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Manchester for Intellectuals | Lithuanian Designer Midi Skirts

  • Manchester for Intellectuals | Lithuanian Designer Midi Skirts

    2026-10-23

    As a young journalist, Joan Didion rented one of 28 rooms (which included two walk-in refrigerator rooms for storing coats) in a building that formerly housed the Canadian Consulate in Hollywood.

    Because she traveled frequently, she kept a packing list taped to her closet door.

    To pack and wear:

    2 skirts
    2 bodysuits
    1 sweater
    2 pairs of shoes
    Tights / stockings
    Bra
    Nightgown, robe, slippers
    Cigarettes, bourbon
    Cosmetics case containing: shampoo, toothbrush and paste, Basis soap, razor, deodorant, aspirin, prescription drugs, Tampax, facial cream, powder, baby oil

    To carry:

    Mohair throw
    Typewriter
    2 notebooks and pens
    Document folders
    House key

    This brief list ultimately had a profound impact on shaping the image of the intellectual woman. Short, almost ascetic, and prosaic, the list contrasted sharply with Didion's deep and complex prose as well as her personal style.

    The list was published in her 1979 essay collection The White Album and became yet another influential milestone in shaping the vision of the female intellectual—a vision in which corduroy garments had found their place as early as the 19th century.

    While velvet and plush boast a history spanning at least several millennia, corduroy (a ridged variety of cotton velvet) was perfected in England in the 18th century. Due to its attractive price and practicality, the fabric quickly became a universally widespread material for workwear.

    However, it was not long before—by the mid-19th century—corduroy garments began to be worn by impoverished yet socially active, sometimes radical intellectuals, artists, and Parisian bohemians.

    As early as 1851, in his novel Scènes de la vie de bohème (Scenes of Bohemian Life), Henri Murger depicted corduroy as an inseparable uniform of Parisian bohemian life, thereby significantly contributing to the romanticization of the bohemian lifestyle and cementing its association with corduroy.

    Creative women began wearing corduroy garments somewhat later, and the artist and muse Dorothea "Dorelia" McNeill was one of the early icons of this style. At the beginning of the 20th century, she created a distinct look for herself using long corduroy skirts and other garments she sewed by hand, which later became known as the "Dorelia Look."

    Over time, the image of the corduroy-clad intellectual became even more deeply rooted. Corduroy skirts were embraced both by growing student communities at influential elite universities and by the most prominent female intellectuals of the era.

    A long corduroy skirt became a signature uniform for Gertrude Stein, who is just one of countless writers, journalists, and artists who favored corduroy garments.

    Joan Didion was also among those who loved corduroy, and in 2015, when she became the face of a Céline campaign at the age of 80, she solidified the enduring appeal of the intellectual style she had cultivated for decades.

    In this newsletter, we have selected three midi skirts: a knitted wool one, a cotton one, and a soft blue corduroy one.

    All Lithuanian Designer Skirts

     

    Floating Wool


    This skirt is crafted from wool, yet when worn it feels so light that it gently flows and drapes with movement as if fashioned from a much lighter fabric.

    The midi-length skirt is knitted from exceptionally soft, ultra-fine cashmere and merino wool yarns. A carefully chosen knitting technique achieves a light, fluid silhouette and a beautiful drape while preserving everything we love about wool: coziness, softness, and warmth.

     

    THREE IDEAS: For an Autumn Weekend


    With the autumnal equinox behind us and days growing shorter, only a few golden autumn weekends remain.

    Rare and special, they hold a touch of magic—the opportunity to slow down, savor the moment, and create memories worth returning to.

    Three ideas (garments that complement each other wonderfully) to help make these weekends truly fulfilling.

    1. Brown Goose-Down Short Winter Jacket
    2. 100% Alpaca Wool Hat and Gloves Set
    3. Espresso Lounge Set (New brand at Baltas Miškas)

     

    Quadruple Pleats


    This A-line midi skirt, tailored from a sturdy cotton fabric, is designed with a special focus on comfort.

    A touch of elastane in the fabric provides freedom of movement, while an unusual feature incorporates pleats at both the front and back, adding even more comfort and a subtle playfulness to the silhouette.

    Two convenient pockets are concealed in the sides.

     

    Blue Waves


    This corduroy midi skirt continues the intellectual style tradition not only through its fabric but also via thoughtful stylistic details.

    The cut of the skirt is straight and rational, while practical front and back slits ensure complete freedom of movement.

    Belt loops, rarely seen on skirts of this type, serve here not only as a functional detail but also as an opportunity to experiment with different belts to create distinctive combinations.

    Finally—the fabric. 100% cotton corduroy possesses all the best properties of this material: durability, longevity, and warmth (let's not forget corduroy is slightly warmer than plush). A subtle blue shade has been chosen for this skirt, easily adaptable in various outfits.

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