Let’s Talk the Slip Skirt Trend for 2025

The slip skirt is a garment that has been in and out of fashion for decades. In the 1920s, slips as we know now became popular to ration fabrics; you could rewear a slip instead of adding a lining to a skirt or dress. Slips became a fashion statement thanks to both the dress trends of the early 20th century and the Hollywood sirens who wore them.

In the latter half of the 20th century, slips lost their appeal for sturdy doubleknits and pantsuits. But the 90s grunge era brought slips back as streetwear and we saw folks rocking vintage slips thrifted and found in parents' dresser drawers, and designers like Marc Jacobs recreating slips for the runway.

The slip skirt trend has been in and out of fashion since Y2K. We've seen slips over jeans, contrast color lace trim, short, long, bias-cut, printed, hammered silk, chiffon, satin, and more.

For the past several years, a midi-length bias-cut slip skirt in a silky fabric has been a fashion mainstay. Styled with everything from graphic t-shirts to fisherman sweaters, blazers to bustiers, these slip skirts are still fashionable. I plan to wear mine with a sweater of the same color, possibly belted, and a pair of leather or suede boots. I also think they look chic with a belted blazer for a work look, and a chunky untucked sweater in the same or similar color for a relaxed but elevated ensemble.

This fall I am seeing a more dramatic version of this skip skirt. It has more volume, it's longer, it may be paneled to give it more “swish.” Most are solids, though I have seen some in leopard and other skin prints, as well as muted florals and chain prints. Often, retailers are offering these slip skirts with tonally matching sweaters and/or blouses made of the same fabric. I am a fan of this iteration of the slip skirt; it's a way to rock it for work and also special occasions.

But a new slip skirt has emerged for Fall 2025, and I think we need to discuss it. It's fun, it's flirty, and IMO it's not a sound fashion investment

The new slip skirt is lace-trimmed. Some are bias cut like the slip skirts of the past few years, some are paneled, and many are a very straight cut and reminiscent of classic slips we wore with dresses and pantyhose back in the day. While some are solid colors, many are patterned with contrast lace and come with matching camisoles. These slip skirts are reminiscent of the ones we rocked in the 90s and Y2K looking more like intimates than a silky body-skimming skirt.

When I sent my weekly digest email this week, I asked what you may be looking for this fall and several of you asked about slip skirts. Had I seen any of these new slip skirts at reasonable prices? What style of slip skirt worked with a tummy and soft curves? How to style these new slip skirts if you don't like wearing heels or if you want to wear them to work?

Top row: black (XS-5XL) | leopard (XXS-XXL & petite) | black (XXS-XXL)
Middle row: print (XS-XL) | black (XXS-3X) | brown (XS-XL)
Bottom row: black (XXS-3X & petite/tall) | print (XXS-XXL) | dotted (XS-XL)

I sent a few reasonably-priced options to a few of you, but honestly… if you're asking these questions, don't buy the skirt. Because this is not a skirt that is going to stay in fashion.

Fashion trends that only work with a specific shoe, or a specific top, or a specific body silhouette never stick around long. And a lace-trimmed slip skirt needs some very specific shoes, tops, and details to not have one look as though they left the house half-dressed, or are a try-hard slave to fashion.

I perused the internet to find some stylish examples of folks wearing lace-trimmed slip skirts in an autumnal manner. The general look is wearing them with sheer hosiery, sleek shoes with a heel, and a substantial top layer (chunky sweater, blazer, or leather jacket). And in my opinion? All of these looks could have any kind of skirt and it would work. It could be a leather pencil skirt, a wool pleated mini, or any of the skirts on trend in the past decade and it would give the same effect.

Now, if a lace-trimmed slip skirt makes your heart sing, go for it! If your personal style aesthetic screams lace-trimmed slip skirt, go forth and rock the hell out of one or more of them. I wholeheartedly support you. But if this trend, or honestly, any trend, has you questioning your current closet, causing you to need new shoes just for it, or requires a helluva lot of work to make it work… sleep on it before you click “buy.”

That being said, I am a fan of the lace trend this fall, and love the lingerie-inspired camisoles and dresses for evening occasions. It may not be for everyone, but it can be done quite well and looks great juxtaposed with a structured slightly oversized blazer. There is a lot of lace for fall and winter beyond being the trim of a poly-satin or silk skirt, and IMO it's more wearable and more timeless.

No trend will make you stylish. Style comes from knowing who you are and dressing the part. And you need to do the work on who you are before you know what to buy. Unless you fear being half-naked for work tomorrow, you have enough clothes right now. Spend that money on a book, a class, a session, a day at the museum, a full tank of gas to a fresh new destination and outlook. It may add more style, comfort, and joy to your everyday than any new piece of clothing ever could.