An Oldie-But-Goodie Wardrobe Staple Is Staging a Comeback—Here's How to Wear It

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It's true that fashion exists in one giant circle. Things that were deemed "over" just a few years ago are suddenly back in the spotlight, and trends that filled the industry's collective consciousness only last year have quietly subsided into the background. Eventually, they all come around again for another moment in the sun, so once a trend fades, it's usually a matter of when, not if, it will resurge among the masses. In the case of the denim skirt, that time is now.

This trend may give you flashbacks to images of Ashley Tisdale and Destiny's Child in Von Dutch and cowboy hats, but the denim skirt has changed a bit since then. It hasn't necessarily changed in its core shape or construction, but the main difference is in the way people are styling it in their daily uniforms.

Sure, you might think of the denim skirt as a summer staple, but there's certainly a case to be made for its seasonless appeal. Paired with everything from over-the-knee boots and oversize blazers to cowboy boots and stylish vests, there are more than a few denim-skirt outfits that belong in your closet this season. We're partial to adding lots of layers with bare legs or opting for a cropped, cool statement top. Really, the options are endless. Keep scrolling to see how everyone is styling the piece right now and to see the denim skirts we have on our shopping list.

On the Runway

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Dries Van Noten)

A master of proportions and sumptuous fabrics, Dries Van Noten didn't present just any denim skirt this season—his take was a maxi-length version featuring a middle split and a weathered blue wash. The addition of an oversize gray blazer and silver boots feels decidedly cool yet effortless.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Marques'Almeida)

Meanwhile, over at Marques'Almeida, the denim skirt was envisioned in multiple ways during its F/W 21 show. Among the looks was one with a frayed hem and asymmetric buttons. The retail version includes the exact same silhouette and detailing with the addition of shiny silver studs. 

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On the Fashion Crowd

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(Image credit: @michellesalem)

Channel your inner Cher Horowitz with a Chanel-style tweed blazer and a denim mini. 

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

It seems that Bella Hadid has found her niche within the Y2K fashion aesthetic, and this look here doesn't fall short. For a more classic approach, try pairing a denim mini with chunky rubber boots. 

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(Image credit: @maria_bernad)

If you're going to fully embrace the denim-skirt revival, you might as well go all the way with a coordinating set. 

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Shop the Key Piece

Looking to add a denim skirt to your collection of staples? Cool. There are plenty of trendy and timeless options where that came from. These are some of the best out there for any budget.

Next up: The Underrated Yet Extremely Essential Fall Basic I'm Buying on the Cheap

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.