Obviously (OBVIOUSLY!!!!) I’m very happy about all the skirt talk this season. I’ve worshiped at the altar of skirts since I could dress myself (really, ask my mom!) and it’s fun to see everyone else just as enthusiastic.
I’m referring to the Spring 2027 fashion collections that are well underway in Europe right now. Prada’s show on Tuesday left the critics smitten. Cathy called it near perfect and Nicole’s texts were burning. I might argue it would be hard to find someone who did not find at least one something to love in the mix. There were so many shapes to consider. And knits. And great leather jackets. Extremely cool sunglasses. They are leaning into wardrobing in their own way and we are not mad at it. However, it was anything but easy dressing.
I, the #1 knee legnth skirt fan of all time (ok maybe second only to Mrs. P.,) found many to ogle over. My only irk being the itty bitty bras accompanying half the looks. I’m fatigued by half looks. There, I said it. But I also get it. It’s a statement of our times. We are body obsessed. And there is, unfortunately, power in thinness – made extremely clear by the extreme use of GLP1s. A fellow show-goer whispered to me during one show that she heard even the models are on it.
But beyond the whole skin is in thing…the reason why those various bras (bra-like-tops?) worked so well at Prada, is because skirts are not inherently cool!!!!!!
They are prim. Ladylike. Dressed. Effortful in look – though actually very easy in action. It’s hard to wear a skirt and feel laid back in the way a great pair of jeans gets the message across instantly.
The pretty young things downtown have been donning the slip skirt low across the pelvis as a method of cool the past few years, with baby tees and ballet flats. It’s closest we have come in quite some time to making the skirt feel young and fresh. Maybe since Y2K, the last time that exact look was popular. But what we are seeing here is so much more than the the slip. These are skirts with thought, decoration, structure. It’s harder to convince someone you rolled out of bed and threw on a thick wool wrap skirt with rhinestone encrusted snaps.
In the same way that Prada’s fall 2026 show seemed to be a study in straightforward layers that can all be piled on without a second thought, these skirts seemed like a message of intentionality. They were rigid and singular and statements all on their own.
When discussing our preference for skirts after the show, friend of 5 Things said that she often feels that the weirder the skirt is, the easier it is for her to wear. When the skirt has so much life in it, the shirt or knit can be simpler. As a New Yorker, I agree. It’s also a very easy day to night option, an obsession all New Yorkers share. But Lauren S. who has been wearing more skirts since moving to Paris said she won’t pack any for her trips to LA. Skirt culture has yet to make its way to the most casual cultures. Might this be the tipping point!?
I was just as elated to see the embellished little knee length skirts at Marni on Thursday. Especially the two consecutive skirts with a row of buttons down the front and matching little tops (REAL TOPS!!!!) A total summer statement that feels young and fresh but still great on a grown up with grown up money to spend.
Jil Sander too had thoughtful skirts. Simone crushed the fabric of some of the satin ones to create a haphazard pattern. On others, mixing fabrics to create a sense of floating when they walked.
Even Gucci had an entire run of skirts. Some micro minis of course, but then kilts!!!!! Are you kidding me!? EVEN GUCCI IS CLAMORING FOR MY WALLET!!! It appears we ladies have too much life to live to relegate our styling to black pants anymore.
Burberry came to the party too. It was the highlight of London Fashion Week. Joyful, on point, so much to pick apart. And it was styled perfectly. Now that the tan trench is ubiquitous c/o the West Village girl algorithm, they figured out what you should buy next. And it’s this little anorak and skirt suit.
Since you are also here for the outfits…a peek into my suitcase. Of course, I brought my standard army of skirts all in this straight, knee length family. I wore three of the four in my suitcase. Along with one blazer and one jacket (but it was mostly too hot!!) And of course I’m already starting to think about them differently. Do I need to style them with more aggressive shoes? Heels? What’s going to give them edge next season. I guess we have six months to experiment and figure it out!!
Not pictured, ugh why didn’t I take a picture!!! A fab dinner outfit: Cream linen Alex Eagle shirt which I picked up in London (black bra underneath!), black straight skirt – I LOVE this from Cos!, high heel sandals and any or all jewelry you brought. I got lots of compliments!
Here’s the thing though. I usually prefer pants for dinner. They just make me feel a bit…well…cooler!! And Paris is coming next week…the capitol of the cool girl. So I will hold my tongue on calling the skirt the trend of the season.
Even among the sea of skirts, the Jil Sander finale was among the most memorable (to me!) to date. I am nothing if not a contradiction. Back to fall dressing next weekend. And then a full seasonal trend report after Paris. Bisou bisou.
Yours TRULY,
Becky
