Shopping writers Eve, Beth and Jessica styled three summer staples from high street faves Marks and Spencer, Nobody’s Child and Next
With summer in the air (despite the rainy weather of late), many of us will be on the hunt for versatile wardrobe staples that can be worn time and time again for a multitude of sun-drenched events. We’re talking denim shorts, floaty dresses, tank tops and, of course, the humble white skirt.
Potentially one of the most hardworking garments come summer, a swishy white skirt can do it all – dressed up for a fancy dinner, dressed down for a beach day, and can be casual and cool with an oversized graphic tee and chunky sandals for the pub.
But finding the perfect white skirt isn’t as easy as you may think. Sometimes tiered skirts can often have a weird, disproportionate fit – especially for those of us with a small waist and thicker thighs – while poplin white skirts can be a little transparent and not offer that crisp, clean finish we hope for.
But, in a bid to help our readers find the perfect summer skirt, three of our fashion writers tested out some designs from the high-street – Next, Nobody’s Child and Marks and Spencer. Here are their thoughts below.
Eve’s pick: Nobody’s Child’s White Tiered Lace Detail Skirt – £75.65 with code HELLO15
There is something so effortlessly chic about a white skirt in the summer. It makes any outfit feel romantic and remains breathable and this Nobody’s Child White Tiered Lace Detail Skirt (£89 RRP) has officially become my dressing-in-a-heatwave holy grail.
Unlike other stiff or clingy tiered skirts I’ve tried, this one floats beautifully over the hips and tummy without bunching up – something that can often make us look more lumpy and bumpy than we are. The delicate lace inserts and textured Dobby weave give it a gorgeous, expensive-look that is sophisticated yet whimsical, while the elasticated back waistband means it’s comfy enough to wear all day long – and when dinners need ample room. Plus, it’s 100% organic cotton, so it feels incredibly soft, and despite being lined is breathable in hot weather – rather than clammy.
One thing to watch out for is the length. At 100cm, it’s a true maxi. I’m 5’6″ and it sits right at the limit—if I wore flat ballet pumps I might trip, but it pairs perfectly with my chunky summer sandals. Sadly, there’s no petite version of this specific skirt, but Nobody’s Child does a great alternative White Poplin Midi Skirt (£59) in their dedicated petite range.
When it comes to styling, this particular skirt is so easy to pair with a range of tops and shoes. For a dinner date, I treated myself to its White Lace Short Sleeve Top, £59, and wore it as a co-ord, which made dressing so simple. I then added some necklaces (currently obsessed with this Chloe Crystal Gold Charm Necklace, £45.50, from Bijoux De Mimi), a striped Monty bag, for a bit of contrasting texture, and my Dr Martens Gryphon Tumbled Nubuck Leather Platform Sandals, now on sale for £98.
For a trip to the pub, I swapped out my Gryphons for the black Clarissa II Quad Milled Nappa Leather Platform Sandals, £140, and an oversized charcoal grey band t-shirt and some sunnies for something simple and laid back. To dress this up for a girls dinner, I swapped out the top for a striped blue shirt and chunky gold necklace.
It’s the ultimate summer staple for making me look put together with minimal effort – not to mention it’ll make any tan pop – but I already know I’ll be styling it with a chunky woolly jumper and black boots when autumn rolls around.
Bethan’s pick: Next’s White Broderie Maxi Skirt – £56
A white skirt is one of the most versatile, hardworking pieces you can add to a summer wardrobe, and Next’s White Broderie Maxi Skirt is a stunning take on the warm weather essential. Made from 100% cotton, the skirt is lightweight and breathable, making it a dream to wear even during heatwaves.
Its romantic, feminine details, including a button-through front, pretty broderie detailing and a scallop hem, give it an expensive and holiday-ready feel. I also like that the elastic waistband is only at the back, giving it a polished appearance from the front, but with the bloat-friendly benefit of all-day comfort.
While it comes in a maxi length, for those worried about it being too long, it does also come in petite, regular and long so shoppers should be able to find their ideal length. Its fully lined, layered design means it drapes beautifully and isn’t see-through, either.
For an evening outfit, I styled the skirt with a shirred leopard-print top, heeled flip-flops and a black baguette bag. A white skirt can be paired with any colour or pattern of this style of top and work exceptionally thanks to the form-fitting upper and more volumous lower half. Another way I’ve worn similar skirts is with a black shirred vest, paired with lime green accessories.
To make the skirt feel more casual, I paired it with a banana graphic T-shirt, jelly shoes and a bright red shoulder bag. One thing to note with white skirts is that when pairing them with something else white, they do have to be a close shade match, else it can make the top look a bit grubby if opting for ecru or off-white. Banana graphics and jelly shoes are set to be major trends for summer 2026, and this is a great way to tap into the movement by mixing current picks with more timeless investments.
But I think my favourite way to wear it was somewhere in the middle of dressy and relaxed. I went for a striped sleeveless top with elevated tie details, an orange leather crossbody bag and brown Dr Martens sandals. I particularly like how the chunkier sandals balanced the delicate detail of the dress for a slightly edgier feel.
The skirt really is a blank canvas and can be paired with any colour or print for a variety of looks, and adapts easily to different styles and occasions, making it a piece you’ll get plenty of wear from throughout summer and beyond. At £59, it is a little more expensive than some other high street alternatives, but its quality, material and attention to detail really does justify the cost. The only thing I wish it had would be pockets – but we can’t always have it all.
Jess’ pick: Marks & Spencer Pure Cotton Poplin Midi Skirt – £30
Whilst I am partial to a mini skirt during summer, I find having the option to sport a longer length comes in handy for those days when my fake tan is wearing off and I want something a little looser. As a neutrals girl, I’m a huge fan of wearing white during the warmer months, so when I spotted M&S’ poplin midi I instantly knew it would be a wardrobe staple.
In the summer I can be fussy about fabrics, preferring to opt for breathable cotton and linen where possible so as not to exacerbate feeling hot. For me, this pure cotton M&S skirt is everything I’d want in an everyday throw-on option; lightweight, easy to style and timeless.
I’d usually go for a longer skirt in the daytime when I want to be comfy, but when I styled the poplin midi with my thong kitten heels and a cute summery bag I also felt it worked for holiday evenings and BBQs. I opted for a size 10, and I’m usually between a 10-12.
The waistband is stretchy thanks to the elasticated design which makes it perfect for days when I’m super hot or bloated. At £30, considering its material and cut, I think it’s a really well priced option from the high street.
I’d tone down the look for daytime by swapping the heels for mules, ballet flats or sandals, and I personally also love that this versatile skirt is a great alternative to trousers for office days during warmer weather. I kept the top half fitted with a denim waistcoat I already own from H&M and a stretchy shirred top from New Look last year.
One of my favourite things about M&S is that many of their trousers are available in three lengths, which is also the case with this skirt which can be purchased in petite, regular and long designs.
Originally as a 5’7 girl I had toyed with the idea of going for the tall version for more of a maxi fit, as I sometimes find midis hit me at an awkward length. I often opt for this with M&S’ jeans but I actually didn’t need to with this design as it sat at a decent point on my leg.
One slight drawback for me as someone with curvy hips is that the cute ties on the side of the skirt added the appearance of additional volume in that area, however I felt teaming it with my fitted cinched waist New Look top (£12.99) helped to balance out my proportions.
Despite this, I personally wouldn’t be without a long white skirt come summer. I also think it’ll be surprisingly versatile once autumn comes around too, as during that awkward in between stage it can be teamed with a light knit or cropped jacket to achieve maximum cost-per-wear.
