There are countless ways to wear a skirt for an occasion or the holidays. Whether it’s for a smart casual or dressier setting, create a festive vibe in a subtle or dramatic way. Here are some gorgeous skirts to whet your appetite.
The star of this formula is the skirt. Once you have that, the rest follows to suit your sartorial preferences and the occasion. Here are the components.
Festive Skirt + Top + Topper (optional) + Hosiery + Shoes + Bag + Bling
Festive Skirt: Choose a length and silhouette in a colour that is suited to your tastes. Solids can work as well as patterns.
Top: The types of tops that can be combined with skirts are manifold. Tucking shirts and blouses into skirts is a classic option. Wearing short fitted knitwear over skirts is another classic way to go, which includes buttoning through a short cardigan. Sometimes short and fitted woven tops work well. Personally with my own skirts, I like to wear UNTUCKED fluid and boxy shorter knitwear with a welt because the welt tapers the fluidity and provides some structure. Sometimes I wear a long and fluid pullover with some slouch and semi-tuck the front for structure. I also like wearing short boxy button-down shirts and occasionally fitted knitwear with skirts. Or a shirt that is tied at the waist.
Some people like to wear big and long boxy shirts, blouses, sweaters and sweatshirts with pencil skirts because the structure of the pencil skirt tapers the volume of the top. Some like to knot their tees and shirts to create some waist definition. Some like to wear big untucked tops with big skirts thereby sporting volume on the top and bottom. Take your pick.
Topper (optional): A coat can go over the top if you need insulation outdoors. Cropped jackets and shorter blazers tend to work very well with skirts. Personally, I like to wear a dressy maxi coat or short jacket as a topper over skirts. Granted, my skirts are flared, big, midi, and midaxi, so to my eye, those proportions work best.
Hosiery: If it’s cold, add hosiery like sheer or opaque pantyhose to the outfit. Go neutral or non-neutral. Sometimes lace, fishnet, and patterned hosiery works well too. You can wear refined statement socks that match the palette of the outfit if that tickles your fancy. Or sport bare legs if it’s sufficiently warm.
Remember that you can wear hosiery with dressy sandals, and socks with pumps, just like we did back in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Footwear: Choose dressy boots, pumps, sandals, slides and flats for a more formal finishing touch. Choose combat boots, lug-soled boots, chunky loafers and oxfords, or cowboy boots for a casual vibe.
Bag and Bling: Choose any type of fancy small bag to match the outfit. Shoulder, crossbody, satchel, bucket, clutch, clutch with a strap, belt bag, or wristlet. Add jewellery, watch, eyewear, nail polish, and hair accessories as desired.
Here are two interesting festive skirt outfits that are quite manageable when you have similar pieces or can make effective substitutes. Choose any colour palette.
1. Tulle Moto
Combine a big flared skirt like a tulle midi or the like with a crisp white tucked shirt. Here the shirt is unbuttoned to showcase a bra top or camisole, but you can simply button up the shirt. Finish off the outfit with a short moto and casual stompy boots. Add a bag and some bling.
2. Ruffle Slouch
I LOVE this skirt, and it’s on my wish list. Click the link to see the video of the skirt in motion. Lots of yummy swoosh! I adore the styling too. The juxtaposition of the dressy, pretty, soft and ruffled chiffon skirt is delicious with the oversized chunky fisherman’s style pullover. It’s effectively semi-tucked to hint at a waistline. Dressy boots with a high shaft elongate the leg line and match the top. A black clutch is the dressy finishing touch. I would style the skirt similarly but substitute the black components for navy, cream or red. I’d wear flat or low-heeled boots instead of stiletto boots, add warm hosiery, and a red or cream clutch with chain strap. I have a great dressy red maxi coat to top off the look too.
