Skirting round the issue
When I was a buyer at Monsoon, the department none of us wanted was skirts. Why? Because they were beyond frumpy and difficult to create outfits that someone other than your granny would wear.
But that is no longer the case. Skirts are most definitely having a fashion moment and a floral midi skirt is unbelievably achingly cool. Such is the cyclical and fickle nature of the fashion beast. I don’t have many skirts but one of my favourites is a black pleated (and very cheap) midi length skirt that I bought from H&M eighteen months or so ago and it has surprised me by how versatile it has been. In fact I am often reaching for it (with a piece of knitwear, boots and a leather jacket) way more than my dresses. So I thought it was high time I did a blog about this season’s swooshy, feminine numbers.
This isn’t the exact same one as mine but it is their current version for £19.99 and comes in black as well as red.
Uniqlo has this High Waist Chiffon Pleated Skirt £24.90 in pale pink, white and navy.
As a by the by, they also have a Reversible Tulle Skirt £24.90 which comes in light grey, navy, beige and blue.
I also popped into Reserved after a shopping trip with a client on Oxford Street. If you’ve not heard of them, they are Poland’s answer to Zara at H&M prices and have this Chiffon Skirt £24.99 in this fab green and light pink. It is sold out in green online but there were lots in store.
Or Jigsaw has this Pleated Midi Skirt £120 in this pink, a light blue and a very sophisticated petrol blue. Tucking the front of your sweater into the waistband can often make the difference between bang on and totally frumpy. And pair with a statement boot.
If chiffon isn’t your thing then Mango has this Pleated Midi Skirt £49 which is a gorgeous khaki pleather.
In a similar vein Zara’s Colour Block Midi £29.99 is very nice indeed and which you could co-ord to your heart’s content (that’s a fashion thing at the moment too) or wear with a roll neck now.
And while I appreciate this isn’t actually a skirt, you could very easily wear this Warehouse dress with a sweater over the top to create the same look: Colour Block Pleated Dress £ 79. It’s already out of stock in some sizes and low in others – proof, as ever, that you to buy things when you see them because the good bits always sell out.
Moving away from pleats now, Hush has a very good style in its Marina skirt £65 which it has updated this season in stripe form also £65. Just ignore the fugly sandals which are somewhat distracting particularly when it is freezing outside.
If you substitute the short sleeve for a long sleeve knit and add a jacket and tights then you are set for chilly days.
The other lovely style is a new one – Santana Skirt £45 which I have in this rust colour but which I am also wondering about in pink…
If it’s a print you are after then this Veria Frill Skirt £69 would be a versatile option thanks to the black ground. It is already sold out in 6 and 8.
Or if you are really forward-thinking or heading somewhere sunny at Easter then this Tabitha Maxi Skirt £65 would also be a very pretty style.
&Other Stories also has some more floral options to tempt and my favourites are this Pleated Midi Skirt £59
And this Floral Midi Skirt £45. As with the Hush options swap the tee for a nice sweater and boots and you are set. Or for a real fashion look go for a hoodie and trainers.
Over at Warehouse, this Songbird Midi Skirt £49 from their collaboration with the Barbican is disappearing very quickly and stock is very limited on their site but this is a goodie that works perfectly for now styled like this. Swap the knit for a tee or cami and you have a lovely summer option.
Or there is this Sweetpea Ruffle Skirt £49.
For a more eveningy option Whistles has this Satin Pleated Skirt £139 which also comes in red. And which you could dress down with a chunky knit and boots.
Or check out M&S for either this Pleated Midi Skirt £39.50. It is already sold out in some sizes though.
Or this Satin Tie Front Gathered Full Midi £55.
Now if you are not feeling the floral, super swooshy or the pleats but like the idea of something feminine for work that isn’t a pencil, then head to M&S for one of these styles:
Or Massimo Dutti has a gorgeous option in its Sarong Skirt with Belt Detail £89.95. Wear now with a roll neck and boots.
I realise that the Beast from the East may have put pay to all thoughts of fashion as we concentrate on the business of survival in the cold. But the snowy magic will be gone by Sunday and normal dreary service will be resumed. So you will definitely need a little something to pick you up and remind yourself that it is actually spring.
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