Maxi skirts are one of my favorite styles of skirts throughout the year. Yes, even for me at 5’4! They’re a sneaky wardrobe staple since they’re actually pretty versatile. Maxi skirts look chic with boots in the colder months but they go with so many summer shoes too. I think people tend to struggle with knowing exactly what to style with a maxi skirt in order to create a balanced, flattering outfit. The main challenge is choosing the right tops, shoes, and layers to avoid overwhelming your silhouette with a long skirt and what can feel like a lot of fabric. It can be done, though – let’s discuss!
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What Can You Wear With A Maxi Skirt
The right top, shoes, and accessories can completely change the overall look of your maxi skirt outfit from frumpy to polished. It’s all about pairing the right pieces with your skirt.
What Is A Maxi Skirt Meant to Be Worn With?
Maxi skirts are fairly easy to style – they do come in different fabrics, fits, and silhouettes – but they typically all hit around your ankles. They can be flowy and casual, structured and more tailored feeling, or fitted and minimalist. There’s a range of designs that look nice with a range of tops!
Different Types Of Maxi Skirts
There are so many different types of maxi skirts, including tailored pieces for work, more boho pieces for the weekend, and lightweight options for vacation. There are maxi skirts for all seasons!
Do Maxi Skirts Look Good On Everyone
There’s a style for everyone, even if you’re short like me. If you’re 5’4 or under, a lot of midi skirts will even work as a maxi skirt. No matter your height, pairing your skirt with the right top and shoes will make all the difference.
What To Wear With A Maxi Skirt
Tops to wear with maxi skirts
Sleeveless sweater
A sleeveless sweater is a go-to top to pair with a maxi skirt because it won’t overwhelm your outfit. Most of these tops are a classic cut that is fairly close to your body without being super fitted. These are my favorite sleeveless sweaters.
Oversized sweater
Okay, if you’re going to style a sweater with a maxi skirt that’s oversized – make sure it’s an intentionally oversized sweater. Anything that’s kind of between a classic cut and oversized will end up looking frumpy. You can easily add a belt to your maxi skirt if you want to break up your outfit or if it feels like too much fabric.
T-Shirt
Sometimes the best thing to wear with a maxi skirt is a simple tee with a close cut. I love a white tee with most any maxi skirts – even for work. I own and love this one, and it is work appropriate! It also comes in several color options.
Shoes to wear with maxi skirts
Ballet flats
Ballet flats with an almond toe or a slightly rounded square are a good option to wear with a maxi skirt. They’re work appropriate but they don’t feel out of place outside of work, so you can wear them on the weekend too.
Boots
Boots and a maxi skirt are a no brainer! Knee high boots are always my go-to boot to wear with a skirt for warmth, but you can easily wear a maxi skirt with shorter boots since the skirt is so long. I like to think about what happens when I sit down and just ensure my legs won’t be cold if my boots are short.
Sandals
Sandals are always a good warm weather option to balance out a maxi skirt, especially when you’re on vacation.
How To Style A Maxi Skirt
Choose a cropped layer for flowy skirts
A cropped jacket, blazer, or sweater works best with flowy maxi skirts. You can see an example of this in the outfit I’m wearing throughout the post. My suede jacket looks so much better than an oversized blazer would. This is especially true since I’m short – a cropped fit jacket doesn’t overwhelm shorter or petite frames, and it won’t add lots of extra fabric that can make your outfit look frumpy.
Balance volume with fitted or structured tops
This is my number one tip when you put together maxi skirt outfits. If you have a flowy maxi skirt, be sure to wear a more fitted or a classic cut top to avoid extra bulk. The exception here is when you wear an intentionally oversized sweater.
You can also style a straight cut jacket with a maxi skirt and fitted top. The cut of the jacket helps create vertical lines and it adds structure.
Define the waist if possible
You can add a belt to your outfit to help define your waist. This is a good idea when you wear an oversized sweater with your maxi skirt. It helps break up your outfit.
Match shoe style to outfit formality
Just like any other outfit, your shoes should match the formality of your outfit and occasion. Ballet flats, loafers, and boots are all great options for work. Sandals and espadrilles are perfect for the weekend and vacations.
Maxi Skirt Outfits for Different Seasons
Polka dot maxi skirt outfit
This polka dot maxi skirt is one of my favorites, and I love how it’s 100 percent cotton. It’s styled here for a cool spring day. But, I can’t wait to wear it with knee high boots and a classic fit brown sweater. On the other end of the weather forecast, this skirt looks super chic with a classic white tee and sandals for hot days.
Classic black maxi skirt outfit
You can style a cotton black maxi skirt for most seasons. Below is how I wore my black maxi skirt for an easy summer outfit – a fitted, tailored linen vest that doesn’t overwhelm your figure and creates vertical lines. So, it doesn’t add the feeling of extra fabric. I love these slingbacks – they look good with everything – from a maxi skirt to jeans.
The skirt I linked is similar as mine is old. I like this one because it has some added texture, but it’s subtle enough that you can wear it with any top.
If you want more outfit ideas, check out my blog post on how to wear a black maxi skirt.
Knitwear Maxi Skirt
This long skirt is a fall, winter, and springtime favorite. It comes in other colors, but no matter which one you choose, it’s easy to style. You can wear this with sandals with a heel or knee high boots depending on the season you’re dressing for. I love to wear mine with an oversized sweater or a fitted sweater like below.
Check out this blog post if you want more skirt and sweater outfits!
I hope this helps you style your favorite maxi skirt. Be sure to sign up for my email list if you’d like to hear from me more! Thanks so much for stopping by.
