The 20 Best Skirts For Work, Weekends, and Celebrations

Go ahead — take a spin.

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InStyle / Kristin Kempa

The bustle skirts of the Victorian era, the crinoline-lined poodle skirts of the 1950s, and the micro-minis of the early aughts prove one thing: there’s always an It skirt driving the trend cycle. Luckily these days, with the rise of TikTok OOTDs, no length, silhouette, or material is off limits. In fact, when it comes to the best skirts for women, it’s possible to purchase every single one on this list and have it serve its own unique purpose. We’ve tapped a few style experts for insight on exactly which skirt styles you should make room for in your closet, whether it be for work, a wedding, or a weekend getaway.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Reformation Layla Skirt at Reformation ($158)
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Best Budget:
Zara Mixed Boxer Skirt at Zara.com (See Price)
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Best Splurge:
La DoubleJ Santa Monica Skirt at Net-a-Porter ($750)
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Best Black:
The Frankie Shop Bailey Maxi Skirt at Net-a-Porter ($310)
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Best Denim:
Universal Standard Dakota Skirt at Universalstandard.com (See Price)
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Best Mini:
Helmut Lang Black Carpenter Denim Miniskirt at Ssense.com (See Price)
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Best for Lounging:
Skims Fits Everybody Maxi Skirt at Nordstrom ($60)
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Best Midi:
Babaton Enterprise Skirt at Aritzia.com (See Price)
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Best Maxi:
Toteme Jersey Maxi Skirt at Mytheresa.com (See Price)
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Best Pleated:
Ulla Popken Pleated A-Line Skirt at Ullapopken.com (See Price)
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Best Overall

Reformation Layla Skirt

Reformation Layla Skirt

Reformation

View On Reformation $158

What We Love: This pull-on skirt is both comfortable and form-flattering. 

What We Don't Love: It’s dry clean-only.

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

Zara Mixed Boxer Skirt

Zara  

View On Zara.com

What We Love: This trendy skirt makes getting dressed easy. 

What We Don't Love: Due to price and style, may not hold up long term.

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

La DoubleJ Santa Monica Skirt

Net-a-porter

View On Net-a-Porter $750

What We Love: This skirt finds a balance between formal and fun. 

What We Don't Love: The single front pleat may seem unusual to some.

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

The Frankie Shop Bailey Maxi Skirt

Net-a-porter

View On Net-a-Porter $310

What We Love: An unexpected slit takes this skirt from day to night. 

What We Don't Love: The fabric doesn’t stretch, so you’ll want to pay close attention to sizing.

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

Universal Standard

Universal Standard 

View On Universalstandard.com

What We Love: Elastane gives this skirt some stretch. 

What We Don't Love: The raw hem may look unfinished to some.

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

Helmut Lang Black Carpenter Denim Miniskirt

SSENSE

View On Ssense.com

What We Love: An unexpected take on the denim mini skirt. 

What We Don't Love: At under 13-inch long, it may be too short for some.

“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

skims-long-skirt

Skims

View On Nordstrom $60 View On Skims.com

What We Love: The zipper slit offers adjustability.

What We Don't Love: The tight fit may make walking hard. 

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

Babaton Enterprise Skirt

Aritzia

View On Aritzia.com

What We Love: This high-waisted skirt is elegant and timeless.

What We Don't Love: It may take special care to keep the pleats intact.

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

Toteme Jersey Maxi Skirt

My Theresa

View On Mytheresa.com

What We Love: A comfortable maxi that doesn’t constrict movement.

What We Don't Love: It may be a bit sheer.

“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

Ulla Popken Pleated A-Line Skirt

Ulla Popken 

View On Ullapopken.com

What We Love: The knee length can be dressed up or down.

What We Don't Love: The material may not be breathable enough.

“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

Heros Satin Slip Skirt

Vince

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

What We Love: A simple style that can be dressed up or down.

What We Don't Love: It needs to be steamed or ironed. 

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

Sotela Linda Mini Skirt

Sotela 

View On Sotela.co

What We Love: You can request custom sizing or customizations since it's made to order.

What We Don't Love: Because it is made to order, it can take up to 5 weeks to arrive.

“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

Rotate Berger Christensen Sequined Midi Skirt

My Theresa

View On Mytheresa.com

What We Love: This statement skirt has a comfortable stretch.

What We Don't Love: Sequins can be itchy.

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

Everlane The Cozy Stretch Knit

Everlane  

View On Everlane.com $98

What We Love: It’s comfortable on the skin and soft to the touch.

What We Don't Love: It could be a thicker material.

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

Farm Rio Printed Maxi Skirt

Net-a-porter

View On Net-a-Porter $175

What We Love: This skirt will brighten up a winter look or work for a beach vacation.

What We Don't Love: The bold print is trickier to style than more neutral options.

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

Doen Rieti Skirt

Doen  

View On Shopdoen.com

What We Love: The lightweight design is perfect for taking along on vacation.

What We Don't Love: It’s fairly see-through, so you’ll need to layer accordingly.

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

Ganni Shiny Mini Skirt

Shopbop

View On Shopbop.com $118

What We Love: The playful quilted skirt is a perfect wintery style.

What We Don't Love: The style is a bit voluminous for packing.

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

A.BCH Midi Slip Skirt

A.BCH

View On Abch.world

What We Love: This simple bias-cut skirt falls like a dream.

What We Don't Love: The fabric is very lightweight, so may not be the best choice for cold weather.

“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

Sea Diana Skirt

Matches Fashion

View On Matchesfashion.com $325

What We Love: The smocked waist is comfortable and looks good on everyone.

What We Don't Love: We wish the skirt was made of cotton instead of polyester.

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

Best Full

Free People Emilia Skirt

Free People Emilia Skirt

Free People 

View On Freepeople.com

What We Love: The elegant shape is perfect for party dressing.

What We Don't Love: Wearers report that the waist runs small.

If you have a flair for the dramatic, don’t rob yourself of the chance to break out an elegant full skirt. This voluminous design has a high rise and hits mid-calf. The shiny skirt material comes in three colors, a subtle black and more head-turning pink and green. As you enter prime party season, this skirt is a style you’ll find yourself reaching for time and again when the occasion requires a little bit of dressing up. The ability to mix up the top and shoe style makes the skirt feel fresh each time you break it out. 

Size: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Nylon, polyester

What to Keep in Mind

Silhouette

Skirts come in a wide variety of silhouettes from body skimming to pencil, to A-line. The good news is that you can experiment with every style and choose what works best for you based on your personal style and what feels right on your body. When it comes to silhouette, that means the chance to explore everything from a full bell skirt like Free People’s Emilia Skirt to a skin-tight vinyl tube skirt like the one from Skims.

Length

Skirts tend to come in three main lengths: maxi, midi, and mini. Maxis like Farm Rio’s are dramatic and dressy, minis like Ganni’s quilted mini skirt are short statement-makers and midi silhouettes are great for everyday outfits whether for work or play. While length is important to consider, the silhouette and material will also play into how casual or formal any given skirt looks when you put it on.

Material

Come winter, odds are you’ll want to skip cotton skirts for rich textures like wool or velvet. We love Everlane’s knit skirt for its ability to keep you cozy during the winter. For beachy summer excursions, a lightweight, cotton-like Dôen’s Eyelet skirt is just what you need to keep cool. Depending on the material you choose, care for your skirt will vary. Always check to see if you need your skirt to be dry cleaned or it can be hand washed.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you style a skirt? 

“I believe we're in a chapter where there is more focus than ever on cultivating a sense of authentic personal style beyond trends,” says Low. “This is really exciting for me. I have enjoyed witnessing people really pushing the boundaries of their wardrobes, from skirts and beyond.”

For work, it’s usually best to keep your look a bit more formal, with a blazer or sweater. For nights on the town, don’t be afraid to show a little more leg. “Mini skirts paired with a sock and slingback are definitely having a trendy moment,” says Luft. Other styles she sees as particularly of the moment include tailored maxis like The Frankie Shop’s Bailey maxi skirt as well as a sheer midi skirt.

What do you wear with a white skirt? 

A white skirt is a versatile option that goes with both colorful and neutral styling options. Luft suggests styling a white skirt with a black sweater and black boots for a monochromatic ensemble. For warmer months, style a lightweight white skirt with red and blue for more classic, preppy looks or with bright colors like green and pink for a more feminine bent.

Which are the best skirts for tall women?

“I think tall or short, all styles look great and it’s all about the right styling,” says Luft. “But a high-waisted skirt with some volume or flare to it is a great way to add some shape to your longer frame.” For shorter hemlines, if you have long legs, it's worth trying a style on before purchasing just to make sure that the length feels like it offers enough coverage to make you feel comfortable.

Why Shop With Us

Aemilia Madden is a writer covering fashion for InStyle. For this article, she researched a wide range of skirt styles and consulted with three experts, stylists Raz Martinez, Heensie Low, and Reva Luft. 

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