A to Z Types of Skirts: Know Which Style Suits You Best

No matter what your size or shape, there is a skirt out there that will make you look and feel fantastic. These rough guidelines are based on what usually flatters a particular body type but don’t be afraid to experiment. In the end, you need to feel comfortable and attractive, and it really doesn’t matter what the rules say. But if you’re struggling to find the ideal skirt, these can be a great starting point.

Apple

If you have a rounder middle and more narrow shoulders and hips, you’ll look great in a high-waisted skirt. This will accentuate the naturally more narrow part of your body, and flow away and out, giving you a defined waistline. The gentle curves of the skirt will work to soften your lower half and should hit below the knees for a graceful finish.

Tall and Slender

If you make up for in height what you lack in curves, the good news is you can pull off just about any style of skirt and make it look great. For some playfulness, try a long, layered skirt in a fun pattern. For a formal occasion, you can slip into a mermaid cut and look fantastic. And because of your more narrow profile, you don’t need to shy away from bold and large prints in a flowy maxi skirt.

Petite

If you don’t have a lot of height to work with, don’t overwhelm your figure with large, overbearing prints and long lines. Accentuate your best features with a tight waist and a short hem. A mini skirt to show off the legs can be the best skirts for short women. Try to keep hemlines above the knee, but feel free to play around with flares and pleats to add some interest to your ensemble.

Hourglass

Curves are an amazing gift, and for those with curves up top and on the bottom with a narrower waist, you should look for a pencil skirt. These will tuck in at your smaller middle and work with your natural hip curves before falling over the knees to mid-calf length. For hotter days, you can find a cute pencil skirt that ends above the knees, and if you don’t want to seem like you’re heading to the office, find one with a fun or formal print.

Pear

For those with larger hips and bottom, accentuate your top with an A-line or a flared skirt. Both hug the tops of the hips, either in a flat or pleated look, and draw out away from the body. A flared skirt swings out a little wider than an A-line. This can be a great look that will draw the eye in at the waist and flatter the wider curves around the hips.