The 20 Best Skirts For Work, Weekends, and Celebrations

Best Overall

Reformation Layla Skirt

View On Reformation $158

Overall, our favorite skirt is Reformation’s Layla skirt due to its unbeatable mix of elegance and versatility. It’s a sleek style that we envision wearing with a blazer to the office and also with a cropped tee for weekend drinks. Currently available in seven different color or print options, you can find the skirt that best suits your personal style, whether it tends to skew especially bold (bright red) or slightly more subtle (perhaps polka dots). The pull-on silhouette has an elastic waistband which means that whether you wear it low on the hips or high on the waist, it won’t dig in. 

Size: 0–12 | Colors: 7 | Material: Viscose

Best Budget

Zara Mixed Boxer Skirt

View On Zara.com

We first spotted the faux-layered look on the Miu Miu runway, but Zara’s take comes at an unbeatable price. The knee-length skirt gives the illusion of having a second skirt or a pair of boxers peeking out from the waist, but in reality, it’s all part of the same piece. We love the subtle pleating that gives this skirt a slightly flared look without adding too much volume. 

Our styling tip: as long as you’re in a setting in which it won’t cause a stir, we recommend wearing a shirt that’s short enough to show off the waist detail — it’s the most playful part of this skirt. 

Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester, elastane, viscose

Best Splurge

La DoubleJ Santa Monica Skirt

View On Net-a-Porter $750

When recommending a splurge skirt, we want to toe a very specific line. The skirt should be bold enough to make it worth the money, but also timeless enough to bring down the cost per wear. This La DoubleJ skirt checks all of our boxes. It’s elegant, with a fluted midi shape, yet the oversized floral pattern makes it a standout in your closet. It’s easy to imagine dressing this skirt up and down and through every season. Plus, since it's designed with a slightly stretchy fabric, you can rest assured that you’ll be comfortable in it all day long.

Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1 | Material: Viscose, elastane

Best Black

The Frankie Shop Bailey Maxi Skirt

View On Net-a-Porter $310

A sleek black skirt is a wardrobe staple that you’ll turn to time and time again. What we love about this take from The Frankie Shop is that it’s slightly longer than your usual pleated skirt giving it an instantly dressy feel. Designed with belt loops (an unusual touch for a skirt), it makes accessorizing easy and adds to the potential styling options. One of our favorite ideas is to layer a pair of colorful tights underneath. When a pop of red or blue peeks out from the skirt’s slit, it will be an instant sartorial hit. 

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester, rayon, wool, polyurethane

Best Denim

Universal Standard Dakota Skirt

View On Universalstandard.com

Skip your usual jeans for a while and try swapping in a denim skirt as an alternative. “The color of the denim is so rich and timeless (and great for all year round),” says stylist Reva Luft. It still fits the dressed-down profile of your usual everyday uniform but offers a fresh crop of cool styling ideas. Since it’s made with 2 percent elastane, the body-skimming fit will still allow for stretch and movement, meaning that you’ll be comfortable all day long. The skirt also comes in blue as well as black for a dressier and more toned-down alternative. Try the blue skirt with your favorite squeaky white sneakers, and for the black, style it with your favorite ankle boots. 

Size: 00–40 | Colors: 2 | Material: Cotton, polyester, elastane

Best Mini

Helmut Lang Black Carpenter Denim Miniskirt

View On Ssense.com

“This Helmut Lang mini skirt is a perfect mix of denim and efficient design,” says stylist Raz Martinez. The short-hemmed denim skirt features details inspired by carpenter pants like front flap pockets and a hammer loop at the side seam. While it's hard to imagine doing any sort of construction in this style, the design adds just the right amount of edge to an everyday ensemble. We love that the washed black color can be styled with a blazer or simply paired with your favorite cozy sweatshirt. Understandably, the small silhouette may be a little too short for some shoppers, if you’re feeling risky, we say go for it!

Size: 34–42 | Colors: 1 | Material: Cotton

Best for Lounging

Skims Fits Everybody Maxi Skirt

View On Nordstrom $60 View On Skims.com

It’s possible you’ve never considered lounging in a skirt. However, Skims' butter-soft fabric is a game-changer for comfort, and look-wise, it's made to look effortlessly chic. Its style and affordability are big reasons why Martinez considers it a must-have. We love its practical details, too: Since such a tight skirt can make it impossible to walk in anything but teeny-tiny steps, this skirt has a zipper at the bottom that can be unzipped for easier movement. Wear it with a baby tee to lounge at home and throw on a pair of sneakers when you're headed out for an easy off-duty look.

Size: XXS–4X | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyamide, elastane

Best Midi

Babaton Enterprise Skirt

View On Aritzia.com

If this skirt screams one thing, it’s that you mean business. The high-waisted pleated skirt has a natural softness and movement to it that feels polished without being sharp. The skirt comes in three neutral color options in a fabric made up of wood-based fiber and recycled materials. For those looking to polish up their office uniform, Aritzia also offers a matching blazer, ideal for streamlining your morning routine and getting you out the door and into work in record time.

Size: 00–12 | Colors: 3 | Material: Recycled polyester, viscose, cotton, elastane 

Best Maxi

Toteme Jersey Maxi Skirt

View On Mytheresa.com

“I love this jersey skirt,” says Luft. “It looks so comfortable and easy to wear.” She suggests tall boots and a long, oversized sweater for work, or flip flops and a white tee on vacation. Either way, the soft and stretchy feel makes this skirt one you’ll never want to take off. “Feels casual and easy to wear even if you’re not a skirt person, a great way to add variety to your wardrobe!” One thing to keep in mind: Jersey fabrics can sometimes be a bit sheer, so you’ll want to double-check that it isn’t see-through before wearing it to work. 

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Viscose, elastane

Best Pleated

Ulla Popken Pleated A-Line Skirt

View On Ullapopken.com

“This skirt is a little preppy, a little feminine, and a perfect fall and winter staple,” says Heensie Low, a plus-size stylist. “This A-line style is very popular right now and I love how the pleats instantly elevate your outfit.” With the rise of prep school-inspired style from brands ranging from Miu Miu to Sandy Liang, this skirt can help you lean into the current trend cycle, but the skirt’s simple shape means that you’ll be able to style it in more classic ways for years to come. We also love that this skirt is available all the way up to a size 34.

Size: 12–34 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester, viscose, elastane

Best Slip

Vince Satin Slip Skirt

View On Nordstrom $265 View On Vince.com View On Shopbop.com $295

A silky slip skirt is one of our favorite skirt styles for its adaptability and silky feel. Vince’s take, made from Japanese satin, is a pull-on design with an elastic waistband, perfect for easy on and off. It’s available in three classic colors, navy, creme, and black, but we’re particularly fond of the navy since it won’t show stains easily, but is soft enough to work with both winter jewel tones and bright summer colors. One thing to keep in mind with this type of skirt is that it can wrinkly easily, so you’ll want to ensure that you make time to iron or steam it before you leave the house. 

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Acetate

Best Printed

Sotela Linda Mini Skirt

View On Sotela.co

“I love this sustainable option! It can be challenging as a plus-sized person to find a mini skirt that works well with your hip, thigh, and bottom area. I appreciate that you can request custom sizing to ensure that you get the perfect length of mini skirt to suit your specific sizing needs.” The versatility of this skirt, with the multiple deadstock fabric options, to sizing suited just to you, makes it a great choice if you’re on the hunt for a printed pattern to fit in with what’s already sitting in your closet.

Size: 0–10 | Colors: 3 | Material: Deadstock rayon crepe, Deadstock wool gabardine

Best Sequin

Rotate Berger Christensen Sequined Midi Skirt

View On Mytheresa.com

For all of the holiday parties coming up in the weeks ahead, a sequin skirt is one of our favorite ways to stand out. This bold gold design from Rotate Berger Christensen adds a luxe touch to your ensemble, without sacrificing any comfort. Since it’s made with elastic, it has a stretch to it, allowing you to hit the dance floor and bust a move. While sequin fabric is a bit rougher to the touch than something like wool or silk, a skirt doesn’t have the same potential rubbing issues that you might find with a top that’s constantly scratching your arms. 

Size: 2–12 | Colors: 1 | Material: Recycled polyester, elastane

Best Knit

Everlane The Cozy Stretch Knit

View On Everlane.com $98

We often look to Everlane when we’re hunting for comfortable everyday basics, and in the skirt department, we were impressed with this comfortable knit skirt. It’s made with 65 percent wool and elastane, meaning that it has a comfortable stretch to it while still providing a little more warmth than your usual skirt fabrics. While it’s not the heftiest knit, the soft material softly hugs the body without adding extra bulk. For extra cold days, you might consider adding a pair of heat-tech leggings or some black tights underneath.

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 2 | Material: Wool, recycled polyester, elastane

Best Bold

Farm Rio Printed Maxi Skirt

View On Net-a-Porter $175

If you’ve already filled your closet with the prerequisite neutral pieces, let loose a little and embrace some fun colors and prints. This slightly ’60 paisley and floral print skirt from Brazilian brand Farm Rio is begging for the chance to be worn to a mimosa-filled brunch or a relaxing beach vacation. We love that though it's a maxi silhouette, it’s cropped enough to show off your shoes, whether they be heels, boots, or sandals. The skirt has a loose, drapey fit and we love the way that it flows as you need.

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Viscose

Best Cotton Eyelet

Dôen Rieti Skirt

View On Shopdoen.com

A white skirt may be the style of summer, but don’t write it off for the rest of the year, too. “A white skirt is very versatile,” says Martinez. “You can add a feminine jacket styled with a preppy white mini skirt which can give you Chanel vibes.” In the case of this elegant eyelet skirt from Dôen, we love the lightweight material, made of 100 percent cotton with an A-line silhouette and a small ruffle on the bottom. Since the skirt is a bit see-through, opt for nude underwear or a slip if you don’t want to show off too much skin. 

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Organic cotton

Ganni Shiny Mini Skirt

View On Shopbop.com $118

A mini skirt made for the winter months? We’ve found it! Ganni’s high-volume mini features an elastic waistband and quilted weave that creates some textural interest. As an important added bonus, this skirt also includes handy pockets for carrying your knick-knacks, phone, and keys. We love the soft cushy shape of this skirt, but its quilted silhouette can make it more bulky than other options on this list. It may take up more space in your suitcase, and when it comes to styling, takes some extra thought to make sure your outfit isn’t too voluminous overall. 

Size: FR32–FR44 | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyamide

Best Bias Cut

A.BCH Midi Slip Skirt

View On Abch.world

“This slip skirt has been such a great closet staple for me,” says Low. “It is cut on the bias and drapes beautifully on the hips. You can also order custom sizing for a perfect fit right out of the package. This is such a valuable service offering for plus-sized folks, petite folks, tall folks, et cetera” As with the Vince slip skirt, the slick, silky look of this skirt makes it great for pairing with both summer and winter textures. While it’s only available in black, the timeless hue will be easy to style in a way that suits your needs.

Size: XS–3XL | Colors: 1 | Material: TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers

Best Smocked

Sea Diana Skirt

View On Matchesfashion.com $325

Romantic, feminine, but also simple, this smocked skirt is an option that we love for relaxed daytime ensembles. The lightweight taffeta fabric is structured yet drapey, floating open to hit at the mid-calf. The smocked waistband accentuates the silhouette and is great for both tucking in a tee or layering with a fitted cardigan. To us, this feels like a neutral style that works just as well for winter as summer. The addition of pockets means that you can wear this skirt out without needing to carry a bag along with you.

Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1 | Material: Polyester