10 Skirt Outfits to Keep You Cool for the Summer

Step aside, shorts.

You’ve probably been in this scenario before: You start pulling out your spring and summer pieces from hibernation only to be met with a little sadness. Those jean shorts you’ve worn a hundred times have finally lost their appeal. Sure, you could wear a pair of trousers, but what if you want something a little more relaxed or casual? Give your shorts a break this season, and switch up your outfits with a stylish skirt. They’re breezy and comfortable, and there are so many chic silhouettes, from mini to maxi and everything in between, to complement your style. A skirt outfit doesn’t have to mean dressed up or formal, though we have some great ideas for such occasions. Take the same approach when putting together an outfit with a skirt as you would with shorts.

Whether it’s a graphic t-shirt or a lightweight blouse, creating an outfit to go with your skirt is easy when there are a multitude of options. Ahead, you’ll find 10 fabulous skirt outfit ideas to step up your summer style game.

Monochrome Mini

The versatility of a mini skirt is unmatched. Whether hip-hugging or carefree and sporty like a tennis skirt, a mini skirt offers plenty of opportunities to explore all different style types. The key to creating a fashionable mini skirt outfit is balance. A shorter hemline means more skin and a chance to give your outfit layers perhaps with a long-sleeved blouse or a bright sweater worn under a lightweight trench coat. Mixing long and short layers creates visual interest especially when you finish off your look with cute ankle socks and kitten heel pumps or loafers

A Sheer Midi

A midi skirt shares in the carefree attitude of a mini skirt but comes with fullness and, of course, length. A loftier midi skirt works well with a crisp white oversized button-down shirt when you want something à la The Row and a bit more modest. If you lean towards a slimmed-down silhouette, a printed midi skirt with a plain t-shirt and leather jacket will have you looking cool and collected.

A Bold Maxi

Take the opportunity to really play with prints and colors when wearing a maxi skirt. It takes up the most real estate in your look so why not make it the hero piece? A simple white tee (the essential summer item) knotted just above the waistband paired with a printed maxi skirt creates a look that can take you from brunch to the farmer’s market without a wardrobe change.

A Sleek Pencil Skirt

A pencil skirt can easily be your go-to office uniform if you have a strict dress code. Still, there’s something very chic about a pencil skirt with a matching blazer and blouse; the key is to work with updated silhouettes. Opt for a blazer or jacket that’s slightly oversized or has strong shoulders. Add a silk cami in a neutral color to complement the look but not compete with the blazer. You can make the look more polished with a pair of pumps or toughen it up with some black combat boots.

An Elevated Wrap Skirt

Reminiscent of tropical getaways and lounging by the pool, a wrap skirt takes us on vacation no matter where we are. You don’t even need to opt for a tropical print if you’re not ready for out-of-office mode. A plain wrap skirt is perfect for creating a flattering waistline and visual interest through the front wrap panel. This skirt looks great with a bold printed top or a blouse with similar wrap details to mimic the skirt. Add a touch of vacation vibes with wedge espadrilles and a pair of large sunnies.

Asymmetrical Interest

It’s long, it’s short, it’s architectural, it’s ethereal. An asymmetric or handkerchief skirt offers so many style options, all of them capital F fashion. Since the skirt is the outfit's focal point, an oversized cotton button-up works best when it's slouchy and mostly unbuttoned. Finish the look with some classic loafers or neutral-colored chunky sneakers. A chic little shoulder bag in a bright color brings it all together.

A Pleated Skirt

Of all the ‘core’ trends to come out of TikTok, tennis core has shown lasting power, held up by the sporty but cute pleated skirt. A light terry sweatshirt with collegiate accents and simple white sneakers gives this tennis-inspired skirt an everyday charm. You can even opt for a full-on prep aesthetic with a sweater vest or rugby polo shirt for a polished look.

A Trendy Bubble Skirt

Our Y2K dreams have come back in the form of the bubble skirt. A must-have trend from the early aughts, the buoyant bubble skirt is here to satiate your love of all things nostalgic dressing. So as not to fall too far down the rabbit hole, keep a bubble skirt updated with a strong blazer and neutral-colored blouse or silk cami. The blazer's structure will keep the bubble skirt's volume in check for a modern approach to Y2K style.

A Peplum Skirt

The peplum waist has graduated from a twee trendy style to a sophisticated and cool architectural shape. Look for a peplum waist that has interesting details whether it’s oversized or creates striking origami-like folds. For such a bold skirt, you’ll need an equally bold top to match. A brightly colored or printed top with trendy heeled mules makes for an outfit that turns any walkway into a runway.

A Feminine Ruffle Skirt

There are several ways you can go when choosing a ruffle skirt. Either nose dive fully into the flirtiness of a ruffle and tulle skirt with a Peter Pan collar blouse and heels, or you can toughen it up a bit. A tailored jacket with sharp lapels towards formal, and when coupled with the romantic ruffles of a skirt, they create a balanced look, soft and hard. If you play around with the colors of your ruffle skirt pair them with color block tops and sneakers for equal parts feminine and fabulous.

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