Skorts are back, and I’ve already invested in a few pairs
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Skorts aren’t just for freezing netball matches in the dead of January – legs bare, fingers blue, wondering why on earth you didn’t take up some kind of indoor sport like trampolining, or padel instead. Long confined to school sports kits and the 2010s, the skort is staging a rather bold comeback.
The micro mini has stormed recent catwalks with Miu Miu’s pleated barely-there numbers leading the charge. Everywhere, hemlines crept skywards like it was 2002 all over again.
Meanwhile, tailored mini shorts have offered a slightly more pragmatic alternative, proving popular among the festival it-girl set. But where does that leave those of us who like the leg-baring thrill of a mini, but aren’t particularly interested in the constant worry of concealing our modesty?
Enter the skort.
Equal parts style and sense, the skort is the hero piece of the summer. From afar, it gives mini skirt — all flounce and flirt — but get up close and you’ll find the practicality of shorts neatly tucked beneath.
No skort has garnered more of a cult following than Abercrombie’s, which launched last summer and now comes in a technicolour range of patterns, colours and styles. It’s fashion’s best sleight of hand and, frankly, an underrated one. The appeal is clear. You can stride across town without fear of a rogue gust of wind or an innocent crouch revealing more than you’d like, and you can take an outfit from day to night in your stride.
There’s also something strangely empowering about a skort. It taps into that PE-kit muscle memory, but reimagined for grown-up life, where your match is more likely to be a back-to-back meeting schedule or a late-night sprint for the last Overground.
If summer 2025 has a uniform, it might just be an oversized shirt, a neat little skort and a pair of loafers or slingbacks. Easy. Comfortable. Polished. Most importantly, endlessly wearable.
To help complete your warm weather wardrobe, see my curated edit of the best skorts available now.
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The A&F Scarlett Mid Rise Linen-Blend Mini Skort
Mid-rise with just the right amount of structure, Abercrombie’s Scarlett skort looks clean and classic but has hidden shorts that make it properly functional. Pair it with a white tank and oversized shades for that “accidentally caught by a paparazzo outside Erewhon” look - even if you’re just going to Sainsbury’s.
Uniqlo Linen Blend Skort
Proof that basics don’t have to be boring. Uniqlo’s take is breezy, unfussy and refreshingly pared back, the kind of thing you’ll wear on repeat without even thinking about it. The linen blend keeps it light, while the tailored fit stops it from veering into school uniform territory. Add a crisp shirt and leather sandals for a fool proof holiday outfit. Bonus points for pockets.
Lululemon Wrap-Front Mid-Rise Tennis Skirt
This one’s for those who still harbour a bit of competitive spirit. Lululemon’s wrap-front tennis skort looks sweet and preppy, but it’s a high-performance piece disguised as weekend wear. Think sweat-wicking, flexible and designed to move, but with a flattering, ballerina-inspired silhouette.
Add a cropped knit or oversized hoodie and pretend you’re off to Centre Court.
Free People My Little Micro Mini Cotton-Linen Skort
Yes, it’s short. Very short. But the built-in shorts mean you don’t have to spend your day worrying about stairs, breeze, or impromptu cartwheels should the mood take you.
The cotton-linen blend keeps it breathable, and there’s an endless number of colourways available to suit your aesthetic - as per usual with Free People. It’s the kind of thing you’d wear to cycle to the farmer’s market.
Stradivarius Ruffled Mini Skort
Ruffles are a risk, but this skort keeps things feeling flirty rather than fussy. It’s feminine without being precious, and the lightweight fabric gives it just enough movement to float around your legs in the most flattering way. Best worn with a boxy tee or cropped cardigan.
ASOS DESIGN wrap skort in blue & green stripe
This skort from ASOS has serious beach-to-brunch range. The wrap front adds shape and texture, while the candy-coloured stripes add visual interest. It’s playful without being saccharine and feels more expensive than it is.
BDG Missy Skort
Self-Portrait Taffeta skort
A party piece in disguise. From the front, this is a frothy taffeta mini with a built-in belt. From the back — surprise! — you’re in shorts. Self-Portrait’s take on the trend is made for summer weddings, rooftop soirées and anywhere you might be expected to twirl. If ever there were a skort for champagne-fuelled dancing, this is it.