Skirts.   Skirts are preparation features used in cast gold restorations that extend the preparation around some, if not all, of the line angles of the tooth. When properly prepared, skirts provide additional, opposing vertical walls that increase retention of the restoration. The placement of skirts also enables increased resistance to fracture by allowing the envelopment of the remaining compromised tooth structure with the restorative material. Sturdevant operative dentistry  7th  E D I T I O N, Page No:131