Here's why it's difficult to pinpoint a specific inventor:
* Evolution, not invention: The poodle skirt likely evolved from other styles, such as the circle skirt and the popularity of poodle motifs in fashion.
* Multiple manufacturers: Various clothing companies started producing skirts with poodle designs around this time, making it hard to attribute the invention to a specific person or company.
* No definitive documentation: There's no official record of a single designer or brand claiming the "invention" of the poodle skirt.
Therefore, while the poodle skirt didn't appear overnight, it was a fashion phenomenon of the mid-1950s, reflecting the cultural trends of that era.