I Usually Refuse to Wear Skirts, But These 30 Chic Ones From Zara, Madewell, and J.Crew Made Me Change My Mind
Shop these effortless summer selections.
Listen. I am an avid pant wearer. You might even call me a bit of a tomboy. I'm just a fashion person who really appreciates function and comfort over looking trendy. That said, I've never been much of a skirt or dress person, but with time and more comfort in my body, that's starting to change. While on my daily sweeps of fashion sites, I keep coming across skirts that have helped me see the light about wearing them more often. I know slipping one on to style an outfit around is so fun, and I want to partake in that more often.
All the chic skirts I've found have been from the same three sites: Zara, Madewell, and J.Crew. Each retailer is different in aesthetics, but they all have one thing in common, an affordable price point. If you're in the same boat as me, trying new trends and items when you're already unsure about them is only more difficult if it's expensive. However, I'm in the camp of finding fashion items that are expensive looking. This is definitely why these skirts have changed my mind. Gone are the days of constantly wearing pants in the summer. Keep scrolling to shop 30 of the best skirts that won't break the bank to wear this summer from Zara, Madewell, and J.Crew.
Zara
From asymmetrical plaid skirts to simple bias-cut satin skirts, each selection is absolutely fabulous and budget-friendly. Zara is the ideal place to turn when you need ultra-luxe, runway-eque clothing for a fraction of the price. I've discovered other shapes, from a classic A-line shape in a rich blue to wrap skirts fitting for an elegant dinner. Keep scrolling to find the best one for you.
Shop Zara Skirts
Madewell
Madewell is the best place to shop for simple style pieces, from midi skirts to classic denim skirts. I've always been drawn to minimalist pieces to style, and this brand has always come through. Other styles include a casual drawstring skirt, a maxi slip skirt, and a woven miniskirt. Whether you need some staple pieces or want to experiment ever so slightly, Madewell is the best place to find the chic skirt that fits your personal style.
Shop Madewell Skirts
J.Crew
J.Crew is the unsung hero in many of our closets. If you haven't been privy to shopping there, I highly recommend pursuing the site for everyday staples. While scrolling through the site myself, I found an array of skirts in vacation-worthy prints, a wrap-style skirt, and a miniskirt with eye-catching embellishments. Shop all my chic finds below.
Shop J.Crew Skirts
Kerane Marcellus is a New York-based writer. She joined the Who What Wear team in 2025 after writing for Essence Magazine and freelancing for a number of other arts and culture publications. Fashion is a form of expression that she encourages everyone to take part in. There is no right or wrong in getting dressed! When she's not writing, she's reading in the park or gallery hopping in the city.