I Won't Stand For Skirt Slander!

A few weeks ago I came across a video which I found highly disturbing as someone who loves the act of getting dressed. Jo Ellison of the Financial Times dropped the news that former-EIC of Vogue Paris Emmanuelle Alt doesn’t wear skirts. Categorically they have been struck from her wardrobe, and Ellison has seemingly followed suit!

These are both women whose personal style I’ve often looked to for inspiration over many years. Alt, in fact, helped to cement the simple, elegant French style we culturally salivate over. Google image search her and you’ll see: She wears jeans, she wears trousers, she wears leather leggings, but nary a skirt in sight.

While we all have the right to abide by our own set of fashion rules, I found it funny that the main complaint in the clip was how skirts are hard to style.

I feel completely the opposite. Skirts are breezy, yet they can dress up the casual. They can be fitted or flouncy, toe-grazing or almost revealing of the underwear underneath. Skirts are for everyone and every occasion! Thou shalt not slander them.

With how hot it gets in New York for half of the year, I often find skirts to be the simplest solution to summer styling woes (namely, wanting to wear as little as possible, but needing to look nice). In fact, most of summer my uniform is as follows:

Wearing: Marine Serre tank $144, Leset reversible skirt $240, Margaux woven sandals $340

• White tank top

• Skirt of any length

• Sandal or ballet flat

• Maybe a jean jacket or necklace for good measure.

It’s as simple as that.

In celebration of a skirt’s versatility, I bring you a visual guide to owning and styling skirts pulled from some of my favorite looks over the last year or two!

Wearing: J.Crew top (similar from Aritzia $23), Miu Miu skirt (similar from Damson Madder $165), Dior scarf $760, Frame sandals (similar from Toteme $560)

Worn during fashion week. A simple knit tee and skirt combo gets a little zhuzh thanks to a scarf tied around the hips! I know they are pricey, but for great prints and colors, peruse Prada and Miu Miu skirts on The Real Real. I’ve built up a collection of them over the last few years, and they’re always some of my favorite for adding some personality into my hot weather outfits.

Wearing: Buck Mason Tank ($48), Doen Skirt (similar, $228), Bode Jacket (via Grailed, $801), Tory Burch Romy Bag ($395), Nike x Jacquemus Moon Sneakers (similar, $115)

Worn on my bachelorette! I wrote an ode to long white skirts for The Cut back in 2024, but I still stand by it. It’s a must own for floaty summer fits.

Wearing: Merlette top (similar from Sea $265), Wales Bonner skirt ($329 in blue on TRR), The Row sandals ($400 via Poshmark)

Another fashion week outfit. This Wales Bonner skirt is a personal favorite that I’ve toted around the world, from London to Japan. It’s soft and stretchy, simple but with a little pop of personality.

Wearing: Agolde tank $100, Foundrae necklace, Mango leather skirt (similar from Madewell $50), Reformation sandals (similar $278)

Worn to a work dinner. Another riff on the classic, this time swapping a pleated leather skirt, which adds just the right amount of structure. Having just watched The Odyssey, Matt Damon and Robert Pattinson also co-sign this look. Need I say more?

Wearing: Tory Burch top (similar $395), sweater, and skirt $280. Frye boots $498.

Worn for a story I wrote for Glamour while I was working there last year. I think the playfully preppy print-on-print here works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’ve been seeing a lot of Summer boots out and about, and if your feet can handle it, I say why not.

Wearing: Martine Rose x Nike jersey $195, Dunst skirt $205, Freda Salvador flats $368, Miu Miu blazer (similar on sale from Kallmeyer $507)

Worn for another story, this time for Marie Claire about styling sporty pieces. This Martine Rose jersey feels particular relevant while World Cup summer is still in full swing. Styled back to preppier pieces like the pleated skirt is a fun way to make sport merch feel dressy.

Wearing: Khaite top, J.Crew skirt (similar from Tory Burch on sale $899) and boots on sale $207, Tory Burch bag $395

Worn to fashion week back in September! A real zinger of a skirt outfit, complete with a kooky color combo and shimmering paillettes.

Wearing: Dior top ($950 via Grailed), skirt (similar via Still Here $245), Veja Condor sneakers $210, my Marc Jacobs bag from high school $150 (via Poshmark)

Worn out and about in New York City. For a spicy little look (I’m normally not partial to miniskirts), this riff on the skirt and tank combo has a bit more of a Gen Z lean, especially because it’s styled with sneakers. Yet, I love it.

Wearing: Beyond Yoga Cross Country Jacket $168, Buck Mason Scoop Tank $48, J.Crew x Rouje Poeme Skirt (similar from Reformation $298), Prada Teva-Style Sandals $344 via Vestiaire, Jenny Bird Gemma Earrings $148, bandana $5, Prada Sunglasses $441 (last pair, on sale!)

Worn on a trip home to California in which I tried to resolve my casual west coast sensibilities with my dressier east coast everyday style.

Wearing: Argent blazer $395, Tibi skirt (similar from Aya Muse $595), Khaite heels (similar $980), Savette pochette $1490

Worn to a work event. Sheer skirts may seem risqué, but they’re great for layering. Perhaps under a long jacket or sweater, or maybe even under a dress or another skirt. Voila! An outfit is made.

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