The last time I wore a skort (skirt meets shorts, FYI) was 10 years ago at university, when I bought a bright white Zara mini skort that I wore on nights out. It was one of those random trends I thought was set to stay firmly in the past – until now.
We’re predicting skorts are set to take off for summer 2023 in the biggest way yet, with Wimbledon outfit trends holding court once again, alongside all the preppy tennis white looks at play on our Instagram and TikTok feeds. The first indication was the re-appearance of a very similar bright white skort in Zara, and other high street brands have started to serve various iterations of the Y2K-favourite skort since.
Skorts are no longer just for playing sport in or for wearing to the gym. Brands are introducing denim, cargo and colourful versions for the new season. So, while we might pick out a sporty skort for actually playing tennis in, there’s now loads of other opportunities to wear them, including festivals, holidays, and even the office.
Short skorts will always be on the playful side, but, if you pick out the right fabrics, they can definitely be elevated for smarter occasions, all with the added practical benefit of the shorts underneath. Let’s be honest, wearing a short miniskirt can be a nightmare if you’re travelling, commuting or at work, but shorts add that extra sense of security and comfort.
So, how are we wearing skorts for summer 2023?
For a festival
Denim skorts are a great option for wearing to a festival, as you have all the practicality of wearing a pair of shorts with a new spin to stand out from the crowd. On a practical level, darker washes or black denim is the safest bet for wearing at a festival when you’ll be sitting and standing in muddy fields all day long.
Key outfit addition:
I love the idea of contrasting the black denim with this metallic bodysuit, which, alongside denim, was a huge trend I spotted at Glastonbury this year.
For the office
Yes, skorts can be office appropriate. Unless your office has a very relaxed dress code, denim skorts are likely to be too casual, so I’d suggest sticking to sleeker fabrics and fits, like this clean split skort from ASOS. Tapping into another one of the summer’s biggest trends, Barbiecore, and sticking to block colours is another tip for making sure your skorts look as smart as possible.
Key outfit addition:
If you’re worried about keeping this look office-appropriate, balance out the mini length of the skort by avoiding tanks and camis and sticking to shirts and statement blouses instead. I’d go all-out on the Barbiecore trend and colour-block this outfit, pairing the pink skort with a pink shirt (it doesn’t matter if it’s not the same pink!).
If the weather’s undecided, throw on a blazer on top. You’ll ace the look with an oversized and structured style.
For brunch
This light blue denim skort from Levi’s has ‘summer weekend’ all over it, whether you’re meeting some friends for brunch, a picnic in the park or you’re packing for a mini-break by the sea.
Key outfit addition:
Wear your skort with a statement tee or broderie Anglaise blouse, depending on your outfit vibe, and a pair of trainers or sandals. With a skort as versatile as this denim one, you’ll have lots of options for outfit pairings.
For dinner
This high-waisted black skort is destined for drinks and dinner evenings, paired with simple black strappy sandals or cowboy boots. I’d keep the look monochrome, or mix in metallics and sequins, to really elevate the skort, which is simple but undeniably sexy.
Key outfit addition:
This skort draws attention to your legs, so keep the rest of your outfit sleek and simple with a bodysuit, adding an oversized blazer if you need. Effortless.
For the airport
Turning to a sportier aesthetic, an airport outfit is the perfect excuse to mix comfort with style by wearing a preppy skort and bougie loungewear.
Key outfit addition:
Pair a sporty skort with a varsity sweatshirt and preppy cap and you’ll fly straight into summer’s expensive looking aesthetic.
For holiday
Holiday + sunshine = the perfect time for a micro mini skort.
Key outfit addition:
We’re obsessed with everything crochet this summer and a crochet top would be the perfect pairing for this bleached denim mini skort, whether you’re heading to the beach or are on a hot city break.
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