I Thought This "Dated" Skirt Trend Was Over, But Turns Out It's Making a Comeback This Autumn
Think back to the sartorial leaders of 2014 years ago, and you'll get a fond recollection of pleated skirts. Ten years ago, pleats made a cool-kid comeback thanks to the runway shows of Proenza Schouler and Timo Weiland, and as predicted, the elegant '50s silhouette flooded the high street, too, with brands from COS to H&M stocking iterations of the style. An easy throw-on style to look put-together for any occasion, almost everyone I know owned one and wore it proudly with a jumper all autumn.
Well, if you were savvy enough to cling on to your pleated skirt, pat yourself on the back because pleats are making a surprising resurgence this season. And unlike the preppy 'school girl' styles we've seen previously, both luxury and high-street brands are coming out with much more versatile iterations that can by easily styled for a multitude of occasions. For autumn 2024, there are plenty of elegant, 'grown-up' styles to incorporate into your seasonal outfit rotations.
Instagram's best dressers are making strong cases for pleated skirts once more, adding a few styling updates. Whether you prefer your pleats in midi or mini length, below, we've rounded up our favourite pleated-skirt outfits to inspire your next look.
7 Pleated-Skirt Outfits All the Fashion Insiders Love for Autumn 2024:
1. Leather Mini + Cable Knit + Mary-Janes
Style Notes: Embrace the 'geek-chic' look by pairing your leather pleated miniskirt with a chunky cable knit and classic button-up shirt underneath.
Shop the Look:
This will look just as good tucked into jeans on casual days.
2. Midi + Boxy Blazer + Heeled Loafers
Style Notes: Eternally sleek, Lydia works her sophisticated magic on her staple black pleated skirt by pairing it with a tailored blazer, a high-neck top, and interesting heels.
Shop the Look:
This will act as the basis for so many of your autumn outfits.
Heeled loafers will be everywhere this autumn.
3. Grey Mini + Canvas Jacket + Ballet Flats
Style Notes: Make like Mary and tick off two autumn trends in one—turns out, canvas jackets and pretty pleated minis look exceptionally great together.
Shop the Look:
I'm already seeing canvas jackets everywhere.
4. Knee Length Skirt + Leather Jacket + Trainers
Style Notes: This autumn marks the triumphant return of monochrome outfits, and Danielle gets the trend so right with her combination of a black knee length pleated skirt, black leather jacket and black trainers.
Shop the Look:
These are constantly selling out, so act fast!
5. Midi Skirt + Button-Up Shirt + Mules
Style Notes: Earn yourself major sartorial points by styling a black pleated midi skirt with a smart button-up. Then, finish with sleek mules for fashion-insider appeal.
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6. Maxi Skirt + Burgundy Jacket + Boots
Style Notes: A look we always come back to, we love Olivia's colour palette of burgundy, cream and black. Opt for an oversized jacket to achieve her effortless styling vibe.
Shop the Look:
Burgundy is a huge colour trend for autumn 2024.
7. Checked Skirt + Fluffy Knit + Boots
Style Notes: Preppy but make it cool, Melissa navigates her pleated miniskirt with flair, styling it with on-trend patent boots and a fluffy knit and shirt. Very 2024.
Shop the Look:
Check is an autumn staple, but this will look equally as good with a white tank next summer.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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