Skirts are back, in every shape, length, and style imaginable. While hemlines are still sparking political debates, fashion is rewriting the rules. From Prada’s skirt-focused SS27 show to the FW26 runways, one thing is clear: this fall, skirts are taking over, and there’s no one way to wear them
A skirt has never been just a skirt. Throughout history, this seemingly simple piece of clothing has carried the weight of social conventions, cultural revolutions, and ever-changing ideas of femininity. From the restrictive silhouettes of centuries past to the miniskirt revolution of the 1960s, its evolution has mirrored women’s ongoing fight for autonomy. A symbol of freedom and self-expression, but also a garment that society has repeatedly tried to police.
For decades, this garment has been at the center of feminist conversations about body autonomy and the freedom to choose. From women challenging dress codes to reclaiming the right to decide how much of their bodies to reveal, fashion has often become a form of resistance. The feminist movement helped challenge the idea that a woman’s respectability should be defined by what she wears, turning the skirt into a symbol of a much bigger fight: the right to dress for yourself, rather than for society’s approval.
Fast-forward to 2026, and apparently, we’re still debating how many centimeters of fabric make a woman respectable.
Just ask Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, who recently sparked controversy after suggesting that, if he were advising his son on whom to marry, he’d recommend a woman who was “less attractive, with longer skirts, but more stable and reliable” over a more charming woman who might be less serious or faithful. The remarks triggered backlash across Italy, with several female senators turning up to Parliament in miniskirts to protest the outdated association between a woman’s wardrobe and her moral character.
Because, somehow, in 2026, a hemline can still be treated as a personality test.
Meanwhile, the fashion industry seems to have a very different take. While politicians are busy debating how long it should be, designers are exploring just how far it can go.
The skirt is back, bigger than ever, in every possible shape, length, and interpretation.
Enter Prada. For Spring/Summer 2027, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons made a statement by dedicating an entire runway show to fashion’s most familiar staple. Aptly titled The Skirt, the collection featured 63 looks, all centered around the same garment, yet each telling a completely different story. From structured silhouettes and dramatic pleats to sheer nylon, delicate florals, crystal embellishments, and technical fabrics, Prada turned this garment into a playground for experimentation.
At a time when hemlines can still spark political controversy, Prada reminds us that a skirt is not a measure of a woman’s morality. It’s a form of self-expression. After all, the only thing it should reveal is your sense of style.
But Prada isn’t alone. In fact, this trend’s major comeback was already taking shape on the Fall/Winter 2026 runways, where designers made one thing clear: this timeless staple is back, in every shape, length, and style imaginable. From sharp pencil silhouette and romantic lace to bold florals, leather, exaggerated volumes, and the return of the mini, the season offered endless ways to reinvent the wardrobe staple.
And now that fall is here, we’re more than ready to embrace them all.
Pencil Skirt
Floral
Leather
Lingerie Skirt
Voluminous Skirt
Mini
