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Demure girl fall means you will want to be a little more dressed up for all the apple-picking and pumpkin-spice-drinking picnics you’ve been planning. So, now it is time to invest in a fabulous skirt. To help you style an A-line skirt, the Cut’s fashion director, Jessica Willis, has created a timeless, edgy, and functional look. Although it is too dressy for a picnic, it is great for a night on the town. Read on for the full breakdown.
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Start with the proportions of your skirt
A perfect A-line skirt should hit at the middle of your calf and sit right at your waist. Also, consider your body: “If you have a shorter torso, high-waisted silhouettes could visually shorten it,” she says. To remedy this, she recommends pairing the skirt with crop tops or formfitting bodysuits to elongate the torso and emphasize the fullness of the skirt.
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Add a matching balconette bra in the same print
Willis loves a lazy-girl set because “the thinking is done for you,” she says. You can spend less time figuring out your look if you have somewhere to be fast. She says this look works because it emphasizes the skirt’s fullness and your waistline, but it’s not too classic, and “the bra makes it feel less traditional.”
Plus: You can rewear the individual pieces by mixing and matching them with other items in your closet. The bra can be paired with high-waisted jeans or an oversize top with the bra peeking out, Willis says.
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Add a bitchy little heel
You’ll want to skip the loafers, sneakers, or otherwise heavy shoes and opt for something dainty. “It’s all about balance,” Willis says. The shoe of choice is a pair of bright red strappy Prada sandals with a kitten heel that matches the florals perfectly.
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Skip a big bag — add a small clutch
Why? Keep the focus on the skirt. “Wherever you’re going, all you really need to carry is a lip gloss, a wallet, and your keys,” she says.
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Add some luxury: red lipstick and diamonds
Willis added more color with a vibrant red lipstick from Prada that matches the sandals and floral-print motif. “It has a velvet texture, and it lasts; the pigment is beautiful,” Willis says. With a blue undertone, the shade is brighter and more universally flattering.
Willis added subtle little hoops accented with diamonds from Jessica McCormack. Consider them less of a splurge and more of an investment in yourself.
Get the Look
This cotton skirt from Swedish brand A Day’s March can easily be dressed up or down, plus the mid-weight cotton works well all year-round. For a more polished look that’s ideal for the office, try this tailored skirt from Aritzia that features pleats and belt loops. We also found a fancy tiered metallic skirt for your next cocktail party. It’s made from stiff fabric that really holds its shape, so the A-line silhouette is more pronounced and dramatic.
