Tag Archives: mullet skirt

The Mullet Dress

The author’s sister utilizes her mullet dress by “showing off a little leg-party in the front, and keepin’ them guessing with a little train-business in the back.” photo: H. Richards

“Business in the front, party in the back.”

We’ve all heard the mullet mantra. However, I’m pretty sure mullets were only cool for a short period in the 80’s, and that was still only true if you were in a rock or heavy metal garage band. Once the mullets-are-acceptable-period passed, they were never a socially acceptable hairstyle again.

For whatever reason, over the past few years the fashion gods have decided to bring back the mullet, only this time, in a way-cool form. Yep, I’m talking about the mullet shirt, skirt and dress. Instead of a poor choice hairdo, the mullet can now be worn as an article of clothing. And in further ‘good’ news, “mullet wear” is surprisingly figure flattering for all body types, since it can be worn in such a variety of forms.

1973 early mullets for Linda and Paul McCartney in this Japanese TV special.

Mullet shirts are typically bo-ho style, sometimes with a flowy batwing sleeve, and give you a comfortable look that pairs perfectly with a mid-rise or high-rise pant (which are also coming back in style in every colour known to the human race).

You can also find mullet shirts that are more tailored with a collar, or in the form of a sweater that is longer in the front, and both are work-appropriate looks. Just remember, if you are wearing a loose-fitting top, make sure your bottoms fit well in a straight leg or skinny leg style.

For the younger crowd looking for some extra summer-loving fun, you can also take advantage of mullet crop tops by covering most of your belly with a high-waisted pant, skirt or shorts, and let just a hint of your midriff show, this way you can wear crop tops without showing your whole stomach and saving yourself from potentially looking trashy, like the aforementioned hairstyle. Or, if you’re out on the beach with friends and simply want to make a poutine run, go ahead and rock the crop top however you like. You will find yourself feeling vivaciously vintage, ready for a beach day, relaxing on the weekend or for a fun night out, depending on your choice of footwear and accessories.

But the mullet fun doesn’t stop there!

You will also be seeing skirts and dresses that attest to the mullet mantra, only reversed: Show off a little leg-party in the front, and keep them guessing with a little train-business in the back. Mullet skirts and dresses will give your outfit a unique, fashion-forward twist, and allow for a little behind modesty, yet are still playful and fun. The potential styles are endless, from maxi-mullet dresses for a beachy vay-cay, as well as high-waisted skirts that you can tuck a fitted shirt into and be ready for work. All of these styles will be available to you in a rainbow of bright colors, pastels, floral, and graphic prints. As fashion expert, Carson Kressley says, “If you look like a bag of Skittles, you’re doing it right.”

The moral of this story is, fashion repeats itself, trends come and go, and come back again.

The best part of the cycle is when a style comes back in a new, more polished form.  Mullet madness is indeed back again, and you can leave the scissors behind. For the Silo, Hannah Richards.