How to Style Midi and Maxi Skirts... By a Reluctant Skirt Wearer

AKA, how to not feel like you're in your old school uniform.

Jun 13, 2024

Plonk yourself in front of my wardrobe and you’ll find loads of trousers, jackets, shirts, and a fair few dresses. But skirts? That section is pretty lonely.

Skirts just aren’t something that I’ve gravitated towards for, well, years. I’m not sure what it is exactly — maybe it’s the fact that, in winter, I’d have to wear them with tights, which I don’t particularly like either. Maybe it’s an after-effect of having to wear a stiff, itchy school skirt for years and years — and at the age of 34, I still find myself rebelling. Or maybe it’s the shape. I love trousers because I can find them all in different cuts and shapes that instantly create an interesting silhouette in an outfit — something I haven’t really been able to replicate with a skirt.

Then last summer, a lovely small brand based in Paris got in touch and asked if I’d like anything from their collection. That brand was Siwone, and its ethos is one I’m very much behind. Everything is handmade to order in its Paris workshop using natural fabrics, and its collection of loungewear-meets-outerwear is perfect for relaxed summer style. I went for the ‘Simone’ set — a duo of pieces made from 100% Irish linen: a long-sleeved cropped top that takes inspiration from the Korean garment 'Jeogori'… and a linen midi skirt with a great folded-over waistband, tie detail and a small slit off to the side (makes walking much easier).

I surprised myself with the pick (see above re aversion to skirts) but I surprised myself even more with how much I wore it last summer. Maybe I AM a skirt person? It just took a while to find the shape and style that works for me.

Now, along with that linen midi skirt, I have another skirt in my collection. Granted, this is still only two — nowhere near the number of trousers I own — but for an item that I don’t wear all the time, two feels apt. That second one is from Raey (which I sincerely hope survives Matches’ administration). It’s a similar shape — long and straight — with a wrap front. It differs in that it’s black and made from a wool-blend herringbone, so it’s got a bit more weight to it than my linen one. It’s also got big patch pockets on the sides, which makes an excellent design detail (although I wouldn’t want to put anything too bulky in there).

3 looks with a black maxi skirt

Wearing: Reformation top, Raey wrap skirt (I wear my usual size), Anchovy pearl necklace via The Collaborative Store*, A. Emery ‘Jalen’ sandals, Shape of Sound ring via Young British Designers*, Monica Vinader bangle* (use this link for 20% off site-wide)

This skirt is pretty simple in its design: it has a nice long length (I’m 5’4” for reference) and asymmetric lines so it drapes effortlessly. It’s also sturdy enough that the wrap stays in place while you walk, so there’s no flashing (always a risk with this style). When it comes to creating an outfit with the skirt, I want to retain those clean lines and that simplicity as much as possible.

Enter a simple black, sleeveless top which, like a lot of great basics, can be surprisingly hard to find. This one from Reformation has a boat neck, giving it a slight point of difference from the regular round neck normally seen on this kind of top. The slim fit (I wear my usual size) gives the outfit a streamlined look, complementing the skirt. Throw in one of my favourite pairs of sandals and some simple silver jewellery, and I’ve got a look I’ll happily wear out for dinner, drinks, or meeting work clients this summer.

Wearing: Monokel ‘Ellis’ sunglasses* (use code **angharad** for 10% off site-wide), Rise & Fall T-shirt in buttermilk* (I wear size M), Raey wrap skirt (I wear my usual size), Salt-Water ‘Shark’ sandals in cobalt*, Shape of Sound ring via Young British Designers*

This look is more of a casual take that I’ll wear during the day to meet friends or to go out for breakfast. This T-shirt is one of my favourites that I wear often: it’s buttermilk, which is a slightly softer alternative to stark white, it’s made from 100% organic cotton, and it has a nice weight to it so it’s not see-through. I sized up for a looser fit, but I’d say choose your regular size if you’d like something a bit more fitted.

The T-shirt brings a more casual element when paired with the skirt, making this the perfect outfit for everyday wear. The fisherman sandals have the same effect, while the cobalt blue adds a touch of colour to the otherwise monochrome outfit.

Wearing: Organic Basics bodysuit* with Organic Basics cropped tank* underneath (extra layer needed because it’s a bit see-through! I wear size XS in both. Use code ANGHARAD for 10% off everything at Organic Basics), Hermina Athens necklace, Raey wrap skirt, Alpha 60 bag* (this colourway no longer available. Black version here), Beaumont Organic sandals*, Kate Young x Monica Vinader ring* (use this link for 20% off site-wide)

This isn’t too dissimilar to the first look but I love the effect of a simple black top with this skirt, so in reality, I’ll be wearing a lot of variations of this over the next couple of months. This time I’ve gone with a slightly different shape: a racerback bodysuit with a low neckline, with a cropped tank underneath because it’s a bit too see-through for my liking without (plus the tank gives me enough support that I can wear it as a bra).

I’ve opted for more black with the chunky sandals and accessorised with green accents to give it a differentiation from the first look (sometimes switching out a few pieces of jewellery can make a big difference). The beaded necklace gives the overall look a nice ‘summer’ vibe too, giving the all-black look more of a seasonal spin.

3 looks with a linen midi skirt

Wearing: Asket jumper* (I wear size S), Siwone linen skirt* (Whistles also has a good version this season), Shape of Sound ring via Young British Designers*, Act Series espadrilles* (old style, available in taupe here. Or similar black version here)

I’m probably not doing this skirt justice given how creased it is but hey, there’s only so much of my life I’m willing to spend steaming. There are a lot of things I love about this skirt — the natural colour, the linen that’s thick enough so it’s not see-through (nude knickers still required), the waistband detail — but perhaps what I love the most is that it’s easy. It’s easy to walk in (thanks to that side slit), easy to put on and easy to wear with multiple items in my wardrobe.

Here, I’ve worn it with a light merino knit in dark green; a look I’ll wear on those not-so-warm days we frequently get during British summers. I love the contrast of the green against the natural linen colour, while wearing a skirt with this jumper makes a nice change to my usual go-to of a pair of trousers. The espadrilles make sure this outfit remains ‘summery’ while giving a bit more foot coverage if it is a bit nippy out.

Wearing: Colombia Collective necklace*, Albus Lumen top (old. Similar here), Siwone skirt* (Whistles also has a good version this summer), Tkees flip flops

I wore this look a few times last summer. I wore a variation of it (with different jewellery) during a trip to the Loire in France and loved the blend of the boxy cotton top with the linen skirt so much, that it became my go-to outfit when I wanted to feel a little dressed up — but not too much. The top is a nice, rich shade of chocolate brown and has these incredible wide sleeves, so it was always feels as though it elevates anything else I pair it with.

The leather flip-flops are a smart/casual touch, while the gold pendant necklace adds a bit more colour and texture into the outfit. For an evening holiday look, this is one of my favourites.

Wearing: Annika Inez ear cuff, Toast top* (I wear size S), Siwone skirt* (Whistles also has a good version this summer), Alpha 60 bag* (in black here), Monokel ‘Ellis’ sunglasses* (use code **angharad** for 10% off site-wide), Zara Mary Janes (velvet now almost sold out. Leather version here), Monica Vinader rings* (use this link for 20% off non-sale items)

This outfit is definitely for the warmer days, when only a strappy top will do. The top is from Toast and is a lovely thick linen, which means I can get away with going braless (I’d recommend a sleeveless bra if you want more support, so you don’t clash with those thin straps). It’s a dark, inky navy, which goes well with the natural linen of the skirt.

There’s an old style rule that says you can’t wear black with navy. But I say ignore that — the two colours are classics and complement each other well — so I’ve added black Mary Janes and a pair of black sunnies to this look. Another colour comes into the outfit with the dark green bag; another classic shade that complements, rather than clashes with, the rest of the outfit.