MFW SS27: The skirt emerges as key styling piece

MFW SS27 marked a shift towards a more feminine silhouette, with designers elevating the skirt as the season’s key styling piece.

Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons dedicated their entire 63-look SS27 collection to skirts, describing them as a “waist-down canvas for self-expression” and deliberately eliminating both trousers and dresses. The designers positioned the skirt as more than simply an alternative to trousers; instead, its larger visual surface offers greater scope to experiment with volume, construction, embellishment, layering and proportion.

Prada demonstrated this versatility through a diverse treatment of the garment, incorporating pleats, wraps, crystals, Velcro, technical fabrics, leather-look cotton and transparent materials. The result was a single wardrobe staple capable of shifting between utilitarian, romantic, eccentric and highly technical expressions.

Other designers similarly explored the skirt’s ability to create volume, movement, embellishment and personality. Following seasons dominated by tailoring, denim and oversized trousers, the skirt offers a more expressive alternative — one that can be dressed up or stripped back, layered or manipulated, allowing a single garment to generate multiple silhouettes and styling possibilities.

Prada SS27 by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons Look 16

An asymmetric wrap-style grey wool knee-length skirt with raw edges and a Velcro side strip embellished with crystal floral embroideries, paired with a strapless white bandeau tube top. Accessories included a snakeskin-print shoulder bag, red and black shield sunglasses and black open-toe mules

Look 48

A sheer, pleated yellow midi skirt in technical nylon and a brown, lightweight cropped hooded nylon windbreaker over a black bralette, purple wrap sunglasses, a gray leather satchel and black mules.

Look 56

A voluminous, asymmetric pleated skirt in a magenta hue, a camel-colored button-down shirt with a white pointed collar layered under a metallic, copper-toned satin bandeau bra with crystal straps, and pointed-toe black kitten heels accented with a subtle bow motif.

Gucci SS27 by Demna Look 75

A high-waisted, pleated black leather midi skirt cinched with a horse-bit belt and a striped polo shirt layered under a voluminous, shearling-trimmed oversized bomber jacket. The outfit was completed with a structured snakeskin-textured handbag, white tights, and pointed-toe black kitten heels

Look 71

A navy and green tartan pleated midi skirt with a large horse-bit belt and an ultra-voluminous, deep green nylon bomber jacket with a green and red striped knit polo and a white collar underneath, which is then accented with a chunky silver statement necklace. The look was finished with white hose, pointed-black pumps with a horse-bit and a brown leather woven handbag.

Anteprima SS27 by Izumi Ogino

A high-waisted, pleated charcoal grey midi skirt with a paper-bag waist and ruffled detailing worn with a sheer pale yellow split polo blouse layered over a nude top and paired with strappy mauve sandals and a small, beaded black drawstring handbag.

Tods SS27 by Matteo Tamburini

A vibrant mustard-yellow A-line leather skirt with a high front slit and a brown short-sleeved open-knit top layered over a light blue t-shirt, styled with a slouchy reddish-brown leather handbag, and brown suede fringed moccasins.

Art259design SS27 by Alberto Affinito

An olive-drab utility midi skirt with an asymmetric waistline and oversized cargo fold-over flap pocket with an ivory, semi-sheer crinkled chiffon blouse with fluid bell sleeves and a slouchy, open-weave black leather tote bag with a thick knotted handle

Fendi SS27 by Maria Grazia Chiuri

A high-waisted, midi-length skirt featuring an abstract, nature-inspired black and white graphic pattern was worn with a black lace bralette under a black tailored coat. Accessories included a thin black leather belt with a gold Fendi buckle, a small, structured studded handbag, black socks and spectator slingbacks.

Simon Cracker SS27

A slate grey cocoon-shaped leather midi skirt with exposed hook and eye fasteners, a relaxed, long-sleeved graphic shirt featuring doll illustrations and shimmering textured ankle boots and a grey pebbled leather bag.

Moschino SS27 by Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo

A voluminous navy blue padded "pannier"-style knee-length skirt with pockets and a short-sleeved beaded top with an abstract face motif. Accessories included black slingback pumps and semi-rimless eyewear.

Bottega Veneta SS27 by Louis Trotter

A lavender mid-length looped fringe skirt with layered strands over satin with an oversized button-up shirt in cream cotton poplin with western-style stitching. Accessories included a purple crochet kufi hat, a red woven clutch and yellow starburst earrings.

MSGM SS27 by Massimo Giorgetti

A high-waisted black midi skirt covered in tinsel-like fringe with a semi-sheer brown button-down shirt in a glossy, liquid-like coated material accessorized with a thin black leather belt on the hips and black peep-toe pumps.