Pretty in Pleats

Modern looks
with pleated skirts

The most important do’s and don’ts for pleated skirts

Tips for styling a pleated skirt without it seeming uptight or old-fashioned? Challenge accepted! Pleated skirts are amongst the most beautiful fashion trends of 2023, which is why they are currently available in lots of colours, lengths, materials and patterns, meaning you have plenty of styling options. No matter if we go for a feminine, rocker or elegant look: these airy, lightweight pleated skirts are perfect for every occasion! Read our tips below to learn about the most important styling considerations.

Contents:

What is a pleated skirt?
What should you wear a pleated skirt with?
Do’s and don’ts
Outfit tips for every season
- Autumn and winter
- Spring and summer
Styling tips for special occasions
- Pleated skirts in the office
- Pleated skirts for formal occasions
Our favourite look
Who can wear pleated skirts?
Care tips

What is a pleated skirt?

Let’s start from the beginning: the related word “plisseer” comes from French and means simply “to fold”. Skirts with plissé pleats are often simply referred to as pleated skirts.

The artificially formed pleats in the skirt are usually made from synthetic fibres so that they retain their shape long term. In contrast to natural fibres, synthetic fibres are resistant to washing and do not lose their shape as quickly. What we love most about pleated skirts: the creases are an intended feature, so these trendy skirts do not need to be ironed.

Popular materials include lightweight fabrics such as tulle, polyester, chiffon, satin and silk, but faux leather can also look absolutely amazing.

What should you wear a pleated skirt with?

Feminine, chic, cool, sporty or formal: pleated skirts are absolute all-rounders and can be styled in any way from a street-style look to a perfect wedding guest outfit. But before we reveal our styling tips, we have to start with some basics:

The right length

Regarding the question of how long a pleated skirt should be, we have a clear answer: midi skirts suit every woman! Pleated skirts that end just below the knee are a stylish choice for every occasion and show off every figure in a flattering light.

Otherwise the rule is that

with slim legs you can wear skirts in any length.
Thick calves are emphasised by calf-length skirts, so in this case it is better to stick with floor-length or knee-length models.
Petite women should favour mini and midi lengths, because maxi skirts make them appear shorter.
Be careful with short pleated skirts: they quickly give off an old-fashioned tennis player vibe.

Which tops go well with a pleated skirt?

A pleated skirt can be combined with various tops which you are sure to have hanging in your wardrobe already.

The perfect tops for...

Classic looks: Silk blouses, pussycat bow blouses, blouse tops
Modern looks: Oversized sweatshirts and hoodies
Sporty looks: Statement tops, striped long sleeve tops, fine knit jumpers
Feminine looks: Blouses with lace and sheer elements

Which jackets should you combine with pleated skirts?

Pleated skirts go best with short jackets such as leather jackets, denim jackets, bomber jackets and short blazers. A jacket should not be too long, because otherwise it conceals the pleats and the outfit loses its best feature.

What shoes go with a pleated skirt?

A pleated skirt can be styled in so many different ways and it is primarily the shoes that dictate where the overall direction of the look. Filigree strappy sandals are perfect for formal occasions such as weddings and naming ceremonies, court shoes and ankle boots are well suited for the office, while in our free time we can fine-tune our casual looks with trainers, Chelsea boots, boots with platform soles and lace-up boots. In autumn and winter, high boots deliver the perfect blend of cosy and chic.

The rule of thumb for shoes is:

pointed shoes elongate the leg.
Petite women should wear high wedges, ankle boots with a heel or high heels in order to make themselves appear taller.
Tall women can wear “clunky” platform boots with a feminine skirt to create a beautiful style contrast.

To make sure you are always on point with your pleated skirt looks, we have put together a few of the most important do’s and don’ts for you here:

✅ Do’s with pleated skirts

Tuck in your top at the front – no matter if it is a T-shirt, blouse or jumper.
To ensure a slim figure: combine an oversized jumper with a waist belt
Wear short jackets with the skirt. The following work well: denim and leather jackets as well as short blazers

❌ Don’ts with pleated skirts

Tops that are too tight alongside an airy skirt
Classic elements can quickly make the look appear old-fashion, so avoid formal blouses and ballet shoes
Long jackets and cardigans which cover up the pleats

Outfit ideas with pleated skirts for every season

Pleated skirts in flowing fabrics are so versatile that ideally we would wear them all year round! Their lightweight material makes them our absolute favourites for spring and summer, but pleated skirts can also work very well in various combinations in autumn and winter – key word: leather looks! Here’s proof:

Pleated skirts in autumn

As soon as autumn starts approaching, colours get darker and fabrics get warmer. At this time of year, it is primarily pleated skirts in black, brown, grey and dark green or blue that are most common. You want to orient your outfit on the colourful autumn foliage instead? Then go for skirts in autumn red, orange and mustard yellow or beautiful berry tones.

For transitional weather, you can also replace the polo neck jumper with a polo neck top of long sleeve top and then wear a cardigan on top. Now your stylish pleated skirt outfit is good to go! Accentuate the slimmest part of your body by securing the cardigan at waist height with a belt.

How to style black pleated skirts

Black is and always will be a classic, no matter what the piece is. Pleated skirts are no exception, so we never shy away from one in this dark colour, particularly in autumn and winter. Depending on the occasion, you can style a black pleated skirt in different ways:

1. Casual chic: Black pleated skirt in a metallic look with an oversized polo neck jumper in beige, plus black Chelsea boots or ankle boots.

2. Casual: Pleated skirt in black with a cosy hoodie in black, beige or dark green, plus trainers.

3. Business: A black pleated skirt also goes great with a blazer, ideally in a trendy check pattern such as Prince of Wales check! Combine this with a simple top and Chelsea boots, and your office look is good to go!

Pleated skirts in winter

Brrr... Skirts in winter? Our answer is a big fat yes! We grit our teeth, slip on our favourite tights in anthracite and then courageously turn to the trend material of winter: leather or faux leather! This firm material is perfect for the cold season and looks particularly good in black and dark grey. Simply add an oversized jumper, tuck it casually into the front of the waistband, and then pull on a pair of weatherproof lace-up boots or ankle boots.

For elegant winter outfits with a pleated skirt, try high boots that disappear underneath the skirt. Winter jackets should not be too long, or otherwise they will cover up all the lovely pleats. We recommend short coats and soft down jackets.

Pleated skirts in spring

The coming of spring sees the return of light and airy fabrics in our wardrobes, so bring out the swirling pleated skirts – currently most popular in soft pastel colours. Apricot, mint, turquoise and pink pull us out of our winter blues and leave us longing for those first rays of sun on our faces!

Need styling ideas? Here are our top 3 for spring:

Casual chic: Silk jumper + pleated skirt in apricot, plus white trainers and a shopper in vanilla yellow.
Sporty: Combine a dark blue pleated skirt with a denim shirt featuring a batik pattern and knot the shirt casually above the skirt waistband.
Elegant: Blouse top with an abstract print, plus a short blazer on top, all colour-coordinated with the skirt. Plus a pair of loafers, subtle jewellery and a small shoulder bag.

Pleated skirts in summer

It’s a hot summer’s day and your airy pleated skirt is gently blowing in a cool breeze. Do you know that feeling? We are so excited for it we can’t wait! To make sure we are all prepared, we put together a few styling tips for summer here:

Be brave with colours: Don’t be afraid to try pleated summer skirts in bold red, royal blue or orange. Just don’t forget: less is more – you should choose a top in a more understated colour and if anything then only with a subtle pattern. Our tip:together with colourful pleated skirts, white statement tops and wedges create super trendy looks!
Cool it down:On hot days, we recommend pairing your pleated skirt with a wide linen top. This sustainable fabric has a cooling effect and is especially breathable.
Go for prints: Why not try patterned occasionally? In summer, we like to stand out of the crowd, so we also like to mix it up and wear skirts with polka dots, floral prints or paisley patterns.

Styling tips for special occasions:

Styling pleated skirts for business

One thing is clear: pleated skirts love blazers! And it is precisely for this reason that we have no issues wearing feminine skirts in the office. A blazer is the perfect way to complete a business outfit with a pleated skirt, because it gives the outfit more elegance and a certain maturity in a nonchalant way.

What to wear underneath the blazer? On warm days, go for a blouse top made of fine materials, and feel free to choose one with a subtle print. In cooler weather, you can’t go wrong with a knitted jumper or polo neck jumper. Round off the look with ankle boots, court shoes or – if the office dress code is a little more casual – white trainers.

Pleated skirts at formal occasions

A pleated skirt is predestined for a stunning elegant look! The choice of colour is completely up to you – we currently can’t get enough of combinations with fresh apricot or elegant navy blue. The choice of top depends completely on the time of year:

in spring and summer, fine blouse tops made of satin or silk with subtle patterns are a great choice, and you can still wear a short blazer on top.
In autumn and winter, why not try an elegant knitted jumper embellished with sparkling details.
Shoes are decisive when it comes to pulling off an elegant look: go for court shoes, strappy sandals, kitten heels or chic ankle boots.

Our tip: pleated skirts in metallic tones ensure a touch of glamour in your outfit all-year round.

Our favourite pleated skirt outfit

This outfit will leave you longing for autumn and long walks through the colourful autumn foliage! The elegant mix of dark green, a touch of mustard yellow and pale cream is the perfect companion for the first cool days of the season. The swirling pleated skirt in a midi length skims your legs and ensures a feminine look. We have paired this with a long sleeve top with an integrated scarf. And now you decide:

A skirt + top combo with filigree strappy sandals and a small shoulder bag is very elegant and even works well for wedding guests.
Want something more casual? Down-dress the look a little with white trainers.
Channelling your inner rock star? Wear it with a robust leather jacket in nude, cream or dark brown alongside matching boots.

Who can wear pleated skirts?

Are you now as crazy about the pleated skirt trend as we are? Then you are probably still asking yourself on thing:
Which pleated skirt will suit me?

Here comes the good news: a pleated skirt flatters literally every figure – if you bear in mind our do’s and don’ts when creating your outfit. With a simple trick, you can make sure you show off your figure in the best light: make sure that the skirt is sitting high in the waist and then tuck the front of your top casually into the front of the waistband. The main factor in creating a flattering look is choosing the right length. Petite women look best in knee-length skirts, while tall women can wear all skirt lengths – including maxi skirts. For women with wide hips, we recommend figure-flattering midi skirts with an A-line cut.

As a general rule, pleats that are too tight or that fan out appear bulky.

How to care for your pleated skirt

We already mentioned it above: we love that pleated skirts don’t need ironing, because the creases are a good thing for a change! However, you need to take extra care when washing to make sure that the pleats don’t fade or disappear. In general, a pleated skirt should be washed as rarely as possible (just like jeans). As long as the skirt doesn’t have any stains, you can refrain from washing in favour of an old trick: hang your pleated skirt in the bathroom after you shower. The steam smooths out crinkled areas and brings the pleats back into shape.

Pleated skirts made from synthetic fibres (e.g. polyester) are more wash-resistant, but even they do not like being spun around too violently in the machine. If you do have a skirt made of silk or cotton, make sure that you follow the care instructions on the label or take your skirt to a dry-cleaners to be on the safe side.

Modern looks
with pleated skirts

What is a pleated skirt?