Midi skirts are a classic wardrobe item but they are having a moment right now and have become quite trendy. It’s personally a trend/ style I tend to skip because it’s not the most flattering outfit on me, but I had a few requests for styling midi skirts this summer.
I share these outfits for inspiration on what pieces to pair with a midi skirt, not because I think they look good on me. Given that background, let’s explore how to wear a midi skirt without looking frumpy for a bit.
How to Wear A Midi Skirt Without Looking Frumpy
1. Choose the right silhouette.
Midi skirts can be voluminous or slim, like a slip skirt. Because I am petite, the slimmer slip skirt style works better to create a leaner, longer line for my body. I have to work hard at wearing fuller midi skirts.
For petites, skirts that hit right below the knee tend to work better than midi skirts that end at the calf. Fuller skirts tend to work best on taller women.
Given the right height, a midi skirt can work for any body shape.
The cinched waist of a full midi skirt highlights an hourglass figure’s natural curves, while the fullness of the skirt balances the hips and bust. A full midi skirt skims over the hips and thighs, which can be flattering for a pear-shaped body. The fullness of the skirt balances the lower body with the upper body. A full midi skirt adds volume to the lower half, balancing broader shoulders or a fuller bust, and can help create a more defined waist for an apple. A full midi skirt can create the illusion of curves by adding volume to the lower body and defining the waist for a rectangle. Stiffer fabrics will add more volume, while softer fabrics will drape more gently.
While a midi skirt can work for most body shapes. it is essential to consider your vertical proportions when wearing a midi skirt. They work best for those with longer torsos.
2. Pair with a fitted top.
Tucking your top into the skirt helps define your waist and creates a more polished look. A cropped top works well with high-waisted midi skirts, showing just a hint of skin and keeping the proportions balanced. A well-fitted blouse or shirt can be tucked in for a refined appearance. Always tuck your top to define your waist. (This is another reason I don’t like this look for me. Fulling tucking a top accents how short waisted I am but it’s really the best option for a skirt.)
3. Consider Your Footwear
Wearing heels can elongate your legs and add sophistication. Pointed-toe flats or heels can also help lengthen the appearance of your legs, making the overall outfit more streamlined.
4. Balance with Outerwear
Pairing your midi skirt with a cropped jacket, blazer, or denim jacket can add structure and keep the look modern. In cooler weather, opt for a tailored coat that hits just above or below the skirt to avoid overwhelming your figure.
How to Style a Striped Midi Skirt 3 Ways
With a solid color top and wedge sandals
Skirt- Old Navy; top- similar; wedge- similar; straw purse- Amazon
This vertical striped midi skirt is perfect for summer. I paired it with a fitted solid bright tee. The wedge sandals add a little height. This is the best look of the three for my body type.
With a Button Up Blouse and Tank
Pair a midi skirt with a tank and wear a button up over it, knotted at the waist. Add a pair of colorful sandals for an unexpected pop of color.
Pink sandals- Amazon; shirt- Gap/ similar
Again, the sandals have a low heel but enough to keep the frump down with this skirt. To improve on this outfit, I could leave the tank off and button the shirt but leave a few buttons undone at the top to create a v-neck effect. Or, I could have chosen a scoop neck tank or v-neck which would further elongate the whole silhouette, rather than this high neck tank.
With a graphic tee and sneakers
Sneakers- DSW; sling bag- Amazon
This is where it gets really frumpy for me. I admire this look on taller, thinner women, but it doesn’t work for me. I love the colors and the coordination of the pieces, so I hope it inspires you to create a similar look if it works for your body shape.
This tee is quite boxy, so a better option for me would be a slimmer, more fitted tee knotted at the waist. I might also have this skirt hemmed up an inch or two.
Are midi skirts easy for your or hard to wear? I’d love to know your thoughts.
