I didn't discover my love of midi
skirts until a couple of years ago. Turns out, I was late to the game. Midis came about in the post-depression
late 1930s and early 1940s when conservative looks came back en vogue after the risque flapper era came to a close. After a resurgence in the 1970s, the midi has made
a comeback in more recent years.
The look is very Audrey Hepburn of Roman
Holiday, one of my all time style icons. Polished, feminine, and oh-so-flattering. The midi skirt paired with a
fitted top is the separates equivalent of a fit and flare dress. If hemmed at
the appropriate spot, just shy of the widest part of the calf, the A-line nature
of the midi lengthens the legs while also defining the waist. You can
accentuate the waist even further by adding a belt, sash, or
grosgrain ribbon.
The key to pulling off this look as a woman of petite
stature is a lifted shoe. I like to pair midi skirts with a tall, stacked heel,
a wedge, or a stiletto, all of which make the small portion of the visible leg appear longer.
I am particularly drawn to midis with bold patterns—think over-sized floral
prints, giant polka dots, wide stripes, etc. The bigger the print, the better the look. A
midi skirt makes a statement, so it's not a time to be shy with color, pattern,
or texture. A midi is also versatile. Paired with a chic fitted tee, a solid tailored blouse, or a
tight-fitting sweater, this skirt is an easy year round favorite. Below, I’ve shared
three of my best midis.
Black
and White. This beautiful midi uses a bold black and white pattern
with over-sized flowers. The substantial floral print is set off by the
use of negative space with the white background to the pattern. I will pair
this skirt with a black or white tee and some bold pointy-toe heels in a bright
red or yellow. I also think it would be cute to pair this skirt with a black
and white polka dot tee for a bit of a mix-and-match pattern look. Skirt: White
House Black Market.
Bold-Hued Lace. This fluted lace
midi is a bit more of an elevated look. Though you could pair it with a fitted
chambray top and a chunky brown wedge sandal for an everyday look, it would also
be a great piece for a spring wedding, paired with a white silk blouse. You
could have fun with color and pair this bright blue hue with a deep purple or fuchsia
top. You could even edge this into the fall with black ankle boots and a
leather moto jacket.
Green and Violet Floral. I love the
floral on this skirt—almost reminiscent of a Georgia O’Keefe painting. The
purple and green are a striking contrast that you often see. The rich jewel
tones make this spring, summer, and fall appropriate. I’m still searching for
the perfect purple top to bring out the violet hues, but I’ve paired this skirt
with ivory and black tops and a variety of different heeled shoes to make it
look different with each wear.
