The drop-waist maxi skirt is available in five colours and patterns and comes in sizes 6-26, as well as short, regular and tall lengths
One of my favourite ways to make items in my wardrobe work harder and earn their keep is to find new and interesting ways to style them. And I’ve stumbled upon a style hack for a new-in piece at Next that will see you wear it over and over this summer.
A couple of weeks ago, I headed to Next for a personal styling appointment. I hadn’t realised it was a service they offered and documented the experience and my top picks . Among them was an item that had both myself and the sales assistant stumped. “Is it a skirt or a dress?” It turns out, it works as both.
Next’s drop-waist maxi skirt comes in five colours and patterns. At first I tried the blue gingham for £38, and have since been back to style the more affordable £28 version. There’s also a brown stripe variety for £42, a £45 khaki green option and swanky cream sparkly patterned edition for a more premium £52.
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Drop waists are everywhere at the moment and are more flattering than you might first think. The pull-on, elasticated waistband is perfect for anyone who suffers from bloating or simply strives for all-day comfort.
The cotton fabric gives it a breezy, all-season feel, while the maxi length will earn you tonnes of compliments. As a skirt, it’s perfect with sandals and a tucked-in tee or light knit. But here’s the unexpected twist – this skirt can double as a bandeau dress.
Because of the deep drop waist, the skirt can be pulled right up and worn as a midi dress, too. It comes in sizes 6-26 and is available in short, regular and tall. If you’re planning on styling it as a dress more than a skirt, I’d be inclined to opt for the longer length, personally.
As a dress, it may not work for everyone’s chest size, so it won’t be the right hack for everyone, but for those it does work on, it’s a total style win. The only other thing I found a bit frustrating was that the prices vary quite dramatically, with the red being cheapest at £28 and the sparkly one being £52 – a £24 difference.
Elsewhere, Nobody’s Child has this Black Drop Waist Shirred Midi Skirt for £65 , though it doesn’t come in multiple lengths. At New Look, fashion fans can find this Khaki Shirred Waist Poplin Midi Skirt for under £30 , though the waist doesn’t look as though it would lend itself to wearing it as a dress quite as easily.
There aren’t any shopper reviews of the skirt just yet, which tells me this piece has been flying under the radar. But for me, I think it’s going to be the ultimate multitasker, ideal for styling up for summer or layering it for cooler days. Shop the Next skirt here .
