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Skirts Are Making a Comeback—Here’s How to Find Your Fit
Which skirts are best for petites? Offer the most coverage? Let’s help you find the best skirt for your body type and personal style.
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Because I am a genius who is excellent at planning, I recently moved from Brooklyn, New York to Austin, Texas during the hottest month of the year. In preparation for my move, I spent the summer slowly but surely cleaning out my closet. And through the process of getting rid of pieces that don’t fit me (or my lifestyle) anymore, I uncovered a few gaps in my wardrobe. Actually, just one big gap: skirts—because in this heat, sometimes pants are just not an option.
With a skirt, you get the versatility of separates, plus the airy, summer-friendly feeling of a dress. But unlike with a dress, you don’t have to worry about finding a piece that fits your whole body perfectly, which can be especially helpful if you’re someone who wears different sizes on your top and bottom.
After chatting with our styling team, I’ve discovered that many of you are also in the market for skirts—and that you’re asking all the right questions. Below, we answer the five skirt-related queries we hear most often.
Which skirts are best for petites?
If you don’t already own the Rowley skirt, this option would be the best place to start. Designed especially for women who are 5’4” and under, it’s a versatile staple with a slight A-line shape (and yes, you’re probably going to end up wanting it in every color). Another petite-friendly favorite, the Noho skirt can be dressed up with a blazer or down with a better-than-denim jacket. (Pro tip: If you want it to sit at your natural waist, rather than at your hips, size down.) Finally, don’t shy away from longer hemlines just because you’re petite. In fact, something like the Cobble Hill skirt, which hits just below the knee, will look extra elegant on you.
Which skirts have room in the hips?
You might love the surprisingly versatile Melrose skirt, which has a swingy, A-line shape and looks just as good with T-shirts as it does with the matching blazer. Or go for the washable-silk Orchard skirt, which you can pair with the Lisey cami or Tatum top if you want to create a dress-like outfit. If you prefer pencil skirts, try the Harlem, made from our ultra-stretchy (yet structured!) jardigan knit.
Which skirts are best for tall women?
If you like a classic cut, try the Dorchester skirt in our summer-ready staccato fabric. The bold hibiscus color looks great with neutrals like black, ivory, and brown, but you could also pair it with the Flaka top for a matching set. One of my personal favorites is the Eva skirt, which is both easy to style and fashion-forward. Try it with a cotton tank and sneakers for a casual look. Or you could go for the York skirt in slinky knit, which is sumptuously soft, super stretchy, and just the right length.
Which skirts offer the most coverage?
Look for skirts made from fabrics with plenty of texture, like the Cobble Hill in slubbed weave or the Rowley in cotton boucle. Both fabrics have enough structure to offer complete coverage, but they’re still stretchy enough for you to move around and sit comfortably. A skirt with a subtle pattern would also be also a great choice. The Astor skirt in wool herringbone has an understated stripe pattern and color variation woven throughout the fabric, giving you more coverage than you’d get with a solid-colored piece.
Which skirts are best for tucking?
Skirts that sit at the natural waist (rather than at the hips) are typically the best match for tucked-in tops. The sleek Cortlandt skirt is a prime example. It has enough stretch to accommodate tucking, plus enough structure to smooth out any extra fabric from your top. The Cobble Hill skirt has similar tucking-friendly features—plus, our bold poppy shade is basically begging to be made into a color-blocked outfit. If you want to go even more colorful, opt for the Orchard skirt in our new city lights print, full of beautiful shades that you can use as a color-pairing roadmap.
