Skirts and skirt-like garments are generally considered as women's clothing. However, in Scotland, a Kilt is considered a traditional men's garment. Pencil skirts are usually considered as a formal garment, and are worn usually when attending formal events. Vintage pencil skirts have the hourglass silhouette that makes every girl look good when wearing it.

Pencil skirts are inspired from hobble skirts that first appeared in the Western fashion world during the 1880's. It was a narrow skirt with just enough of hem to significantly impede the wearer's stride. The term pencil skirts are typically used to describe short narrow knee length skirts. Hobble skirts were a short-lived trend of narrow ankle length skirts in the early 1910's, popularized by the designer Paul Poiret. It is said that Poiret was inspired by the first American woman who flew in the airplane, tied a piece of rope around her skirt in order to keep it from flapping through the flight. It is also said to be inspired from the Japanese narrow robe of geisha, as Poiret was strongly influenced by the Orient. The original hobble skirt, despite its being impractical, was fairly long-lasting and far-reaching in its impact. It was not very popular when introduced by Poiret in 1910. By 1914-15 modified versions of the skirt appeared in the market with hidden pleats, slits or drapery. Long tight skirts reappeared in the fashion scene with its shorter version called; pencil skirt.

Pencil skirts are even today, a part of the fashion scene. Fashionable pencil skirts are often made of leather, latex or PVC. Skirts today, are available in light textured fabrics for easy and free movement of the body.