Way back in the fifties, women hardly wore pants; except for chores that were extremely casual. Frocks and skirts were the most preferred outfits, with the poodle and pencil skirts being a rage. So, what are poodle skirts?

Poodle skirts are literally a circle around the waist with a hemline that is just at knee level or slightly below that. They are generally made out of poly-cotton, with an elastic waist-band, and golden leash sewn to a white satin poodle with black trim to it. Hence, the name 'Poodle Skirt.' Poodle appliqu'©s are also available separately; enabling ladies to own these patches and stitch them to their skirts, instead of buying a brand new poodle skirt. It is not true that all skirts adorned only poodle patches; however, poodle skirts were a rage especially amongst the teenage girls.

A pastel colored short sleeve-blouse or an angora sweater, compliments a poodle skirt very well. Bobby socks with saddle shoes, penny loafers or white sneakers, made the best footwear to go with poodle skirts. Girls generally pin up their hair to a high pony tail and dab some red lipstick and eye-shadow to finish their make-up. Poodles were not the only entities based on which these patches were designed. Appliqu'©s were also designed matching the images of flowers, cars, birds and other animals. But poodles are the best remembered amongst the lot, and hence, were widely used on poodle skirts..

Today, poodle skirts make an excellent costume for sock hop, theme party or the Halloween. Poodle skirts were of such massive rage that they have been immortalized as symbols of the 1950s.