STYLE FOCUS: 6 Ways to Wear a Ballgown Skirt

Who doesn't love a good, old-fashioned, princess-worthy ballgown? With it's cinched waist and glorious full sweep, it's so easy to fall in love with these versatile stunners. And aside from being so gosh darn pretty, they're easy to style too, and perfect for the multi-hyphenate of today who looks just as effortless in a boardroom as she does at brunch.

Which is why I was so excited to launch my Willow midi skirt, and Emma ballgown skirts last year! At that time, there was a dearth of such ladylike options, and  I thought a pleated number would not only be glamorous, it would also be able to camouflage a lot of secrets (I mean hips, people, hips). And the pockets were just the icing on the cake. Imagine having your phone right beside you for selfies! A lot of my clients have been asking me for tips on how to wear and then rewear them, so without further ado, here are our fave ways to style these full-flared marvels.

1. Pair it with a white shirt

Two classics are always better than one. At least that's how we feel about white shirts and tea length skirts – a look that exuded nonchalant elegance for Audrey Hepburn, and still looks just as fresh today. Witness Marian Rivera in all her button-down and pink skirt perfection, as she shoots scenes for her role as Jade in her upcoming soap, The Rich Man's Daughter. Or our clients Abby and Minette as they navigate everyday life with uptown panache in crisp shirts and tropical skirts. It's a great look that goes from office to after hours with a quick change of accessories, and one I'm sure us girls will always love. 

MARIAN RIVERA PHOTO FROM JOHN PAUL DIZON

2. Slip on a Slinky Tank 

The easiest way to make a look interesting is to add contrast. Pair a Stepford-Wife inspired skirt with a slinky camisole and you are sure to have a head-turner. It shows off skin, maybe even a bit of décolletage, without going overboard. And adding a bit of shimmer never hurt anyone either, as we can see from Max Collins and our client Kymi who paired our Arya sequin camis with their full-length skirts. For day, take a cue from stunners Cristine Reyes and Isabel Oli who look fresh and fabulous in their laidback but girly pastel ensembles. 

CRISTINE REYES PIC FROM CHASE CHUA, ISABEL OLI PIC FROM JOHN PAUL DIZON, MAX COLLINS PIC FROM ASH AQUINO

3. Go Glam in a Long-Sleeved Top

Nothing exudes understated elegance more than a fitted black top with a cinched waist skirt. There's something about it that oozes femininity from a bygone era, but with a laid-back elegance that's just a relevant today. Just one look at J. Lo's red carpet ensemble and you get how delightfully lovely the look is. It's the perfect outfit for when you're in a celebratory mood, as seen on our client Trixie who twirled on her birthday in full-flaired crimson. For maximum impact, add pearls, and channel Liz Taylor in all her vintage glory.

4. Be Feminine in a Lace Top

Show off slivers of skin in this demure, date-ready ensemble. We love how our clients Macy and Kathlyn made the floral skirts their own by pairing them with dainty lace tops. Aimee Song does a modern take in a boxy lace number paired with a bright pink skirt. But if you really want to drive the girly point home, then there's nothing like traipsing around in head-to-toe blush. To make it less precious, opt for a neutral pink and finish off with retro sunnies and studded pumps.

5. Dare to Bare in a Crop Top 

Crop tops and full skirts are an unlikely match made in fashion heaven. By showing just a sliver of skin, one teeters on the brink of sexy, whilst still being feminine and fun. We love how LJ Reyes is just owning the look in a femme fatale black top and sweeping gold faille Mariane Perez skirt. Or teen princess Liza Soberano who was naughty and nice in her ensemble of cutouts and garden florals. Not to be outdone, our client Minette restyles her Willow skirt (see No.1) into a vacay-ready ensemble by switching her polo shirt for a bikini top. It's a look that's just as home in a resort as it is in a red carpet and we can't wait to get styling!

LJ REYES PIC FROM STYLEBIBLE, LIZA SOBERANO PIC FROM PERRY TABORA

6. Showcase your heritage in Filipiñiana

Any stylish Pinay worth her salt would have a few Filipiñiana looks at her beck and call. And while butterfly sleeves will always be a fave, there are days when a gamine look beckons us with its understated allure. Witness actress Bela Padilla in her barong-inspired blouse and shantung Mariane Perez skirt. Or PR maven NJ Torres, and our client Nica, who paired their duchesse satin skirts with piña and jusi stunners. And as an ode to the baro't saya silhouette, Chynna Ortaleza dons a boxy top with flutter sleeves on top of her orchid pink skirt. With these lovely looks, the Maria Clara ethos truly lives on!

CHYNNA ORTALEZA PIC FROM JP DIZON, BELA PADILLA FROM INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @BELAPADILLA, NJ TORRES PIC FROM MEGASTYLE.PH

What are your favourite ways to wear a ball gown skirt? Share your photos by tagging @ateliermarianeperez on Instagram or leaving a comment below! We'd love to have a look-see!

MARIANE'S MUSES: Max Collins

She's a breath of fresh air with a classical beauty and refined elegance that allows her to portray mahinhin roles with such impact. Exuding serenity and confidence that belies her young age, she's any director or fashion designer's dream. Which is why when her stylists Happy Lopez and Donna Cuna-Pita asked if I could dress her, my answer was a resounding YES! 

For Max, we chose ensembles that reflected feminine glamour and modern flair. It was something that suited her personal style and also her role as Esperanza in the soap Innamorata last year. Needless to say, we really went to town with it! 

Of course, one of my faves is when she wore my peony print trumpet dress to the Cream Silk at 30 event. Red carpets have become quite understated of late, but naturally still equally dramatic. I do think that modern glamour is about restraint, it's about the woman wearing the dress, and not the other way around. And in the case of Max, she was such a spring beauty in this gown! 

FROM THE INSTAGRAM OF @MAXCOLLINSOFFICIAL

FROM THE INSTAGRAM OF @THEPAOLOLUCIANO

Peonies are one of my fave flowers, and I think the vibrant blooms on ivory, rendered in a very classic silhouette exude a fun, uptown vibe. And speaking of uptown, Donna Cuna-Pita posted this photo of Max vis-a-vis Emmy Rossum at the Met Gala last year, remarking at how the two gowns had the same vibe. And guess who liked it?! @HouseofHerrera, that's who! Nothing gets a fangirl going more than social media affirmation from your fashion heroes. Incidentally, Carolina Herrera was the commencement speaker when I graduated from FIT, so this moment to me is pure serendipity! 

And as they say, why mess with a good thing, right? Max looked amazing in florals, and we loved how bright and happy it made her look! She's got that old Hollywood beauty that looks amazing in these feminine numbers. 

And what star post would be complete without a bit of shine! Loving this mermaid-esque look on Max Collins for Sunday All Stars. The little sheer cutout makes this not just your ordinary silver dress. 

Looking forward to more Max Collins moments come 2015 of course! 

MARIANE'S MUSES: Teen Queens

Sometimes you're just born with it, as is the case with these gorgeous young stars who are making waves and breaking hearts even before turning 18! I love dressing up these girls, they wear my ensembles with such joie de vivre! So whenever their stylist Perry Tabora hits me up for outfits, I get to work ASAP --- pun intended!

This is one of my fave outfits on Liza Soberano, as it's such a clever mix of sweet and sexy. The Forevermore star wears my signature Willow skirt with a bespoke crop top. She's showing just the right amount of skin with those cutouts, yet tempering it with the full tea-length skirt. A lot of people mistake it as a dress, which I think means the outfit goes well together.

And if you're a fan of Liza, like most of us are, I'm sure you'll love these outfits as well. She transforms from a vintage darling in my peony print dress, into a stunning fashionista as she dons my  tropical print mullet skirt. 

Not to be outdone, Janella Salvador of Please Be Careful With My Heart Fame is all sugar and spice in our floral bow dress. With her hair up like that, she reminds me of another teen stunner, Ariana Grande! 

And finally, we have Michelle Vito! She wore this periwinkle blue faille dress with bust drape and silver belt detail for Star Magic's Anniversary Fashion Show on ASAP designed by moi! 

We hope we satisfied your sweet tooth with these lovely fashions. And looking forward to more girly cuteness in the coming months!