It's funny how things you think are completely uncool when you're younger, suddenly become cool again. Take ballet flats, for example. I vividly remember hating the way the shoes looked (particularly those with bows on front), now, lo and behold I'm wearing them with midi skirts, mini dresses and pretty much anything this summer. Another example would be the skinny scarf, which has also done a 180 this year, making a departure from its Disney-actress-pedal-pusher past into something entirely cool again. But, the latest item to transition? The pleated skirt.
It's no secret that fashion is very much in its uniform-obsessed era. From the polished tennis whites seen at Wimbledon (no, we're still not over it), to the school playground nostalgia at Miu Miu's spring/summer 2025 runway, where leg warmers were paired with grey blazers and pointed kitten heels, the dress code is unmistakably institutional. Naturally, then, we've been taken with pleated skirts for the summer, and while Miu Miu makes excellent minis, there's another brand making some of the best pleated skirts we've seen. Enter, Moncler. You might not usually associate the brand with frills and femininity, after all, it's a brand that has carved out a reputation for puffer jackets and down coats, but Moncler have somewhat surprisingly nailed the preppy skirt trend with an offering packed full of soft pleats.
Shop: Moncler's Pleated Mini Skirt
Moncler www.moncler.com
This pleated skirt is not your average, oh no, it's more feminine than that, thanks to its delicate navy and red braided trim. Lean into its almost sporty aesthetic by pairing it with a tank top or collared blouse.
There are four standouts from Moncler's pleated skirt line-up. Two miniskirts – one that leans into the more classic collegiate style, and another that's more sporty. Both are smartly tailored but unfussy, far from the stiff skirts you likely wore to school.
Style the beige minis with a boxy t-shirt or a fine-knit tank top and chunky sandals for the summer, and transition into the cooler months by layering an oversized blazer on top. If you're after a longer style, the Pleated Midi Skirt features deeper pleats and a below-the-knee length, which is perfect for styling with chunky loafers and a polo shirt, or dressing up with kitten heels and a boho blouse. Meanwhile, its Wool Blend Pleated Midi Skirt borrows slightly more from your secondary school staple, but it's still equally as chic nonetheless, especially when paired with a fitted roll neck and flat knee-high boots (a staple for a wet summer too).
There's something incredibly ironic in the way Moncler's pleated skirts are trending at the beginning of the summer holidays (although expect the trend to continue well into term time). While classrooms sit empty and uniforms are folded (or most likely, shoved) to the abyss at the back of the wardrobe, designers are doing the exact opposite – leaning into pleats and structure with a new, more grown-up energy, and we're firmly on board.
Shop: Moncler's Best-Selling Pleated Skirts
Moncler www.moncler.com
Moncler describes this skirt as a 'nod to collegiate style', mainly because of its pleated design and side zip closure that's reminiscent of the type of skirt you used to wear to school. Made from a cotton blend, style in the summer with platform sandals and a baby tee, and in the cooler months with a roll neck and chunky boots.
Monclerwww.moncler.com
If you prefer your skirts with a little more coverage, Moncler also has a couple of midi lengths. Its Pleated Midi Skirt has a cool adjustable waist and narrow pleats. Style with chunky loafers and a sheer knit.
Monclerwww.moncler.com
One for the cooler months, this Moncler style is made from a cosy wool blend, and is finished with a just-below-the-knee cut and drawstring waist. Wear with a cosy knit and knee-high boots this winter.
Main image credit: Instagram/@noaestheticc__
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.