Remember Angelina Jolie’s skinny leg that peeked out (or was it pushed out?) of her Versace gown at the red carpet function of the 2012 Oscars? Her gown slit (and her slender legs) instantly became the talk of the town, and since then, split skirts have slowly and steadily begun gaining popularity among the masses.

Of course, she wasn’t the one who pioneered the slit gowns (that was being done long before her) but she did bring a lot of limelight to them. When it comes to formal evening or cocktail dresses, a thigh high slit is a fashion classic. So what changed in the time period between then and now, that the slit skirt is now being considered a massive style trend?

For starters, a high slit that was usually worn in the evenings for formal occasions is now being worn at day time events, both casual and formal. It doesn’t matter if your skirt’s slit is long, short, double, and single, on the backside or on the front – slits are cheeky and nonchalant. Of course, the only requirement for carrying off high slits is killer legs.

Crop tops work best with slits, and this would be a great opportunity for young women just waiting to show off their midriffs to the world! The entire New York Fashion Show was rid with hemlines just above the ankle, and skirt slits showed up in numerous more collections in a myriad of fabrics, textures and prints.

Most designers stuck to slits over one thigh, either one on the back or the front of the skirts. Designer Sophie Theallet experimented with slits by coming up with what appeared like a high slit that was hidden by a ruffle. On a closer look, it turned out to be a seam of the skirts!

A much lighter and fresher appearance was showcased by Peter Copping, whose collection consisted of corsets and bows and sexy black laces that accentuated the long legs of his models. Meanwhile, the colour crimson dominated Rosie Assoulin’s collection, which also focused on slits over each thigh. Narciso Rodriguez’s delectable colours, which included soft greens and pinks, deep purple along with burnt orange, were for the woman of today. Plunging necklines and high slits – it was all about being sexy yet classy.

But for people like us, the styles needn’t be so complicated to understand. From asymmetrical midis with small slits to long flowing maxis with thigh-high slits - there are dozens of ways in which you can choose to show off (or give a sneak peak of) your gorgeous legs. Go retro with bold pastel prints and a crop top to finish off the look. Or opt for the softer fluid look which works best in formal environments because of their subtly stated style. So while Paris is going overboard with maximalism, NYC designers showcased their own original designs, which was a commendable effort because it marked the beginnings of their identity independent of the Paris Fashion Week.