When the first Playmobil fairytale castle, set 3019, was released in 1998 this was also the first release of a 'full skirt' to fit over the lower half of a klicky, in this case a white-haired queen.
Since that time, many more 'full skirts' have been produced. The current count stands at 77 different skirts (see picture below) on 90 different klickies in 91 sets (68 ‘standard’ sets, 15 Mystery Figures in 9 of the 10 Series to date, 6 Girls’ Magazines, 2 sets with 8-digit numbers).
Due for release in September 2016 are a further 8 skirts in
6 sets, though I think the one in 6853 is a repeat of the one in 6626. I also haven’t included the princess 30796353 as I am waiting for a certain Special Sale in October…
What to call them?
Crinolines, fathingales, panniers, hoop skirts, full skirts, big skirts, reifröcke (the German word translates literally as 'full skirts'). The first three terms may refer to the undergarments and engineering used to support the actual skirt.
Types
There are five types of Playmobil 'full skirt'. The rear half is shown on the right hand side in the following pictures.
1. Standard, front panel (first seen in 1998): 39 examples. Hole for bow at the back. Usually printed on the front.
2. Crenulated hem (first seen in 2005): 8 examples. Usually printed on the front.
3. Child (first seen in 2005): 3 examples. 2. small bows at the front. No printing.
4. Bell-shaped (first seen in 2010): 26 examples. Usually printed on the front.
5 Tucks and Bows (first seen September 2015): 1 example. 2 small bows at the front, 3 at the back.
Here are the 77 skirts with the number of the sets in which they were found.
A set number in brackets shows a set which had the same skirt but on a different klicky, including six ‘Quick’ figures (which I haven’t numbered). These were figures given away in Quick restaurants (France, Belgium, the Netherlands mainly) in 2016. I am very grateful to Birdie for her tireless efforts in tracking them down and sending them to me.
Identical skirts appear on different klickies in the following pairs/ trios of sets:
4165 and 4257 and 6253
4137 and 4258 and 4249
4777 and 4338
5055 and 5052/5144/5985
5285 and 6378
5756 and a Quick figure
5163/80525 and a Quick figure
5475 and a Quick figure
5476 and a Quick figure
4781 and a Quick figure
4781 (second skirt) and a Quick figure
[5854 and 5148 actually have the same klicky , although in 5148 she was given a clip-on collar]
Three skirts are shown on mannequins, which is how they were released in their original sets.
Skirts with 5-digit set numbers are all from Girls' Magazines, as follows:
80518 Magazine no. 1 (No. 3 of 2012)
80525 [identical with 5163] Magazine no. 2 (No. 1 of 2013)
80535 Magazine no. 5 (No. 4 of 2013)
80538 Magazine no. 7 (No. 1 of 2014)
80552 Magazine no. 12 (No. 6 of 2014)
80554 Magazine no. 13 (No. 1 of 2015)
80568 Magazine no. 19 (No. 1 of 2016)
Skirts with 8-digit numbers are figures which have no set numbers:
30791943 (40th anniversary klicky) and
30898282 (a give-away figure, famously worn by Tahra’s avatar!)
Here are some larger pictures, showing the front and back of each skirt and all 90 klickies. Most klickies had ‘long skirt legs’ under their full skirts, but a few had trousers/ leggings to allow them to ride a horse. The lady in 6626 has bare legs.
Here are the six Quick figures (thank you Birdie!)
All 77 skirts arranged by colour:
