Copenhagen Fashion Week: Bubble Skirts

It’s likely you’ve seen them literally blowing up the timeline this summer: first landing back in the 50s, then popular among gloomy goths, New Romantics, and the protagonists of schmaltzy John Hughes movies in the 80s, and later enjoying a resurgence as part of what we know now as the indie sleaze moment back in the mid 00s, the bubble skirt is back, baby.

Unsurprisingly, given we’ve entered an era when anything goes trend-wise and we’ve mercifully stopped affixing a ‘core’ to any fleeting aesthetic seeping up from the depths of TikTok, there are countless ways to wear them.

At Sandy Liang over Stateside and Simone Rocha closer to home, the look is mega-girly, festooned with bows and ribbons and matched with dainty satin ballet pumps and Mary-Janes.

Kiko Kostadinov and Chopova Lowena’s take on the skirt feels a lot more punky and DIY – coming in clashing tartans, they’re studded with charms and strung with signature silver carabiners – while Aaron Esh, an early purveyor of the bubble skirt, looked to the 365 party girls like Kate Moss in the mid-00s for inspiration.

His AW24 cast was decked out in looks that referenced archival Topshop styles dug up from the depths of eBay, with the designer explaining he’d imagined them hours deep into a house party and running to the off-licence at midnight to grab some more booze before closing. But they’re not just for the girls, obviously. Esh has also dropped a denim version which is layered over flared jeans, while Chopova sent models of all genders stomping through a West London skatepark earlier this year.

With the trend going strong for a good few months now, it’s also showing zero sign of fizzling out. Right now, at Copenhagen Fashion Week, Dazed’s contributing photographer Morgane Maurice reports the streets are awash with them, and celebs like Ayo Edebiri, Olivia Dean, and Sabrina Carpenter have all stepped out onto the red carpet in their own bubble-hemmed dresses and gowns.

In case you’re thinking about getting in on the act, we’ve rounded up a selection styles for your shopping pleasure. Scroll through below.