Is it a Skirt? Is it a Trouser? It’s a Dress/Pant Hybrid and Here’s How to Wear It - Vogue

Look 62, Balenciaga's fall 2021 collection—it was all the convincing I needed. The penultimate look in Balenciaga's long-awaited couture debut was a tour de force of a black-tie ensemble: As seen from the front, the lady wears a 1950s-esque icy satin A-line gown featuring metallic embroideries. As she turns the corner, however, it is revealed that her gown is not a gown, but rather an overskirt under which a pair of skinny cigarette trousers can be seen. Gala in the front, after-party in the back. It was divine and just about worth waiting 54 years for—the last couture collection, presented by Mr. Cristóbal Balenciaga himself, was in 1967.

While I would have loved to acquire lovely Look 62 for my wardrobe, couture is more a fashion fantasy than a shoppable reality. Luckily, I happened upon an Alexia María ensemble that accomplished something very similar with all the elegance of a gown and all the practicality of a pair of pants.

Founded in San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood by native Alexia María, the label is dedicated to bridal and evening wear that borrows from the codes of bygone Hollywood glamour. The look is lady-like, bows are aplenty, and most importantly, everything is photogenic. Alexia María pieces are meant to be documented, after all!

The set I took a liking to was made up of three pieces: a strapless bustier top, a pair of pants, and an overskirt—the latter can also be mixed, matched, and worn on top of any Alexia María jumpsuit. I've already taken them all out for a spin to a black-tie charity gala: The evening began with the silk taffeta skirt in place, tricking the eye into thinking I was in a more traditional gown. Come the dancing portion of the night, though, off went the skirt on onto the dancefloor I bounded.

Below, my Alexia María look, plus other similar renditions of the gown/pant hybrid.

Alexia María Signature Collection silk faille strapless bustier

$310

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Alexia María Convertible Collection silk faille cigarette pants with convertible skirt

$1,180

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Alexia María silk faille twisted bow jumpsuit with convertible skirt

$1,391

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Kay Unger stretch crepe Bijou jumpsuit

$318

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Oscar de la Renta strapless threadwork and floral bustier top

$3,990

MODA OPERANDI

Loulou tulle skirt overlay trousers

$434$304

FARFETCH

Halston Ira twist-neck jumpsuit

$795$596

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Alexia María silk faille bow-back jumpsuit with convertible skirt

$1,339

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

16Arlington Dickinson feather-trimmed crepe top

$666

MATCHESFASHION.COM

Giorgio Armani straight-leg silk pants with skirt overlay

$2,495

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Elie Saab bridal caped crêpe jumpsuit

$4,092

MYTHERESA

Burnett New York crepe cut-out jumpsuit with overskirt

$1,095$950

THE YES

Andres Otalora Gingko pleated silk strapless crop top

$620

MODA OPERANDI

Bluzat green pants with skirt

$265

WOLF AND BADGER

Safiyaa layered strapless crepe jumpsuit

$1,955

NET-A-PORTER

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