What to wear with a pleated skirt

The pleated skirt is a timeless wardrobe staple for a reason. It’s an endlessly versatile piece of clothing. With lengths ranging from maxi to midi and designs in a vast array of colours and patterns, it’s a garment that can be dressed up or down for any occasion.

Unfortunately, choice is sometimes the enemy of decision, and with so many options available, it can be hard to know what to wear with your favourite pleated skirt. In this guide, we outline the basic rules of making outfits with pleated skirts to help make that decision a little easier.

How to wear a pleated skirt

In general, pleated skirts can be worn with pretty much anything and look great. However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you to elevate your outfit from something hurriedly picked up off the bedroom floor to a purposeful, put-together, stylish look.

First, let’s consider what you should wear on your upper half. A number of wardrobe staples can work well with pleated skirts to offer a simple yet attractive look. For instance, a plain white button-up blouse adds timeless sophistication when paired with a darker pleated skirt, perfect for occasions where a touch of elegance is required.

For more casual events, you could switch out blouses for no-nonsense plain T-shirts or V-neck tops. Then, if you wanted to elevate the look slightly – for example, for a garden party or barbecue get-together – add polished accessories such as a statement necklace or a smart blazer. In warmer weather, camisoles can take the place of T-shirts to keep you cool.

In the winter, on the other hand, you’ll likely want to incorporate knitwear into your outfit. Turtlenecks or fitted jumpers can add an insulating layer while maintaining a sleek silhouette. If your pleated skirt is quite form-fitting, however, you can also consider chunkier knitwear to balance the outfit out.

When it comes to matching colours and patterns between your top and pleated skirt, there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to make things easier for yourself. That’s not to say you can’t go against them if you want – trial and error is the best way to discover your own style – but consider the following rules something of a cheat sheet for when you don’t have time to think up a new outfit on the spot.

• Denim jackets – stick to colours that complement each other well to add a feeling of cohesiveness to your outfit. If you have the clothing to match, going monochrome can be a simple way to achieve this.
• Keep to one half patterned and one half plain – for example, wearing a plain white blouse with a patterned pleated skirt. Unless you have a pleated co-ords set, pairing patterns can be complex and require a little more careful planning to get right – not what you need if you’re dressing in a hurry.
  
• Let your neutral-coloured items do the heavy lifting – the easiest way to put together a matching look is to pair one coloured item with another that is neutral. For example, a pale pink pleated skirt with a white T-shirt, or a grey pleated skirt with a red blouse. 
  

Heading out? You’ll also need to choose a coat or jacket and shoes to go with your outfit. When it comes to coats, the guidelines are simple. In general, you should pair a pleated skirt with a cropped jacket that ends on or above your waist. This flatters your silhouette and avoids hiding those beautiful pleats. If the weather isn’t great, opt for a shorter length raincoat or puffer jacket to keep yourself warm and dry.

As for footwear, aim to match the colour to either your top or your pleated skirt. This helps to create a feel of cohesion about your outfit. Alternatively, you could choose a neutral nude tone to accentuate the length of your legs – this is especially beneficial when wearing a midi skirt or something shorter. As ever, the choice between flats and heels is up to you. Either option can look good with a pleated skirt, so try to suit it to the occasion in question.

How to wear a long-pleated skirt

Long pleated skirts, and in particular maxi skirts, are visually quite different to their shorter counterparts. Because of this, the guidelines surrounding styling these skirts are slightly different.

For instance, when it comes to tops, it’s generally best to go for something understated to pair with your eye-catching long skirt. This helps to balance the look and avoid trying to pull the eye in too many directions at once. Subtle prints and plain tops are usually a good option – and you can dress it up or down depending on the occasion.

In terms of knitwear, the rules are much the same as they are for midi pleated skirts. However, where a midi skirt would work best with a shorter item of knitwear or one that can be tucked in, a longer skirt can be paired with a longline cardigan that ends a little lower than your hips. It’s still best not to go for something too long, though, because you don’t want to hide the pleats which are the focus of your outfit.

Coats, too, can be a little longer when worn with a maxi skirt. As a rule, you’ll want your coat to end just below your waist to balance well with the rest of your outfit. If it’s warm outside but you think you’ll need something for the evening, a denim jacket can look great tied around the waist to vary your silhouette.

The shoes you opt for can really depend on the exact length of your skirt. If it’s almost floor-length, it’s generally best to go for something with a heel or platform to help keep the fabric off the ground, as well as to add height to your look. For a more relaxed outfit, trainers, canvas shoes or sandals with a slight platform can look great.

Ankle-length skirts can look good with heels, platforms or wedges, but you can also wear them with lower shoes. For instance, court heels, sandals or trainers can go well with this type of skirt without the need for any platform soles. Ankle boots can also pair excellently – especially if you’re anticipating wet weather. Don’t be afraid to try out different shoes with your skirt to see which ones suit the length best.

Hopefully, the tips, tricks and techniques detailed above will provide you with plenty of inspiration for styling your own pleated skirt. Remember, the pleated skirt is incredibly versatile, so feel free to try it out with all sorts of outfit combinations to find the perfect look for you.