College Fashion Trend: Full Skirts
Full skirts are back and the selection is more diverse than ever. I’ve spotted girls on campus in every possible style: from ballet-inspired skirts to button-adorned denim options. From Marc Jacobs to Forever 21, there is a full skirt out there for every budget and taste!
How to Wear Full Skirts:
Now is the best time to buy and rock a full skirt – they’re perfect for the summer-to-fall transition we are going through! Here are some tips to wearing them right.
Still feelin’ the heat where you live? Pair your full skirt with flats and a printed tank! Starting to cool down? Bring out your favorite tights and booties!
Watch the fit! Full skirts should fit around the smallest part of your waist and have an “A” line flare that brings the eye straight down. This will create a slim, feminine silhouette!
Start with a neutral. If you aren’t sure what the best style is for you, start off with a denim skirt or a neutral tone. (Black is always a safe bet!) Check out my examples below for some cute neutral options!
Examples:
I’ve divided full skirts into two categories: neutrals and prints. As you can see from my examples below, the most common way to wear a full skirt is to pair a printed skirt with a solid bottom, and vice versa. Don’t feel as though you have to follow this idea, though, or that there isn’t any room for originality. Look for unique details (buttons, zippers) and personalized prints you love for an extra pop!
Here are a few cute skirts I love:

Product information: Black Skirt- Urban Outfitters, Printed Full Skirt- Marc by Marc Jacobs – at ShopBop, Denim Button-Up- Urban Outfitters
Printed Full Skirts:

Product Information: Floral Skirt, Abstract Skirt, Rose Skirt- all from Forever 21
Neutrals:

Product Information: Denim Skirt- Forever 21, Black Skirt- Rokit, Button-down Skirt- Modcloth
Example Ensembles:
Wondering how to wear a full skirt? Look no further than the following example outfits that will keep your look chic and balanced – perfect for going to class or in any casual setting.

Product Information: Tank- Net-a-Porter, Gold Necklace- Arden B, Boots- ShopRuche.com, Skirt- Forever 21

Product Information: Tank- Forever 21, Jacket- Miss Selfridge, Bag- Nordstrom, Black Booties- AmiClubWear.com, Skirt- Modcloth, Necklace- Forever 21
Thoughts?
What do you think about the full skirt trend? Do you own one? If so, how do you like to wear it? Post your thoughts!
Posted on on October 14, 2009 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Fall 2009, Outfits, Skirt, Trends

Before you post a comment, please read the 

Erin
I think full skirts are one of the best kinds of skirts. They look great on almost everyone and create an hourglass figure. They are also great for big-hipped girls like me who want to hide the largest by making look cute. This is also called an “a-line” skirt if your my grandma who loves these and is an awesome dresser.
Alexandra
I LOVE full skirts. The high-waist is so flattering on almost anyone, yet super-classy at the same time. A forever 21 just opened nearby and I’m really excited to get some new skirts. (and cheap cardigans)
Isabelle
I’m such a sucker for full skirts but my body type looks inflated in them. I had to give in to this notion at age 23. Now it’s only pencil skirts for me but in my next life I plan to come back and be able to use full skirts all the time ;)
Amy
I love full skirts!!!!! They are the most flattering type of skirt on me, and they are so much fun to wear. I really love the button down skirt from Modcloth.
Jess
YAY!!!! I love love love this trend and thank you for adding this post. I think they are so cute and can be worn in many different ways.
Loves it. :)
Dana
the skirts r so pretty =D
Cassandra
Great post – I love wearing skirts from the waist. The few I’m wearing aren’t meant to be worn that high (I hiked it up … I know, I’m classy :P) but when I do get around to getting one, I was thinking of going to one of the little oddball stores on the shopping side streets for an underskirt/tutu thing. Just to layer underneath for volume or a pop of colour or fabric.
Looking at what I wrote, I swear it didnt sound that bad in my head when I thought it, but eh, might as well try, right? :)
Luinae
I think high waists look so great because they really do create that perfect hourglass figure that so many people want. One of my favourites.
Lillian
I LOVE full skirts and I have for the last year or so. I discovered highwaisted skirts last year after I cut my past shoulder length locks into a mohawk! They made me feel SO girly and feminine even with my cropped hair. Unfourtunetly full highwaisted skirts with pockets were NOWHERE to be found in stores.
Luckily my mom taught me to sew when I was pretty young so I altered a pattern I already had and now all I need is 3 yards of fabric and a zipper and I can make a skirt in whatever print I want!
a really simple fully skirt pattern. Get 3x you hip measurement in fabric and sew it into a tube longways. Make a tunnel along the top and thread in your waist measurement -1 inch of elastic. Put it in and figure out where want it to end and hem accordingly! You could even add patch pockets if you wanted
Tamara
Hey, I have a question for the “what do I were there” section:
Next November, I’m going to give a lecture out of town, in another college in a village next to the beach. I live in Argentina, so November means spring-going-summer, but in the coast the weather is usually windy. I have to look “serious” and put together, but not too formal, and young (I’m 20). I’m thin, kinda short (but with long legs) and I have a lot of back problems so I cannot wear high heels. Can you help me??
PS: lovin’ this trend! I have a grey full skirt but I usually wear it only at night. Tryin to find the courage to wear it for class!
The Budget Babe
a timely post, just saw a pic of ivanka trump in a full flouncy skirt and now i’m trying to recreate it for myself!
Deanne
These skirts are so adorable! I like how they’re modest, yet stylish at the same time. I can even wear them to church! :)
Kristina - University of Arizona
Lillian: I LOVE your DIY tip!! I, too, love to sew and will definitely be making my own skirt according to your instructions!!
Tamara: The “What Do I Wear There” series is written by another intern, Colleen. I’m sure she would love to answer your fashion question. The best way to reach her is by leaving a comment (such as you did here) on her most recent blog:
http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/what-do-i-wear-there-colder-weather/
Otherwise, you can e-mail zephyr AT collegefashion DOT net and she will forward your information to Colleen!! Best of luck!! Xoxo!
Tamara
Thank you Kristina!
cory
i love full skirts! i was just wearing one tonight – a super cute navy blue one with pockets that i got from H&M. i have to be careful though, because i have small shoulders so full skirts can make me look completely unbalanced. tank tops and full skirts together rarely work for me, unless it’s a tank that makes my shoulders look a little broader. so i usually pair it with cute short sleeved shirts.
i only really wear them at night though, but i’m a jeans type of girl during the day and dresses and skirts girl at night.
Lady In Evening Dress
I love high waist skirt , but my body shape doesn’t allow me to wear . but I really love your post . Thanks , great compilation
Valeria
I love how it looks! :D But it doesn’t look so cute with my body type (kind of a full latina, lol)
But I’m glad this skirts are back! :)
Alana @ The Comm Ave Strut
I have about 2.5 million long skirts that I really haven’t worn in forever. I went to a religious Jewish school, so many of my friends would wear long skirts everyday. I sort of picked up on it, even though I would wear pants as well. Needless to say, I have tons of below-the-knee skirts left over from high school :)
Cara
Ah! Tres adorable! I love the Modcloth button-up number, the abstract-print grey skirt, and actually the first picture of the red ballet-type skirt is one of my favourites! I love skirts, and every time I wear one I just feel like dancing all day (I actually have a number of real ballet skirts still around from shows). Also, just for skirt inspiration, near the middle of Anna Nalick’s music video for “Breathe 2am,” she is seen sitting down in this wonderful, full, ruffled skirt. Must add one of those to my shopping list.
Cathy
I LOVE full skirts. I’m going to have to keep an eye out for the first skirt from Forever 21 because I really like that one. Super cute!
Lydia
nice!!
Alex
I love full skirts! They’re super cute! =)
josie
i love this post! :)
i love skirts but i couldn’t really find any that i had liked but I loved the one from forever 21. great job!
Steph
OMG Modcloth is amazing! I just checked out their website and there’s so much nice stuff, and all the skirts have little waists perfect for hourglass figures like my poor neglected one!
Problem: I live in UK and shipping is expensive :-(