[[quoteright:330:[[WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Astrid_Hofferson_4929.jpg]]]]

Segmented skirts (either skirts which consist of four or more overlapping "petal" strips, or actual plates of armour, which come down from the waistband) are often used as a way to make a suit of armour more feminine by adding in an armoured skirt, or, conversely, to mark out one of a group of fabric skirt wearers as tougher than the rest, without breaking the theme by giving her trousers. The correct name for the segments are pteruges.

The reason for this trope is fairly obvious. A short dress is a popular choice of outfit for an ActionGirl, however, it is rather impractical and might look a bit too feminine for some characters. This trope is often used as a compromise.

In addition to resembling (or actually ''being'') armour, and thus, looks less feminine than a typical dress. An added bonus is that it looks more practical, since the segments won't restrict the wearer's movements.

This trope is also more likely to be combined with SkirtOverSlacks or ModestyShorts compared to other dress related tropes, either to re-enforce the idea that it's part of a suit of armour or for modesty.

A SisterTrope to BattleBallgown, MinidressOfPower.

Compare ShowgirlSkirt, PimpedOutDress, ManInAKilt, BadassPrincess. Contrast ChainmailBikini.
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!Examples:

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[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]

* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Halibell gets one in her [[SuperMode released form]]. Her fraccion Leona also wears one in her unreleased form.

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[[folder: Comics ]]

* All of ''WonderWoman'''s outfits tend towards this or LeotardOfPower.

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[[folder: Film - Animated ]]

* Astrid in ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'' wears one, featured above. With spikes. She's as tough as any of the other characters.

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[[folder: Literature ]]

* Female members of the watch in Terry Pratchett's ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' are described as wearing armour with this, cf [[ActionGirl Captain Angua]], although technically male watchmen have the same uniform (this doesn't stop cover and fan artists drawing them differently, though).

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[[folder: Live Action Television ]]

* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' tended to have these in her outfits. Her sidekick Gabrielle also wore a few.
* In ''Series/HerculesTheLegendaryJourneys'' Atalanta has a very ''very'' brief skirt like this. As in, most of her (thong-covered) ass hangs out the back of it.

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[[folder: Tabletop Games ]]

* {{Pathfinder}} features among it's light armor selection the Armored Kilt, which gives a small bonus to armor but carries few drawbacks, and is one of the few armors that can be stacked with other kinds of armor.

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[[folder: Video Games ]]

* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'', DarkActionGirl Rose sports this trope as part of her armour.
* [[HardDrinkingPartyGirl Charme the Thief]] from ''VideoGame/{{Recettear}}'' wears a black segmented skirt with many belts and pouches holding the top part in place (and a second, purple, example underneath the first). This contrasts the other female adventurers; [[LadyOfWar Nagi]] and [[BadassAdorable Tielle]].
* In ''VideoGame/TitanQuest'' some of the armors will look this way on a female character. Justified by the setting and the fact that all armors in game are pretty much unisex.
* The Amazon player class from ''VideoGame/{{Diablo}} II'' wears one.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'', Chie's [[AnthropomorphicPersonification Persona]], Tomoe Gozen is represented as a female warrior wearing one of these.
* Aika from ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' wears a dress that follows the non-armour varient of this trope (with a large belt to hold it in place). She's the [[TomboyAndGirlyGirl tomboy to Fina's girly-girl]] (doing more physical damage but having less powerful magic than her).
* Leliana from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'', although the leather straps don't overlap so much....
* The Amazonian Armor from ''VideoGame/{{Drakensang}}'': the upper part is a metallic corset, the lower one is a multi-segmented leather skirt.
* Male version: Barbarians of both genders in ''VideoGame/EverQuest'' wear [[ManInAKilt kilts.]] '''ALWAYS'''. If it isn't a cloth kilt, it's a leather kilt. If it isn't a leather kilt, it's a chainmail kilt. if it isn't a chain kilt, it's a platemail kilt that comes included with the grieves and breastplate.

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[[folder: Web Comics ]]

* In ''RustyAndCo'', Madeline's attire in both appearances.

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[[folder: Web Original ]]

* In the WhateleyUniverse, [[TheFairFolk Fey]] tries out a costume with this feature in "The Turks or the Geek". Phase points out the skirt-like thing is technically called 'pteryges' from the Greek, but Phase tends to be MisterExposition when given the chance.

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