Getting the max out of a maxi skirt…

Maxi skirt’s are traditionally thought of as a summer essential but after the rise of the midi-skirt into a fashion bloggers favourite over the last few years the maxi skirt is the natural successor to this new wardrobe hero and with a huge array of fabrics, styles, prints and colours there is a style to suit every taste and budget. As winter beckons I’m going to show you how to incorporate a maxi and/or midi-skirt into your daily, and nightly outfits to achieve maximum style points with chic casual looks to striking occasion looks. Where possible I’ve added links and put in the stock/product codes to make shopping really simple.

1. The perfect day to night skirt You can wear sparkle during the day – it’s not just for Christmas! If you want to dress this down for a chic day look just add a chunky knit in a neutral tone like cream, white or black and either add trainers or boots. To make this a day-to-night piece add a silk camisole or lace top in gold or black, add heels or in this case gold pointed ankle boots, a classic biker jacket or go all out glam with a faux-fur jacket and add a sparkly clutch bag to complete the look – perfect for drinking cocktails with the girls! This skirt is by a beautiful boutique Danish brand called Culture which I stocked for many years in my boutique, they use great quality fabrics which was well and even better this skirt has an elasticated waistband and is true to size. If you are petite this waist-band folds neatly to shorten the length of the skirt.

Chic day look

Necklace Accessorize 15.00 (5828418100)

Cream knit with button details Mint Velvet 89.00 (001014412)

Skirt Culture 59.00 – available in boutiques or online

Bag Topshop 29.00 (24S44PGRY)

White & gold trainers Topshop 28.00 (42C19NWHT)

2) Night-owl outfit

Earrings H&M 8.99 (0292453028)

Camisole in black Topshop 24.00 (13R26PBLK)

Skirt Culture 59.00 – available in boutiques or online

Faux fur animal print jacket Warehouse 89.00 (32559)

Gold leather boots Sosandar 95.00 (SS18FW07MC0017 )

3) Weekend day to night

This outfit initially looks ‘dressy’ because of the jacquard print skirt which is stunning and could be a show-stopping occasion piece, but by adding similar tones and contrasting textures we can dress it down yet still look really stylish and glamorous. I think this would be a perfect look for an afternoon shopping with the girls and heading straight out for dinner and cocktails! You could wear this piece for a winter wedding by adding bronze heels and a cream fitted silk top with either a cropped jacket or a long tuxedo style blazer for added style points. Then wear it again for a family lunch out with a big fluffy cream knit and trainers – this way you’ll use it more and you’re able to create completely different looks with the same skirt.

Earrings semi-precious H&M 17.99 (0677964001)

Cowl neck black camisole Lipsy via Next 20.00 L92-458

Jacquard print skirt Coast 179.00 (2092380)

Faux fur jacket H&M 69.99

Animal print trainers Mint Velvet 99.00 (14605)

4) Work outfit

A maxi skirt creates interest and impact as a work look, you just need the right accessories to compliment and enhance the look. I’ve chosen a gorgeous blue skirt from Next which has been specially designed to keep you at an even temperature, is machine washable, has pockets and is crease resistant making it a great travel piece. I’ve added a Next pussy bow blouse in white which can be tucked in to accentuate the waist and add definition and interest, and a classic Gucci handbag – a girl can dream! The earrings add a feminine touch and are from Accessorize. To keep it on-trend I’ve put an animal print boot in the mix although you could replace this with a simple nude heel if you work somewhere more traditional.

Earrings Accessorize 15.00

Boots Office 89.00

Skirt & Top Next 75.00

Handbag Gucci 1340.00

5) Weekend look

By contrasting the colours this creates a fun, casual look with pieces that can be used again, yet this outfit still looks chic and pulled together.

Top Can’t remember where this little number came from but Next have a good range of pink knits and if I come across it I will let you know!

Bag New Look 25.99

Skirt Next 75.00

Earrings Topshop 16.50

Trainers Puma from Office 69.99

6. Colourful casual

Add colour and texture with this amazing Anthropologie skirt – all you need to complete the look is simple, neutral accessories to let the skirt have the limelight. This outfit will have you swooshing all day long and feeling ultra feminine, add a biker jacket if you don’t want to do too much girliness!

Skirt Anthropologie 130.00

Cream knit with button details Mint Velvet 89.00 (001014412)

Trainers also Mint Velvet 89.00

7) Bright work look

Just by adding the tuxedo style blazer and boots this smartens up the look immediately.

Tuxedo Blazer Sosandar 89.00

Boots Marks & Spencer’s 69.00

Skirt Anthropologie 130.00

You can see how versatile a maxi skirt is and if you find the full-length too much, if you’re petite for example, there are hundreds of great midi skirts to choose from to create new and stylish looks. Just remember with a maxi skirt it’s all to do with proportion so play around with tucking in sweaters/knitwear if you feel you have too much fabric. I love a maxi skirt as it’s great alternative to jeans as a weekend casual look and very easy to wear if you’re not feeling the skinny-jean mojo that day. I am still wearing my white maxi summer skirt and having fun with different layers and looks with trainers, boots and adding chunky knits as the weather gets colder.

Let me know which is your favourite look from the outfits above and whether you might dip your toe in and try a winter maxi skirt. And if you come across a great skirt give me a shout here or over on my social media pages…

Until next time,

Abbey.