Sorry, Jeans—I'm Wearing These 6 Pretty Skirt Trends This Summer Instead

Okay, so jeans will probably remain a firm fixture in my wardrobe this summer, but after months of wearing little else, I'm more than ready to shake up my style a bit. And it would appear I'm not the only one who feels that way. If last year was the year of the tailored trouser, then 2023 is absolutely the year of the skirt—I needed only to look to my Instagram feed for proof. 

Right now, skirts are a recurring theme on the platform, with many of my favourite dressers beginning to embrace the warm, early days of summer with some truly excellent skirt outfits. Aside from perhaps satin slips and tennis-style pleated minis, skirt trends have been few and far between over the past few seasons, but 2023 is a different story altogether. As we speak, there are six skirt trends that are taking over this season, and they're not the usual suspects. Scroll on to discover the biggest skirt trends of 2023; they're so good you too might be tempted to take a break from your jeans. 

1. Asymmetric Pleat

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(Image credit: @astyleedit)

Just when you thought you'd seen every iteration of the pleated skirt, along comes trending asymmetric hemlines. Now that you've seen it, I'm telling you you won't be able to unsee this trend. 

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2. Maxi Column

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Maxi skirts were all over the summer 2023 runways, and now we're beginning to see their influence on our real-life wardrobes. Look for heavy jersey styles that will accentuate the column silhouette. 

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3. Ball Silhouette

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(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

On the subject of silhouette, can we take a moment to appreciate the revival of the ball skirt? Associated with Dior's New Look from the 1940s, although classic, this is a skirt trend we haven't seen make a comeback for a long while. Now, it's here to make your summer outfits even prettier. 

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4. Cargo

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(Image credit: @champagnemani)

Of all the Y2K trends we've witnessed over the past few years, the one that's proven itself worthy of sticking around is the cargo trend. We saw it on trousers, but now pockets in utilitarian hues are appearing on skirts. 

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5. Denim 

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Denim skirts never go out of style, but rarely are they at the top of the fashion agenda. However, this summer, denim skirts have never been more in-demand. Tick off two trends in one with a full skirt silhouette, or keep things streamlined in a pencil style. 

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6. Mismatch Print

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(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Floral-print skirts always make an appearance in the warmer months. For 2023, however, midis with clashing, mismatched prints (often floral) are emerging as a need-to-know style. 

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Next Up, Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: 21 Expert-Approved Looks You Need to See

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.