A pleated skirt is a garment with vertical creases in the fabric (called [pleats](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-pleats-a-comprehensive-guide-to-different-pleat-types-and-how-to-wear-pleats)) that add body to the shape of the skirt. Pleats are permanent folds in cloth made by doubling the material over and ironing or sewing the fold into place to create a long-lasting crease. 

Many types of pleated skirts exist, including sunray pleats, box pleats, knife pleats, and accordion pleats. A sunray-pleated skirt utilizes many thin pleats that gradually widen at the bottom, creating a flowy and flared look, while a box-pleated skirt has only a few wide pleats across the garment. You can find pleated skirts in many fabrics and cuts, including mini, [midi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-style-midi-skirt), and maxi lengths. 
You can create a [business casual](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-business-casual) or informal daytime look by styling a pleated skirt with different blouses and accessories. Try these fashion ideas, from casual street-style looks to office attire.

1. __Create a monochromatic look__. Match your skirt with your top for a chic monochrome outfit. Style your navy pleated skirt with a navy turtleneck, or wear a white blouse with a white pleated skirt. 
2. __Layer with a pullover sweater__. Throw a knitted oversized sweater over a pleated maxi skirt for a cozy, casual winter or fall outfit. You can tuck the bottom of the sweater into the skirt, or style it over your skirt, cinching your waist with a belt. Wear a pair of tights or knee-high boots to cover your legs for extra warmth. 
3. __Tuck in a T-shirt__. For an easygoing casual outfit, style your pleated skirt with a T-shirt. Tuck the ends of a loose T-shirt into your skirt, or wear a cropped, graphic tee above the waistline of your skirt. Finish this look with a pair of white sneakers and a [denim jacket](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits). 
4. __Throw on a blazer__. Pair an oversized blazer with your pleated skirt for a classic business casual outfit. You can play with color and patterns by incorporating a plaid or floral blazer with a solid pleated skirt. Complete the outfit with a pair of [ankle boots](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots).
5. __Wear with a button-down shirt__. Style a pleated midi skirt with a white button-down shirt for a simple business casual look. Tuck the button-down into the skirt, and finish the outfit with faux leather booties and a trench coat. 
For a formal pleated skirt look or a dressy date night ensemble, try these outfit ideas:

1. __Layer with a leather jacket__. A leather jacket is a classic piece you can style for different evening looks. Pair a [leather jacket](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-best-leather-jacket) with a pleated mini skirt to create an edgy outfit ideal for a party or dinner with friends.
2. __Play with prints__. Patterns add dimension to your outfit. Make a fashion statement by wearing a floral- or leopard-print pleated skirt with a pair of [heels](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels). Create balance when playing with patterns by styling a plain white or black top with your printed skirt. 
3. __Style with an off-the-shoulder top__. Off-the-shoulder tops can turn a casual look into a chic fashion statement. Pair an off-the-shoulder blouse with a long skirt to create a nighttime look you can wear for different occasions. For extra warmth, drape a [cardigan](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-a-cardigan) over your shoulders as a shawl.  
4. __Wear a lace top__. Style a fitted, lace top with a pleated midi skirt for an elegant date night look. When styling a white lace top, stick to pastel colors, such as pale pink, light blue, and lavender, and pair dark tones, such as maroon, emerald green, and dark purple, with a black lace top. 
Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. *Queer Eye*’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less.
Pleated skirts are a versatile wardrobe staple—you can wear them with the latest fashion trends or create classic pleated skirt outfits. Discover styling tips for incorporating a pleated skirt into a wide range of looks for all body types.

Pleated skirts are a versatile wardrobe staple—you can wear them with the latest fashion trends or create classic pleated skirt outfits. Discover styling tips for incorporating a pleated skirt into a wide range of looks for all body types.

9 Pleated Skirt Outfits: Tips for How to Style a Pleated Skirt 

A pleated skirt is a garment with vertical creases in the fabric (called <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-pleats-a-comprehensive-guide-to-different-pleat-types-and-how-to-wear-pleats' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-pleats-a-comprehensive-guide-to-different-pleat-types-and-how-to-wear-pleats","linkCopy":"pleats","category":null}'>pleats</a>) that add body to the shape of the skirt. Pleats are permanent folds in cloth made by doubling the material over and ironing or sewing the fold into place to create a long-lasting crease. Many types of pleated skirts exist, including sunray pleats, box pleats, knife pleats, and accordion pleats. A sunray-pleated skirt utilizes many thin pleats that gradually widen at the bottom, creating a flowy and flared look, while a box-pleated skirt has only a few wide pleats across the garment. You can find pleated skirts in many fabrics and cuts, including mini, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-style-midi-skirt' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-style-midi-skirt","linkCopy":"midi","category":null}'>midi</a>, and maxi lengths.

What Is a Pleated Skirt?

You can create a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-business-casual' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-business-casual","linkCopy":"business casual","category":null}'>business casual</a> or informal daytime look by styling a pleated skirt with different blouses and accessories. Try these fashion ideas, from casual street-style looks to office attire.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Create a monochromatic look. Match your skirt with your top for a chic monochrome outfit. Style your navy pleated skirt with a navy turtleneck, or wear a white blouse with a white pleated skirt. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Layer with a pullover sweater. Throw a knitted oversized sweater over a pleated maxi skirt for a cozy, casual winter or fall outfit. You can tuck the bottom of the sweater into the skirt, or style it over your skirt, cinching your waist with a belt. Wear a pair of tights or knee-high boots to cover your legs for extra warmth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Tuck in a T-shirt. For an easygoing casual outfit, style your pleated skirt with a T-shirt. Tuck the ends of a loose T-shirt into your skirt, or wear a cropped, graphic tee above the waistline of your skirt. Finish this look with a pair of white sneakers and a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/denim-jacket-outfits","linkCopy":"denim jacket","category":null}'>denim jacket</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Throw on a blazer. Pair an oversized blazer with your pleated skirt for a classic business casual outfit. You can play with color and patterns by incorporating a plaid or floral blazer with a solid pleated skirt. Complete the outfit with a pair of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-ankle-boots","linkCopy":"ankle boots","category":null}'>ankle boots</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Wear with a button-down shirt. Style a pleated midi skirt with a white button-down shirt for a simple business casual look. Tuck the button-down into the skirt, and finish the outfit with faux leather booties and a trench coat. </li></ol>

How to Style a Pleated Skirt: 5 Daytime Looks

For a formal pleated skirt look or a dressy date night ensemble, try these outfit ideas:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Layer with a leather jacket. A leather jacket is a classic piece you can style for different evening looks. Pair a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-best-leather-jacket' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-choose-the-best-leather-jacket","linkCopy":"leather jacket","category":null}'>leather jacket</a> with a pleated mini skirt to create an edgy outfit ideal for a party or dinner with friends. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Play with prints. Patterns add dimension to your outfit. Make a fashion statement by wearing a floral- or leopard-print pleated skirt with a pair of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-heels","linkCopy":"heels","category":null}'>heels</a>. Create balance when playing with patterns by styling a plain white or black top with your printed skirt. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Style with an off-the-shoulder top. Off-the-shoulder tops can turn a casual look into a chic fashion statement. Pair an off-the-shoulder blouse with a long skirt to create a nighttime look you can wear for different occasions. For extra warmth, drape a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-a-cardigan' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-a-cardigan","linkCopy":"cardigan","category":null}'>cardigan</a> over your shoulders as a shawl. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Wear a lace top. Style a fitted, lace top with a pleated midi skirt for an elegant date night look. When styling a white lace top, stick to pastel colors, such as pale pink, light blue, and lavender, and pair dark tones, such as maroon, emerald green, and dark purple, with a black lace top. </li></ol>

How to Wear a Pleated Skirt: 4 Evening Pleated Skirt Outfits 

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. Queer Eye’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less.

Want to Learn More About Unleashing Your Inner Fashionista?

Pleated skirts are a versatile wardrobe staple—you can wear them with the latest fashion trends or create classic pleated skirt outfits. Discover styling tips for incorporating a pleated skirt into a wide range of looks for all body types.

Pleated skirts are a versatile wardrobe staple—you can wear them with the latest fashion trends or create classic pleated skirt outfits. Discover styling tips for incorporating a pleated skirt into a wide range of looks for all body types.
