Few pieces move through the summer wardrobe with as much ease as a pleated skirt. It swings beautifully in the heat, photographs well in natural light, and takes you from a terrace lunch to a balmy evening without missing a beat. July is its moment — and whether you're reaching for a printed midi or a fluid maxi, the formula for wearing it well is simpler than you think.
The edit at a glance
- Trend status: Pleated silhouettes are the summer story — from high street to the runway, movement is everything.
- Best lengths: Midi and maxi both dominate; choose midi for versatility, maxi for drama.
- Top pairings: Cropped tops, fitted tanks, sleeveless bodices and relaxed linen shirts.
- Footwear formula: Strappy flat sandals for day; block-heeled mules or barely-there heels for evening.
- Key colours: Ivory, earthy terracotta, sage, and bold florals are all leading the summer palette.
- Occasion range: Weekend markets to rooftop dinners — the pleated skirt handles it all.
Why the pleated skirt is having its biggest summer yet
After seasons of figure-hugging silhouettes, summer dressing has pivoted decisively towards ease and movement. The pleated skirt sits at the centre of that shift — it flatters without clinging, creates shape without structure, and works with the kind of relaxed, confident femininity that defines the mood right now. Designers have embraced fluid fabrications — satin, mesh, woven cotton — and prints that feel genuinely joyful, which means the pleated skirt is no longer a wardrobe afterthought. It is, quite firmly, the piece.
The midi length in particular has become a summer staple because it bridges the gap between polished and relaxed. It works in the heat, reads as dressed-up when the occasion calls for it, and looks just as considered with flat sandals as it does with heels. Rhea Boho Printed Midi Swing Skirt captures this mood perfectly — a swinging silhouette in a boho-inspired print that feels every inch of the season.
Three ways to wear a pleated skirt in July
Look 1 — The Effortless Day Look. Pair a printed pleated midi with a simple white or neutral cropped tank tucked loosely at the front. Add flat leather sandals and a woven tote. The key is restraint: let the skirt do the talking. This works beautifully with Bianca Mesh Dot Midi Skirt, whose mesh dot texture adds quiet interest without competing with your top half.
Look 2 — The Coordinated Set. If you want to look pulled-together with minimal effort, a matching crop-top-and-skirt combination is your answer. Wear it as a set for the full impact — a sleek bun or loose waves, minimal jewellery, and a single-strap sandal keep the look sharp rather than overdone. Camilla Sleeveless Crop Top Midi Skirt Set does exactly this: the set format removes all the guesswork and delivers an outfit that feels both intentional and easy.
Look 3 — The Evening Edit. A satin or satin-finish pleated maxi skirt transitions into evening with very little effort. Pair with a simple sleeveless top, a barely-there heel or strappy mule, and one good piece of jewellery — a long pendant or a stack of fine bangles. Lia Satin Lace Maxi Skirt has the kind of elegant drape that makes this look genuinely special without trying too hard.
On colour, shoes and layering: For July, lean into warm terracottas, soft ivories and botanical prints — they photograph beautifully in natural summer light and work across skin tones. When it comes to shoes, flat sandals are the natural choice for daytime; for evenings, a low block heel or kitten mule adds just enough elevation. Layering is light at this time of year — an oversized linen shirt tied at the waist or a fine-knit cropped cardigan for cooler evenings is all you need.
Shop the edit
From swinging boho prints to sleek satin, our current skirt collection covers every version of the pleated silhouette worth wearing this July. Whether you're drawn to the relaxed swing of Anais Floral Maxi Skirt High Slit's high-slit floral maxi or the quieter elegance of a dot-printed mesh midi, there's a formula here for every occasion on your summer calendar.
Take it beyond July
The pleated skirt is not a one-season wonder. As the temperature drops into early autumn, simply layer it with a fine-knit roll-neck, swap the sandals for ankle boots, and add a tailored jacket or long-line coat. The silhouette holds its own across seasons — invest in one you love now and you'll still be reaching for it come September.
