Jacqueline Ames
The term “midi” applies to any skirt that is a length from two inches below the knees to just above the ankles. A midi can be any type of skirt of that length – pencil, A-line, or circular.
A midi skirt can be worn year round and can be worn with a lot of different types of footwear. So you’d think this is an item that everyone should have in their closet!
But when it comes down to it, midi skirts can be a little awkward.
Finding the happy medium between a 7-year-old’s birthday party outfit and Senior’s Bingo night can be a little tricky. If not styled properly, a midi skirt can have you looking downright frumpy.
In this article, we are going to go over what shoes to wear with a midi skirt and give you a few styling tips to have you rocking a midi skirt, no matter what body shape you are.
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What Shoes To Wear With A Midi Skirt
1. Sandals
Sandals can look great with a midi skirt. Whether it’s a simple thong, strappy sandals or gladiators, they all create a cool, relaxed summer look.
2. Flats
Despite what you may have heard, yes, you can wear flats with midi skirts. The key is to avoid rounded toes, and opt for flats with an almond-shaped toe or pointed toe to elongate your bottom half.
And while flats won’t make you look shorter, they won’t make you look taller either, so heels might be a better option for the shorter ladies.
All that said, if you are not especially short and you want to go with a loafer with a rounded toe, there’s nothing stopping you. Just remember that all of our tips are just tips, not rules.
3. Sneakers
Sneakers are a fun and casual alternative with a midi skirt. There is something to be said about the simplicity and the casual effortlessness that this pairing exudes that makes it stylish. With sneakers you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style.
4. Mules
Mules are easy to wear thanks to their backless design, making them simple to slip in and out of. They are super versatile and can be worn with a variety of outfits, including midi skirts. Mules come in all sorts of styles, from flats and wedges to heels, all of which look great with a midi.
Mules can go from super casual to a much dressier style. You just need to choose the style of mule that goes with the style of your outfit.
And ladies there is nothing that elongates the leg more than a clear shoe!
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5. Strappy Heels
If you are looking to take your long skirt up a style notch, ditch the flats, sneakers and sandals and go for a strappy heel. They will give any midi skirt outfit a more feminine and sophisticated look.
When you go for strappy heels with a midi skirt, it’s best to choose thin, ‘barely there’ straps, otherwise opt for a nude shade. Straps can, in some cases, cut you off at the ankle if they are too wide and make your legs look shorter.
6. Ankle Boots
Ankle boots are some of the most versatile footwear you can own. You can choose from a variety of styles, materials, and heel heights. They’re one of the best shoes to wear with skirts.
But when it comes to midi skirts, ankle boots are best worn with pencil skirts, as long as the hem isn’t too close to the top of the boot. Also go for an ankle boot that goes a little higher, over the ankle.
You can wear ankle boots with other styles of midi skirts if you wear tights the same color as your boots.
When it comes to combat-type boots, like Doc Martens, well they kind of go against all the rules. But then again, that’s what they’re all about!
So if you want to put a little edge to your style, throw all the fashion tips out the window and go with the combat boots and create your own style!
7. Knee-High Boots
There is nothing that makes a skirt look more put together than a pair of knee high boots. Midi skirts are no exception. We love this for a fall and winter look. Just make sure that your skirt hem falls past the top of the boot if you are wearing a shorter midi skirt.
How Do You Wear A Midi Skirt Without Looking Frumpy?
The modest hemline of the midi skirt makes it a favorite of girls under the age of 8 and little old ladies everywhere.
And while the midi has a habit of not doing your figure any favors, midi skirts are back in and trending right now. It’s changing who is wearing them and how they are being worn.
So if you are looking to be wearing your midi like a fashion influencer, rather than your Great Aunt Agnes, we have a few styling tips for you on how to wear a midi skirt without looking frumpy.
1. Styling is key and High/Low is the way to go
Hi/Low is a fashion term meant to describe mixing designer fashion with urban streetwear. Try pairing your midi skirt with a T-shirt and sneakers, a crop top and ankle boots, or your favorite fitted denim jacket and lace-up sandals.
It’s about getting that mix of more contemporary, casual pieces with your midi that won’t have anyone mistaking you for the school librarian.
2. Choose a shape that flatters you
If you are petite, choose a midi skirt with a higher hemline, or get it tailored. It’s all about proportion.
Longer midis tend to look a bit awkward if you are shorter, making them look too long for your height, but not long enough to be a maxi skirt.
Opt for a hem that hits just below the knee.
If you have a pear or apple-shaped body, meaning your bottom half is slightly wider than your top half, or most of your weight is concentrated in the middle of your frame, to create a balance from head to toe, wear a midi skirt that cinches in at the waist and then flares out at the bottom.
If you are tall and lean, you can pretty much wear any style of skirt you want, but you will look particularly elegant in a longer midi skirt.
If you have more of an athletic build, don’t be shy to show it off! You can wear just about any shape of midi skirt as well, but a shorter midi with heels will accentuate those calf muscles and elongate your legs.
3. Heels
Heels are an instant way to take the frumpiness out of a midi. Whether it’s a shoe or boot, heels will class up your midi and make your legs look longer.
A block heel gives more of a contemporary look for a midi than a shoe with a pointed heel, not to mention that they are a lot more comfortable to wear.
4. Cinch the waist
Wearing a belt with a midi skirt in a contrasting color will focus the eye on the slimmest part of your torso and help to create an hourglass silhouette. If you are wearing a shirt that’s not a crop top, tuck it in!
Big slouchy sweaters and oversized shirts with midi skirts don’t mix.
You want to look stylish, not frumpy, right? We have some great casual midi skirt styles coming up that were done right, so keep reading!
5. Avoid cross-body bags
Cross-body bags tend to be unflattering when paired with a midi skirt. A cross-body bag will draw the eye horizontally across your body and kind of cuts you in two in all the wrong spots.
You want to focus on creating vertical emphasis, not horizontal emphasis! Opt instead for a handbag with handles that you can either carry in your hand or a longer strap that you wear on just one shoulder.
Conclusion
Midi skirts can be a fantastic, super versatile wardrobe staple if you style them right. Just remember to choose a midi skirt style that suits your body shape. And when it comes to what shoes to wear with a midi, you have a lot of choices.
These are some of the key points to remember when choosing shoes to go with your midi skirt:
- For closed-toed flats and boots, opt for a pointed or almond-shaped toe, rather than round (unless they are sneakers!)
- If going for strappy heels, choose thinner straps and try to avoid straps that go straight across your ankle. Or choose a nude color that matches your skin tone.
- Ankle boots are best worn with pencil midis, as long as the hem is not too close to the top of the boot.
- When wearing knee-high boots, make sure the hem goes over the top of the boot.
