ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE
The mullet returns — to hemlines, not hairstyles
The ’80s always seem to be making a comeback, but this year it’s the mullet that’s leading the charge.
The now-infamous haircut is taking its “business in the front, party in the back” attitude to new heights — or in this case, to new hemlines.
Mullet-inspired tailoring has gained momentum in recent months, with its asymmetrical cut found on everything from skirts and dresses, to tops, blazers and sweaters. And with designers and mass retailers jumping on board, the trend seems to be popping up everywhere.
“I think the fact that it’s called a ‘mullet skirt’ or a ‘mullet dress’ kind of throws people off because they think of the haircut or Billy Ray Cyrus in the 1990s, but I think it’s a really sexy, versatile trend that you can dress up or down,” says Edmonton stylist and blogger Marie Zydek.
“Instead of ‘business in the front, party in the back,’ I think of it as ‘sexy in the front, modest in the back,’ which is a lot more fun.”
Marina Shih, co-owner of Edmonton’s Shades of Grey, says she sees the trend popping up in almost every line she carries, citing Lauren Conrad’s Paper Crown line as a popular option for mullet-hungry stylistas.
“I think this is a really cute style that came out of the trend to wear shorter skirts with long, sheer overlays, which was really big last year,” Shih says. “This is just a progression on that.”
For those who have never worn a mullet-inspired item, Zydek recommends starting with a skirt that can be dressed up or down.
“You can wear it with a blouse or something more casual like a tank top, then throw on a blazer and some heels to elongate the legs,” she advises. “You really can’t go wrong, though; just pay attention to the fabrics and how they work together and have fun with it.”
Shih agrees that material is a key consideration when styling an asymmetrical look like this.
“It has to be a flowy material, otherwise it can be hard to pull off,” she says.
And as for staying power, Shih thinks the trend has plenty of life left in it.
“I think it will stick around. It’s been going on for a while now, it’s just getting more extreme now,” she says. “The lengths might change, but I think the overall trend will be around for a while.”
Long live the mullet.