I have always thought of the long skirt as dowdy. Too covered up! Even prudish! For years, the floor-grazing pieces have reminded me of going to a funeral, a Victorian woman who is always bedridden, or my summers at an Orthodox Jewish camp where long skirts were the dress code for many Torah-abiding girls. Then there is the hemline-index theory that claims that skirts and dresses get longer when the economy falters. And who wants to think about something as depressing as that?

But it’s not all dark or dreary for these elongated silhouettes. In addition to the constant influx of ’90s archive images on my Instagram that includes chic photos of Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss in long and lean skirts, the pieces have been having quite the comeback on the runway. For the Prada Resort 2019 collection, model Julia Nobis wore a hulking ushanka, a tight-fitting black turtleneck T-shirt, and a long semi-sheer chocolate-brown skirt that showed the outline of her legs. Not dowdy whatsoever. In fact, the look recalls those very photos of Paltrow and Moss appearing so effortless in their ankle-grazing skirts. And then there is the rebellious take: For Pre-Fall 2019, Alexander Wang gave the long skirt a gritty makeover with punkish twists in black leather or snakeskin print. Also not dowdy!

On a lighter note, there has been a hippie-fying moment of the long skirt courtesy of the Paco Rabanne Spring 2019 collection, which showed off several pieces that could even be deemed sexy thanks to the leg baring. One in particular stood out: a sarong that flashed some thigh and came complete with a shimmering gold-coin belt. It was worn with a knotted blue T-shirt that boasted the phrase “Lose Yourself.” How casual, how relaxed, and very far from what I had considered a length designated for mourning or the high holidays. Plus, less than two months after the show, Emily Ratajkowski stepped out in Paco Rabanne Look 15, sporting the boho print skirt with a midriff-exposing zip-up top. I could imagine myself in something similar, maybe trading the top for a cropped white tee for a slight midriff-baring moment. Religious camps no more!

Last but not least, Marc Jacobs recently reissued his Spring 1993 Perry Ellis grunge collection, churning out loose print skirts for a bit of yesteryear swagger. Paired with a slouchy beanie and thick-soled boots, the outfit is pretty stellar with a bit of bite. Like I said, definitely not dowdy. In fact, very cool. Now let’s hear it for the new lease on long skirts.

Paco Rabanne tie-detailed printed satin sarong skirt, HK$3,715, modaoperandi.com

Jacquemus knitted side-slit skirt, HK$2,168, farfetch.com

Courrèges Iconic front-split wool midi skirt, HK2,094, modaoperandi.com