News from the spring/summer 2018 catwalks: according to Prada and Gucci, pencil skirts are back at the sharp edge of fashion. But are you a pencil skirt kind of person?After all, there are pros and cons when it comes to pencil skirts. You couldn’t ride a bike in one. You might not have much luck running for the bus. But as a counterpoint to a voluminous top, or a way to feel more pulled-together in the office, they can be pretty handy, as this quintet of pencil skirt patrons prove.

Marlene Dietrich – the history lesson

Marlene Dietrich, and pencil skirt, £19.50 from M&S. Composite: Rex Features & M&S

An early example of the pencil skirt, as designed by Christian Dior as part of the New Look. Dietrich wears it in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1950 film Stage Fright, the peplum on the jacket creating the hourglass shape that was the epitome of the postwar silhouette. Pencil skirts in similar heritage fabrics – wool, checks and houndstooth – were all over the Balenciaga catwalks, paired with striped shirts and plastic-coated blouses.

Shop: M&S

Natalie Massenet – the statement

Natalie Massenet, and pencil skirt, £35, from House of Fraser. Composite: Getty Images & House of Fraser

The fashion industry has no shortage of pencil-skirt icons. Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet deserves a lifetime achievement award for dedication to the cause of outlandish iterations, pairing leopard print with little black tops and leather versions with artfully déshabillé blouses. Type “Carine Roitfeld” into Google images for further inspiration in this category.

Shop: House of Fraser

Marilyn Monroe – the wiggle

Marilyn Monroe, and pencil skirt, £35, from & Other Stories. Composite: Getty Images & other stories

Marilyn Monroe’s walk down a steamy train platform in Some Like it Hot is the archetypal pencil skirt fashion reference, harking back to a time when form-fitting skirts were pretty shocking. (So tightly did they cling to curves that they are said to have inspired “the twist”, the only dance move women could do while wearing them.) The modern equivalent of the va-va-voom look is the stretchy pencil skirt favoured by Kim Kardashian and the Instagram set, usually paired with a crop top.

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Michelle Obama – the cheerful one

Michele Obama, and pencil skirt, £69, from Arket. Composite: Getty Images & Arket

Remember when Flotus wore J Crew pencil skirts, not $51,000 coats by Dolce & Gabbana? Those were the days. A brightly-coloured pencil skirt says approachable and professional, pulled-together and friendly. This Arket version takes the cosy concept even further, coming long-length and in knitted blue – it’s so casual you could wear it with trainers and a sweatshirt.

Shop: Arket

Meghan Markle in Suits – the power pencil

Meghan Markle in Suits, and pencil skirt, £65, from Reiss. Composite: USA Network & Reiss

Much has been written about Markle’s style since Harry, but what about on set in Suits? Her character, paralegal Rachel Zane, is the epitome of a power pencil-skirt wearer, all tucked-in and pulled-together and professional. For similar IRL, see Reiss.

Shop: Reiss