12 Types of Skirts Every Woman Should Own: A Guide to Mastering the Art of Skirts

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Skirts are the garment that holds your closet together. Don’t know what to wear to work? Throw on a skirt and blouse. Want to show off your legs on a night out? Wear your best skirt and signature stilettos.

Emily Ratajkowski, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Krysten Ritter, and Sofia Vergara wearing different types of skirtsEmily Ratajkowski, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Krysten Ritter, and Sofia Vergara wearing different types of skirts (Credit: ROGER WONG / BauerGriffin / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Buying skirts with the same style is easy, but experimenting with different styles can make your closet even more versatile. There is a skirt for every occasion, from the ‘70s-esque mini skirt to the feminine ruffled style.

We’re covering every type of skirt you need to know and answering the most popular questions about ladies’ skirts.

While there are dozens of styles of skirts for women, we’re spotlighting the 12 skirts that every woman should try at least once.

1. Mini Skirts

The mini skirt is a silhouette that’s coming back with a bang. Style it with tights for autumn and winter while showing off your legs and staying cool in summer.

A mini skirt has a straight silhouette with the hemline falling mid-way down your thigh. Although miniskirts are popular for summer, you can find them in a variety of fabrics, including tweed and wool.

Mini skirts typically feature a straight hemline and extend to about midway down the thighsMini skirts typically feature a straight hemline and extend to about midway down the thighs

2. Flare Skirts

A flare skirt is an upgrade from the humble A-line skirt with a voluminous body that creates a whimsical look.

This short skirt flares out more than its A-line equivalent and sits above the knee. You can balance the volume of the skirt out with a fitted top for an elegant outfit.

Flared skirts sit above the knees and have a voluminous body, creating a whimsical lookFlared skirts sit above the knees and have a voluminous body, creating a whimsical look

3. Maxi Skirts

Embrace your inner Princess with a maxi skirt. It’s the perfect alternative to a full-length dress, with most silhouettes featuring a low waist.

This style is universally flattering and a summer essential as a beach cover-up. Most maxi skirts are made of lightweight fabric and can be styled with sneakers or heels.

Maxi skirts are universally flattering and versatile, often crafted from lightweight fabrics, making them a popular choice for various occasionsMaxi skirts are universally flattering and versatile, often crafted from lightweight fabrics, making them a popular choice for various occasions

4. Midi Skirts

Do you want the best of both worlds? Get a midi skirt. It’s a happy medium between the sexy mini skirt and the modest maxi skirt.

Midi skirts are one of the most popular skirt styles this season and can be made casual by styling with sneakers.

Midi skirts are skirts that fall between the knee and the ankle or at least 2 inches below the kneesMidi skirts are skirts that fall between the knee and the ankle or at least 2 inches below the knees

5. Pencil Skirt

One skirt every woman should have in her closet is a pencil skirt. It’s a staple for the modern woman as a naturally slimming silhouette that can be styled for business meetings or dinner with friends.

You’ll find this skirt in every pattern and fabric to accentuate your curves and elevate your look.

Pencil skirts boast a naturally slimming silhouette that can help accentuate your curvesPencil skirts boast a naturally slimming silhouette that can help accentuate your curves

6. Wrap Skirts

Skirts often replicate the silhouettes of dresses. The wrap skirt is no exception. It looks similar to a sarong, allowing you to wrap the skirt around your waist and tie it.

You can style it over a swimsuit or a blouse for a day in the office.

As its name suggests, wrap skirts allow you to wrap and tie the skirt around your waistAs its name suggests, wrap skirts allow you to wrap and tie the skirt around your waist

7. High-Waisted Skirts

Are you not sure what skirt will suit your body type? A high-waisted skirt could be the answer to your problems.

This skirt is ideal for layering with a short top and comes in various lengths. The higher waistline creates an hourglass shape and will accentuate your natural figure.

High-waisted skirts come in a variety of lengths and create a flattering lookHigh-waisted skirts come in a variety of lengths and create a flattering look

8. Ballet Skirt

Skirts are feminine essentials that add a whimsical look to any outfit. Channel your inner ballerina with a ballet skirt. This short tutu-style skirt typically comes in neutral tones and muted pastels.

Ballet skirts are composed of layered tulle fabrics and usually come in neutral or muted pastelsBallet skirts are composed of layered tulle fabrics and usually come in neutral or muted pastels

9. Mermaid Skirt

Skirts can be an elegant alternative to a little black dress for formal occasions.

The mermaid skirt has an intricate silhouette with a fishtail hemline, creating the illusion of a mermaid’s tail. Most mermaid skirts are midi or maxi-length and ideal for curvier body types.

Mermaid skirts accentuate a curvy body with its intricate silhouette and fishtail hemlineMermaid skirts accentuate a curvy body with its intricate silhouette and fishtail hemline

10. A-Line Skirt

Do you want a skirt that you can wear anywhere? Buy an A-line skirt. This knee-length skirt has a straight waistline with subtle pleats that add extra movement to the skirt.

Add it to your closet as a transitional piece to take you stylishly from one season to the next.

A-line skirts have a letter A-silhouette with a straight waistline and usually come with subtle pleatsA-line skirts have a letter A-silhouette with a straight waistline and usually come with subtle pleats

11. Tulip Skirt

A tulip skirt is a classic feminine style with pleats on the front of the skirt with darts used to create a shaping effect.

This skirt style was first made famous by Christian Dior in the 1950s and has remained a fashion staple ever since. It has a tapered hemline and pleating that resembles the petals of a tulip.

A classic feminine silhouette, tulip skirts have a tapered hem and pleats on the front that create the shape of a tulip petalA classic feminine silhouette, tulip skirts have a tapered hem and pleats on the front that create the shape of a tulip petal

12. Peplum Skirt

A peplum skirt is any silhouette, typically a pencil skirt, that features a short, flared piece of fabric at the waist. Peplum skirts can hide your stomach and are naturally slimming.

While peplum skirts are usually short, you can find longer midi-styles that are a business casual staple.

Peplum skirts are defined by the ruffled, flared fabric around the waistPeplum skirts are defined by the ruffled, flared fabric around the waist

FAQ About Women’s Skirts

1. What is the difference between a midi and a maxi skirt?

A midi skirt is shorter than a maxi skirt, with the hemline between your knees and ankles. By comparison, a maxi skirt is a full-length silhouette with a hemline that typically sits at your ankle.

Midi skirts gracefully drape between the knees and ankles, whereas maxi skirts elegantly cascade all the way down to the anklesMidi skirts gracefully drape between the knees and ankles, whereas maxi skirts elegantly cascade all the way down to the ankles

2. What is the difference between A-line and pencil skirts?

Pencil skirts have a straight silhouette, while an A-line skirt features subtle pleats, making the style less restrictive.

You can spot the difference between a pencil skirt vs. an A-line skirt by looking at the hemline. Pencil skirts sit tight along the thigh, while an A-line skirt will flare out.

A-line skirts have a letter A silhouette that flares out at the hem, while pencil skirts have a straight silhouetteA-line skirts have a letter A silhouette that flares out at the hem, while pencil skirts have a straight silhouette

3. What skirts are in fashion in 2023?

Skirts are one of the biggest trends for 2023, with micro trends leading the way. Maxi skirts are predicted to be the most popular skirt for 2023, with low-waisted skirts and miniskirts also being in fashion for 2023.

Maxi skirts, along with low-waist and mini skirts, are huge this 2023Maxi skirts, along with low-waist and mini skirts, are huge this 2023

4. What skirt length is appropriate for work?

The appropriate length of a skirt for work will depend on your height. Your skirt should sit at least at the top of your knees, if not below. Pencil skirts are a workwear essential as most sit at the knee.

Skirts for work should sit at the top or below your kneesFor professional attire, skirts should ideally rest either at the top of or just below your knees

5. What skirts suit pear shapes?

If you’re pear shape, you want to invest in knee-length and midi-length skirts. A peplum skirt can accentuate your waist, while a high-waisted skirt can create an hourglass look.

Pear-shaped women should invest in midi or knee-length skirts that could help create an hourglass lookPear-shaped women should invest in midi or knee-length skirts that could help create an hourglass look

6. What skirts hide your tummy?

Wearing a high-waisted skirt with a flared silhouette is the best way to conceal your stomach. It’s a naturally slimming skirt with pleating distracting from your tummy.

High-waisted flared skirts with pleats should help hide your tummyHigh-waisted flared skirts with pleats should help hide your tummy

There’s a skirt style to flatter everyone. While it can take some trial and error, a skirt that suits your body type can become a staple in your capsule closet.