The pencil skirt is a classic style of skirt that became popular in the 1950s. It is a slim-fitting skirt that is typically knee-length or slightly above the knee and is designed to hug the curves of the body.

The pencil skirt is said to have been introduced by French fashion designer Christian Dior in the late 1940s as part of his New Look collection. The New Look was a departure from the boxy, utilitarian clothing that had been popular during World War II, and it emphasized a feminine silhouette with nipped-in waists and full skirts.