This Piece Of Clothing Is My Secret Weapon For Dressing Comfortably But Also Youthful + Chic In My 40s.
Hint: Not mini but…
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by Audie Metcalf
Fine I’ll just tell you.
It’s the maxi skirt.
And I know you’re sort of furrowing your brow like this is the most obvious thing in the world, but I want you to really think about how many true maxi skirts you own. Like truly long, gorgeously flattering skirts. I would bet not a lot. Why? Because they’re actually very hard to find. Most brands don’t even have a category for skirts in their drop down menus. Honestly. Start to look out for this. It’s bizarre.
But true maxi skirts are the unicorn of the comfy/chic/young trifecta that I’m always on the hunt for. The CCY if you will. Should I trademark this? I’m going to.
Ok here are the skirts. I hope they’re still available because a handful of mine I’ve had for a while.
1. The Poplin
WHAT: Velvet by Graham & Spencer Filla Skirt*
A true maxi. Cotton poplin (the ultimate CCY fabric). An elastic waist (CCY again!). And, but of course, pockets. I should have put my hands in the pockets but as you can see, I use a tripod now with a clicker to take the photo, and I was too focused on that. But rest assured. Pockets. This color is also a DREAM and seems to go with everything I own. I wore it in blazing hot temps with sandals and a tube top and now I’m wearing it with boots and jackets and it’s perfection. Compliments galore when I’m out. If you invest in only one thing on this list, make it this. I’m wearing a size small, so it runs slightly large.
SHOP THE LOOK
2. The Smocked Denim
WHAT: Madewell Smocked-Waist Denim Midi Skirt*
This skirt is like the sweatpants of skirts. The smocking is soooo gloriously stretchy, so if I’m feeling blah and gross but still want to look semi-presentable, I reach for this skirt. That sweatshirt* is also a dream for the blah/presentable goal. In real life, I’d be wearing sneakers or some kind of flip but these* sandals are new and gorgeous so I wanted them to have their day in the sun. Also, I sort of wish I’d gotten this skirt in this* denim color because it’s cuter.
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3. The Sculpting Denim
WHAT: Madewell Denim Midi Circle Skirt in Avonmore Wash: Airy Denim Edition*
Oh look. Another denim skirt! Something to note is that we will often see skirts described as “midi” but once they are on us non-gigantically tall women (I’m 5’6” for ref) they are actually maxis! I will say this skirt’s shape is great if you’re an hourglass but if you’re more appley THIS* one is supremely flattering. Also don’t come at me about the jacket—it’s second hand. (Still saved up for it.)
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* Gifted products included
4. The Khaki
WHAT: Free People All Around Midi Skirt*
Another true maxi! Don’t I look like I should be teaching philosophy on a crisp fall day in a cozy northeastern college? Perhaps I will someday. But in the meantime, I will be buying this perfect, khaki-ish skirt that I cannot wait to wear with knee-high socks and a riding boot. And ps, it runs very large. Also look* at the back—it’s sort of pleated in this very flattering way. I know you think Free People is for festival goers and Gen Zers, but I promise, it’s also for us.
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5. the Bubble
WHAT: Maeve Bubble-Hem Maxi Skirt*
Do any of us “need” a gigantic cobalt blue, bubble hem, ball gown skirt? Perhaps not. But look how great it looks paired with my vintage Sade shirt that I chopped and altered! I dunno, I think a wild huge skirt like this is the answer for so many events when you want to look extremely chic but also really don’t want to look like everyone else. And I love that Anthro makes stuff like this that’s weird. Also it’s so comfortable, it’s like wearing house clothes.
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6. The Faded Denim
WHAT: Pilcro Pintuck Basque-Waist Denim Maxi Skirt*
Sorry. Another denim skirt. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. This one is so supremely wearable, is actually very flattering on a belly pooch, runs a little big, and has sort of a western twang to it which I’m a big fan of. God the lighting in Anthro dressing rooms is good, isn’t it?
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7. The Classic Black
WHAT: Madewell Circle Midi Skirt in Crêpe de Chine*
If you’re familiar with my “work” I am very down on wearing black on the bottom. Mostly because black on the bottom and white on the top makes us all look like waiters with no style (link). So the next option is usually color and color with black is THE most mindless way to dress in the world and DEFinitely is not adhering to our CCY we established. Lots of examples of how bad this looks HERE.
However.
If you promise me you’ll wear a stripe or a neutral like a grey, or better yet, you’ll wear black on top (because nothing is chicer than all black) then I must inform you that this black skirt is absolutely gorgeous. It’s that silky crepe material that looks sharp but is totally machine washable and low maintenance. And the slit! I bought it immediately. I might go back for the flats which are close to the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn in my life.
SHOP THE LOOK
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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