The Long White Skirt Is Summer’s Most Useful Outfit Piece

Last summer, I woke up one day feeling like I really needed a long white skirt to complete some outfits swirling around in my head. I wasn’t gravitating toward anything too boho—no ruffles or eyelet—but wanted something that would be as easy to wear as jeans and offer crucial leg coverage for breezy or buggy summer nights.

The skirt I landed on was a lined linen number from Reformation via The RealReal. It was a little thicker than the poplin “bed sheet” styles I had been seeing around, but the volume and weight of the layers still felt super breathable in high temps and perfectly comfortable once the sun started to set. I couldn’t find the exact one, but I’ve highlighted a few below with the same vibe that are available this season.

For me, a long skirt can sometimes feel almost too covered-up compared to the mini skirts and shorts my legs are always craving in the height of summer heat. But that said, it’s fun to have a fashion challenge to solve. When I’m trying out a new silhouette, it’s important for me to experiment until I land on pairings that don’t stray too far from my personal style. Nothing is worse than losing yourself in a trendy item.

I find that juxtaposition is key to an incredible outfit, and I tried to do that with the three looks below. By mixing sporty elements, very polished pieces, and unexpected pops of print against all white, the skirt moves out of prairie territory and into something a little more unexpected—but still totally easy to wear. Let’s dive right in.

Long White Skirt With an Oversized Tee

Paring down the ladylike-ness of this skirt with a casual tee seems like a no-brainer, but the proportion and style of the T-shirt are crucial to making the combo feel like more of a “look.” I nabbed this vintage men’s Gap stripe, which is about three sizes larger than what I’d usually wear, and added some surfer-y elements: ankle-strap Teva flip-flops, a cotton mesh tote, and playful beaded necklaces. I felt comfortable and cool, and it’s an easy outfit for errands or a toddler summer playdate with a mom friend.

Long White Skirt With Sleek Black Accents

To dress the skirt up and pull it away from the countryside, I added sleek black elements: a fresh stretch bodysuit, an old Hermès belt, and a pair of black low-heel mules that polished up the breezy linen in a pretty, minimalist way. I needed one more summery element to keep the look from feeling too stuffy in coastal New England, so I added a structured straw box bag for some casual texture. This is a slam-dunk date night or summer cocktail party outfit that feels like a sophisticated alternative—and necessary reprieve—from a default block-print dress.

Long White Skirt With a Pop of Floral Print

I wanted to put together an all-white look, but I kept feeling like I looked like one of the members of the Guilty Remnant cult from HBO’s The Leftovers—an obscure reference, but if you get it, we’re friends. So I decided to do my best with some beachy white elements and add a pop of colorful floral as my accent piece.

Using small white pieces as my monochromatic base—a white tank-cut swimsuit worn as a crop top, KJacques silver-and-white sandals, and a white mini Chanel bag—the pop of floral print from an old Marc Jacobs button-down thrown on top made it come together as a true ’fit. This felt like an ideal vibe to pack for vacation literally anywhere, or for a fun girls’ brunch in town.