The Gist
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A skirt is always a chic and stylish alternative to pants and trousers.
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From minis to maxis, sequined to sheer, and everything in between, there’s a skirt to complement your personal style.
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The key to styling a skirt is to consider balancing other elements of your outfit with it.
If you ask us, we’ve all spent enough time in pants and trousers, so now that the summertime has rolled around, there’s nothing we want more than to slip into a skirt. Not that we’re knocking the practical appeal of their two-legged counterparts, but there’s something undeniably satisfying about the effortlessness of a stylish skirt.
On one hand, a skirt is so deliciously comfortable to wear, and on the other, you have so many fabulous options for every occasion. From minis to maxis, sequined to sheer, and everything in between, there’s a skirt you can incorporate into an outfit to complement your personal style. A skirt outfit doesn’t have to fit any particular mold; however, the only fashion rule we apply to them is the idea of balance. If you’re wearing a simple skirt, then turn things up a notch with a more detailed pairing, or on the flipside, if your skirt is on the ornate side, choose a tamer top.
Ahead, you’ll find 13 stylish skirt outfit ideas to step up your summer style game.
Monochrome Mini
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Double the impact by going for a head-to-toe look.
The versatility of a mini skirt is unmatched. Whether hip-hugging or carefree and sporty like a tennis skirt, a mini skirt offers plenty of opportunities to explore all different style types. The key to creating a fashionable mini skirt outfit is balance. A shorter hemline means more skin and a chance to give your outfit layers perhaps with a long-sleeved blouse or a bright sweater worn under a lightweight trench coat. Mixing long and short layers creates visual interest especially when you finish off your look with cute ankle socks and loafers.
A Sheer Midi
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It’s clear to see why sheer skirts are a hit.
A midi skirt shares in the carefree attitude of a mini skirt but comes with fullness and, of course, length. A flowy and flouncy midi skirt works well with a crisp white oversized button-down shirt or turtleneck when you want something à la Prada, and a bit more modest. If you lean towards a slimmed-down silhouette, a printed midi skirt with a plain t-shirt and leather jacket will have you looking cool and collected.
A Sleek Pencil Skirt
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A pencil skirt is a smart choice.
A pencil skirt can easily be your go-to office uniform if you have a strict dress code. Still, there’s something very chic about a pencil skirt with a matching blazer and blouse; the key is to work with updated silhouettes. Opt for a blazer or jacket that’s slightly oversized or has strong shoulders. Add a silk top in a neutral color to complement the look but not compete with the blazer. You can make the look more polished with a pair of pumps or toughen it up with some black combat boots.
A Bold Maxi
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Take the opportunity to really play with prints and colors when wearing a maxi skirt. It takes up the most real estate in your look so why not make it the hero piece? A simple white tee (the essential summer item) knotted just above the waistband paired with a printed maxi skirt creates a look that can take you from brunch to the farmer’s market without a wardrobe change.
A Standout Sequined Skirt
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Sequins will make any skirt outfit shine.
Sometimes you just want to slip into clothes that aren’t too fussy but still have plenty of panache. In our opinion, there isn’t much out there that is as effortless as a simple top and skirt, but to still keep things interesting, shiny sequins are an easy choice. On its own, a sequined skirt commands a lot of attention, but when balanced with solids, an outfit can become a balanced masterpiece. These flashy adornments are sure to make head turns as you saunter and swish by.
A Utlitarian Cargo Skirt
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Who doesn’t love a pocket?
A skirt is a must-have for busy days when you find your calendar jam-packed with places to go and things to do. Skirts are so simple to move about in, but why not add even practicality by going for a cargo style? With utilitarian details and streetwear style, cargo skirts look impossibly cool when worn with equally effortless pieces like sleeveless vests and slide shoes.
An Elevated Wrap Skirt
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Wrap skirts hit the spot.
Reminiscent of tropical getaways and lounging by the pool, a wrap skirt takes us on vacation no matter where we are. You don’t even need to opt for a tropical print if you’re not ready for out-of-office mode. A plain or even polkadot wrap skirt is perfect for creating a flattering waistline and visual interest through the front wrap panel. This skirt style looks great with a bold printed top or a simple and crisp blouse. Add a touch of vacation vibes with transparent, patent pumps and a pair of large sunnies.
A Pleated Skirt
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Pleats are a pleasing addition to any skirt.
Of all the ‘core’ trends to come out of TikTok, tennis core has shown lasting power, held up by the sporty but cute pleated skirt. A light terry sweatshirt with collegiate accents and simple white sneakers gives this tennis-inspired skirt an everyday charm. You can even opt for a full-on prep aesthetic with a sweater vest or rugby polo shirt for a polished look.
An Interesting Asymmetrical Skirt
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Asymmetry adds instant interest.
It’s long, it’s short, it’s architectural, it’s ethereal. An asymmetric or handkerchief skirt offers so many style options, all of them capital F fashion. Since the skirt is the outfit’s focal point, a cinched oversized blazer or button-down works best when it’s slouchy and buttoned up. Finish the look with some classic pointy-toe pumps or chic loafers. A chic little clutch bag in a solid color brings it all together.
A Trendy Bubble Skirt
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A bubble skirt outfit will pop.
Our Y2K dreams have come back in the form of the bubble skirt. A must-have trend from the early aughts, the buoyant bubble skirt is here to satiate your love of all things nostalgic dressing. So as not to fall too far down the rabbit hole, keep a bubble skirt updated with a strong blazer and neutral-colored blouse or silk cami. The blazer’s structure will keep the bubble skirt’s volume in check for a modern approach to Y2K style.
A Pronounced Peplum Skirt
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Peplum skirts break the mold.
The peplum waist has graduated from a controversial trend to a sophisticated and cool architectural style. Look for a peplum waist that has interesting details whether it’s oversized or creates striking origami-like folds. For such a bold skirt, you’ll need an equally bold top to match. A brightly colored or structured top with trendy Mary Jane heels makes for an outfit that turns any walkway into a runway.
A Feminine Ruffled Skirt
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This style will ruffles some feathers.
There are several ways you can go when choosing a ruffled skirt. Either nose dive fully into the tweeness of a ruffled skirt with a Peter Pan collar blouse and heels, or you can play up the romance of it a bit. A tailored jacket, when coupled with the romantic ruffles of a skirt, creates a stylishly sophisticated look that’s both soft and hard. If you want to play around with the colors of your ruffled skirt, pair them with color block or printed pieces to lean into their maximalism.
A Daring Denim Skirt
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Denim can be demure and dashing.
Believe it or not, a graphic T-shirt and denim skirt can make for a casually chic outfit that will garner heaps of praise. The key to styling a denim skirt is to make sure it’s the right fit and length and to choose ones with fun details. Even the smallest flounce can make the biggest difference in how a tried-and-true denim skirt looks.
Read the original article on InStyle