It Girls Don't Wear 2026's Viral Skirt Trend With Flip-Flops—They Wear These Elegant Closed-Toe Shoes

Shop the pre-approved (by Olivia Wilde) trends.

Allyson Payer's avatar
By
Published In News
Olivia Wilde wearing a gray sweatshirt, satin knee-length skirt, and ruched loafers in London
(Image credit: Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty Images)
Jump to category:

Given that summer and skirts go hand in hand, I thought it a good time to discuss a key skirt trend to wear and the shoes to pair with it. People have officially traded their full midi skirts for a skirt trend that's far sleeker and deliciously '90s-inspired: knee-length pencil skirts. They're everywhere right now, and the most well-dressed celebrities among us are fully on board. The most viral iteration of the trend is knee-length skirts in taffeta or satin. And that's exactly what Olivia Wilde just wore for a promotional appearance in London.

If you're sick of sandals and are seeking a shoe that increases the elegance of your outfits, you'll be pleased to know that instead of the inescapable flip-flops, Wilde paired her navy taffeta-esque knee-length skirt with a pair of ruched loafers. Sure, it's a flat-shoe trend you may associate more with fall and winter, but when paired with the right pieces (such as her skirt), it works just as well in the summer. Keep scrolling to see the undisputed proof for yourself.

The Skirt + Shoes on Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde wearing a gray sweatshirt, satin knee-length skirt, and ruched loafers in London

(Image credit: Mattpapz/Backgrid)

Olivia Wilde wearing a gray sweatshirt, satin knee-length skirt, and ruched loafers in London

(Image credit: Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty Images)

On Olivia Wilde: Saint Laurent Eyewear Mica Sunglasses ($495); Liffner Leather Clutch ($475); Reformation Ani Ruched Loafers ($278)

Latest Videos From

Shop Satin and Taffeta Knee-Length Skirts

Shop Elegant Ruched Loafers

Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.