The short answer
Here is how to style a midi skirt: show your waist with a tuck or a belt. Pair full skirts with fitted tops, and sleek skirts with looser knits. Pick shoes that close the gap under the hem, like knee-high boots, or lengthen your leg, like pointed ankle boots. For winter, add tights and a long coat.
A midi skirt is any skirt with a hem that falls between the knee and the ankle. That length is easy to love and easy to get wrong. Paired with a loose top and flat shoes, it can hide your waist and cut across the widest part of your calf. That is where the frumpy feeling comes from, and it is simple to fix. Sandals and bare legs are the easy part, so this guide is built for the colder months. You will find four steps for fall and winter, from tucked knits to boots and tights. Then we turn to party season, with a metallic pleated midi and a tulle midi for dinners and holiday nights. Each step ends with a quick tip you can use with skirts already in your closet. Start with a skirt you already love, or browse our skirts collection, and build the outfit one step at a time.
How to style a midi skirt: your outfit kit
1. Show your waist to avoid a frumpy look
The quickest fix for a frumpy midi is a visible waist. Tuck your top all the way in, or try a loose front tuck with a thicker knit. A belt works too. Our light blue denim midi has a comfort waist and a front slit.
Tip: A cropped jacket that stops at the waist keeps your top half short and your legs long.
2. Match your top to the skirt's volume
Balance is the rule. A full or pleated midi looks best with a slim top, like a fitted knit, bodysuit or mock neck. A sleek, straight midi can take more volume on top, like a chunky sweater or puff sleeves. The Wanna Be With You top pairs a tan cable-knit body with sheer floral puff sleeves. Try it with the denim midi from step one and a loose front tuck.
Tip: Keep one half simple: if the skirt is busy, choose a plain top.
3. Pick shoes by the gap at your hem
Look at the space between your hem and your shoes. Knee-high boots close that gap, which keeps your legs warm and the line unbroken. Ankle boots with a pointed toe and a heel lengthen the leg instead. Our Dixie ankle boots are black faux suede with a pointed toe, a block heel and fringe at the back. If you love flats, pick a pointed pair over a round one.
Tip: Tights in the same shade as your boots make your legs look longer.
4. Layer for winter with tights and a long coat
To wear a midi skirt in winter, start with opaque tights and boots. Add a fine knit or mock neck on top, tucked in. Finish with a coat that falls past the hem, or a cropped jacket that stops at the waist. Our Everybody Needs Someone top is black checkered velvet with a mock neck and long sleeves.
Tip: Skip a coat that ends right where your skirt ends; the outfit looks cut in half.
Statement midis for party season
A statement midi, like metallic or tulle, needs only a simple top and one good shoe. The Hotline Bling midi is emerald green metallic with knife pleats. Try a black knit, slim and tucked or oversized with a front tuck, so your waist shows. Add heels for a dinner or ankle boots for a bar.
The Heart Over Mind midi is layered pink tulle in tiers with a scattered glitter finish. Tulle adds volume, so tuck in a fitted knit or bodysuit to show your waist. For a winter party, add sheer black tights and pointed boots. For a softer look, try a cream or white top with heels.
Care and keeping
Hang pleated and tulle skirts from the waistband with clips rather than folding them, so the pleats and tiers keep their shape. Give tulle space on the rail, away from bulky coats, so the layers do not flatten. If tulle gets crushed, let it hang for a while before you wear it.
Frequently asked questions
How to wear a midi skirt in winter?
Wear it with opaque tights and knee-high or ankle boots, then add a tucked-in knit or mock neck top. Choose a coat that falls past the hem or a cropped jacket that stops at the waist. Wool, denim, pleated and leather midis all layer well for cold days.
What tops to wear with a midi skirt?
Match the top to the skirt. Full, pleated or tulle midis look best with slim tops, like fitted knits, bodysuits and mock necks. Straight or pencil midis can take more volume, like chunky sweaters or puff sleeves. Tuck the top in, or front-tuck it, so your waist shows.
How do I wear a midi skirt without looking frumpy?
Show your waist with a tuck or a belt, and keep the top fitted if the skirt is full. Then pick shoes that close the gap under the hem, like knee-high boots, or lengthen the leg, like pointed ankle boots or heels. Avoid a loose top with flat, round shoes.
