How to Wear a Black Skirt: Sustainable Fashion Edition
This post is about how to wear a black skirt with sustainability in mind!
4 brilliant sustainable fashion influencers have styled all these looks, and I love it!
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The black skirt has remained a popular choice throughout the years and I imagine it will be a wardrobe must-have for years to come. It is a wardrobe staple for many women including myself and it is considered a timeless garment that can be styled in numerous ways for every occasion.
We already know how classic and versatile the black skirt can be. So I wanted to write a post dedicated to some sustainable outfit ideas you can recreate whilst shopping secondhand or from sustainable clothing brands.
I hope you enjoy this sustainable styling post…
How to Wear a Black Skirt: Sustainable Fashion Edition
Different Types of Skirts
What is a Mini Skirt?
A mini skirt is a short skirt that typically ends well above the knee. It is a popular and iconic fashion garment that has been a symbol of youth, freedom, and femininity since its introduction in the 1960s.
Mini skirts are designed to showcase your legs and create a youthful and playful appearance and they therefore come in various styles, colours, and fabrics to suit different tastes and occasions. Some common styles of mini skirts include A-line, pencil, skater, wrap, pleated, and denim.
The length of a mini skirt can vary, ranging from just a few inches above the knee to significantly shorter lengths. These are sometimes known as micro skirts or micro-minis.
They are often made from lightweight fabrics such as cotton, denim, synthetic materials like polyester or spandex or my favourite…leather.
It’s important to note that mini-skirts may be subject to different social and cultural norms so appropriate occasions for wearing them can vary.
Midi Skirts
A midi skirt is a type of long skirt that falls below the knee and typically ends around mid-calf or slightly above the ankle. The term “midi” refers to its length, which is longer than a mini skirt but shorter than a maxi skirt.
I am always wearing midi skirts as I love how comfy they are. Not only that, they are a popular fashion choice, known for their versatile and timeless appeal.
Midi skirts come in various styles, fabrics, and designs, catering to different fashion preferences so they can be fitted or flowy. For example, having different silhouettes such as A-line, a classic pencil skirt, pleated, or flared.
Long skirts like midi skirts are famous for their versatility and can be styled in various ways to create different outfits suitable for different occasions. I love pairing mine with tucked-in blouses, crop tops, or a simple t-shirt.
I wear T-shirts or casual tops with midi skirts for a more relaxed and laid-back style. Depending on the desired aesthetic, I will pair my midi with high boots, flat shoes, sandals, or even sneakers.
My style favourite at the moment is the midi skirt in denim.
More about Maxi Skirts
A maxi skirt is a type of skirt that is known for its long length, typically extending to the ankles or floor. Unlike mini or midi skirts, maxi skirts offer a more modest and elegant style so this is my absolute comfort zone!
Maxi skirts offer versatility and can be dressed up or down for different occasions. I love pairing mine with fitted tops, crop tops or oversized shirts when I want a more sophisticated look.
One of the advantages maxi skirts have is their ability to provide coverage while still allowing for freedom of movement so if I’m looking pale and haven’t got time to fake tan it’s the perfect option for me.
I would say maxi skirts are often favoured in warmer months, but they can also be worn during transitional seasons or paired with leggings or tights for added warmth in the cooler months.
Let’s have a look at some of the ways these sustainable fashionistas have styled their black skirt outfits…
Besma- Curiously Conscious
Black skirt with tights outfit ideas
The first look is styled by Besma who is a sustainable fashion influencer and blogger. She writes the blog Curiously Conscious and is the founder of Ethical Influencers.
I love the look she is wearing here. Besma has a black loose-fitting mini pleated skirt offering a stylish and comfortable alternative for those who prefer a looser style.
I think it embraces a relaxed and effortless vibe while maintaining a chic appeal. She has perfectly paired it with a simple white blouse, black ankle boots and a beige trench coat. Topping the look off with some oversized Jimmy Fairly sunglasses.
This next look Besma is styling is a classic tight black mini skirt outfit with a small slit up the side, a black high-necked crop top and a black oversized blazer.
An all-black outfit can be worn throughout the year and easily transition between the seasons.
In the cold weather, you could layer black garments to stay warm like she has chosen to do here adding black tights from Swedish Stockings and black lace-up boots.
How to style a black skirt casually?
The next outfit is a 2 piece black denim mini skirt and matching jacket. This double denim set is from Aline but Besma found it on Depop! What a great find!
Here she is keeping it casual with a white cropped tee and some casual white leather ankle boots.
A plain white T-shirt has a casual and relaxed vibe, making it suitable for various informal occasions. It can be dressed down with jeans and sneakers for a laid-back look or dressed up with accessories and tailored pieces for a more polished yet still casual style.
How to wear a long black skirt?
The final look from Besma is this beautiful sleek black knee-length skirt. She is styling a black midi dress with a high-necked thick wool jumper and tights.
I love it when slip dresses are paired with jumpers and worn as if they were long skirts. As I’ve said, black is so versatile. She has opted for a pair of black slingback shoes from Vestiaire Collective.
Black is often associated with elegance, sophistication, and professionalism. Wearing an all-black outfit can convey a sense of confidence, refinement, and style which I think Besma is proving with this look!
Sophie- Saint Thrifty
This outfit is styled by Sophie aka Saint Thrifty. Sophie is a sustainable fashion influencer and is an advocate for secondhand fashion. She is known for questioning fast fashion influencers and isn’t afraid to use her voice to fight for what is right.
She has chosen to style her black mini skirt from Depop with a casual grey long-sleeved top she was gifted from Thrift Bristol and her ‘preloved’ Dr martins.
This is a trendy and versatile outfit choice and if you want to create your version of this look the skirt and jumper combination is a great option for numerous different styles.
From a casual and effortless ensemble to a more dressed-up and sophisticated outfit. Sophie’s choice of leather jacket here is the perfect match.
Hannah- The Thrifted Threds
What top to wear with a long black skirt?
Below is the first of the maxi black skirt styles modelled by Hannah aka The Thrifted Threds. I love following her Instagram account. She is a sustainable fashion influencer who has been fast fashion-free since 2019. She is also the social media manager for The Charity Shop Gift Card.
Hannah is styling her black maxi skirt which is originally from Simply B but bought from Oxfam. She has chosen to style her black maxi skirt below with a sophisticated yet stylish look with a plain white T-shirt.
As you can see, even if you’re wearing a casual outfit, throwing on an oversized blazer like Hannah has instantly elevated it to a more dressed-up level.
Below Hannah has chosen the same casual and effortless ensemble but has changed out her plain white t-shirt for a graphic tee instead.
This is a great example and one of my favourite ways you can transition from day to night whilst adding a touch of refinement with a blazer to a casual ensemble.
Hannah- My Ever Revolving Wardrobe
The next outfit is styled by Hannah aka My Ever Revolving Wardrobe. Hannah is a sustainable fashion influencer sharing her daily OOTDs (outfits of the day) and inspiring others to shop secondhand.
She shares secondhand looks and includes links to items from Vinted and Instagram so you can recreate her style.
Below she is styling a black denim maxi skirt. The long denim maxi skirt is very on-trend and in style at the moment.
A lot of influencers are styling this look and Hannah has chosen a complete black outfit with a turtleneck sweater from Zara via Roy Castle Lung Cancer charity shop and black flat-ankle boots.
What a great look!
What are the benefits of the black skirt?
Black skirts come in a wide range of styles, lengths, and fabrics, making them adaptable to different body types and personal preferences. They can be tailored, pleated, flared, pencil, A-line, maxi, midi, or mini, offering options for various looks.
They can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion and are suitable for formal events when paired with a blouse or oversized blazers. I love that they can be worn casually with a T-shirt or oversized sweater.
It also provides a blank canvas for creating different outfits. You can pair yours with different tops such as blouses, shirts, camisoles, crop tops, a simple t-shirt or a white shirt.
It is considered a timeless fashion item that transcends trends and seasons.
I hope you have enjoyed this post and have found some inspiration to shop secondhand for these gorgeous looks! It is the best way after all.
Related Posts:
Oversized Shirt Style: 13 Ways to Style Oversized Shirts (Sustainable Edition)
Non-Toxic Jewelry: A Safe and Stylish Accessories Guide
11 Best Charity Shop Tips For Shopping Secondhand
