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As we breezed through the stark white office’s of One World Trade Center for our Monday morning team meeting, my co-worker glanced down at my outfit, then back up at me. “You never wear pants!” she exclaimed. I thought about it for a moment. Once upon a time, my closet was overflowing with high-rise denim, bootcut trousers, and pleated, baggy pants that pooled around my kitten heels. I quickly flipped through the images of the outfits I wore over the past few months in my mind like a cinematic film. I hadn’t put on pants in a long time: “Oh, wow. You’re right!” I have been pants-free since starting this job at Vogue in September, and although I kept acquiring new trousers—I never wore them.
According to Capsule Wardrobe Data, a fashion site that uses shopping data to assist people with their wardrobes, the average person owns seven skirts. I, however, counted mine and had to sit on the floor to contemplate my entire life. Once I hit 31, I gave up and shut my closet door. My accidental pants-less endeavors are not something I set out to achieve. As I scrolled through outfit photos I’d taken over the years, it became clear that after the pandemic, my mind went to comfort and ease. My pants were thrown out the window (donated), and instead, replaced with leather midiskirts, pleated maxi lengths and sweater dresses. Similarly to the fool-proof ease of wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, a skirt or dress represents effortlessness without sacrificing polish—and that’s a wardrobe ethos I ve come to embrace as I’ve moved into my thirties. Hard pants are my hard line, for now—they represent personal style boxes I previously tried to squeeze myself into; regardless of size or silhouette, fitted and uncomfortable, and something I’m not willing to do at this moment. Skirts feel freeing.
My favorite skirts in my wardrobe cover every category. There are neutral wool midis from J.Crew and Joseph that complement knee-high boots and chunky loafers. When paired with draped scarf sweaters and button-down shirts, my Akris laser-cut skirt and a printed organza midi from Zara add texture and funky prints. For the work days when I m feeling extra cozy, I look at knitted sweater dresses that can be dressed up, or down. Malene Birger is always my go-to for creamy, chunky cable knit styles while Norma Kamali has a great waist-cinching option for those after-work dinner dates and events. There’s a pleated number from Miu Miu (mine is the vintage version, but this chocolate brown one is a dream!) and leather options from Co and Veronica Beard in my rotation, too.
My pantsless journey is, apparently, just beginning. I may have ordered two more this month—don’t tell my husband. The skirts and dresses that make up a majority of my winter wardrobe, ahead.
Leather Weather Midiskirts
The leather midiskirt’s effortlessness—and transitional appeal—is a go-to for my city-dwelling lifestyle. On casual days, I like to wear them with oversized turtlenecks (à la the Olsens) and moto boots. For work weeks, you’ll often see me sporting one with a crisp poplin shirt or fitted crewneck.
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Let’s Get Funky
I may gravitate toward neutrals 90% of the time, but every so often I like to indulge in a little playful print. Zara’s organza skirt looks more expensive than it is, and everytime I wear it, I end up receiving a ton of compliments. Another coveted skirt of mine is Tibi’s recycled wool option—it’s designed with a built-in boxer effect that looks so good with a tucked button-down and glossy leather belt.
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Knitted to the Max
Dresses, dresses, dresses—where would my wardrobe be without a good rotation of dresses? My most recent purchase includes this under-$300 option from Mango, which is both a skirt and a turtleneck—the best of both worlds, in my opinion. For laid-back days, I reach for Cos’s grey knitted shift dress. It looks too chic with tall kitten-heel boots and tights.
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Something Wooly
I’m not willing to forgo my skirts come winter. If anything, the seasonal shift makes me more determined to challenge myself and my layering techniques. The wool midi is the perfect solution to cold-weather problems. This J.Crew skirt comes in a versatile cream, with an A-line silhouette. It’s perfectly heavy. Speaking of heavy, Joseph s Duparc skirt cascades to an asymmetric hem and is weighty like a well-made sweater.
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Pleats, Please!
In my youth, I had a Blair Waldorf obsession. Her Upper East Side prep school aesthetic never left my mind or closet, and even years later, I still embrace uniform codes. These days, instead of going full girly-girl, I lean into Miuccia’s motto of “ugly chic.”My favorite part about a pleated skirt is that no two are the same. Just take a look at the silky brown lines cut into JW Anderson’s skirt, or the voluminous pleats in Toteme’s cotton blend maxi. I think I ve worn both into the ground—and rightfully so.
