25 Ways To Style A Maxi Skirt For Effortless Cool Girl Looks

If you have a maxi skirt but no idea how to style it without looking drab – you’re in luck! Here are 25 chic ways to wear a maxi skirt, no matter the occasion.

Maxi skirts are a staple in any everyday wardrobe. They come in many different colors, lengths, and styles that you can wear a longer-length maxi skirt to work, on the weekends with friends, or even at formal events in place of a dress!

This wardrobe staple was first introduced in the 1960s, and they have only continued to gain popularity as the years go by. When styled right, maxi skirts look flattering on any body shape.

However, if styling isn’t your forte, you’re in luck! We’ve explored 25 of the best ways to style a long maxi skirt so you can look stylish no matter the time of year.

The 25 Best Ways to Wear a Maxi Skirt

1. Knit Blouse

As we approach the fall months and cold weather, preparing your transitional wardrobe is key for dressing for the rapid weather change. A knit top is a great addition to your closet as it provides the warmth of a sweater without being too cozy.

If it’s still the tail end of summer, style this with sandals and an oversized hobo bag for a laidback look; otherwise, for the fall months, this is perfectly paired with chunky boots and a tote bag.

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2. Beige Button-Up

A button-down shirt is a great option for a formal wear look, especially in warmer weather. Paired with a loose, breezy maxi skirt, this is great if you are a corporate girlie and spend most of your summer days behind your desk.

This can be layered easily and are an extremely versatile piece of clothing. They’re also great to wear in the fall when it starts getting chilly outside, but you can still show off your summer tan by wearing them open with a tank underneath.

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3. White Tank Top

A simple white tank top is a staple piece of clothing. A plain tank top is perfect for wearing alone in the hot summer months and can be layered under other blouses and sweaters in the winter to provide an extra layer of warmth.

Form-fitting tank tops will contrast with the loose silhouette of your maxi skirt, and it makes for a chic option to wear with your skirt for the summer. For ultimate versatility, a great choice would be getting a plain tank top in a neutral color to pair with different types of skirts and outerwear.

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4. White Crop Top

Cropped tops are a perfect choice to wear with high-waisted maxi skirts as the sliver of skin it exposes breaks up the silhouette keeping the look fresh and young!

A white top is also easily matched with any color and is a staple for a capsule wardrobe. To keep this look chic and sophisticated, pair this with neutral accessories.

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5. Oversized Blazer

An oversized blazer is the perfect slouchy accompaniment to a silky slip maxi skirt. This pair references the comfortable and still chic, Scandinavian style, which is soaring in popularity on social media.

The rest of the outfit can be kept minimalistic and dainty to balance the structure of the blazer.

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6. White Long Sleeve Blouse

Depending on your personal style, and level of modesty, a long-sleeve blouse is a great look paired with a maxi skirt. If you’re on a beachside vacation where the weather can veer on being chilly, this is the perfect effortless outfit.

If modesty isn’t a consideration, but you like the idea of the long sleeves, go for a blouse with a plunging neckline or a low back/backless detail for a bit of drama.

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7. Colorful Tank Top

A tank top in a bold color is a great simple way to incorporate some color into your look for any season. Bright colors can be a scary territory to venture into if you’re not experienced with styling different colors to suit your skin tone.

However, because a tank means more of your skin will be on display than the tank, this doesn’t need to be a consideration.

If you’re already experimental with your fashion, why not wear a matching top and maxi skirt in different shades of the same color for a perfect summer look? So not to overpower the overall outfit, keep your hair and makeup minimal for that effortless Scandinavian aesthetic.

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8. Oversized Waistcoat

Maxi skirts are inherently not extremely formal, so if you’re looking to style this for a formal or work event, pay close attention to the structure of your top. A waistcoat was traditionally part of a men’s three-piece suit, but with changing tastes in womenswear veering towards an androgynous style, this is now a staple piece.

An oversized waistcoat is the best of both worlds as it is structured to add some edge to the outfit, but the relaxed, oversized vibe plays off a flowy maxi skirt.

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9. Oversized Tee

Nothing beats an oversized graphic tee, even in a chic wardrobe. Some occasions call for a relaxed vibe that can’t be replicated from anything other than a classic ol’ tee.

This pairs perfectly with a slimming slip skirt, as an a-line maxi skirt could look frumpy paired with an oversized top. The rest of the outfit can be kept edgy with black dad sandals and sharp-edged sunnies.

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10. Sleeveless Knit Top

A sleeveless knit top somewhat contradicts itself, but it is perfect for the period between summer and fall. A maxi denim skirt has been popping up on the runways for the past few seasons and is a trend here to stay.

To keep this ‘cool girl’ look chic, keep the accessories minimal and elevated. Dad sandals are a summer staple and a great option for walking through the city streets.

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11. Multicolor Shirt

A multicolor shirt is the perfect way to get a pop of color in your maxi skirt outfit without compromising on structure and elegance. For those looking to incorporate their personal style into their office outfits, this is a great styling idea.

If you’re willing to go even further, matching your accessories to the accent color of the shirt will tie together the overall outfit.

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12. Strappy Top

For a more casual look during the summer season, going for a cami top [similar to a tank top but with spaghetti straps] is a great way to beat the summer heat.

Cami tops come in all ranges of patterns and colors, so you can find one perfect for the occasion, though this is especially great for easy vacation dressing.

Pairing this with simple strappy sandals and a fun handbag will result in that model-off-duty ‘I woke up like this’ look.

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13. Classic White Tee

Nothing beats a classic white tee! These can be paired with just about anything and this includes a maxi skirt. This is a great option if you have a bright or multicolor maxi skirt that you want to sober down.

If you want to elevate this look, go for a pair of fun kitten heels to play into the Y2K micro-trend, as well as chunky minimal jewelry – perfect for a sundowner event.

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14. Boyfriend shirt

For an edgier look, nothing really beats an oversized boyfriend shirt paired with a maxi skirt, particularly a slip skirt. As for the rest of your outfit, this is where a little more effort needs to be made, so this is a great option for all the shoe lovers out there.

Wear this maxi skirt look with high heels to keep it elevated and chic whilst still looking relaxed and effortless.

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15. Denim Shirt

Denim is a great option for the cooler months, and what matches better with a denim maxi skirt than a denim shirt? Double denim was all the rage during the 2000s [remember Justin Timberlake on the red carpet?], and the resurgence of the Y2K trend means this is still a fashion-forward look.

This is still a great option with a non-denim skirt and can be worn open in place of a denim jacket during the transitional months.

To fully commit to the Y2K look, go for pointed-toe kitten heel booties and a shoulder bag in matching colors.

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16. Striped Shirt

A striped shirt is a classic and recurring recommendation from us at Chic Pursuit. Focusing on vertical lines or vertical stripes means the shirt will be flattering on your silhouette and, paired with a sleek maxi skirt, can be super elongating.

To keep this look casual, you can pair it with chunky dad sneakers or even dad sandals if you’re blessed with a hot sunny day.

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17. Strapless Top

Nothing screams bohemian style like a maxi skirt and a strapless top. A tiered maxi skirt such as this is actually a traditional dress of the Romani gypsy group, and so is also known as a gypsy skirt. And so, to play off this flowy style, going for a strapless top that shows off your decolletage is a flattering look.

This can be worn with flat sandals in the summer or layered with a cropped cardigan or blazer for the chilly fall season.

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18. Bralette

For styling a maxi skirt for special occasions, going for an intricate or embellished bralette is the perfect juxtaposition. For all the petite ladies, this is a great option as the maxi skirt can drown your figure if not styled correctly, so having something ‘barely there’ on top will look fantastic.

If a bralette makes you feel too exposed, this can be layered with a classic white shirt and worn with flat sandals to avoid it looking tacky.

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19. Vest

In the same way that waistcoats have surged in popularity, Scandinavian influencers have brought the vest back, and it’s here to stay. This is the perfect layering piece, as it can be worn alone or layered with a blouse or long-sleeve top.

To maintain the Scandinavian style, wear your maxi skirt outfit with a hobo bag and dad sandals in neutral tones.

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20. Chambray Shirt

A great way to keep your maxi skirt looking formal and classic is with a chambray shirt. Chambray is a cotton-based fabric woven to look like denim, however, it has a lighter and airy texture, so it is perfect for the hot weather.

Because the chambray shirt has white undertones, this is best paired with a skirt in white or off-white. You can experiment with your accessories, however, one of the most popular shoe options this season are clogs.

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21. Co-ord Set

If you’re not gifted with the natural ability of styling, a co-ord set is the perfect option for you. Maxi skirts and crop tops often come in matching sets owed to their ability to be dressed up for formal events and dressed down for easy vacation looks.

Because the outfit will likely pack a punch on its own, keep the rest of your accessories minimal.

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22. Baby Tee

One of the best kinds of tops to wear with a maxi skirt is a baby tee. This is essentially a tight-fitting cropped t-shirt; like imagine if you wore one of your own childhood tees.

This was a super popular option for those invested in the Y2K trend, as this was usually paired with low-waisted jeans in favor of a bare mid-drift.

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23. Bodysuit

A maxi skirt is not only the perfect transitional piece but also a great alternative for a beach cover-up paired with a swimsuit.

If you plan on wearing this on the beach or by the pool, it’s important to consider harmful UV rays and carry a sun hat.

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24. Blazer

For a more formal event where you need to look put together, a blazer is the perfect component. A slip skirt or a tulle maxi skirt is juxtaposed with a structured blazer and is the perfect balance of Masculin Féminin.

To elevate the look further, add a belt to cinch in the look and pair it with pointed pumps.

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25. Cropped Tee

A cropped tee paired with a relaxed style of cotton maxi skirt is the perfect model-off-duty look. It’s great for a summer girls’ lunch as it can be dressed up or down.

As for the rest of your outfit, keep most of your accessories clean and minimal, but add some spice with statement sunglasses or a handbag to dress up the look.

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Up next: 6 Outfits To Wear With Wedges For Dainty, Feminine Looks

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