This rustic four-bedroom home in Westport is on the market for €449,000
This rustic four-bedroom home in Westport is on the market for €449,000

Sarah Finnan

My Career: Archivist at Guinness Eibhlin Colgan
My Career: Archivist at Guinness Eibhlin Colgan

Sarah Finnan

Irish visual artist Ciara O’Connor on using embroidery to explore women’s lives
Irish visual artist Ciara O’Connor on using embroidery to explore women’s lives

Nathalie Marquez Courtney

How an interior stylist turned this period Cork apartment into a quietly luxurious home
How an interior stylist turned this period Cork apartment into a quietly luxurious home

IMAGE Interiors & Living

This picturesque, split-level home in Delgany is on the market for €995,000
This picturesque, split-level home in Delgany is on the market for €995,000

Sarah Finnan

March 28: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds
March 28: Today’s top stories in 60 seconds

Sarah Gill

Real Weddings: Keelin and Darren tie the knot overlooking Dingle Bay
Real Weddings: Keelin and Darren tie the knot overlooking Dingle Bay

Shayna Sappington

Let me tell you why a mother is the perfect employee
Let me tell you why a mother is the perfect employee

Dominique McMullan

I broke up with my boyfriend and now I have bangs
I broke up with my boyfriend and now I have bangs

Edaein OConnell

WIN a family pass to Emerald Park this Easter
WIN a family pass to Emerald Park this Easter

Shayna Sappington

Image / Fashion

Have you forgotten the simple joy of skirts? We haven’t…


By Niamh ODonoghue
20th Jun 2018
Have you forgotten the simple joy of skirts? We haven’t…

Earlier this year I made my own predictions about trends for 2018. Feisty-printed trousers, pastel shirts and bold accessories were among my selection. And then Bora Aksu, Bottega Veneta, Chanel and Fendi, to name a few, sent their models cascading down the catwalk in show-stopping, billowing skirts that made me excited to switch my beloved suits for bare legs and flowing hemlines. What I’ve discovered is that there are no “wrong” skirts and that really, a skirt is the unsung hero of any wardrobe. A simple (or not so simple, in some cases) skirt has transformative powers and here are six styles to prove it.

The boardroom staple

The family staycation skirt, €49.99 at mango.com

Prince of Wales skirt, €49.99 at mango.com

This Prince of Wales midi skirt from Mango could have fallen straight from the SS18 catwalk. The sleek cross-over design is perfectly comfortable to wear the whole day long, and the high-waisted design is perfect for tucking in a crisp, white shirt. Delicate vertical light orange stripes elongate the silhouette and the button fastening adds a modern touch to this timeless print.

The staycation skirt

Bell-shaped skirt, €39.99 at hm.com

Bell-shaped skirt, €39.99 at hm.com

Delicate florals are not just for preppy dinner parties and afternoon polo. This floral, water-colour-effect midi skirt from H&M is perfect for slipping on between activities by the lake or relaxing by the open fire-pit after sunset. Toughen up the print with a classic cropped leather biker jacket and cool leather sandals. Watch the flattering pleats flutter around you in the breeze. A pop of pink on the lips will complete the look and bring it together.

ICYMI: How to wear a pleated skirt with NEXT

The perfect brunch skirt

White horn midi skirt, €50 at topshop.com

White horn midi skirt, €50 at topshop.com

A refreshing hit of white is the perfect tonic after a season of boring darks. This white wrap-effect midi skirt from Topshop is a gorgeous addition to your warm-weather wardrobe capsule. Add a hint of stripes, a standout pattern or a pop of colour to the lips to change things up. When in doubt, just add white.

The beach skirt

Thalia multi chalk stripe skirt, €222 at rixo.co.uk

Thalia multi chalk stripe skirt, €222 at rixo.co.uk

Even if you’re not a skirt person, it’s impossible to ignore the charm and summer feeling this SS18 Rixo skirt gives. Powder neutrals paired with bursts of vibrant red remind me of sunshine and nautical adventures by the seaside. Wear with a one-piece swimsuit or with a little T-shirt and trainers for a chic summer workwear update. Equally, this skirt is just as good with the matching top, if you’re feeling slightly more adventurous. Sit back and let this colourful skirt take you to a far-off white sandy beach somewhere.

The modern mini

The camel mini, €34.95 at folkster.com

The camel mini, €34.95 at folkster.com

There’s an air of reluctance among women when it comes to wearing a mini skirt. Suddenly, it’s a whole lot of skin on show and it can be difficult to wear while keeping a look sophisticated and banishing self-conscious thoughts. Strike a balance with fun capped sleeves or heavy embellishment on top (as perfectly executed by Folkster). The caramel colour gives this faux-leather mini a 2018 refresh, and the slight split gives it even more sex-appeal. By rule of thumb, if the legs are out, the shoulders should be mostly covered.

The cocktails at noon skirt

Ruffle hem skirt, €30 at monki.com

Ruffle hem skirt, €30 at monki.com

Flowy, light and flirtatious, this ruffle hem skirt has an asymmetrical hemline, a partly elasticated waistband for comfort and a row of buttons down the front. Again, the high-waisted feature is the perfect opportunity to tuck in your favourite shirt. Or, if you’re feeling more blazé, a skin-tight leotard or summertime bralette will serve this skirt well. Additional buttons down the seam of this skirt allow the wearer to adjust the slit according to how sassy they’re feeling. Remember, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world.