How To Wear A Midi Skirt In A Non-Sister Wives Way

Tina, here.

Don't get all excited that you can dig out your below-the-knee skirts you've been hoarding because you just knew they would come back in style. They didn't. But the midi skirt is in style. And there's a big difference.

Here we have the old-fashioned midi skirt that looks frumpy on all but the most hipster-y of hipsters, who make it seem ironic-terrible rather than just plain terrible. Image by Lara Vesquaz.

The midi skirt of 2015 is fitted. It hugs your legs and hips so that even though you are hiding them, along with your knees (these are some of the midi skirt's attractions), we can tell you still have them. Your legs, that is.

I like my midi skirts just below the knee, and not much longer. Mine is from Target. The perfect place to buy something on-trend because you really don't want to overpay for something we'll make you get rid of in 2 seasons. One of the quickest ways to age yourself is to wear an outdated trend.

Quick recap. Your Harold's paisley skirts that fall to your ankles are Done with a capital D. A 2015 midi skirt falls below your knees, but above your ankles, and it is fitted. Any other long skirt you own that is not a maxi, and that hits somewhere along your calves, and is not fitted, is not allowed. It's out of style. It's unflattering. Because it hits you, guess where, where the EVIL CAPRI does. No wonder it's a bad no-no.

So how do you wear a midi skirt in 2015?

It's about the rest of your outfit, and your shoes. No pointy-toe lady heels. And no flats.

1. The rest of your outfit has to be kind of on-trend. As in, nothing else can be frumpy.

Mules are a thing. Now, your mules from 1980 are not working. The really pointy-toed ones with the angled block heel? Yep, you know the ones. No, you need cool mules. As in updated. Otherwise your midi skirt will look ridic with a dated shoe. But don't over pay for those mules!! It's a trend, and you know our cardinal rule: no overpaying for trends. Shop my favorite (very affordable) fall mule and midi skirt inside the August Style Vault, Style Notes.

I paired my black midi skirt with a black t-shirt. Easy peasy. And a dramatic cuff.

2. Since you are hiding a good part of your legs, showing some arm or suggesting skin elsewhere is a good idea. But nothing too bulky.

Knee boots, longer skirt, sleeveless top. Just add a pashmina if you need a wrap. And notice my top is not fitted. It is fuller, but it is asymmetrical, which makes up for the fullness so I don't have a rectangle on top of another rectangle.

Side note: Going into fall, we get this question all the time. Your knee boots don't have to meet your skirt. There can be a good space between the top of your boots and the bottom of your midi skirt, showing skin. I also don't mind when the skirt extends over the knee boot. But keep your boots clean and simple.

Can you tell I really like midi skirts with knee boots? There's something very right about it. Wearing a plain old lady heel with a midi skirt tends to make it look like you just forgot to hem your skirt. And a flat is out of the question. You'll really lose all your height if you wear a flat with a midi skirt. I even scrunched up my skirt a bit here to get a little more leg.

3. If you are doing a bootie, it has got to be the right shape. It's all about the right proportions.

I just don't know that I am cool enough to pull off this look, the ankle bootie with a midi skirt. We typically tell our clients it is a big no-no. That's because there are so few correct booties that look right, and you kinda have to have bird legs like I do.

Look closely. See the dip in the front of the boot? That is what makes an ankle boot work with skirts of any length. When the bootie is cut straight across the ankles, you get kankles. And really short legs. And tree stumps. I even pulled up my midi skirt a little to make it look a bit shorter. See? It's just hard to get it right, so unless we style it for you, approach with caution.

Just showing you another ankle bootie. The correct shape - it dips in the front at the ankles. I'm still not sure I can pull it off...

How To Wear A Midi Skirt With Ankle Boots

This is my other midi skirt - it's a loden green silk. Pretty close to my black knit one, but a bit dressier. I think midi skirts are casual by nature, so that's another reason I don't like a pointy-toe lady heel with them.

Think you can pull it off, a midi skirt? And with a bootie? I would start with a wedge, a mule or knee boot. But never a lady shoe; that's what will make it look like a relic form the '80's. Midi skirts are going to be great going into fall when your short sundresses and skirts feel too bare. Just remember, do not pay a lot for one. They will be gone with the wind in a few seasons.

To shop these looks our Vault insiders have already been buying, check out the Style Vault. All our fab must-haves in one place, with exclusive discount codes. There's a reeeeally good discount on 2 of my favorite things.

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And hey are you gearing up for fall weather? Let me put it into perspective. Labor Day is in a month. Yikes. You are probably due for a wardrobe reset. If you're in Nashville, check out our amazing Nashville Wardrobe Consulting services. With us as your guide, you can access our in-store discounts and we'll get you looking like your most stylish self. All fall long.

You have done wonders for my life! It was such a pleasure to pull together just the right outfits for my trip, ...to attend shows and to have dinner with the future in-laws, all right from my closet! Thank you!

~ one of our Nashville clients

Thanks for reading and all the best,

Tina