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Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
The pencil skirt is always considered “the classic” workwear piece — but flared skirts (whether they be A-lines, flounces, trumpets, or circle skirts) are a classic — and they're everywhere right now (much like fit-and-flare dresses).
Readers, have you bought any flared or A-line skirts lately? Any classic pieces that you bought a few years ago but still wear (and, even better, still see it for sale)?
Our Latest Favorite Flared Skirts for Work
Flared midi skirts are a trend that is running across all the 2024 work skirt trends… here's a roundup focusing just on them, but check out our post for all of the trends!
Flared Skirts We've Featured in 2024
Ann Taylor
Silky, drapey skirts have been in for a while now, but I like the pleated versions much better because they're not quite as unforgiving as their more slip-like sisters. In fact, pleated skirts are a somewhat big trend at the moment.
Ann Taylor has this pretty flared skirt with a pleat in multiple colors and patterns, available in sizes 0-18.
J.Crew
Sweater knits are another big trend for skirts in 2024 — and I love this flared skirt in merino from J.Crew in a sweater knit. It has a fold-over waistline, which seems cool.
It's available in three colors, sizes XXS-3X, and you can find sweaters that match if you prefer the versatility of separates over dresses.
Tuckernuck
Know your office before wearing a leather skirt to work — they aren't appropriate everywhere! That said, I much prefer these flared skirts in leather over the leather pencil skirts we've seen in the past. They let you play with texture without looking quite so much like an extra from Married to the Mob.
This leather flared skirt is from preppy girl favorite store Tuckernuck, available in sizes XXS-XXXL.
This post was originally written in 2014, but updated as indicated.
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Anon
Love this roundup. Can anyone speak to quality and fit of ASOS?
anon
Depends on what you buy from them; their own label is fast fashion, like H&M quality, but they also carry designers and that all depends on who it it, etc. but can be a lot higher quality. I’ve found the ASOS line to be TTS (I’m typically a 10 and their 10s fit perfectly).
anon
Agreed, but I do think their quality is higher than H&M.
Longtime lurker
Agreed with the anons above on quality – I’ve found their quality slightly better than H&M, great for parties or casual wear, but hit-or-miss if you’re looking for work wear or a nicer event.
I find that they run small. I’m usually a 0 or 2p at BR/Ann Taylor, and 4 or 6 in the asos sizes.
RR
I kind of hate that in a round up of six skirts, we can’t include a single option that’s available in plus sizes. This is why I’m reading Capitol Hill Style more and more these days.
Anonymous
Like this one:
http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Details/3550163?categoryid=b60166448|f8000843
Which took me 2 minutes to find. It’s just lazy.
Wildkitten
+10 I love that CHS always includes a plus sized option.
Ellen
I agree. When I was workeing in DC, I always wore knit skirt’s, most of which were flared, and the guy’s on the hill told me I would look like a cherleader if I bought a pair of saddel shoes! Now, guy’s seem to like me weareing pencil skirts w/my 4″ heel’s, especialy the judge, who is now my biggest clotheing fan (other then the manageing partner, who pay’s for the clothe’s).
I think weareing flared skirt’s are good in the summer, b/c it get’s hot outside, particularly if you wear pencil skirt’s with stocking’s which can be very warm. Inside, it doe’s not matter, but we all have to go out for lunch, and that is what count’s. YAY!!
Blonde Lawyer
I think there is an awesome business opportunity for someone to start a plus-size business clothing blog. Please don’t take that idea as a “we don’t want you here” insult because that is not what I mean! I too think all sizes should be show cased here. I’ve just seen lots of commenters over the years looking for such a s!te and I think one of the awesome readers here should jump on it.
(edited to get out of mod)
RR
No offense taken. I’ve considered it myself, but I just don’t have the time. I don’t even mind on the day to day TPS and coffee break. It’s when there is a whole round up that can’t include one option. Or, when every TPS for weeks stops at a size 12 or so. I can’t wear 95% of what Belle posts on Capitol Hill Style, but at least she’s remembering that I exist.
kellyandthen
That last line…yes.
HSAL
Yep. I’m really surprised that more of an effort hasn’t been made to include plus options, given how often posters here have asked for them.
LittleLaw
CHS has been amazing lately. Belle includes plus, petite, and tall options. And I enjoyed her guest posts here, too. I really don’t know how she finds the time!
I generally prefer her style to the clothing and shoe options posted here, anyway! There are the occasional gorgeous single items that come along every few weeks, but I feel like lately the clothing suggestions seem kind of dated. Not all of them, just quite a few. But that’s just personal preference.
kellyandthen
Agreed! I’ve been reading over there, more and more, for her content. I still love the robust comments here, though, and that’s why I come back. I can’t afford most of the stuff posted here, though I like it for inspiration, and some of it has just been off base for my personal taste. At CHS, I’m finding it more relevant to the reality of my world. That, plus her inclusion of different sizes and price points throughout the week. I’m wondering if it’s because I’m closer in age to Belle, or if our styles are the same, or what, but I’m getting better blogged content there, for me.
I still love it here, but it’s mainly for the commentariat.
LittleLaw
Those are my feelings exactly!
I love the community here though I don’t comment often, and reading through the posts by users has helped me immensely in my career and career-related decisions.
But when it comes to dressing for work and casual days… CHS is much more to my taste. Like you, I think it’s because I’m closer to age with Belle, and the items she posts are more attainable to me.
Blonde Lawyer
I couldn’t get my full post through but I think there is a great business opportunity for a poster to create a plus-size business attire blog.
plus size anon
I might take this idea and run with it.
RR
I wish you would!
Manhattanite
I have the Loft circle skirt in navy and really like it. I’m 5’1″ and the petite is the perfect demure length. It works fine for a biz casual law firm environment. I doubt it will translate to cold weather though– too light weight.
Flared up
What shape looks good in fit and flare dresses or flared skirts? I keep trying them on, and I look just awful in them. I look so much wider then I am when I wear them
tesyaa
Is it a body shape issue or what top the skirt is paired with? Definitely avoid any flared or loose-fitting top with a flared skirt. Your top should be fitted and on the short side (high hip or higher), or tucked in.
Flared up
I think it’s a body shape issue. I have a large bust, and broader shoulders, and while I’m not very hippy, I have a generous rear. I also have a really short waist, so there isn’t a lot of space between my bust and my waist. I’m also not tall, so I think the flared look overwhelms me
I find that fit-and-flare/flared skirts look pretty good from the front, but from the side I look really thick and I hate it, so I never wear them because my profile view is so unflattering.
ALN
I think it’s the short-waist that’s the issue for you. It looks too similar to empire waist.
L2fly
I’m a tall and curvy 10/12, with broader shoulders, wider hips, a smallish waist, and carry a lot of my weight (some of which is muscle, I like to think!) in my thighs. I like the way flare or A-line skirts look more than pencil skirts, which usually fit too snug around the thighs on me. I also find flare skirts more comfortable, but I prefer looser clothes in general. They might not work so well for straighter figures or ladies with narrow shoulders, I suppose, as the extra fabric on the bottom may make those figure types look unbalanced.
Amy H.
This is me too — tallish 10/12, with broad shoulders, small waist, and larger hips and thighs. I’m a pretty classic “pear” and I think fit-and-flare look very flattering on me — much more so than the traditional sheath shape for dresses or pencil skirts (though the older version of the Halogen “The Skirt” is a notable exception). Usually to fit my hips/rear/thighs the waist on whatever piece is enormous on me — sometimes worth tailoring and sometimes not. But with the A-line and flared skirts I can buy the right waist size and the fabric usually skims over my thigh nicely.
Kat
I just bought the Old Navy a-line skirt for $34.95. It looks way nicer than I expected from such a low price, and its available up to size 20.
Kiyonna is also a great place for skirts and dresses for plus sizes-they carry up to 6x.
http://Www.yousaucyminx.com
ANP
The Old Navy skirt is only $24! Tempting, but looks short on the model. Any comments on that?
YouSaucyMinx
That’s the ponte circle skirt, I got the A-line skirt which comes to below the knee. This one:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1011461&vid=1&pid=175958002
Pear
I can work a full ball-gown-type skirt of something with body, like taffeta, over a trim and sparkly top. But even an A-line skirt makes me look even more bottom-heavy.
I noticed someone wearing a fuller-skirted dress at lunch and it was hemmed a bit too high above the knee to look like a work dress. I think that there is very little leeway for getting this look right.
Tizzy
I’m really liking the Smithfield Wool skirt from Boden for a gentle flared skirt – they’ve got a couple others in the work wear section that are great too. I’ve got a curvy bottom and find that pencil skirts are too clingy/too sexy on me, but too many pleats or too much fabric in the the flared skirt makes me look even wider. So an a-line or gentle flare tends to be my favorite.
Jane
Here’s one too: http://theflauntshop.com/Bottoms/hepburn
Hanna
I just bought this skirt for a client and everything about it is amazing. A-line looks great on everybody but especially triangle/pear type bodies. Honestly one of the best a-line/flares I have found in awhile.
Sizes 6-18.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eileen-fisher-drop-yoke-stretch-knit-flared-skirt/3733303?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=675&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_2_D
Hanna
One more skirt that worked well too:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/diane-von-furstenberg-carlita-knit-flare-skirt/3767582?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1308&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_4_A