But it wasn’t just any denim skirt—the length was midi, the silhouette A-line. It was also high-waisted, which provided structure while still giving off a casual vibe. Overall, the look had a 1970s edge to it.
Back to my co-worker: She styled her denim skirt simply with a white boatneck shirt and a gorgeous gray sweater draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her shoes? I asked her after we got back to the office, but they were these transparent slip-ons from Sam Edelman ($150). So chic. As a whole, her outfit appeared tailored and effortless.
But as I walked around New York in the coming weeks, I noticed something: Everyone seemed to be reaching for a similar look. “A denim midi skirt is a phenomenal base to build an outfit around since it’s a slight departure from your usual blue jeans, yet can be worn with all the same pieces,” says Abby Hepworth, PureWow’s fashion editor. It’s also a look that skews heavy on the nostalgia. “Whether it evokes 70s divas or 90s fashionistas, it’s up to you to decide how far you lean into the throwback aesthetics.”
That’s just it: As I spotted numerous New Yorkers anchoring their fall fashion with the style, it did seem like there was an outfit formula, too. Like my co-worker, it was often a layered look, styled with a tucked in shirt, a turtleneck or a tee, but always with something worn over it (a sweater, a blazer, even a cute trench). In the same way denim jeans feel synonymous with fall, I quickly found that’s also true of a denim skirt.
That’s the part I liked the most as I trialed the look myself: How easy it was to recreate. But, per Hepworth’s point, it doesn’t have to be paint by number dressing. She suggests modernizing the skirt with a cropped trench (this one is timeless, $168) or a puff sleeve leopard blouse (I love this pretty style, $135). “Another thing to love about the denim skirt is how comfortable it is, especially if you opt for a silhouette with some stretch or movement,” Hepworth adds.
Read on for some options should you want to mirror the look.