Fashion

Whether you like it or not, the midi skirt is here to stay (and these are the best styles to shop now)

By Isabella Manganas
Model poses in lace midi skirt

Photo: Magnus Lechner

From timeless pencil silhouettes to statement-making sequins, the midi skirt has secured its place as one of fashion's most versatile wardrobe heroes. Once overlooked for its tricky hemline, Vogue Scandinavia's junior shopping coordinator Isabella Manganas makes the case for why this enduring staple deserves a permanent spot in every well-curated wardrobe

I have always been the type of person who would (almost always) reach for a pair of trousers. But recently, I have developed an almost obsessive love for the midi skirt.

For years, I found midi skirts difficult. The in-between length can sometimes cut off the leg and feel slightly awkward if the proportions aren’t right. But when you find the right fit, there is something incredibly alluring about a woman in a midi skirt. Especially when the rest of your look leans slightly undone - a simple knit, a relaxed shirt tucked in, tousled hair. It’s very Parisian. Very Carine Roitfeld-coded.

The beauty of the in-between hemline is its versatility. It can be styled year-round. In summer, with sun-kissed bare legs and sandals; in winter, with tights or knee-high boots. A black pencil skirt, specifically, is what I consider a wardrobe essential. Whether rendered in structured black wool or a heavy silk, sitting cinched at the wait or lunch low on the hip, it is an all-encompassing cure to those bad outfit days. But, even when looking beyond the most classic cut, we get our midi skirt fix though floral prints, sequins, fringe trim, denim... You name it.

How do you find the perfect midi skirt?

The YoYo-ing hemline of midi skirts are not a one-cut-fit-all, and your perfect length can be surprisingly personal. Some prefer their skirt to sit just above the knee, others just below it, while some gravitate towards longer, calf-grazing silhouettes. Once you’ve identified the length that works best for your proportions, the next step is deciding what role you want the midi skirt to play in your wardrobe.

This is when fabric becomes a key consideration as it dictates the sartorial mood entirely. Buttery leather is perfect for colder climates, while fluid silk suits your summer holiday. Sequins as certainly festive (although we implore everyone to wear their favourite party pieces beyond just special occasions) and denim a wardrobe work horse for daily wear.

Below, discover our curated edit of the best midi skirts to shop now.

The best cotton midi skirts

If you are investing in your first midi skirt, look for cotton. The fabric is transeasonal, endlessly versatile and easy to care for (we don't want to spend a fortune on dry cleaning fees if we can avoid it). It is the sort of midi skirt that, if you pick the right one, works just as well with flip-flops in July as it does with knee-high boots in November.


The best white cotton midi skirt - Arket - On a white background
Circle-cut cotton skirt

Arket

SHOP NOWEUR 89
The best beige cotton midi skirt - Cos - On a white background
Cotton midi skirt

COS

SHOP NOWEUR 71
The best A-line cotton midi skirt - & Other Stories  - On a white background
Cotton midi skirt with drawstring

& Other Stories

SHOP NOWEUR 90
The best black organic cotton midi skirt - Doen - On a white background
Organic cotton-poplin midi skirt

Doen

SHOP NOWEUR 280
The best beige cotton midi skirt - Bevza - On a white background
Canvas long skirt

Bevza

SHOP NOWEUR 575
The best cotton sand midi skirt - Katerina Kvit - On a white background
Cotton sand skirt

Katerina Kvit

SHOP NOWEUR 250

The best wool midi skirts

Wool is a wonderful material for the colder months of the year. Looking beyond the obvious, however, a woollen midi skirt adds structure to an ensemble. Pair with a slinky top to off-set the rigidity or lean into a boxier silhouette and you're sorted for a sartorially savvy winter.


The best brown merino wool midi skirt - COS - On a white background
Merino wool blend pencil skirt

COS

SHOP NOWEUR 54
The best black wool midi skirt - Gant - On a white background
Midi wool blend pencil skirt

Gant

SHOP NOWEUR 103
The best Wool and mohair midi skirt - Rohe - On a white background
Wool and mohair midi skirt

Rohe

SHOP NOWEUR 595.02
The best brown wool midi skirt - The Arkow - On a white background
Nadia skirt in brown virgin wool

The Arkow

SHOP NOWEUR 840
The best wool checked midi-skirt - Mango - On a white background
Wool-blend check midi-skirt

Mango

SHOP NOWEUR 54
The best olive green wool midi skirt - The Frankie Shop - On a white background
Flared midi skirt

The Frankie Shop

SHOP NOWEUR 295

The best suede midi skirts

If your wardrobe needs a work-hard investment for autumn, suede is it. The fabric brings instant warmth, texture and richness, elevating even the plainest jumper-and-skirt combination. Don't worry about babying it, either – the softer and more worn-in it gets, the better it looks.


The best brown suede midi skirt - Reiss - On a white background
Pencil knit suede midi skirt

Reiss

SHOP NOWEUR 332
The best Suede midi pencil skirt - Rotate - On a white background
Suede midi pencil skirt

Rotate

SHOP NOWEUR 350
The best brown suede midi skirt - Twist & Tango - On a white background
Yara faux suede skirt

Twist & Tango

SHOP NOWEUR 180
The best Suede midi skirt - Max Mara - On a white background
Suede midi skirt

Max Mara

SHOP NOWEUR 458
The best suede flared midi skirt - Massimo Dutti - On a white background
Suede flared midi skirt

Massimo Dutti

SHOP NOWEUR 316
The best blue suede midi skirt - Zara - On a white background
Faux suede cape skirt

Zara

SHOP NOWEUR 18

The best denim midi skirts

Think of a denim midi skirt as your favourite jeans, translated into skirt form. It offers the same everyday versatility, but with a slightly more fashion-forward edge. Dress it up with a silk cami and heels, or tone it down with a plain white tee and trainers. Either way, it never looks like you tried too hard.


The best dark denim midi skirt - Khaite - On a white background
Kendra skirt

Khaite

SHOP NOWEUR 695
The best dark denim midi skirt - Filippa K - On a white background
Trucker jean skirt

Filippa K

SHOP NOWEUR 99
The best denim midi skirt - Arket - On a white background
Denim midi skirt

Arket

SHOP NOWEUR 71
The best A-line denim midi skirt - H&M - On a white background
A-line denim skirt

H&M

SHOP NOWEUR 45
The best cotton denim midi skirt - Soeur - On a white background
Halo skirt in cotton denim

Soeur

SHOP NOWEUR 140
The best asymmetric denim midi skirt - Victoria Beckham - On a white background
Asymmetric denim midi skirt

Victoria Beckham

SHOP NOWEUR 650

The best leather midi skirts

A leather midi skirt is sexy, polished and, when styled correctly, impossible to get wrong. Balance the sharpness with something soft – an oversized shirt tucked in, a knit slung over the shoulders – and you're ready for anything from the school run to an after work.


The best brown midi leather skirt - Munthe - On a white background
Nomi skirt

Munthe

SHOP NOWEUR 439
The best pleated leather midi skirt - Mango - On a white background
Faux-leather godet skirt

Mango

SHOP NOWEUR 67
The best A-line leather skirt - Bruun's Bazaar - On a white background
A-line skirt 

Bruun's Bazaar

SHOP NOWEUR 130
The best brown leather midid skirt - The Frankie Shop - On a white background
Brown leather midi skirt

The Frankie Shop

SHOP NOWEUR 470
The best leather barrel midi skirt - Arket - On a white background
Leather barrel skirt

Arket

SHOP NOWEUR 342
The best navy wrap leather midi skirt - Nour Hammour - On a white background
Paneled leather maxi wrap skirt

Nour Hammour

SHOP NOWEUR 570

The best silk midi skirts

There is something undeniably alluring about a silk midi skirt. It catches the light, moves beautifully with every step and has a knack for sending any look a more luxurious feel. Our favourite way to wear it is to ground it with a simple white T-shirt come daytime.


The best ivory silk midi skirt - Loulou De Saison - On a white background
Vasili silk twill skirt

Loulou De Saison

SHOP NOWEUR 260
The best layered silk-satin midi skirt - Chloe - On a white background
Layered silk-satin midi skirt

Chloé

SHOP NOWEUR 1590
The best silk midi skirt - & Other Stories - On a white background
Sculpted satin midi skirt

& Other Stories

SHOP NOWEUR 59
The best brown silk midi skirt - Na-kd - On a white background
Satin midi skirt

Na-kd

SHOP NOWEUR 36
The best blue silk midi skirt - Massimo Dutti - On a white background
Satin midi skirt with pockets

Massimo Dutti

SHOP NOWEUR 108
The best black satin silk midi skirt - ELENAREVA - On a white background
Black satin skirt

ELENAREVA

SHOP NOWEUR 384

The best linen midi skirts

Nothing says effortless summer quite like a linen midi skirt. It is breathable, endlessly relaxed and somehow always looks put-together, even after a long day in the sun. Pair it with leather sandals and oversized sunglasses, and you barely need anything else.


The best white linen midi skirt - Posse - On a white background
Darya skirt

Posse

SHOP NOWEUR 285
The best striped linen midi skirt - Bettter - On a white background
Pareo skirt

BETTTER

SHOP NOWEUR 450
The best red linen midi skirt - Massimo Dutti - On a white background
Linen midi skirt

Massimo Dutti

SHOP NOWEUR 90
The best brown linen midi skirt - SIR - On a white background
Linen midi skirt

SIR

SHOP NOWEUR 224
The best draped linen midi skirt - Rohe - On a white background
Draped check skirt

Rohe

SHOP NOWEUR 327
The best crinkled linen skirt - Toteme - On a white background
Crinkled linen skirt black

Toteme

SHOP NOWEUR 343

The best lace midi skirts

A lace midi skirt is romantic without ever tipping into overly sweet. The trick is contrast – pair the delicate fabric with oversized tailoring or a chunky knit to make the whole look feel a little more undone. Think less "wedding guest," more "off-duty romantic."


The best black lace midi skirt - Nineve - On a white background
Imra skirt

Nineve

SHOP NOWEUR 107
The best navy lace-trim midi skirt - Acne Studios - On a white background
Layered silk skirt

Acne Studios

SHOP NOWEUR 578
The best lace and silk midi skirt - Fleur du Mal - On a white background
Juliet lace and silk skirt

Fleur du Mal

SHOP NOWEUR 260
The best black transparent lace midi skirt - AJE - On a white background
Ophelia lace skirt

Aje

SHOP NOWEUR 296
The best transparent lace midi skirt - H&M - On a white background
Lace midi skirt

H&M

SHOP NOWEUR 32
The best black lace pencil midi skirt - Rotate - On a white background
Lace midi pencil skirt black

Rotate

SHOP NOWEUR 300

The best sequins midi skirts

Sequins should never be reserved for evening celebrations. If anything, they look even better in daylight. Style your sequin midi skirt with a worn-in T-shirt and loafers to make it feel unexpected rather than overly dressed up. It's the easiest way to make any day feel a little more special.


The best sequin skirt  - H&M - On a white background
Sequin skirt

H&M

SHOP NOWEUR 41
The best sequin midi skirt - Zara - On a white background
Sequin midi skirt

Zara

SHOP NOWEUR 38
The best silver sequin midi skirt - Baum und Pferdgarten - On a white background
Shania skirt

Baum und Pferdgarten

SHOP NOWEUR 199
The best green sequin midi skirt - Herskind -  On a white background
Anda skirt

Herskind

SHOP NOWEUR 410
The best purple sequin midi skirt - Joseph - On a white background
Cambo chiffon sequin skirt

Joseph

SHOP NOWEUR 278
The best black sequin midi skirt - Self Portrait - On a white background
Sequin high-rise midi skirt

Self-Portrait

SHOP NOWEUR 269