I spend much of my time pinpointing and analyzing fashion trends—some particularly fleeting (looking at you, TikTok -cores), others niche and eclectic, and many delightfully nostalgic yet entirely, well, predictable. But every once in a while, I come across something that’s not only undeniably timeless and universally flattering, but reinterpreted in a way that genuinely makes me do a double take. Right now, that’s the pencil skirt.
First popularized in the ’50s and ’60s, the figure-hugging office stalwart has seen a major resurgence in recent seasons—proving the elegant silhouette can thrive well beyond the workplace. On fall/winter 2025 runways, Dries Van Noten delivered a bold, sequined take, while Gucci debuted eye-catching textured and sheer, sultry versions. For spring 2026, Marc Jacobs leaned into boxy, relaxed-waist proportions, while Tory Burch and Patou pushed the envelope further still, unveiling low-slung styles and softer, fluid iterations that felt surprisingly laidback and well-suited to warmer weather.
Off the runway, the fashion crowd is cosigning the reinvented pencil skirt, too. Attendees at Copenhagen Fashion Week—widely considered one of the most directional on the circuit—have made a strong case for its return, as have plenty of stylish celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Zoë Kravitz, Kendall Jenner, and Dua Lipa. For classic appeal, style a tailored silhouette with towering stilettos and a blazer (à la Bieber), or keep things more relaxed with an airier version paired with a track jacket and sandals, like Kravitz. Whether rendered in denim, rich leather, suede, or a cool wrap style, the updated pencil skirt has impressive range. It can work just as well with polished separates as it can with low-profile sneakers and a T-shirt.
From sleek pinstriped to colorful options you’ll be eager to pull out the moment spring arrives, below, we’ve corralled a few standout pencil skirts you can mix and match to your heart’s desire. Consider them modern wardrobe staples—far from the kind of aesthetic that’s here today and gone tomorrow.
Zara Faux Leather Midi Skirt
Maeve Wrap Pencil Midi Skirt
Aritzia Babaton Chisel Maxi Skirt
H&M Crinkled Pencil Skirt
Levi’s High Rise Back Slit Skirt
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Simon Miller Mia Sequin Skirt
