From short, mini skirts and long maxi skirts, to tight bandage skirts and flared skirts in cotton, leather, denim and more, here’s our guide to finding the best skirts for petite, tall and curvy women
Similar to a flattering casual dress and an evening gown – long or short – skirts are one of the staples of every woman’s wardrobe; feminine, flattering, easy-to-wear, who doesn’t love a skirt? However, just like denim jeans, you need to find a skirt that shows off your legs and flatters you in all the right places. Here to help a sister out, we’ve rounded the best fits and styles for the ultimate closet staple perfect for your body, including mini skirts, maxi skirts, pencil skirts, flared skirts, pleated skirts, leather skirts, denim skirts, and everything else in between.
If you’re pear-shaped… A-line skirt
A-line skirts and flared skirts flatter this figure shape more than any other skirt. They cinch in at the waist, and flare out over your hips. Highlight the narrowest part of your waist by adding a belt, and keep the desired volume in check by wearing a top that is tailored and fitting without having it too tight.
Our pick: Versatile? Check. Wrinkle-resistant? Check? Super comfy? Check. For an A-line, midi skirt that goes well with all sorts of tops, Uniqlo’s high-waisted skirt is your best bet. It also comes with an elastic at the waist for a comfy fit.
Uniqlo, 01-01 to 04/23 to 25,02-01 to 06/26 to 32/K1 to K5,03-01 to 05/27 to 33/K1/K2, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896. Opens 11am-10pm daily.
If you’re apple-shaped… High-waisted skirt
Similar to A-line skirts for pear-shaped women, a high-waisted skirt also defines the waistline by having the waistband cinching at the narrowest part of the torso. It’s also best to pick one that flows away from the body, masking the mid-section. Show off your strong legs with a shorter hemline.
Our pick: Floral prints are perfect for a feminine touch. Marc Jacobs’s high-waisted floral skirt not only draws attention to the waist with its tie waist detail, but it flares out enough for you to give a little twirl for your #OOTD.
Marc Jacobs, #01-03A, Paragon Shopping Center, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859, p. 6836 8315. Open 10.30m-9pm.
If you’re petite… Miniskirt
Long hemlines and fit-and-flare skirts are a no-no for girls with smaller builds. Why? These skirts tend to overwhelm your small frame, so it’s best to stick with shorter skirts that elongate your legs, making you look slightly taller. Miniskirts are easy to shop for as they come in a variety of styles and materials such as denim, leather and cotton.
Our pick: Out with the girls for some weekend fun? Go for a casual look with this chic washed black denim miniskirt from Topshop. It’s frayed hem and floral embroidery are great for giving your outfit an extra edge.
Topshop, available at multiple locations including ION Orchard and VivoCity.
If you’re curvy… Pencil skirt
This skirt is fab for accentuating your curves and making your thighs appear sleeker. Pencil skirts nip in the waist, smooth over your thighs, and fall loosely over your knees – highlighting all the right places. This versatile piece of clothing is also great for the office, an evening dinner and a weekend brunch!
Our pick: Show off your hourglass figure with Klarra’s suede panel pencil skirt. The Frontrow by Klarra collection includes pencil skirts in a variety of designs, styles and materials that are also sophisticated enough for the office and the bar.
Klarra, #02-15, Capitol Piazza, 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905. Klarra is also available at Robinsons The Heeren and Robinsons Raffles City.
If you’re tall and lean… Maxi skirt
Despite having the ability to pull off almost any skirt, maxi skirts look absolutely stunning on tall and lean figures. Plus, maxi skirts are effortlessly stylish for those lazy days. Go for a dramatic look with a bold, floor-skimming statement maxi that are great for a casual day out with the girls.
Our pick: Grab the spotlight with Alice and Olivia’s Athena romantic high-waisted Athena maxi skirt in an airy silk blend, or Chloe’s head-turning tiered maxi skirt in lurex crepon.
Alice and Olivia, #03-17, ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, p. 6238 7911. Open 10am-10pm daily. Chloe, B1-118-120, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972, p. 6634 0281. Open Sun-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11.30pm.
If you’re slim… Asymmetrical skirt
Have a rather straight frame and lack curves? Don’t fret. An asymmetrical skirt or a skirt with ruffles draws attention to your lower half which creates the illusion of having extra curves and a wider, fuller bottom.
Our pick: The highly anticipated British-inspired collab between Uniqlo and JW Anderson will be available from 22 September, and we couldn’t help falling in love with the collection’s denim ruffle wrap skirt. Its asymmetrical hemline and ruffle detail are great for slim figures.
Uniqlo, 01-01 to 04/23 to 25,02-01 to 06/26 to 32/K1 to K5,03-01 to 05/27 to 33/K1/K2, 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896. Opens 11am-10pm daily.
For all body types… Pleated skirt
There will be days when you roll out of the wrong side of the bed and all you want to do is put on something easy to wear and pair for effortless style. Here’s where the pleated skirt comes in. Great for all shapes and sizes, this versatile skirt is available in a variety of styles with its signature folds – from satin pleated midi skirts and chiffon pleated maxi skirts to mini skater skirts with box pleats. The best bit? You can skip ironing for most pleated skirts!
Our pick: Known for pleated dresses and skirts, Pleatation is our go-to fashion store for elegant clothes with formal folds. Its two-tone mesh pleated skirt is anything but boring.
Pleatation, #03-33, Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 179103. Also available at multi-label boutiques such as Raffles Privato, Yacht 21, excluniqueeee at Mandarin Gallery, BSYM and Workshop Element.
Now that you’ve found the perfect skirt, shop for tops to complete the look! Here are our round-ups of affordable crop tops, fashionable off-the-shoulder dresses and tops, as well as graphic tees that are effortlessly stylish.