The Best Tops to Wear With Skirts, According to a Fashion Editor

When you’re picturing outfits that tick the boxes for effortless, elevated and easy, there’s bound to be a skirt involved. And with a rotation of skirt trends filing through this year (hello, pleats and belts), never has the question of what top works with what skirt been more pertinent. Even with the perfect mini or maxi at the ready, you still need a top that complements rather than hinders.

Many options exist, but only few really come to mind when thinking of the crème de la crème of skirt and top pairings. These ideas are seasonless, and will work as you embrace this year’s spring and summer trends and further into the year as we roll into autumn and winter.

With the following top and skirt combinations, even trouser devotees like myself will be convinced to swap their usual jeans and slacks for these outfits. Once you have the foundation of your outfit sorted, you can start accessorizing with layered belts, cool jewellery and the right pair of shoes. But until then, here are the tops we’d always recommend wearing with your favourite mini, midi and maxi skirts.

The Best Tops to Wear With Skirts, According to a Fashion Editor:

Striped Tops

Style Notes: Striped relaxed shirts and tees may look great with jeans, but we’d argue they look just as fantastic when paired with a skirt. Incorporating a pattern is a quick way to break up solid blocks of colour. Copy what Neelam has done here and bring in a subtly striped blouse for a sophisticated pairing.

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Bandeau Tops

Style Notes: As the weather warms up, don’t forget about bandeaus and strapless tops. There’s a style for everyone, whether you’re after a more casual, flexible tube top or something with structure in a luxe fabric. Sylvie’s look is the definition of sleek and is such a creative way of making a bandeau top and skirt feel elevated.

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Black T-Shirts

Style Notes: Another category of top to wear with skirts is the black T shirt. This wardrobe staple truly goes with any bottoms you own, including your mini, midi and maxi skirts. Adenorah has perfected the proportions of this look by balancing a fitted black shirt and white mini with a longer trench coat.

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Cardigans

Style Notes: When you’re working skirts into transitional weather outfits, a cardigan is always a good idea. This type of knitwear offers just the right level of warmth whilst serving as a stylish element in and of itself. Try a colour-blocking technique, like Danielle has done so elegantly here, or go for a monochrome aesthetic and match your skirt’s shade to your button-up sweater.