The denim skirt comes in many forms.
True to the cyclical nature of fashion, the perennial style has resurfaced over the decades in a variety of silhouettes - from mini to maxi - to accommodate the ever-fluctuating trends, aesthetics, and revivals.
You may have already noticed but the denim midi, first popularised in the Eighties, Nineties and early Noughties is back and more ubiquitous than ever. The sheer number of decades in which this particular skirt has had a chokehold on fashion is astounding, and a testament to the timeless, chic and versatile piece of clothing.
From the impossibly tight and slim-fitting acid wash pencil skirt seen on the likes of Madonna; to Buffy’s ability to slay in more ways than one in a long and flowy denim number; to Rachel Green’s iconic casual-cool denim skirt, knee-high boots and plain white tee combos – icons throughout the decades simply can’t get enough of the denim midi.
The seemingly modest silhouette can be styled in so many ways, proving its capacity to become so much more than just a means to recycle old denim jeans – as was the purpose of their initial invention back in the early 1970s. This decade saw styles that made use of patchwork scraps and snap closures to recycle old hardware. The pieced-together scrap effect gave a funky edge to denim clothing that teens of the time eagerly latched onto.
Whether paired with a simple cashmere jumper and collared shirt in the winter, or a puffy-sleeved blouse in the warmer months, the denim midi should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, all-year round.
Keep scrolling for a round-up of the best denim midi skirts available now to find your perfect style match.
Best denim jackets and jeans for women to go for a full Canadian tuxedo
Best Chelsea boots for women from heeled to flatform styles
Best summer trainers for women: Ditch the white for a splash of colour
Best bomber jackets for women: unique takes on the classic style to elevate your outerwear
Best boyfriend jeans for women to add to your wardrobe now
Best clogs for women, the unlikely winter favourite that works all year round
Bershka long denim skirt
This is classic denim midi from Bershka has a light-wash, front-slit and slightly longer cut that has made it a viral sensation. You will have likely already spotted it on your TikTok FYP - a testament to its popularity.
Keep the look clean, classic and elegant by styling the silhouette with contrasting, darker wash denim heels and a simple vest top. Elevate the look ever so slightly with a statement belt and some classic hoops.
Buy now £29.99, Bershka
Uniqlo denim narrow midi skirt
For a style that transcends the notion of trend, look no further than Uniqlo. In a darker, indigo wash, this skirt comes with an essential front-slit for ease of movement. This practical design has a little more coverage making it a fitting choice for both work and play. It is made from 98 per cent cotton with two per cent elastane to provide some all-important stretch on what is a narrow, straight-fitting silhouette. The compact, dense cotton yarn used to fabricate the skirt also helps to accentuate the fitted and flattering shape.
Buy now £34.90, Uniqlo
Re/Done patchwork denim midi skirt
Re/Done harks back to the origins of the denim skirt with its patchwork design. The brand was founded in LA in 2014 with a mission to bring more sustainability and one-of-a-kind styles into the world of luxury fashion. It works with preloved raw goods to bring new life to old materials and divert fashion waste from landfills.
The patchwork denim midi skirt pays homage to the first denim skirt styles that cropped up in the early 1970s that were created from scraps. The abstract panelled pattern paired with the contrast stitching and split raw hem brings an intentionally distressed vibe to what is an exceptionally crafted and tailored piece.
Buy now £540.00, Selfridges
H&M Slit-hem denim skirt
We know, another slit-hem style but you’ll thank us for the added practicality later, we promise. In the UK, we’re not limited to the ‘no white after labour day’ rule when it comes to seasonal styles – so we’re still going to class this as a year-round staple. This off-white denim ankle-grazing number is actually made from 20 per cent recycled cotton and 80 per cent recycled polyester, so you can feel good about the environment and look good at the same time.
Buy now £39.99, H&M
Reformation Nila Skirt
We just love the asymmetric, cross-over design of this denim midi from Reformation. Another sustainable option for eco-conscious shoppers, the high-waisted and fitted midi skirt saved the industry from releasing 12lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere, and from unnecessarily wasting 7,559 gallons of water. Now that’s fashion with a purpose. The fact that the original blue denim design of this skirt has already sold-out speaks to the public’s love for this skirt. Grab yours before they’re all gone.
Buy now £190.00, Reformation
Lisa Says Gah Quinn midi skirt
Bring all the Nineties vibes with this button-down denim midi from Lisa Says Gah. The independent LA-based store is best known for stocking a vast range of small designers, as well as producing weird and wonderful vintage-inspired designs of their own. Yet again, this piece is made from recycled deadstock denim and features florette buttons which leave a small front slit for added freedom of movement. We can instantly imagine Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this stylish number.
Buy now £157.00, Lisa Says Gah
Batsheva Cera twisted-denim maxi skirt
Can’t decide between a light-wash denim and a darker wash? Vintage-inspired American label Batsheva has your solution. This stunning circle skirt is made in New York from dual-toned denim which elegantly follows the natural contours of your body. We’re particularly obsessed with the delicate and subtle pearl pin that holds the design together. Straight off the runway and into our baskets, please.
Buy now £310.00, Matches Fashion
Mother circle skirt
Cult-favourite denim brand Mother is known for super-soft, buttery pieces – and this midi skirt is no exception. With a feel as light, soft and fresh as brand-new luxury bedsheets, you’ll get all of the aesthetic benefits of denim without any discomfort. The looseness of the circle skirt design only accentuates the already barely-there feel. The faded, light wash is beautifully subtle, and we can already imagine pairing it with our favourite clogs all year round.
Buy now £320.00, Net-a-Porter
Weekday Park Denim Long Skirt
It truly doesn’t get more early 2000s than this. This classic five-pocket jean, low-waisted look is elevated by the narrow panelled design and the dipped-dyed ombre hem. Rather than the usual front-slit, this gorgeous piece has a high side slit for that much-needed flexibility. Though technically ever-so-slightly longer than your standard midi skirt, we couldn’t help but include this in our denim edit.
Buy now £44.00, Weekday
Toast Side Button Organic Indigo Denim Skirt
This beautiful denim midi from Toast almost feels like someone has taken a workwear jacket, or ‘shacket’, and re-purposed it into a wonderfully loose-fitting skirt. With two oversized, front-panelled pockets, extra-large belt loots and some français side button details, this calf-length skirt is perfect for a woman on the move.
It has also been crafted from organic cotton denim, which has undergone a unique dye process that uses up to 70 per cent less water than traditional methods.
Buy now £145.00, TOAST
Ganni tint edge denim maxi skirt
All of the aesthetic benefits of the distressed, ombre denim from the Weekday piece above, but with a potentially more flattering (aka not low-waisted) fit, enter this maxi skirt from Ganni. Yes, it’s a maxi rather than a midi but we think it’s still worth your attention. The grey-blue denim is dotted with distressed, whiskered features and also features a beautifully tinted hem. The high slit has been moved to the back for a chic pencil skirt-esque look.
Buy now £225.00, Ganni
Cos A-line denim midi skirt
When it comes to basics, Scandi-inspired high street powerhouse Cos always hits the mark. The deep indigo denim is complimented by a flowy, yet structured A-line silhouette and can even be paired with a matching utility-style jacket. Now that’s some truly modernised 90s-style.
Buy now £69.00, COS
Loewe Deconstructed Denim Midi-Skirt
With this impeccably tailored asymmetric denim midi skirt, there will be no buyers remorse. The 19th century luxury fashion label is currently headed by Jonathan Anderson, whose signature one-step-ahead of the curve style has certainly come through in this unique design. Though this skirt almost looks as though it is falling off the body, the expert craftsmanship and structured panels ensures the ‘deconstructed’ look remains firmly on your person.
Buy now £725.00, Liberty
Topshop denim fishtail skirt in washed black
The first and only fishtail hem that we’ve featured in this round-up, for the popular silhouette can be hard to master. Topshop, however, has nailed the look with a dramatic flair where the hem gathers at the back of the skirt. The high-rise fit of this style makes it the perfect companion for your favourite basic crop top.
Buy now £48.00, ASOS
