What Is a Skort? – Meaning & Definition

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

To this day, I still laugh at my husband’s face when I first bought a skort and wore it. I could see the confusion as I showed him how it worked and explained what it was. I still don’t think he believes it’s a real word. But I assure you, it’s real and correct, and you can use it in speaking and writing. I’ll explain its origins, purpose, and how to pronounce it.

What Is a Skort?

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A skort is a unique kind of garment that mixes the feminine features of a skirt and the comfort of a pair of shorts into one piece. It was first invented in 1911 and has become a super popular item of clothing for women, especially in sports and athletic wear. You’ll see celebrity athletes like Serena and Venus Williams wearing them all the time.

Is Skort a Word?

Yes, absolutely! While it might sound like one of those eggcorns or silly made-up words, it’s actually a real and correct term found in the dictionary.

When Were Skorts Invented?

The skort was first invented in 1911 by Paul Poiret, but it didn’t become popular until the 1930s when they were seen as a practical alternative to wearing a skirt in more active or athletic situations.

Skorts gave women the comfort and freedom of movement that shorts provided without having to sacrifice the appearance of wearing a skirt. This was especially helpful since most female sports had strict dress codes that forbade them from wearing anything else besides a skirt.

Over time, the quirky garment evolved and became more stylish, with clothing designers experimenting with new materials, patterns, and styles. Today, you can get skorts in a wide range of materials, from casual cotton to high-performance polyester as well as a ton of cool styles to suit your personal tastes.

What Is the Purpose of a Skort?

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That depends on who you ask. I bought a skort so I could wear a skirt in the summer and not worry about my thighs chaffing in the heat. But other people might use a skort for:

  • Protecting their modesty. Wearing a skort can come with mishaps, especially in a breeze.
  • More flexibility when playing women’s sports.
  • Riding a bike and wearing a skirt at the same time.

How to Pronounce Skort

It’s pronounced just as it looks, sk-ort.

Using the Word Skort in a Sentence

  • My favorite outfit to wear in the summer is a tank top and a cute skort.
  • The Williams sisters wore tennis skorts to play in the tournament and looked effortlessly stylish.
  • I never thought I’d be wearing a skort to work, but it’s actually quite comfortable.
  • Spandex skorts are the perfect solution for any woman that wants the freedom of shorts but the appearance of a skirt.
  • I was in a hurry this morning and grabbed the first thing I saw in my closet, which happened to be a golf skort.
  • The skort trend has been around for decades and shows no signs of slowing down.
  • Skorts are not just for tennis and golf anymore; they have become a staple in women’s fashion.
  • I was pleasantly surprised to find a denim skort in the latest collection of my favorite designer.
  • Women’s skorts are so versatile because they can be dressed up or down. I love them!
  • I love the way my cotton skort twirls when I spin; it’s like having a skirt without any restrictions.

Swift stepped out Wednesday in L.A. wearing a black, origami-front Missguided skort, which can be hanging in your closet too for $34.20. (People Magazine)

Feel Free to Use the Word Skort!

So, to sum up, yes, skort is a real word and an actual clothing garment that people wear. It’s great for sports, bike riding, and preventing thigh chaffing, but it can also be fun to use the word in your writing.