Drawing from the hottest 80s revival trends, the
skirt suit is back as a two-piece powerhouse. Once the hallmark of the working woman, it's now reimagined for a sleek, sexy modern vibe. Here's how to style a
skirt suit in 2024: select the perfect one and accessorize for effortless style.
What Is a Skirt Suit?
The
skirt suit is the ultimate formal ensemble—a tailored jacket paired with a matching skirt. Ultra-conventional, it peaked in the 80s when women wore it to the office. For years, it defined professional wardrobes: sober, chic, and reliable for job interviews, presentations, or meetings. It even shone in
wedding guest outfits, ideal for the mother of the bride or chic ceremonies. Trendy young women ditched it for fresher styles, especially with the rise of oversized, flared, high-waisted tailored pants. Now, the
skirt suit enjoys a stylish comeback in 2020-2021 fashion visions—but with cuts far from the 80s and 90s. Let me break it down.
How to Wear a Skirt Suit Without Looking Dated
Right now, the skirt suit is a wardrobe essential. Scroll Instagram fashion influencers, and you'll see why it's irresistible. Follow these expert picks to nail their vibe.
Master the Cut
Ditch knee-length 'granny' skirts—the modern version is
short and bold. That's rule #1. For the jacket, skip tiny fits; go for long, straight, or oversized silhouettes. Fitted works for the office, but for head-turning style, choose the XXL sage jacket. Skip black; embrace
punchy hues like pastel pink, lemon yellow, electric blue, or fiery red. Nude and white are huge too—stock up to mix and match. We adore retro-chic fabrics like
velvet skirt suits or tweed, plus
printed skirt suits in plaid, corduroy, houndstooth, or checks for foolproof flair.
The Perfect Top Pairing
Pair this vintage gem with a
contemporary top for balance. Leading the pack: the crop top. Fashion insiders love its sexy edge against the suit's formal retro vibe—code-breaking perfection. Next: a bralette peeking out. It's party-ready and
Hailey Bieber-esque! Tone it down with trendy dad sneakers for sporty chic. Once a fashion faux pas (unless you're
Mel C of the Spice Girls), sneakers now make you the style queen. For Emily Ratajkowski's sultry spin, go
braless and low-cut—assets must be on point.
@Pinterest
For winter, layer with a turtleneck or
funnel-neck sweater in British preppy style—timelessly sharp. Or keep it simple: a classic
round-neck white tee pairs universally.
Shoe Styling Essentials
Fashion's evolved—no more standard pumps unless office-bound or wedding-ready. Opt for
trendy statement shoes. Sock boots win for chic retro femininity, perfect with
tweed skirt suits or checks. For streetwear, chunky colorful wedge sneakers (the bigger, the better). Chunky lace-up flat boots modernize any set. For full femininity, thigh-high boots demand plain skirts.
@Pinterest
Key Accessories
- Belts are the hot new staple—cinch a plain suit for instant edge.
- Handbags elevate every look with elegant finality.
- Headpieces define your skirt suit vibe: headbands for preppy, scarves for old-world elegance.
- Sporty? Sneakers plus a oversized vintage scrunchie bun.
Quick Recap
- Tailored skirt suits are trendy and chic this year.
- Pair with sneakers, ankle boots, or thigh-highs.
- Prioritize British prints, houndstooth, checks, or solids.
