How to Wear an A‐Line Skirt

Co-authored by Susan Kim

Last Updated: July 6, 2021 References

An a-line skirt is simply a skirt that flares towards the bottom such that it has the appearance of the letter ‘A’. A-line skirts can also be of any length, which means you’re likely to find one that’s perfect for you and your body type. The A-line style of skirt is one of the most popular types of skirts available and can be worn in dozens of different ways.^{[1]
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Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 30 April 2019.} A-line skirts can also be dressed down and up, depending on the specific event you’re wearing it for.^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Creating a Casual Look

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Opt for a denim or corduroy a-line skirt for a weekend adventure. A-line skirts come in all fabrics and colors, a denim or corduroy skirt, or even a suede skirt, will make a great casual, weekend look. If you have long, slim legs, choose a skirt that ends above your knees. If you have bulkier legs or wider hips, choose a skirt that is at least knee-length.^{[3]
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- If your casual a-line skirt has belt loops, opt for a leather belt in black or brown.
2
Wear sneakers or sandals and keep your legs bare in warm weather. If you’re wearing your a-line skirt in warm weather, treat your a-line skirt like a pair of shorts and keep your legs bare. Keep your feet bare as well and wear a pair of casual, flat sandals. If it’s cooler weather, or if you’re going to participate in more active events, add ankle socks and sneakers to your outfit.^{[4]
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3
Dress with layered tops for flexibility in cooler weather. Layering tops means you can add or remove layers depending on the weather or indoor temperature. Start with a tank top or sleeveless top, add a short or long-sleeved button-up blouse, and then top it off with a sweater or sweatshirt for warmth.^{[5]
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- For example, start with a colorful tank top with a white, long-sleeve button-up blouse on top. Then wear a funky sweatshirt, with a fun image or text, on top.
- Another example, wear a white tank top with a low-neck or off-the-shoulder sweater on top.
- Replace the sweater or sweatshirt with a knit vest in spring or fall weather, or when you’re going to wear a jacket.
- Don’t be afraid to wear a denim top with a denim skirt. Select a top that’s a different shade of denim from the skirt.
4
Wear simple, minimal accessories to keep your look casual. To keep your look casual, add a limited amount of accessories like jewellery. When you do add accessories to your casual outfit, keep them simple and practical. For example, opt for gold hoop earrings, a watch with a leather band, and a simple gold chain necklace.^{[6]
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- If you’re spending time outside in your casual outfit, consider adding a cute hat that matches your outfit.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Kim
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2019.}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Wearing an A-Line Skirt to Work

1
Select a midi-length a-line skirt for the business look. When wearing an a-line skirt to work in an office or professional business, opt for a skirt that is at least knee-length. A skirt that goes 2 inches (5.1 cm) to 3 inches (7.6 cm) below your knee is the perfect professional length and can be worn with almost any body type.^{[8]
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- If you’re tall and slim, you can also choose a skirt that goes down to your ankles.
- Many dress skirts don’t have belt loops and therefore don’t require a belt. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a decorative metal belt around your waist to add some sparkle.
2
Choose tights or pantyhose that are sheer or skin-tone. When dressing for work, it’s always a good idea to include a pair of tights or pantyhose to your outfit. To keep things simple, select pantyhose that are sheer or skin-tone. If you’d prefer tights, keep them simple with solid colors. Alternatively, opt for pantyhose or tights with a simple pattern, such as argyle.^{[9]
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Pair your skirt with a top that is both professional and practical. When selecting a top to go with your a-line skirt for the office, look for a top that completes the business look. Also, think about the temperature of your office when selecting a top. For example, if you’re office tends to be on the cooler side, opt for a sweater set to wear with your skirt. If your office tends to be on the warmer side, opt for a sleeveless or short-sleeved top.^{[10]
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- For example, wear a white, button-up, long-sleeved top tucked into your skirt. Add a loose, colorful sweater on top if you need the warmth.
- Another example, select a blouse with a colorful or unique pattern (such as a leopard print) to go with a solid-colored skirt.
4
Wear heels to elongate your legs. For the full work look, choose heels to wear with your mid-length a-line skirt. The heels will also help define your legs and, and for shorter women, will make your legs look longer. Also, choose shoes that are skin-tone rather than shoes that match the color of your skirt, to make your legs look longer.^{[11]
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- For example, select simple skin-tone stilettos to go with a skirt of any colour when wearing sheer or skin-tone pantyhose.
5
Select a pair of boots if heels aren't your thing. Ankle boots, worn with tights of the same color, look great with a mid-length a-line skirt. Knee-high boots can also be worn with mid-length a-line skirts, either with or without pantyhose or tights. Black above-the-knee boots can also look really elegant when worn with black tights and a skirt that ends above the knee.^{[12]
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- If you want to make your legs look slimmer in your knee-high boots, opt for a pair that are simple and sleek, not a pair that slouch or have loose fabric.
6
Add bright and colorful accessories to bring the look together. If you’ve selected a skirt and top that are simple colors or shades of black and white, select bright and colorful accessories for the outfit. This might mean pairing a white shirt and black skirt with a bright yellow or green, chunky necklace. Or skip the necklace and instead opt for bright-colored, large earrings.^{[13]
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- If you prefer a more subtle look, add a gold or silver watch, matching earrings, and a simple pendant necklace.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Going out on the Town

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Select leather, satin, or lace to dress things up. When wearing an a-line skirt to an evening event, party, or a night on the town, look for one made of leather, satin, or even layers of lace to dress-up your look. You can also select a skirt that’s made from a material with a metallic sheen to it to add a bit of sparkle.^{[14]
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- Another option is to select an a-line skirt with a solid fabric as a lower layer and a sheer fabric as a top layer.
- If your skirt has belt loops, add a belt that’s the same color as the skirt so that it blends into the skirt.
2
Choose a skirt length that is appropriate for the event. The length of your skirt should depend upon the event you’re attending. If you’re going to a formal dinner with work colleagues, a mid-length skirt is probably the best option. If you’re going to a club or party with your friends, feel free to wear a mini-skirt.^{[15]
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- If you’re attending a formal, black-tie event, select an a-line skirt that goes all the way to the ground and has a lot of flow and material.
3
Try a sheer top to accentuate your figure. When it’s a night out on the town, you can be a little more flirtatious and select a sheer top to go with your a-line skirt. Pair the sheer top with a fancy bra or tank top. Tuck your shirt into your skirt to show off your figure. Alternatively, select a flowy, satin blouse in a bright color to pair with a black skirt.^{[16]
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- If you opt for a black skirt and top, add a colorful jacket to your outfit as a splash of color that will make you stand out in the crowd.
4
Opt for strappy heels, stilettos, or knee-high boots for the wow factor. Add pantyhose to your outfit if you’re attending a formal event or if it’s cool outside. Keep your legs bare if you’re attending a more casual function with friends, especially if the event is outside in the summer. Add strappy sandals to your bare legs for a fun look at an outdoor event in the summer. Add stilettos with or without pantyhose to elongate your legs in any type of weather. Add knee-high boots with pantyhose to a cool-weather event.^{[17]
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- Avoid flat shoes for a night on the town, unless you’re really tall and slim.
5
Add sparkly accessories to stand out. You can opt for a minimalist look by wearing a simple pair of silver or gold loop earrings to your outfit, but no other accessories. Or you can select earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet with some bling to add sparkle and class to your outfit.^{[18]
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- If you’ve opted for an all-black evening outfit, try adding a colorful and bright necklace to the outfit.
- If you have a long neck and have opted for a low-cut top, add a lace choker to your outfit.
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Question

What shoes do you wear with an A-line skirt?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

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Complete your outfit with choose closed-toed, strappy heels for a cooler, summer look.
Question

What do you wear under an A-line dress?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

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If the weather is cooler, add a cute pair of tights with a unique pattern on them. Alternatively, if you’re wearing a solid black skirt and top, pair them with a pair of pantyhose or tights with a pattern that really stands out.
Question

Are A-line skirts versatile wardrobe pieces?

Susan Kim
Professional Stylist
Susan Kim is the owner of Sum+Style Co., a Seattle-based personal styling company focused on innovative and approachable fashion. She has over 5 years of experience in the fashion industry, and received her AA from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Susan Kim

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

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Definitely. You can dress them up for weekends, dress them down for more professional looks, and they're appropriate for all ages.