How To Slay the Maxi Skirt

Written by Sarah Ghanem

It’s no secret that maxi skirts are hands down the most versatile piece of clothing you can find in your closet. You can wear them to your office, you can wear them to a night out with the girls, you can even wear it to the Golden Globes as proven by Michelle Pfeiffer.

But we know that working this staple into a fun outfit can be a bit of a challenge at first. So here are a few of our favourite tips that’ll help you rock that skirt with ease, no matter what look you’re going for.

Casual Tomboy

Skirts are a great way to keep things casual. They are super-comfortable and can be paired up with almost any of your go-to tops: tee shirts, cosy sweatshirts, and hoodies. You can add a nice blazer to add some structure if you’re heading out. Denim vests are great for guarding against the cold and you can never go wrong with a good leather jacket!

The skirt itself can vary greatly. denim skirts, woollen skirts can all be used to play up your look. But we get that skirts can still somehow end up looking frumpy – something you’d rather see your grandma wear. That’s when you should consider dabbling in bold prints that will shine out as the statement piece of your outfit – yes, really! You can choose Aztec patterns, floral, polka, stripes, animal prints – whichever speaks out and suits your personality.

 

Poised and Polished

Yep, you read that right – polished. Skirts can be used just as easily to breeze through a black tie evening as a dance party. The key to pulling off this look is finding the right skirt. Flowing maxi skirts add more glamour as compared to shin-length maxis. Materials like silk, tulle, and chiffon have our nod for a fancy night out

You can pair your maxi with a nice silk cami, a funky bralette, or a flowy crop top. If you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated, say for an office party, then you can indulge in an elegant button-up and smart blazer. Again, if you feel your outfit looks a little prudish you can try on a sexy slit that will show off your stems.

Jewellery wear like pearls, understated metals, and beautiful stones can add just the right amount of glitter to bring out your apparel. You can score oodles of style points by adding a chic belt that will cinch your waist and channel your inner Monroe.

Funk It Up Maxi skirts are a great way to create outfits of modest fashion. They bring just the right amount of sass to your apparel and suit all body types due to their huge range of cuts.

But skirts aren’t limited to plain old skirts.

These days, there are hundreds of DIY tutorials trending online that show you different ways to style your skirt – without actually using it as a skirt. Perhaps the coolest and strangest DIY, is to bring the skirt way up to your chest and wear it as a strapless dress.

Beware! You do not want to end up looking like a 5-year-old playing with her mom’s wardrobe, so be sure to accessorise well with a decent shrug, or a sturdy belt to add definition to your ‘dress’. Other ideas include twisting your skirt around your legs to create a snug wrap. You can have the top of your skirt ruched up to resemble a flowing sari for a touch of exotic.

So even if you aren’t much of a skirt-person and have one gathering dust at the back of your closet, you can bring it out and have fun trying out these ideas or come up with your own – sky’s the limit!

A few pointers

Buying the right maxi can be a little confusing for most people. You’d probably end up wondering ‘what length is the right length?’ or ‘will this skirt work with my top?’. A good tip is to try it on before you head to the cash counter. Whatever the cut, you should feel comfortable moving around in it.

If it’s too stuffy then try on something more flowy or slitted till you find what you’re looking for and when you do – trust me, you’ll know. Moreover try to match your top to the skirt right at the store. Often the look you have in mind turns out to be far from the reality.

When you finally put on your outfit, be sure to not end up looking like a loose rubbish bag. Balance your A-lined skirts with a snug, well-tailored top. If you’re going for a fitted skirt then throw on a jacket or loose kimono to play it up. Try tucking or tying your shirt to add more definition for a change. There are no rules here, really. With maxis anything can work – just as long as it looks good.

About the author

Sarah Ghanem is a fashion stylist and consultant at Modanisa. She is always on the lookout for the latest trends and styles, and she happily shares her ideas with readers from all over the world.