While many people welcome chillier temps with an open embrace, eschewing anything light and airy for everything plush and cozy, we’ve got to admit fall can also present an inevitable styling rut. For many of us, this time of year is only the beginning of a long stretch of nippy days—and after the first few weeks of rotating between beloved cashmere cardigans and oversized knits, those initially appealing sweaters suddenly start to feel, well, a bit drab. After all, how many times can you wear the ubiquitous jumper-and-jeans combo before it feels monotonous?
To pull you out of that mid-autumn funk, look no further than Prada’s Fall 2023 Collection—specifically, the opening look of a slightly slouchy charcoal crewneck and a white midi skirt, scattered with floral, almost doily-like appliqué. In the much-buzzed-about collection, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons sought to reinterpret uniform dressing, contrasting formal occasionwear with more practical, quotidian pieces. Spotted on the streets throughout all four cities during this most recent Fashion Month, the Prada knit-and-skirt pairing is a hit for various reasons. You’re getting more use out of a rarely worn, formal-leaning skirt that you may generally reserve for evening; it’s an unexpected way to elevate those basic-but-essential sweaters. And you likely have these pieces in your closet already—you’re just not thinking of wearing them this way. (Should you need further convincing, it’s also been Mrs. Prada’s iconic go-to uniform for years now.)
After a brief glimpse into my own closet, I took the outfit formula for a spin myself, throwing an oversized heather-gray knit I’d worn a thousand times over a frothy and delicate Preen by Thornton Bregazzi lace skirt that had only ever made an appearance at a cocktail party. The result is symbiotic, refreshing, and couldn't be easier to replicate. Whether you’re using a sweater to dress down a formal skirt, or vice versa, you’ll achieve the desired effect. Below, discover some of our favorite statement skirts to add to the rotation and classic, wear-forever knits to refresh your current stash.
