For the past few years, it's either been about the mini or the maxi, while the midi, once the golden child of skirts, has been left out in the cold. A little frumpy, and simply not as fabulous, it largely got bundled to the back of wardrobes for its cooler, edgier cousins. To say the midi has middle child syndrome - desperately trying to recapture our attention - is an understatement. Except, somehow, it's worked. The midi is suddenly everywhere you look, only this time, it's had a denim glow-up.
When Gisele Bündchen stepped out last week in New York, she did so in one of the best denim midi skirts we've seen this season. The Victoria Beckham style in question - with a faded vintage wash and a subtly frayed hem that goes up the front and down at the back - is currently sold out, although fans, who perhaps didn't hold on to their midis from the first time round, can sign up for email notifications.
Even our 2024 style crush, Kelly Rutherford, wore a denim skirt recently, tucking in a chic buttoned-up blouse to her high-waisted style. Other recent converts? Rita Ora, who has been wearing her very own denim midi from Primark, and Jennifer Lawrence, whose denim skirt is by Bottega Veneta. We saw plenty outside the shows at fashion week, too (Veronika Heilbrunner teamed hers with a preppy knit, a polo shirt and biker boots for balance).
Denim midi skirts are also selling fast on the high street, with excellent options at Massimo Dutti, Nobody's Child and Jigsaw, all of which have the flaring silhouette that's now trending.
Shop: The Best Denim Midi Skirts
www.victoriabeckham.com
Description
Victoria Beckham's patched denim skirt, with a slightly longer hemline at the back, has sold like hot cakes since dropping. Sign up to receive email notifications when it's next available.
www.massimodutti.com
Description
Massimo Dutti's denim wrap skirt, which fastens with a button at the side, is definitely smart enough for work.
www.jigsaw-online.com
Description
Jigsaw's frayed denim midi skirt has a fashion-forward asymmetric silhouette that means it'll make anything you pair it with - from a cashmere jumper to a tank top - look that little bit more directional.
www2.hm.com
Description
H&M's denim midi skirt has the flaring silhouette you're looking for this spring.
5.
Nobody's Child, Denim Mid-Wash Tiered Midi Skirt
Description
This Nobody's Child denim midi skirt has the same tiered style as Victoria Beckham's.
aligne.co
Description
Aligne's voluminous skirt is actually more of midaxi as it grazes the ankle, but in terms of the shape, it's absolutely the one. Currently sold out on the brand's website because of serious demand, sign up to be notified when it's back in stock.
How do you style a denim skirt?
Gisele wore hers with a chunky polo neck, a camel overcoat and patent knee-high boots, which, considering the weather is turning colder this week and next, isn't a bad shout for the foreseeable. When it starts to get a little more summery (i.e. it's warm enough to forgo tights for a short ankle sock or even bare legs), it's time for a light spring overlayer, say, a rugby shirt or a ribbed cardigan, a trench coat or blazer and a pair of spring-adjacent shoes like fisherman's sandals or ballet flats.
I've been wearing mine - another denim style from Massimo Dutti - with football jerseys and plaid shirts, layering them up with blazers or aviator jackets. And, you know what, it's been one of the hardest working pieces in my spring wardrobe. My advice is to make the most of the midi while you can. It won't be long before its whippersnapper of a younger sister, the mini, starts making her own comeback.
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).