Fashion 12 New Ways to Wear a Midi Skirt for 2023 By Drew Elovitz Drew Elovitz Instagram Twitter Drew is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has held positions at Teen Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, and Who What Wear. She always has a recommendation for a great TV show, nail polish color, or fancy dress to buy on sale. And, while Drew loves high heels, she is often found running around Brooklyn in workout gear and Birkenstocks. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on April 27, 2023 @ 10:00AM Pin Share Tweet Email Photo: Getty Images No matter how you define your personal style, odds are there’s a midi skirt hanging in your closet. And, if you’re still figuring out how to style a midi skirt, well, you’ve come to the right place. But, before we flood your feed with outfit inspo and shopping suggestions, let’s review the basics. Midi skirts first gained popularity in the 1940s alongside Dior’s famous “New Look,” which featured mostly A-line cuts, rounded shoulders, and cinched waists. Today’s midi skirts come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, which makes the style endlessly versatile, even 70-plus years later. In technical terms, the midi length is loosely defined as any skirt that ends a few inches below the knee to just above the ankles. However, the most universally flattering fit tends to be a skirt that hits mid-calf. If traditional midis as seen in suiting separates or with dramatic side slits aren’t your thing, no problem: There are many colorful varieties of midi skirts that are sure to be at home in the most fashion-forward, futuristic, minimalist, or modest wardrobes around the world. 10 Long Jean Skirt Outfits That Prove You Need a Denim Maxi, ASAP With that in mind, we’ve pulled 12 midi skirt outfits that illustrate the myriad ways this wardrobe staple can be worn. Everyone from iconic fashion editors to street style stars, It Girl influencers, and star stylists was snapped sporting a midi skirt at some point, so it’s safe to say there’s at least one look you’ll want to recreate at home. Ready to give the midi skirt a try? Let’s jump in… With Vintage-Inspired Accessories Getty Images Denim midi skirts seem to go in and out of style every few years, but here’s the thing: They always come back. Whether you’re a denim devotee, vintage aficionado, or just plain tired of wearing jeans in the spring and summer, then a denim midi skirt is an unexpected way to elevate an otherwise everyday look. With All Denim Getty Images Leave it to cool-girl Olivia Palermo to demonstrate how denim-on-denim can look super luxe. Her Zimmerman outfit is obviously wardrobe goals, but it is the simple styling with tall black leather heeled boots, a black turtleneck, and tortoise shell sunglasses prove how easy it is to elevate any denim-on-denim look. With Like Colors Getty Images If you’re not into the matchy-matchy look, try playing with different proportions, shapes, and washes. Special pieces like the denim bustier above work just as well with a longer denim midi as it would with a cut-off mini skirt or wide-leg trouser jeans. With Monochromatic Brights Getty Images If a midi skirt in an unusual color like nearly neon green catches your eye, create your own coordinated look by shopping for a top in a similar shade but in a different fabric. We love how the silk midi skirt and soft knit sweater complement one another. Bonus points for securing a matching bag! If You Buy One New Thing This Season, Make It a Maxiskirt With Cutouts Getty Images If a streamlined silhouette is the goal, aim for a midi skirt that comes with a matching top. Go beyond basic black and reach for an embellished version or style with unusual details like cut outs that take the midi from modest to modern. Plus, a fun statement top can be worn with so many other pieces, too. In Sultry Leather Getty Images A black leather midi skirt truly goes with everything. Keep this wardrobe staple on hand, and you’ll always have something to wear with a cute new top — matching blazer not required. As a Matching Set Getty Images The easiest way of integrating midi skirts into your wardrobe is by shopping for the style as part of a matching set. Think vintage Chanel suits, traditional workwear staples, and coordinated tops, like Heidi Klum wears here. You truly cannot mess it up! In a Simple Color Palette Getty Images There’s nothing basic about a wardrobe full of black and white. Wearing these colors as part of a monochrome look, print, or combined separates is a simple way to style any midi skirt. Give the outfit some edge with a leather jacket, have fun playing with proportions, or experiment with mixed materials. Even within a limited color palette, the midi is still incredibly versatile. With a Crop Top Getty Images A midi with a pattern or print tends to be the focal point of the outfit, so we recommend opting for a simpler top. Go for a plain white tee, or a black crop top in a different fabric to create an easy outfit. Dress it up with high heeled sandals, or give it an edge with black leather boots; the options are endless. In an Unexpected Texture Getty Images If you’ve found a special midi skirt that you absolutely love, but aren’t quite sure how to style it with pieces you already have on hand, then there’s only one thing to do: make your midi the focal point of the outfit. That’s it, that’s the look! In a Bold Hue Getty Images While midi skirts in black, navy, or neutral colors are great wardrobe building blocks, that doesn’t mean you have to stick with the basics. Experiment with the unexpected and create outfits around midi skirts in eye-catching hues like Kelly green, ruby red, and punchy pink for a more playful look. With a Graphic Tee Getty Images At longer lengths, midi skirts may feel conservative, but this more traditional style can be the building block for so many amazing outfits. No matter the fabric, fit, or label, there’s no right or wrong way to style a midi skirt, so just have fun with it!