Just when you thought it was time to shift your mindset from cotton dresses, light layers and sandals to a distinctly more autumnal mode of dressing, the weather forecast throws up a heatwave due to arrive next week. While this bodes well for those among us looking to savour the last of summer's joy, it's also tricky if you're trying to find things you can wear now and well into next season when the weather is, inevitably, much less favourable. Consider this sartorial pickle solved, however, thanks to Alexa Chung and her new favourite skirt.
The skirt in question is a lace-trimmed slip skirt, by no means a new invention but, thanks to Chung and a host of other well-dressed women on Instagram, one which suddenly looks like the answer to all of our end-of-summer sartorial woes. Chung wore her baby blue lace-trimmed midi skirt with a bra top (heatwave) and a cardigan (autumn), proving that this really is an all-weather item. Naturally, her skirt is now sold out, but we've spotted a brilliant aqua iteration over at Reformation.
Shop: Reformation's Carolina Silk Skirt
www.thereformation.com
Available in six other styles, including a trendy polka dot iteration, this relaxed skirt is perfect for adding an elegant spin to your most casual T-shirts and button-downs this summer.
Lace-trim skirts are perfect for hot weather when styled with a simple cami or T-shirt. It's not the first time Chung wore such a skirt, either. She also showed off a mini black style, which she teamed with an oversized white shirt. Again, something to bear in mind for next week's warm weather and, come the depths of autumn, just add black tights.
Dôen, the brand best known for its sweet summer dresses, has seen great success with its Elowena silk-charmeuse midi skirt, as seen on a host of influencers including Sasha Mei. While the exact chocolate brown shade is now sold out, you can still snag a blush pink, black or green style.
Shop: Dôen's Elowena Lace-Trimmed Midi Skirt
www.net-a-porter.com
Cut with a slight flare at the knee, this midi will look so chic with a stain cami and heeled flip-flops. Perfect for your next date night.
It always feels quite exciting to buy something which you can start wearing right away, but can also style later in the year, which is what makes these skirts so appealing. Simply throw on with a breezy top to soak up the last of the sunshine and then, when autumn officially arrives, swap for oversized, slouchy knits and knee-high boots. It's a glorious outfit just waiting to happen.
Shop: The Best Lace-Trimmed Skirts
www.zara.com
For a different take on the trend, consider Zara's white skirt with contrasting matching lace trims set asymmetrically across the body.
rixolondon.com
More modest than most, this maxi features a short lace trim and will slot neatly into your occasionwear wardrobe.
www.anthropologie.com
The pink satin adds a romantic flair to this bias cut skirt that'll look amazing with an oversized T-shirt and kitten heels for the summer and with tan boots and a matching trench come September.
www.freepeople.com
While technically a slip, we love how flattering this flared lace-trimmed mini looks on just about every body. Plus, the trendy butter yellow shade doesn't hurt either.
www2.hm.com
As classic as it gets, you'll find this H& skirt looks much more expensive than it is and will pair well with literally everything in your wardrobe.
www.thereformation.com
Not one for midis and maxis? Reformation has a sultry mini take in a range of colours. Our top styling suggestion includes a baggy T-shirt thrown over so only the lace peeks out and styled with knee high socks and loafers.
www.net-a-porter.com
Wear this wrap skirt with a neatly tucked-in Oxford shirt, blazer and court shoes for a sleek and elegant look.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.