Who are you?
Just a regular couple that enjoys long tight skirts. One can do web design, the other is an accomplished designer - thus came about this site.
What is a hobble skirt?
A hobble skirt is generally a long (below knees or longer) skirt that is narrow enough (particularly at the hem) to impede stride. The term originated from 1910 when designs by French designer Paul Poiret caught the public's eye, albeit temporarily. For a short time, the tighter the skirt, the more fashionable it was (see our HISTORY page for more details). For the obvious reason, it became known as the hobble skirt. The term was popular enough that the classic Coca Cola bottle shape is frequently referred to as a hobbleskirt style, due to its resemblance to the slim long skirts of that era.
Aren't hobble skirts a symbol of women's oppression?
Some people may view it that way - we do not. To us, it's just a fashion, to be worn voluntarily by those who enjoy it - men and women alike. (We do not support "traditional" gender apparel rules.)
Seems a bit uncomfortable - why would anyone wear one?
Well, certainly a real hobble skirt is impractical for everyday tasks - and very few people wear them for such purposes. Today, the hobble skirt is a popular item in fetish fashion, as well as alternative culture wear. You're much more likely to see them worn at goth clubs or fetish parties than at the office or the supermarket. It's not for everyone - simply for those that like a bit of a restrictive feel, find the long narrow shape exciting or pleasant to look at. Hobble skirts often appear in evening wear or couture designs, though today a non-fetish design is likely to feature a slit to make walking more feasable and safe. Skirts that qualify can be found everywhere from Nordstorm to Victoria's Secret. So there's enough of us out there who enjoy the shape! :)
Why did you choose to dedicate a whole site to this style?
For one thing, no one else has! Most clothing is well covered by the net - corsets, gloves, heels, satin blouses, almost anything you can think of. There are a million short skirt sites - but none were dedicated to long tight skirts. So, we made one, because we like them.
I'm thinking about buying a custom skirt, but it's a bit expensive - how do I know it's worth it?
We know our skirts are not the cheapest on the web (after all, we put together the GUIDE), but they are priced this way because they are custom made, one-of-a-kind designs. Each order is separately patterned to your unique measurements for the best fit. And of course we offer great flexibility in terms of options, styles, etc.
What kind of payments do you accept? Will my transaction be secure?
We use the PayPal shopping cart, through which you can make payments via any major credit card, or by eCheck. PayPal is a safe, secure shopping method - you can see their website for more information. You do not have to have a PayPal account to make a payment, only a credit card.
If you cannot use any of these methods, you can pay by check or money order - contact us for payment information. Checks must clear before we can make your order.
What do you use for shipping?
We ship domestically via Priority Mail, and worldwide via Global Priority Mail. Shipments are insured and packed in plain discreet packaging. (If you require a different shipping option, please contact us before ordering.)
How soon will I receive my order?
Most custom orders are filled and shipped in 4-6 weeks (complex custom designs may take longer). This allows a pattern specific to your measurements to be drafted and you skirt or custom design created. Please rememeber that we are a small operation and orders are filled in the order they come in. If you have special rush needs, please make sure to contact us beforehand.
Hobble tubes and other ready-to-wear items ship in two weeks or less.
Do you design for men?
Yes. We do not adhere to gender restrictions when it comes to clothing - everyone should wear what they wish. We do take sex into account when patterning your order, since men and women are shaped differently, so do fill out your actual gender. Women have a larger hip to waist ratio than men and carrry the bulk of their measurments in different places. However if you plan to wear figure-altering undergarments (such as a corset or a girdle), this needs to be mentioned and all measurements need to be taken with these undergarments on.
I'd love a design in leather or latex - but you don't have those listed as fabric options?
We do not do leather because HobbleSkirt.com is animal-friendly. The pleather we buy is a good substitute if you're looking for something that looks like leather. If you must have the real thing, we recommend you browse the GUIDE, since it contains several leather retailers.
We don't do latex for a different reason - by nature latex design requires a very different process, and we recommend you buy latex apparel from someone who specializes in latex. Fortunately, our GUIDE is simply overflowing with quality latex designers that feature hobble skirts, including some that will do custom work.
Can you add a link to my site?
If your site is relevant to this topic, we would love to - simply email us.
I have a question that's not answered here - how do I find the answer?
Simple - email us at admin@hobbleskirt.com, or submit your question online. We always welcome any questions you might have.
Just a regular couple that enjoys long tight skirts. One can do web design, the other is an accomplished designer - thus came about this site.
What is a hobble skirt?
A hobble skirt is generally a long (below knees or longer) skirt that is narrow enough (particularly at the hem) to impede stride. The term originated from 1910 when designs by French designer Paul Poiret caught the public's eye, albeit temporarily. For a short time, the tighter the skirt, the more fashionable it was (see our HISTORY page for more details). For the obvious reason, it became known as the hobble skirt. The term was popular enough that the classic Coca Cola bottle shape is frequently referred to as a hobbleskirt style, due to its resemblance to the slim long skirts of that era.
Aren't hobble skirts a symbol of women's oppression?
Some people may view it that way - we do not. To us, it's just a fashion, to be worn voluntarily by those who enjoy it - men and women alike. (We do not support "traditional" gender apparel rules.)
Seems a bit uncomfortable - why would anyone wear one?
Well, certainly a real hobble skirt is impractical for everyday tasks - and very few people wear them for such purposes. Today, the hobble skirt is a popular item in fetish fashion, as well as alternative culture wear. You're much more likely to see them worn at goth clubs or fetish parties than at the office or the supermarket. It's not for everyone - simply for those that like a bit of a restrictive feel, find the long narrow shape exciting or pleasant to look at. Hobble skirts often appear in evening wear or couture designs, though today a non-fetish design is likely to feature a slit to make walking more feasable and safe. Skirts that qualify can be found everywhere from Nordstorm to Victoria's Secret. So there's enough of us out there who enjoy the shape! :)
Why did you choose to dedicate a whole site to this style?
For one thing, no one else has! Most clothing is well covered by the net - corsets, gloves, heels, satin blouses, almost anything you can think of. There are a million short skirt sites - but none were dedicated to long tight skirts. So, we made one, because we like them.
I'm thinking about buying a custom skirt, but it's a bit expensive - how do I know it's worth it?
We know our skirts are not the cheapest on the web (after all, we put together the GUIDE), but they are priced this way because they are custom made, one-of-a-kind designs. Each order is separately patterned to your unique measurements for the best fit. And of course we offer great flexibility in terms of options, styles, etc.
What kind of payments do you accept? Will my transaction be secure?
We use the PayPal shopping cart, through which you can make payments via any major credit card, or by eCheck. PayPal is a safe, secure shopping method - you can see their website for more information. You do not have to have a PayPal account to make a payment, only a credit card.
If you cannot use any of these methods, you can pay by check or money order - contact us for payment information. Checks must clear before we can make your order.
What do you use for shipping?
We ship domestically via Priority Mail, and worldwide via Global Priority Mail. Shipments are insured and packed in plain discreet packaging. (If you require a different shipping option, please contact us before ordering.)
How soon will I receive my order?
Most custom orders are filled and shipped in 4-6 weeks (complex custom designs may take longer). This allows a pattern specific to your measurements to be drafted and you skirt or custom design created. Please rememeber that we are a small operation and orders are filled in the order they come in. If you have special rush needs, please make sure to contact us beforehand.
Hobble tubes and other ready-to-wear items ship in two weeks or less.
Do you design for men?
Yes. We do not adhere to gender restrictions when it comes to clothing - everyone should wear what they wish. We do take sex into account when patterning your order, since men and women are shaped differently, so do fill out your actual gender. Women have a larger hip to waist ratio than men and carrry the bulk of their measurments in different places. However if you plan to wear figure-altering undergarments (such as a corset or a girdle), this needs to be mentioned and all measurements need to be taken with these undergarments on.
I'd love a design in leather or latex - but you don't have those listed as fabric options?
We do not do leather because HobbleSkirt.com is animal-friendly. The pleather we buy is a good substitute if you're looking for something that looks like leather. If you must have the real thing, we recommend you browse the GUIDE, since it contains several leather retailers.
We don't do latex for a different reason - by nature latex design requires a very different process, and we recommend you buy latex apparel from someone who specializes in latex. Fortunately, our GUIDE is simply overflowing with quality latex designers that feature hobble skirts, including some that will do custom work.
Can you add a link to my site?
If your site is relevant to this topic, we would love to - simply email us.
I have a question that's not answered here - how do I find the answer?
Simple - email us at admin@hobbleskirt.com, or submit your question online. We always welcome any questions you might have.