How to Style a Maxi Skirt This Fall: 3 Street Style Looks to Emulate

Long hemlines aren’t just for prom and red carpets!

For most of us, maxi skirts aren’t in our daily wardrobe rotation. Why? Because there’s something intrinsically formal about wearing fabric that touches the floor. Long hemlines tend to signal important life events: brides wear princess-inspired ballgowns, bridesmaids wear column-like pastel dresses, celebs attend red carpet events in fancy floor-skimming gowns, and teens go to prom in overly bedazzled frocks. So wearing anything remotely similar to the office or grabbing coffee feels wrong — and figuring out how to style a maxi skirt without looking like you’re headed to an evening event can feel daunting.

But this Fall 2022 season, designers were determined to change the conversation. Acne Studios sent models down the runway in casual, colourful denim bottoms that started at their ribs and ended at their toes. Saint Laurent combined thirties glamour with modern minimalism to create slinky skirts. And Bottega Veneta was the talk of the town with its fringed leather finery.

So for anyone looking to step outside their style comfort zone (we promise it isn’t that scary!) and tackle this trend without looking like a red carpet wannabe, we break down how to style a maxi skirt this fall.

The Denim Skirt

Consider this double denim look your gateway to maxi skirts. It’s chic, casual and beyond easy to recreate. We recommend going to your local thrift store to find that perfect jean top and bottom, and after a quick trip to the tailor, no one will be able to tell if you’re wearing Gap or Gucci. To avoid impersonating Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake circa 2001, accessorize the ensemble with chunky sneakers and sunglasses — you’ll be bringing sexy back in no time.

The Leather Skirt

Thanks to Matthieu Blazy, Bottega Veneta’s new creative director, leather has never looked or felt lighter, and the rest of the industry is following suit. No longer just for an evening date or Danny Zuko lookalikes, the luxurious material should be your new daytime staple, especially when paired with a form-fitting blazer and knee-high boots. Bonus style points if you mix sultry earth tones with pops of vibrant colours, as seen on this influencer.

The Silk Skirt

If the 2020s have taught us anything, you need to be resourceful and adaptable. And while that mentality mainly applies to our on-again-off-again relationship with pandemic-related lockdowns, it also applies to fashion. So we’ll let you in on a little secret: if you own slip dresses, you already own silk maxi skirts. Just throw a sweater over your frock and you have a new outfit. As the skirt is quite sleek, go for volume on top with a chunky knit. Mix your metals and accessorize with gold and silver chains for added oomph.