I've Crowned My Skirt of Summer—Here's the Winner

When I decided to find my skirt of summer, the criteria felt pretty straightforward. I wanted it to be a 100% cotton midi. It had to be moveable—something I could go on long walks in. The fabric had to be a good weight: not completely sheer, but not too heavy for summer. I needed the waistband to be comfortable and not dig in.

I wanted it to be the kind of skirt I'd wear on repeat, one that could work in multiple situations—a basic I could throw on over and over again when it was too hot to think. I wanted it to be at an accessible price point as well—something I wouldn't feel too precious about sweating in or wearing constantly. I didn't want it to be the type of piece I'd be nervous to sit in at the park or spill a drop of food on while I was out and about.

Based on the fact that I've been wearing the skirt I'm talking about all summer long, I can confidently say it checks all the above.

The Lowen Midi Skirt

To be candid, I was originally gifted the $60 Lowen Midi Skirt, but I've since bought it myself (and would buy it all over again). I wear my black one so much that I own two of them (which I'm literally currently wearing as I write this), and I also have it in white.

For context, here are some of the scenarios I've worn it in: to work from home, to work at the office, to run errands, on long walks, over a swimsuit to the beach. I've dressed it up and dressed it down. It's truly been such a solid base that I can mix and match with anything. I even took it to the extreme and wore it on an uphill hike upstate—and as someone who's notoriously scared of bugs, I felt like it shielded my legs.

I sent the black version to one of my family group chats, referring to it as "the skirt I've been wearing nonstop this summer," which influenced my aunt to buy one.

Is it reinventing the wheel? No, and that's exactly why I like it. It's one of my most reliable staples.

So many of our editors love this skirt too—Allyson Payer (our senior editor), Judith Jones (our associate shopping director), and Michaela Bushkin (our fashion director) all own it in different colors.

If you're on the fence about which size to get, I'd recommend sizing down—the skirt runs a little loose in the waist.

Shop the Skirt

Shop More Long Cotton Skirts

One of the biggest differences in how I've been dressing from summer 2024 to 2025 is that last summer, I was always in my mini swim skirts—but this year, I've been gravitating toward long cotton skirts. While the Lowen Midi Skirt has been the most-worn, I've been eyeing more from brands like Brooke Callahan and Charlie Beads.