I've Worked It Out—These Are the 5 Best Shoes to Wear With Long Skirts

Make no mistake—maxi skirts are having a moment this season. Whilst the micro mini was all the rage last year, this spring, hemlines are dropping and the longline silhouette is back on the agenda. Though pleated and billowy styles held our attention for so long, this season, sleek pencil cuts, satiny slip skirts and tailored maxis are set to steal hearts.
Whilst styling up top remains straightforward—your favourite maxi will pair well with everything from chunky knits to graphic tees—it's the footwear front that I'm focusing on for now. With the extra-long hemline a few seasons out of rotation, it can feel difficult to find a shoe that works well with your floor-skimming maxi. So, I've set about finding some inspiration on what shoes to wear to make long skirts feel fresh for 2024.
Read on to find out the best long skirt and shoe pairings I've discovered.
1. Heeled Boots
Style Notes: Lean into the leg-elongating qualities of a sweeping maxi skirt and style with heeled boots. They add inches to your frame and complement the streamlined silhouette, and you have the added assurance that your skirt will stay clear of puddles. This is the easiest way to ensure your maxi looks chic.
Shop the Look:
Long denim skirts are back with a vengeance for 2024. For a seasonal upgrade swap your light-wash version for a deep indigo shade.
2. Trainers
Style Notes: Sleek and simple trainers always look great set against longer hemlines. Dressing down the dramatic silhouette, casual trainers add a hint of friction to a long-skirt outfit, for a decidedly chic finish.
Shop the Look:
I've had my eye on this skirt for several seasons now, and I think this is the time to strike.
Every great wardrobe starts with a pair of white trainers.
3. Slingback Heels
Style Notes: In my opinion, maxi skirts and slingback heels are a perfect match; the combination of floor-length hem and sleek heel feels distinctly current and will look chic no matter how you style it.
Shop the Look:
Tick off two trends at once with cherry-red heels.
4. Loafers
Style Notes: The contrast of a relaxed maxi skirt and smart loafers is a good way to balance out the proportions of your outfit.
Shop the Look:
This side-split skirt will carry you through from winter until summer.
This polished shoe is great for transeasonal styling.
5. Pointed-Toe Boots
Style Notes: The beautiful thing about maxi skirts is their ability to instantly elongate your frame and balance out your proportions. Lean into the sleek vibes by adding some pointed-toe boots.
Shop the Look:
Tailored maxi skirts were all over the A/W 23 runways.
The curved heel design adds interest to these otherwise simple boots.
This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Natalie Munro is Who What Wear UK’s news writer and has worked in the fashion industry since she graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of the Arts London. Natalie’s experience in the industry spans journalistic and styling roles that have seen her work for publications including British Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue Ukraine, AnOther Magazine and Elle UK.
With an interest in uncovering the latest fashion trends, Natalie takes a leading role in identifying news for Who What Wear UK. Reporting on a daily basis, Natalie focuses on trends on and off the runway, as well as street style and celebrity fashion. Natalie also creates content for Who What Wear’s social channels including TikTok and Instagram on a weekly basis.
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