069: The Everyday Skirt
Making skirts work for my lifestyle (and maybe yours too)
My search for the perfect every-day skirt was a long and arduous one. With trousers, I had cracked the code of opting for pairs with a wider leg or baggy silhouette, knowing that whether I opted for a casual sweatpant or tailored trouser, I could trust in the silhouette to ensure that I always felt relaxed and effortless in the item. However, this wasn’t as easily achievable with a skirt. They seemed to carry a sort of in-built decorum — as if just putting one on meant I ought to sit up straight and make polite conversation. Their femininity felt like a call to order.
I decided to stop forcing a square peg into a round hole and began exploring how a skirt could function on its own terms, free from the pollution of my existing relationship with trousers. Part of the challenge was mental as I’d boxed skirts away as “too formal” for daily wear, their delicacy reading a little too stiff upper lip for quick errands or a casual lunch with friends.
To counter this delicateness, and start to introduce this piece into my daily outfits, I opted for one with a defined silhouette in a lightweight fabric. Something that had rigidity to harden the softness of the piece whilst the fabric made them approachable and functionally easy to wear. This led to me pulling the trigger on a straight silhouette cotton skirt from COS.
The COS skirt felt like the perfect entry point, largely because of its straight-leg silhouette. With my love for tailoring, that defined shape gave me a sense of security. It offered a structured base I could play around with, knowing it would anchor whatever I styled it with and keep the whole outfit feeling true to my aesthetic. The length played a key role too. Anything shorter might have edged into secretary territory, but this mid-length hit that sweet spot between structure and sophistication, softening the uniform feel. I also loved the butter-yellow tone. It’s gentle but dimensional—just enough colour to bring interest to an outfit without the commitment or intimidation of a bold hue. The light wash adds nuance, while still being easy to pair with the rest of my wardrobe. And finally, the 100% cotton fabrication means it’s actually wearable in warmer weather, which is something I’ve learned not to take for granted. Below are five ways I’ve styled it, partly to prove its versatility in my wardrobe, but mostly to reassure myself that it really does have a place in my everyday rotation.
If you're confused by the diversity of these outfits in terms of weather-appropriateness, welcome to life in the UK. Ok, let’s proceed.
I’ve been loving the effortless vibe of a plaid shirt tied around the waist. It instantly adds a layer of visual interest and makes an outfit feel more styled, without trying too hard. Here, it softens the more polished elements of the look, like the sleek midi skirt and snakeskin heels. I’d wear this to a lunch date with a girlfriend as it’s casual enough to run errands in after, but elevated enough for a mid-afternoon cocktail in a smart setting. The skirt brings a softness and sense of occasion that jeans just wouldn’t, and it helps keep the outfit feeling intentional. Also, we need to discuss the clutch. I scored this Jil Sander beauty at a sample sale last week and I still can’t believe it. The bold red cuts through the cream and beige tones perfectly, adding the right amount of contrast to keep things interesting without overpowering the whole look.
With the weather veering from sun to full downpour in the space of a few minutes, practicality had to be front of mind for this outfit. These Ilse Jacobsen boots have been a lifesaver: they’re waterproof but still sharp enough to pair with a midi. I love the slightly unexpected combo of a technical boot and a clean skirt, creating this great push-pull tension. The cropped trench was a deliberate choice to keep the proportions balanced and to let the skirt do the talking. I added the cap for a bit of off-duty edge and weather protection, but it also worked to dress the whole look down slightly — a subtle nod to British unpredictability.
A hungover debrief requires comfort above all else, but I still want to feel somewhat pulled together (even if emotionally I am in shambles). That’s where this look comes in: the hoodie and oversized sunglasses speak directly to the chaos of the night before, but the skirt softens everything and gives a whisper of effort. Swapping out joggers or leggings for this lightweight skirt stops it from tipping into sloppy territory. The flip flops keep it grounded and easy to create an outfit that shows that I am recovering without sacrificing taste.
A baby tee is one of my favourite pieces for dinner and drinks with friends — it’s relaxed by nature but still a little flirty because of the cut. This red one feels especially punchy, and pairing it with a skirt adds polish without dimming the playfulness. I loved that the skirt’s mid-length reined in the sexiness slightly, making the overall look feel more refined than overt. It’s a silhouette I keep coming back to: a balance of body and elegance, sharpness and softness. Also, I rarely do a matching shoe-and-top moment, but this time the reds felt too good not to mirror. It made the outfit feel intentionally styled without being overly coordinated.
I wanted to challenge myself to rework some of my most worn staples — this black knit, the socks and loafers — through a slightly new lens. The skirt was the perfect wildcard. It broke up what would normally be a pretty expected ‘Morenike’ outfit and made it feel fresh again. I love that the sock and loafer combo still peek through beneath the hem, a little nod to that classic, prep-adjacent feel I gravitate toward, but with a more current silhouette. The red cap adds that pop of personality and keeps the outfit from feeling too serious or monochrome. This look felt like the closest to my everyday uniform, just elevated.
This COS skirt has allowed me to flex and build my style muscles while maintaining a personal through line in the outfits I wear. It’s been a valuable lesson in understanding one’s motivations when getting dressed and using that insight to make informed shopping decisions—which, in this case, have truly paid off. I’m excited to continue discovering new ways to style this skirt and find pairings I hadn’t considered as the summer goes on.
Stay curious, stay stylish,
Morenike
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Honestly you have a gift of writing, this easily could’ve been an op ed essay
My summer so far has consisted of trying to incorporate the everyday skirt into my wardrobe, so this was very validating! Love how you styled it!