok Enterprises features a Jaipuri print in red and yellow. It has a flared cut and a drawstring waist. Skirt length is 42in. An order of at least 500 pieces is required. Lead time is 45 days.

Four tiers

Sarthak Fashion’s 01 women’s loose skirt is made of dark-pink pure cambric cotton in 60x60s. This four-tiered garment, measuring 40in in length, has a drawstring elastic waistband. MOQ required is 200 pieces and lead time 45 days.

Mulmul fabric

Sarthak Fashion offers the 02 women’s skirt made of Mulmul (or Malmal) cotton fabric in 120x120 count. This wrinkle-resistant garment comes in turquoise and has a prosin print of floral patterns in blue and purple. It is 42in long and has a drawstring elastic waistband. An order of at least 200 pieces is required for delivery in 45 days.

100 percent cambric cotton

Made of 100 percent cambric cotton in 60x90s count and 90gsm, Vandana Handicrafts’ model 01 women’s skirt has a loose and flared cut, features a hand block printed sunflower motif, and yellow-striped drawstring elastic waistband and hemline. Skirt length is 38in. Azo-free dyes are used. MOQ is 50 pieces and lead time 45 days.