Is the Bubble Skirt Actually Coming Back in Style?

Truth be told, when I’ve mentioned that I’m putting together a story on the return of the bubble skirt to colleagues, the instantaneous nature of them replying with a disgusted “no” is almost laughable. It’s true; the bubble skirt doesn’t have the best rap. And though my personal jury is still out on whether or not I’ll be wearing it again, it’s undeniable that bubble skirts are back on the market.

To present this unsettling information to you, I dug through the archives to find a few throwback examples of the bulbous silhouette, as well as current runway and celebrity examples that prove it can be made to feel modern and (dare I say it?) cool. You be the judge.

is-the-bubble-skirt-actually-coming-back-in-style-1788909-1464733129

-1788688-1464732999

(Image credit: Everett Collection)

1980s: Jane Seymour next to designer Christian Lacroix in a striped bubble dress.

-1788693-1464733005

(Image credit: REX/Shutterstock)

1987: Princess Diana styled a white double-breasted blazer over her bubble dress in Cannes.

-1788691-1464733009

(Image credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

2006: Actress Selma Blair sported the bubble at a Marc Jacobs fashion show.

is-the-bubble-skirt-actually-coming-back-in-style-1788907-1464733129

-1788686-1464733015

Louis Vuitton S/S 16

-1788689-1464733021

Victoria Beckham F/W 16

-1788687-1464733025

(Image credit: Brian Ach/Getty Images)

Monse F/W 16

is-the-bubble-skirt-actually-coming-back-in-style-1788908-1464733129

-1788685-1464733032

(Image credit: Gisela Schober/Getty Images for amfAR)

For this year's amfAR gala, Karolína Kurková styled a lavender strapless cocktail dress with metallic Tamara Mellon heels.

-1788681-1464733038

(Image credit: FameFlyNet Pictures)

Amal Clooney tried out a bubble skirt look straight from the F/W 16 Monse runway.

-1788683-1464733043

(Image credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for InStyle)

You make Louis Vuitton look good, Selena Gomez.

-1788684-1464733047

(Image credit: Xposure/AKM-GSI)

We like how fresh and youthful Elle Fanning looks in her Blvgari sunnies and all-white bubble ensemble.

-1788682-1464733052

(Image credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Alicia Vikander's strapless Louis Vuitton gown at the Oscars reminded us of Belle in the best way possible.

is-the-bubble-skirt-actually-coming-back-in-style-1788910-1464733129

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)