What to Wear With Pleated Miniskirts: 4 Easy Looks

last updated 18 October 2022

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Géraldine wears a matching woollen pleated mini and blazer.

One of our main takes from Fashion Month? Pleated miniskirts are back. This leg-baring silhouette might spark school-day nostalgia in some of us and fear in midi skirt loyalists, but the street style set has rebranded it as a seriously covetable item. And I for one, am delighted.

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Tricia wears a plaid miniskirt with a white blouse and knee-high boots.

I also know that for lots of us, the miniskirt can be a daunting piece to style. While I tend to veer toward effortless dressing, I can recognise the satisfaction in conquering a tricky piece of clothing and getting it to work in your wardrobe, especially when said piece is teetering on the edge of cult status. Of course, there's no harm in taking some help when you can get it—and fashion week attendees and influencers alike have been particularly generous with their outfit inspiration this season.

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Emiliee wears a pleated miniskirt with stripes and Chelsea boots.

Intrigued? Keep scrolling to see four easy examples of how to make pleated miniskirts look chic.

1. WOOL PLEATED MINISKIRT + ROLL-NECK + WOOL BLAZER + LOAFERS

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Style Notes: Lean into the pleated miniskirt's preppy vibe by adding loafers and a roll-neck. I love the idea of wearing a woollen skirt with a matching blazer. Add gold earrings for a bit of glam and swap in socks for tights if you want to skip the bare-leg look.

Shop the look:

H&M

Turtleneck Top

A slim-fitting turtleneck is such a winter staple. Layer it under dresses or chunky knits for extra warmth.

Zara

Herringbone Blazer

A herringbone blazer is an easy way to elevate classic jeans and a T-shirt.

Mango

Printed Boards Skirt

I love the buckle detail on this Mango mini.

Alighieri

24ct Gold-Plated Abundant Dream Hoop Earrings

Alighieri is one of my favourite brands for chic yet classic jewellery.

Arket

Leather Penny Loafers

Hope on the loafer trend with Arket's timeless pair.

2. CAMEL PLEATED MINISKIRT + STRIPED JUMPER + MARY JANES

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Style Notes: Miniskirts aren't limited to just black and grey. Why not opt for a chic camel style like this COS iteration? Pair with stripes (of course) and polished black accessories for a Parisian take on the trend. Add a wool overcoat for cosiness.

Shop the look:

& Other Stories

Relaxed Collared Sweater

Not yet invested in a striped sweater ahead of autumn/winter? This & Other Stories one is such a stylish option.

COS

Pleated Wool-Blend Mini Skirt

This will also look great with an oversized black blazer.

Gucci

Horsebit 1955 Shoulder Bag

Such a classic.

Zara

Block Heel Slingback Shoes

I predict these will sell out in no time.

3. BOX-PLEAT MINISKIRT + SWEETHEART BODY + PLATFORM HEELS

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Style Notes: A pleated miniskirt can work so well as the foundation of a party-ready look. Wear a black box-pleat style with a sweetheart bodysuit to keep the whole outfit feeling evening-appropriate. Add '70s-inspired silver platforms and cascading earrings before completing the fit with a bright bag for a fun pop of colour.

Shop the look:

Abercrombie & Fitch

Sweetheart Sweater Bodysuit

A black body is a staple in every fashion girl's wardrobe. Wear with skirts, jeans and leather trousers.

Zara

Box Pleat Skort

A box-pleat skirt (or skort, in this case) is a subtler way to wear the trend.

Fallon

Waterfall Crystal Drop Earrings

Amazing earrings can instantly elevate an all-black party look.

Bottega Veneta

The Pouch Small Gathered Leather Clutch

Barbiecore isn't going anywhere! This hot-pink clutch is firmly on my Christmas wish list.

Aquazzura

Sinner Plateau 140 Metallic-Leather Sandals

The perfect party shoes.

4. BLACK PLEATED MINISKIRT + KNITTED VEST + KNEE-HIGH BOOTS

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Style Notes: As my Instagram feed proves, pairing your mini with a shirt, knitted vest and flat knee-highs are one of the most popular ways to wear the trend this season. Plus, it can be easily recreated with items you most likely already have hanging in your wardrobe.

Shop the look:

H&M

Oversized Poplin Shirt

An oversized poplin shirt will work hard in your wardrobe year-round.

Arket

Knitted Alpaca Yak Vest

Knitted vests are so popular right now. Layer over blouses, shirts and dresses.

COS

Wool-Blend Pleated Mini Skirt

This mini is made from a traceable wool blend and recycled polyester.

H&M

Leather Knee-High Boots

H&M is nailing its premium boot offering this season.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Up Next: Here's Everything Our Editors Wore to London Fashion Week

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Poppy joined the Who What Wear UK team as managing editor in 2022. After graduating from university with a degree in English literature, she worked for a number of print and digital publications, including Women's Health, The Times, Hello! and Marie Claire. In these roles she assisted the fashion teams with print content as well as digital shopping features, shoots and celebrity news.

Prior to Who What Wear, Poppy worked at SheerLuxe as the commercial content manager. There she oversaw all paid-for site content and inclusions, managed the visual assets and briefs for branded content, and ensured all content—whether editorial or commercial—was in line with overall brand guidelines and tone. She also supported the editorial team by looking after visual merchandising on site and reviewing the brand’s daily newsletters.

As WWW UK’s managing editor, Poppy spends most of her time looking after the content calendar and all output across the brand, in addition to working with contributors, supporting with social media planning, assisting with branded content and contributing to brand strategy. Poppy prides herself on being organised, and a keen eye for detail means she oversees the production of tentpole moments such as Who What Wear’s quarterly celebrity covers, the Wedding Issue, team shoots, events, industry-facing moments, gift guides and more. In addition to this, Poppy ensures processes across the brand are efficient and effective, and is always on the lookout for ways the team can work smarter, not harder! As someone who works behind the scenes (Poppy loves a spreadsheet!), you won’t find many articles by Poppy on site, but when you do there’s no doubt they will either be focused on dresses, handbags or classic high-street buys. Or better yet, all three!

Born and raised in London, Poppy is a true city girl. When she's not thinking about clothes (or raiding her mum’s wardrobe), Poppy fills her time walking along the river with her 11-year-old labradoodle, getting stuck in a good book and enjoying as many of the city’s amazing restaurants and bars as her purse will allow! Her favourite London spots are Caravel for dinner, the Ham Yard Hotel for a fancy pre-theatre drink, Daunt Books for a new read, 26Grains for breakfast and Coal Drop's Yard for a spot of shopping.