The White Pleated Skirt Is My Most Unexpected Winter Wardrobe Staple
My Prada Sport pleated mini has become a year-round staple, thanks to a little creative layering.
A graphic pop of white feels refreshing against fall’s classic colors like brown, gold, burgundy, and navy. If “no white after Labor Day” really is a thing (which I firmly believe it is not), then consider me living in a never-ending summer. I consider optic white a neutral that can hold its own year-round. We have no problem admitting this about a white button-down, so why not a skirt? I basically treat it the same way: It goes with everything.
Specifically, I found myself reaching for a breezy, pleated silk skirt from Prada Sport that I found on The RealReal years ago. I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but there is something about it that feels easy to wear yet very put-together for most situations, not exclusively on a tennis court. It’s a no-brainer in the warmer months, has made appearances in winter with tights, and has proven itself an excellent year-round purchase. With unexpected pairings, creative layering, and a little play with proportions, this is how I’ve been wearing it this fall.
With Printed Tights and a Printed Blazer
I pulled out my favorite fall blazer, an oversized plaid Dries Van Noten number, and added another print with a pair of argyle tights. A peek of white pleats gives the look a school-uniform kind of vibe, but with a more sophisticated twist. Burgundy kitten heels with a touch of sparkle take it into evening territory. I wore this for a night out with my husband and felt like I'd struck the right balance between dressed-up and pretty for cocktails and a casual dinner.
Over a Pair of Trousers
Whenever I'm in a style rut, I try playing with layers to find fresh combinations. Wearing a skirt or dress over pants has been on my radar lately, and I was curious to see how my pleated skirt would work with the trend. I loved wearing it almost like an apron over baggy trousers, topped with an oversized sweater that broke up an otherwise monochromatic navy look. I found that keeping the skirt mini-length (I rolled mine up a little) helped balance all the oversized proportions. The result felt cool and considered, and worked particularly well for a day of meetings. I'll probably wear it again on set for a photo shoot. A simple, comfortable shoe in an unexpected color or texture, like my lime-green pair, grounds the whole look.
With a Pair of Tall Boots
A super-tall boot is a wardrobe must-have. The proportion offers a ton of styling opportunities, especially in winter when I don't always want to wear tights. Sometimes they're even warmer than pants! I paired the skirt with one of my go-to "funky" pairs: flat, gold-splattered, thigh-high Chanel boots from years ago. I added a puffer coat to give the look an unexpectedly casual feel, perfect for an outdoor evening, like cocktails around a friend's fire pit. Sometimes the strangest combinations become my favorites. The graphic pop of the white skirt looks especially good against all these classic fall colors. Once again, I rest my case for wearing a tennis-inspired skirt this time of year.
