2013 Skirt Trends: Bolder Silhouettes, Girly Designs, and Mixed Media

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The skirt designs that became popular last year were interesting. The silhouettes have gotten bolder, with many skirts sporting a full, volumized look.

It’s also the year for girly designs and mixed multimedia as designers teamed up fabrics and textures that haven’t been teamed up before.

That being said, let’s take a look back at the top skirt trends we have seen last year and the celebrities who wore them:

1. The Edgy Evolution of the Leather Pencil Skirt

Although a perennial favorite, pencil skirts have taken on an edgier flair with the incorporation of leather materials.

No longer frowned upon as a skirt that only strippers and whip-wielding women can rock, the leather skirt has become a winning option.

Captured at An Evening Celebrating The Global Fund in London, Georgia May Jagger exudes a sporty elegance in her leather pencil skirt, paired with a varsity jacket and sandalsCaptured at An Evening Celebrating The Global Fund in London, Georgia May Jagger exudes a sporty elegance in her leather pencil skirt, paired with a varsity jacket and sandals (Credit: WENN)

In September, fashion model and daughter of Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, Georgia May Jagger, sampled the trend and wore it with a sporty varsity jacket, a grey tank top, and a pair of sandals.

Elle Fanning's Airport Fashion Statement: Spotted at LAX, Elle Fanning redefines travel style in a snug tan leather skirt, complementing her girly persona with a pink suitcaseElle Fanning’s Airport Fashion Statement: Spotted at LAX, Elle Fanning redefines travel style in a snug tan leather skirt, complementing her girly persona with a pink suitcase (Credit: WENN)

The charm of leather skirts also lured young actress Elle Fanning despite her usual girly, vintage, and ethereal aesthetic.

Last year, Rachael Taylor, Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Emmy Rossum, Alexa Chung, Una Healy, and Rihanna were other celebrities who wore leather skirts.

Get These Leather Pencil Skirts:

AQ AQ Wayne Midi SkirtAQ/AQ Wayne Midi Skirt, $110.00

Jenni Kayne Peplum Pencil SkirtJenni Kayne Peplum Pencil Skirt, $795.00

2. The Renaissance of Full Midi/Maxi Skirts

Discover the timeless charm of midi and maxi skirts, where elegance meets modernity. These full-skirted designs echo the grace of petticoats, yet they achieve their mesmerizing silhouette through clever design elements.

It’s all in the details: the strategic pleats and skillful use of fabric create a voluminous, sophisticated, and contemporary effect. These skirts aren’t just garments; they celebrate style, blending classic inspiration with today’s fashion sensibilities. Whether dressed up for a formal event or paired for a casual outing, they offer an effortlessly chic option for any wardrobe.

At the 70th Venice Film Festival, Diane Kruger stuns in a black full skirt, teamed with a striped shirt for a maritime flairAt the 70th Venice Film Festival, Diane Kruger stuns in a black full skirt, teamed with a striped shirt for a maritime flair (Credit: WENN)

We spotted Diane Kruger wearing a black full skirt in the summer of last year. She looked stylish from head to toe, opting to style her skirt in a nautical way by wearing it with a striped shirt.

At the BMW i3 global reveal party, Laura Bailey charms in a cotton candy pink full skirt matched with a periwinkle knit topAt the BMW i3 global reveal party, Laura Bailey charms in a cotton candy pink full skirt matched with a periwinkle knit top (Credit: WENN)

Voice actress Laura Bailey looked adorable in a cotton candy pink full skirt styled with a periwinkle knit top over a white button-down shirt. We have also spotted this kind of skirt on Jennifer Lopez and Nichole Richie.

Get These Full Skirts:

Alice + Olivia Ball SkirtAlice + Olivia Ball Skirt, $484.00

Alice + Olivia Stapen Box Pleat SkirtAlice + Olivia Stapen Box Pleat Skirt, $277.20

3. The Allure of the Veil Skirt

Veil skirts became a red carpet favorite. What’s not to like? It easily gives a dose of sophistication. In fact, many have gotten away with wearing a long veil skirt and a simple halter or cropped top for red carpet events last year!

Ashley Benson dazzles at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards in a royal blue veil skirt with peplum details, a summer-perfect combination with a bustier top and coral pumpsAshley Benson dazzles at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards in a royal blue veil skirt with peplum details, a summer-perfect combination with a bustier top and coral pumps (Credit: WENN)

For her Teen Choice appearance, Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson gussied up in a royal blue veil skirt with peplum details. To keep her look great for the summer season, she wore it with a bustier top and a pair of coral pumps.

At The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party, Kate Moss elegantly pairs a veil skirt with a blazer, creating a chic two-piece illusionAt The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party, Kate Moss elegantly pairs a veil skirt with a blazer, creating a chic two-piece illusion (Credit: WENN)

Dresses with veil skirts are also quite the red carpet staple. Fashion model Kate Moss styled it right with the blazer, giving the illusion of a two-piece set.

Get These Veil Skirts:

Wes Gordon Gathered SkirtWes Gordon Gathered Skirt, $1375.00

AIR by Alice + Olivia Tulip Drape Front SkirtAIR by Alice + Olivia Tulip Drape Front Skirt, $220.00

4. The Pleated Skirt: A Preppy Revival

We got bitten by the preppy bug. Pleated skirts spearheaded the invasion of preppy style. Interestingly, many celebrities steered away from preppy styling when wearing pleated skirts!

At a Seventeen Magazine event in New York, Lily Collins steers away from conventional preppy style, combining a maxi pleated skirt with a cropped top for an edgy flairAt a Seventeen Magazine event in New York, Lily Collins steers away from conventional preppy style, combining a maxi pleated skirt with a cropped top for an edgy flair (Credit: WENN)

For example, Lily Collins went the edgy route by teaming her maxi pleated skirt with a cropped top and a pair of pumps.

During her Diamonds World Tour, Rihanna embraces a casual, skater-inspired look with a pleated mini skirt, showcasing the garment's street-style appeal and versatility beyond preppy rootsDuring her Diamonds World Tour, Rihanna embraces a casual, skater-inspired look with a pleated mini skirt, showcasing the garment’s street-style appeal and versatility beyond preppy roots (Credit: WENN)

When she visited Amsterdam last year, Rihanna looked like a skater girl in her shirt, sneakers, and pleated mini skirt. Boxy pleats, electric pleats, or micro pleats, this skirt has captured the interest of many celebrities, including Isla Fisher, Ashley Tisdale, and Katy Perry.

Get These Pleated Skirts:

Diane von Furstenberg Ricarda Lace Insert Pleated SkirtDiane von Furstenberg Ricarda Lace Insert Pleated Skirt, $465.00

BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated SkirtBCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Skirt, $228.00

5. The Flirty Flounce Skirt

Flounce skirts are those skirts that look like a cross between a pencil skirt and a pleated skirt. We think bloggers favored these skirts more because we’ve seen this trend on them more than we’ve seen it on celebrities.

At a Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week event, Olivia Palermo impresses in a flounce skirt dress, demonstrating the skirt's appeal in high-fashion circles and among trendsetting influencersAt a Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week event, Olivia Palermo impresses in a flounce skirt dress, demonstrating the skirt’s appeal in high-fashion circles and among trendsetting influencers (Credit: WENN)

Olivia Palermo wore a dress with that skirt for a Fashion Week event. We have also written about Kim Kardashian wearing this trend.

Get These Flounce Skirts:

Ostwald Helgason Drop Waist SkirtOstwald Helgason Drop Waist Skirt, $630.00

Mother of Pearl Floral Frill SkirtMother of Pearl Floral Frill Skirt, $505.00

Skater, origami, and wrap skirts make up the list of special-mention skirts. We think many of these 2013 trends will still be popular this year, so don’t cross them off your must-have list just yet!

But do tell us, which of these trends are your favorites? Which one would you like to stay trendy a bit longer?