We Try Before You Buy: The 7 Best Skirts We've Seen This Summer

Our We Try Before You Buy series aims to take the stress out of shopping and eliminate the number of post office visits you make each month to return failed online orders. We test new-season buys and styling ideas so you don't have to. Here, we're letting you know what is actually worth investing in.

In weeks like this when it's raining one minute and 37 degrees the next, you need outfits that are as easy and comfortable as possible. Dresses might be a failsafe throw-on option, but we find that skirts can be just as versatile. This year, plenty of satin midi skirts and printed slips have reached cult status, while pleated midi skirts and colourful leather styles are set to be a key buy come autumn. This week, our editors tried on lots of the trending summer skirts to bring you the styles worth investing in right now.

When it comes to printed slip skirts, we were most impressed by a £39 daisy-print skirt by Warehouse and a black-and-white spotty midi by Rixo. Leather skirts are going to be an autumn staple this year, and we love the rust coloured button-front midi from Topshop and a classic black leather skirt from Joseph. Arket's pleated midi skirt is another classic buy, which is available in black, cream or glow-in-the-dark lime green for more adventurous dressers. Keep scrolling to see and shop the skirts our editors are loving this week.

Rixo

"If it was a Friday and I had after-work drinks, this Rixo number would be my jam. It's dressy, but not so dressy you'd feel uncomfortable wearing it in the office, and I love how it sits slightly lower on the ankle than your average slip skirt. Now, where's my drink..." — Alyss Bowen, associate social media editor

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Joseph

"Hats off to Joseph. This is a team that knows what it's doing when it comes to really great, soft leather. While there's a danger a leather skirt could be a bit rigid, this is completely the opposite, and it feels completely supple and comfortable to wear. I've paired with a leopard-print T-shirt and sandals, but a cropped jumper and ankle boots are exactly how I'd be wearing it come winter." — Elinor Block, assistant editor

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Arket

I have been surprisingly drawn to acid colours this summer, and I love this neon green Arket pleated midi skirt. It's quite a statement colour, so I'd pair it with simple black accessories and a white crew-neck T-shirt.

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Anaak

"As someone who has trouble getting on board with summer florals, I've found that gingham has been my saving grace. Floaty, chic and just on the right side of girly, this ankle-grazing number is sure to make a statement, but thanks to its cotton fabric and loose fit, it doesn't feel too intimidating. I'm wearing it with a simple black bodysuit here, but I'd also dress it up with a knotted white shirt and strappy heels." — Joy Montgomery, freelance shopping editor

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Warehouse

"In my efforts to channel my inner Julie Fournier (head to her Instagram immediately and you'll see what I mean), I paired this painfully pretty Warehouse skirt with that lusted-after Rouje top. It's the type of thing I'd wear to the office and then to after-work drinks, and would look equally as cute paired with white trainers and a tee. That's my kind of skirt!" — Alyss

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Olivia Rubin

Confession: I've already bought this Olivia Rubin midi skirt. It is quite a formal workwear skirt, but it's made fun by the row of tiny rainbow buttons in a line down the front, which look like a bag of Skittles.

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Topshop

"I know it won't be for everyone, but for me, this leather midi from Topshop is the stuff of dreams. Coming in a very 2019 shade of rust orange and an undeniably flattering A-line silhouette, this is the sort of skirt I'd happily wear now with a T-shirt and sandals, then with a white roll-neck and knee-high boots come autumn. It's all my '70s style aspirations rolled into one." — Joy

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Next up, see the key trends for autumn/winter 2019.