Do you know who’s not skirting the issue of, ahh, skirts? Designers. They’ve dived into producing statement skirts with full force, flexing every sartorial muscle in the book.

In recent years, we’ve embraced the resurgence of silk midi skirts and even adopted the micro-length miniskirts, and that seems to be the long and short of it – literally. But according to the ready-to-wear runways of Acne Studios, Givenchy, Zimmermann, Giambattista Valli – and pretty much everyone else – the time is now to expand our horizons before we risk getting left behind. 

From bubble hems, long hems, high-low hems, and no hemming whatsoever, international designers are placing skirts at the epicentre of their spring/summer ‘23 ensembles. For Chanel, Valentino, and Miu Miu statement skirts appear in sheer fabrics, figure skimming silhouettes, and feature delicate embellishments. For Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Balmain, it’s all about utilitarian tailoring and voluminous external pockets. But few designers covered all bases quite as comprehensively as Belgian designer Dries Van Noten whose collection spanned pleating, gathering, drapery and structure in a spectrum of vibrant florals, pastel prints, and pops of colour. 

How to style a statement skirt:

When contemplating how to introduce a statement skirt into your wardrobe, you have complete permission to be experimental: play with texture, proportions, prints, colours, and lengths. So long as you carry yourself with conviction, you can do no wrong.

Seen styled over bare legs, trousers, or under relaxed suit jackets, the statement skirt in its plethora of renditions suggests this item is going to be a major player in our wardrobes for 2023 and beyond. 

Scroll for our favourite statement skirts from international runways below: