make it midi

How to wear a midi skirt: work longer lengths everywhere from the office, to the beach or your next night out

If your pins are still just too pasty to bare for summer, dip your toe in the water with a midi skirt

By Abigail Southan

30th May 2018, 4:08 pm

Updated: 2nd April 2019, 8:32 pm

If your pins are still just too pasty to bare for summer, dip your toe in the water with a midi skirt.

This ankle-swishing length is super flattering on every body shape and you can style it for just about any occasion.

Rocking midi skirts in different ways is Alexa Chung in Gucci, Victoria Beckham in her own brand and Beyonce in Jacquemus and JW Anderson

Back in 2015, Alessandro Michele assumed the role of Creative Director at Gucci and quickly kicked off the midi trend – he closed his resort 2016 show with a pleated A-line skirt made from gold lame and everyone went wild for it.

Soon after, Alexa Chung was spotted rocking it with a striped cashmere jumper from the collection, showing everyone just how evening-appropriate knitwear can be.

But these pleated pieces can also work in the office too.

Victoria Beckham brought out a series of the skirts over many seasons and has been seen out and about modelling them herself. We love this striped suede version from the Spring/Summer 2017 collection and how it makes her grandad collar shirt go from boring to banging in a split second.

Rex Features

Jacquemus’ yellow midi skirt looked a little different on the runway to when Beyonce wore it

Still, you could go one step further a la Beyonce and mix the smart with streetwear to create a head-turning evening look.

The style icon recently posted a picture of herself on Instagram wearing a yellow ruffled midi from Jacquemus spring/summer 2018 lineup, ‘La Bomba’.

It was made for beautiful beach holidays, but when paired with a printed cropped hoodie by JW Anderson, the look is totally transformed. Bravo, Queen B.

Here’s how we will be wearing the midi skirt this summer:

To work

Invest in a smart pleated midi and you’ll wear it no matter what the season – swap from sandals, to trainers and then to knee boots when the weather cools. Keen on the VB version but short on cash? Try buying a size up and slipping your skirt onto your hips for a directional take on the trend.

White shirt, £34.99 from H&M –
Imitation leather skirt, £49.99 from Mango at Debenhams –
Tortoiseshelle bangle set, £15 from Warehouse –
Bucket bag, £49.99 from Katie Loxton at Trouva –
Leather sandles, £69 from Office –

On the weekend

Last year undulating, asymmetric hems were all the rage and the trend shows no sign of abating – so invest in a hankerchief midi now! Keep it low-key with a printed T-shirt and pool slides then finish off with a sassy pair of shades. Comfortable, but oh-so-cool too.

Printed T-shirt, £12 from Boohoo –
Asymmetric skirt, £36 from Topshop –
Cat-eye sunglasses, £12 from Accesorize –
Clear PVC shopper, £19.99 from Mango –
Pool slides, £17.40 from La Redoute –

In the evening

If you’re still convinced that a midi looks matronly, slip into a silky satin version for evening; it’s elegant, but alluring too. Tone it down with a simple camisole or amp up the sex appeal with a lacey bodysuit – just keep a cover-up handy (like H&M’s black blazer) until you’ve sussed out the dress-code situation.

Lace bodysuit, £18 from Boohoo –
Satin midi skirt, £49.99 from Mango –
Fitted blazer, £34.99 from H&M –
Buckled clutch, £14.40 from Topshop –
Metallic sandals, £62 from Office –

On the beach

Your holiday wardrobe doesn’t have to be all about flashing the flesh. If you’re not ready to bare your legs, opt for a midi in lighter fabrics like cotton or linen and pair with a crop top to showcase just an elegant sliver of midriff. Cement the look with beachy, bohemian accessorise like espadrilles and a straw bag.