Kaia Gerber Shakes Up Summer's White Skirt Trend With Classic Ballet Flats and a Vintage T-Shirt

She's following in Jennifer Lawrence's footsteps with this casual outfit.

Kaia Gerber walks in New York City carrying a coffee while wearing the summer white skirt trend and black ballet flats
(Image credit: Backgrid)

Kaia Gerber spent a scorching hot day in New York City test-driving summer's absolutely-everywhere white skirt trend. But there's a catch: Unlike other celebrities and fashion insiders who've slipped into a breezy midi or maxi skirt this season, Gerber's white skirt outfit idea involved a hint of vintage and her classic ballet flats.

The model and Celine Pilates muse went for a coffee run on July 10 in a white midi skirt with a ruffled hem and slight floral detailing. Instead of the same black tank tops and T-shirts most other white skirt trend participants seem to wear, Kaia Gerber pulled out a vintage T-shirt retailing for all of $19.99 on Amazon. (Maybe stars really are just like us.) Her three-step outfit came together with timeless ballet flats, courtesy of Repetto.

Kaia Gerber wears a yellow graphic t shirt with classic black ballet flats and the summer white skirt trend

Kaia Gerber grabbed coffee on Wednesday, July 10, in a twist on the summer white skirt trend.

(Image credit: Backgrid)

Gerber has been styling outfits to her own beat for most of the summer, dipping into the controversial skirt-pants trend one day and combining boho and minimalist codes the next. But if any universally beloved garment was going to make its way into her casual closet, the white midi skirt is an obvious choice.

Here's a non-exhaustive account of all the celebrities who've endorsed white skirts (and often with dark-toned shirts for contrast): Jennifer Lawrence, whose spring outfit involved poplin white maxi skirt with a cuddly navy sweater. Sofia Richie Grainge, who contrasted her white skirt with a black strapless top. Katie Holmes, who also went the soft-and-cozy route in a flowing maxi and Khaite knit. The list goes on—and dips into civilian street style.

Throughout fashion month and well into the summer, editors and fashion observers have also been wearing their best white skirts. Creator Annie Tala Shova summarized their appeal in a previous Marie Claire report: "I've been loving the fresh, clean look they bring to any outfit."

Sofia Richie Grainge wearing a black shirt and white skirt at fashion week

Sofia Richie Grainge was one of the earliest white skirt, black shirt adopters—a trend that's now taking over fashion.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

All those dressers are wearing slightly different skirts in slightly different ways, pairing white eyelet with a solid T-shirt or matching the energy of a flowy tiered skirt with a ruffled top. Kaia Gerber's take on the white skirt trend is all about low-key contrast: No one else has chosen a highlighter-yellow vintage tee and dainty ballerinas—at the same time—so far.

Below, find several more white skirts inspired by Kaia Gerber's to remix the trend for your personal style.

Shop the Summer White Skirt Trend Inspired by Kaia Gerber

TOPICS
Halie LeSavage
Senior News Editor (Fashion & Beauty)

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.