It’s that time when the weather gets colder, and we have to retire our summer clothes in favour of something a little more winter-appropriate. This winter season, say goodbye to your pants and hello to skirts! There are so many types of winter-friendly skirts to choose from, but the key is choosing one that will keep you warm in the cooler weather but look super stylish even in the rain.
Go maxi for maximum effect
A great option is a maxi skirt – these are perfect for when the temperature drops as they cover your legs and keep you nice and warm. Pare with a thick pair of Wolford pantyhose and some chunky boots, and you’re good to go. Think Vivienne Westwood meets Boden; you’re looking for classic styling with a twist. And remember, with a maxi skirt being on the side of more is more, your top half needs to be less is more – a knitted bralette or silk vest. Invest in a kilt pin or sturdy brooch for when it’s wet outside. Pick up the hem, place it over your knee, and pin it so the skirt ruches up. Make sure you wear patterned or cable knit pantyhose or a lovely pair of knee-high Argyle diamond print socks underneath for maximum style appeal.
PHOTO: vivienne westwood website
Choose a full-on circle skirt
For a more fun and flirty look, choose a full-on circle skirt. Circle skirts are perfect for when you want to add a 50s glamour statement to your outfit but still stay warm and dry. Pair with Hunter wellies, a silk pussy bow shirt and a tweed jacket for the ultimate in British country chic. Choose a leather pencil midi skirt if you want to go all out.
Leather pencil midi skirt
The leather pencil skirt is an excellent daytime to evening wear choice, statement dressing that will work at the office teamed with chunky boots or as date night wear teamed with a pair of 70s style Mary Janes. Make sure you team them with the right top – something floaty or oversized will balance out the look perfectly. Choose a cropped faux fur jacket and a knowing smile to complete the look.
PHOTO: LEATHER SKIRTS nordstrom WEBSITE
Denim never goes out of style
Whether you choose a classic denim knee-length skirt or a maxi A-line denim number, denim is always in style, and there are many ways to wear it. Team with a chunky knit and some knee-high boots for a casual look. If you want to dress it up for the evening, pair it with a slinky sequinned top and heels. And if you’re looking for something in between, try tucking in a printed blouse and adding a velvet jacket. The general rule of thumb is to go for opposites. Opposites create the maximum effect with minimal effort. Don’t worry about clashing, but stick to a three-color palette whenever possible.
The Scooby-Doo effect
Short skirts, especially short kilts, are huge this season, and we call it the Scooby-do effect. Actually is more Velma than Scooby that’s got us excited. For those who don’t know, Scooby-do was a short-lived Saturday morning American cartoon that saw a group of teenagers solving mysteries involving ghosts and other supernatural beings. The group travelled in their van, the Mystery Machine, and Scooby was the team’s pet dog. But Velma was the brainbox behind the team. Think geek style meets anime school girl (but in a grown-up anti-sexploitation kind of way); team a chunky polo neck sweater with a short kilt or peplum skirt, knee-length socks and lace-up brogues. Top that off with a pair of specs, and you have a grown-up version of the mean girl’s dress code brought out of the naughties straight into this season’s dress code.
PHOTO: BURBERRY KILT VIA FARFETCH WEBSITE
So there you have some great ideas for wearing skirts in the winter. Now all you need to do is choose your style and get shopping!
PROFILE PHOTO: @sylviemus_