Fashion Challenge: Maxi Skirts
Photo Credits: 1 – Mary Kate Olsen, 2 – Denni via Vanessa Jackman, 3 – Kyla via Blue Collar Catwalk
When I think maxi skirt, my thoughts automatically fly to peasant skirts: You know, those boho bottoms that the Olsen twins popularized during their early days at NYU? While they certainly had their run, I’m happy to tell you this post isn’t about peasant skirts. It is however, about their sleek lookalike: the maxi skirt. Its long and shapely silhouette, versatility, and minimalist vibe make the maxi skirt the perfect Fashion Challenge for you to try!
Maxi skirts are great because they are more versatile than a maxi dress: You can pair them with almost any shirt, blouse, or cami in your closet, plus they are perfect for layering. As a bonus, maxi skirts work for both summer and fall: designers like Richard Chai and Peter Som utilized the long skirt in their fall collections. But just a little warning: this look takes courage — it’s not a trend for the fashionably faint at heart! Do you think you can handle this Fashion Challenge?
Tips and Tricks for Rocking the Maxi Skirt
- Balance is key. Because your entire bottom half is covered, don’t be afraid to show a little skin on top. Mary-Kate pairs her maxi skirt with a deep v-neck in picture one (talk about a great opportunity to sport your favorite American Apparel tee). If you are too curvy for such a low cut top, try a simple button-up with a little skin showing at the neck, as Kyla does above.
- Take advantage of this figure-friendly piece. If you are self conscious about your legs, this trend was made for you! It completely hides thicker legs, making them look sleek, while also allowing you to showcase other features you like best about your body. This skirt also adds length to your bottom half, especially if you choose a high-waisted version, so all the petite ladies out there should take advantage of this as well (be sure to get a slim skirt – too much volume will overpower your fame). Just look at how long MK’s legs look above!
- Find the right length. Ideally, the skirt should just brush the tops of your shoes, so shop for the length appropriate for the shoes you plan on wearing that day.
- Avoid the peasant skirt look. Steer clear of a bohemian vibe by looking for skirts with a minimalist design. The easiest way to work this look would be with basic neutrals. That doesn’t mean that you can’t pull off a pattern; just stick to modern graphics, like Kyla’s bright plaid above, or Elisa’s stripes seen below:
Photo Credit – Elisa Nalin via All the Pretty Birds
Get The Look
Product Information: Maxi skirt – Dorothy Perkins, Printed top – ModCloth, Belt – Urban Outfitters, Blazer – Old Navy, Heels – Piperlime, Knot bracelet – ASOS, Snake print bangle – ASOS, Embellished sandals – Nordstrom
This look is a great example of the transitional quality of a maxi skirt. For warmer weather, tuck in a printed blouse and belt at the waist. Slip on some fun bangles and embellished sandals for an easy-going look. (I think this would look especially cute with a loose side braid.) When fall rolls around, throw on a coral blazer for warmth and color and stick with a closed-toe heel the same color as the skirt to keep the leg-line long and lean. It’s especially nice when a trend will last you more than one season, so take this opportunity and run with it!
Extra Credit Reading
Can’t get enough of the maxi skirt? Check out these sources for more styling advice, photo inspiration, and plenty of ideas:
- FabSugar TV did a great review of the maxi skirt on the fall runways.
- Check out another blogger’s (a Glamour fashion blogger, to be exact) take on the trend here.
- More of a picture person? Check out Lookbook.nu’s database of looks featuring maxi skirts to get your creative juices flowing.
http://www.collegefashion.net/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=20946
CF Reader Outfits
We asked you to take the challenge, and here are some maxi skirt outfits sent in by fellow CF readers. Want to see yourself on this post? Just email a photo of your Fashion Challenge look to zephyr AT collegefashion DOT net!
Talisha
We love how the gorgeous Talisha (pictured below) rocked her patterned maxi skirt with a waist-cinching belt and simple black top and minimal accessories. According to Talisha:
“I rocked this amazing black and white print maxi skirt (it was a dress but i just pulled it down (: ) from H&M last year. Even though I’m only 5’5” I always get a lot of compliments on it. (One girl even bought the same dress,but couldn’t quite carry it off like me.) It’s all about confidence!”
Click image to enlarge!
So, will you take the Fashion Challenge?
Are you bold enough to pull off this look on campus? Do you think a maxi skirt works better for day or night? What shoes would you pair with a long skirt? Already work this trend? Send us pictures of you in your maxi skirt and we’ll feature them here! As always, we are open to suggestions for future fashion challenges and we’d love to hear from you!
Posted on on April 21, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Fashion Challenge, Featured, mary kate olsen, maxi skirt, Spring Trends, Trends
Like this post?
Comment Rules: CF is a positive place and our comments section is no different. Constructive criticism is fine, but if you're rude, we'll delete your comment. Please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name and do not put your website in the comment text, as both come off like spam. For more info, see our 
Milana
I love it on Mary Kate. That girl can pull everything off!
Good post!
Charlotte
I am so too short for this :[[[[
I'm never really sure how I feel about maxi dresses and skirts. I'd probably love them if i was 5'10 with looong legs.
but i'm 5'5 with short little legs!!
mary kate looks fierce though :]]]
charlotte
xxx
JillAnn
CF: any tips on making this work look for short ladies?
Caroline
Mary Kate is the only person I’ve ever seen that can pull of this look. I’ll probably be passing on this one
Christina
Mary Kate is definitely able to pull this off very well! I like it
Questioner
I don’t understand the use of the word “curvy.” I’m not picking on this article or writer in particular, but the fashion world in general. On the one hand, “curvy” is used to describe the likes of Beyonce and Kin Kardashian, who are slim but have some natural shape to their bodies. On the other, such as used here, it is a used a nicer word for fat. I truly don’t get it. Why can’t “curvy” girls wear shirts with a low cut top? Why do girls with “thicker” legs need to keep them covered?
Chloe
I wore such an outfit yesterday!! It was a African print maxi dress I had made last year with a yellow tank top over top and a brown belt to cinch it and I got sooooo many compliments!
I’m only 5″4′ and I totally rocked this!
As long as you find feel good in it, you should do it! (I didn’t have to shave my legs either which made it even more wonderful)
Rani
Personally, with a more slender, less curvy figure, I can’t really pull of the maxi look. To me it just makes me look like I’m trying to dress really conservative, and swallows me whole. Great article though!
Audrey - Ohio State University
Questioner:
I stated: “If you are too curvy for such a low cut top”, referring to the fact that some ladies with larger busts (like myself, mind you) have a hard time pulling off extremely low cut tops like MK’s because they often show just a bit too much. Implying that someone has a large bust does not imply that they are fat—in any way.
I don’t know how you misunderstood that as”a nicer word for fat”, but I’m proud of my “curves” no matter how you choose to take it!
I am not telling anyone to cover up their bodies, I am simply offering suggestions on how to use this piece to camouflage body parts that women are self conscious about. If you aren’t self conscious about anything, I say more power to you!
So from here on out, you can read the word “curves” as “hourglass figure” if that helps you.
Thanks!!!!
Bridget
“Avoid peasant skirts” – that’s great advice. Peasant maxi skirts are so often (obviously) associated with boho style, which can in turn be associated with hippie style, which means “sloppy” to some. Sticking to sleek and elegant will do the trick.
Holly
I would definitely wear a long sleek black skirt… with just a *touch* of hugging at the hips… in fall and winter time. It’s easy to put with a lot of things. I’m not so sure I would wear something like this is summer though. It looks weird to me. I guess in summer a white or cream of the same style would be nice, but I’m always iffy about anything that light as a bottom. It can get filthy so easily…
Ariel
Ahh, I’m staying away from this one. None of the pictures are appealing to me, they all remind me of skirts my mom unflatteringly wore in the early 90′s.
Josie
I absolutely love floor length skirts. But why exactly would we want to “avoid the peasant skirt look”?
I’m not a fan of the slim maxi skirt – way too 90′s for me, just like Ariel mentioned, plus I just don’t like the way it looks when you try to walk in it. Instead, I prefer mine with a little bit of volume and a hippie-ish, indian or peasanty vibe. I guess it all comes down to individual taste.
Ashby
I once had to wear a hunter green maxi skirt in a wedding when I was eight – just can’t get that image out of my head when it comes to the skirts.
Daria
I have been looking for a long black maxi skirt like Mary-Kate’s that hugs and is sleek. The problem is I’m 5′ 9″ and I don’t want it to cut off at the ankle I want it to look the length of Mary-Kate’s. Any advice on where to find such a long, sleek skirt.
Chelsey
I really like Mary Kate’s outfit. I used to have one of those peasant maxi skirts back when they were in, it was really comfortable. If I can find a maxi skirt that doesn’t swallow me whole (5’2″) I’ll definitely get one.
Jojo
This is one trend that I definitely think I can pull off …. I’m on a mission to find one now!
Also, regarding the “curvy” issue …. when I read this post, I read “curvy” and understood it as having big boobs.
I know what you mean about “curvy” meaning different things though … I guess it just depends on the person, because curvy means different things to different people.
Julie
I can’t get past the Amish/Orthodox Jewish vibe I get from this look, I don’t think its for me
Melissa
Questioner:
I also think Audrey meant curvy as in a girl who has a larger bust. I have a larger bust and it is obscene for me to wear an extremely low cut top so I understand. Also, the part in the article about thicker legs is implying that some girls are insecure about their legs and like to keep them covered. If you are one of those girls who is not comfortable enough to show off your legs (thick or not), this trend is for you, and that is what she was saying. Hope that helps you!
Iris
I think if the maxi is slim and has a slight A-line, it’d be very elegant – the skirt would swish like a bell as you’d walk.
The only problem is the tripping + fire hazards…
Glass Of Venice
Long, flowy maxi dresses have been dominating for a few seasons now so it was inevitable that the maxi skirt would follow!! The maxi skirt is absolutely perfect for a warm spring day where it’s too cold for short or a leg-baring skirt but a little too warm for pants.. Your blog is very interesting.. Thanks for sharing..
Talisha
I love the styling tips for this!
I rocked this amazing black and white print maxi skirt (it was a dress but i just pulled it down (: ) from H&M last year.
Even though I’m only 5’5” I always get a lot of compliments on it (one girl
even bought the same dress,but couldn’t quite carry it off like me)
It’s all about confidence!
Maxis are definitely reserved for drier days, rain and maxi skirts/dresses are not the best look XD I say try it on in the stores before you dismiss it!
You might be pleasantly suprised.
Jodi
Hmmmm i don’t know about this trend although i do think mary kate looks really good in hers. Like poster Daria i am 5’9 so finding the right length would be key. There are tons of maxi skirts at my local thrift store but i have never tried them. it is something to consider. Good post guys very interesting!
Madeleine
I am definately not bold enough to pull off this trend!! This look takes courage and while I have fashion courage (I wore colorful leggings all throughout the winter) I don’t have enough to wear a maxi skirt.
Zoe
I think this look should be reserved for second grade teachers! Not much of a fan!!! I’ll pass…
Audrey - Ohio State University
Chloe and Talisha,
I would love to see pictures if you have any! It would be great to feature reader’s pictures on the blog!
Zephyr - CF Editor
Added Talisha’s look to the post! Love how you rocked this challenge Talisha – so cute.
Anon
I have to admit to being a big fan. If done right it can look very chic. Also, to those like me who are a little vertically challenged, Mary Kate is supposedly a tiny 5’1″ / 5’2″, so maybe its more about shape or proportion than height…
gmstone bead
these are very charms….where can buy….
Jessica
urgh no thanks. these long dresses are totaly for old ladies.
Joanne
The right maxi dress or skirt can really present a sexy vibe.I often pair a knit maxi skirt with a halter or tank top,you can’t beat the comfort or the sexy look !
Lia
I love maxi skirts, and these outfits are great.
Still… What’s so bad about peasant skirts? I love them. It seems to me you told everyone to avoid them, but not why.
Confused…?
Angela
I am 5’4 short and I wear only maxi skirts!They make me look taller but just if I wear them high waisted :) I give you a tip : use always a belt…it looks good :D
Allison
Mary Kate’s was definitely the best, she balanced it very well. I love this look! But honestly better pictures could have been chosen to show the real trend…
Anna
How tall do you have to be to pull this off? Or is the question how tall should your heels be to pull this off?