Cheryl Shops

Maxi dresses have been around for a few summers now, and while I think they're perfect for summer, there is one major drawback to wearing them in the city: They get dirty. Not to mention, I've tripped on mine several times while walking out of the subway, almost depantsing myself in the process. Also, if you have cute sandals on, they're hard to see. There is a way, however, to capture that breezy, summery look in a more practical manner: Enter the midi, or midcalf skirt. As I mentioned last week, the '70s were all over the spring runways, and this is a silhouette straight out of that time period--shapes range from slim to full, while the ideal length hits somewhere between the calf and ankle. With so many different variations, that means it's easy to find a style that suits your body type (one of my biggest pet peeves is when people say "I can't wear xxxxx due to my xxxxx"--if you just find the right fit, you can wear anything). The midi skirt is also a great way to get in a dose of color, whether it's one bold hue or a fun print, and the more polished options are great for work. Like last week's flare jeans, the midi skirt is definitely a major silhouette change, but it's fun and easy to wear, no matter what your shape.

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Jil Sander's spring/summer collection got a lot of critical praise for its bold colors--and the bright neon orange of this high-waist skirt is certainly that--but what intrigues me the most is the shape. It's the perfect balance of streamlined and slouchy; in spite of the paperbag waist, the skirt's overall volume does not overwhelm. The length also hits right above the ankle, showing off what is, for most women, the thinnest part of the leg, giving it an extra-flattering fit.

Another runway look, this Jonathan Saunders skirt captures another big spring trend: colorblocking. The slim shape, however, offsets the wide horizontal lines, making this a very wearable option for many. And for extra leg elongation, I like how Net-a-Porter paired it with nude platform sandals.

This Suno skirt is on the long side of midi (okay, it might actually qualify as maxi), but I couldn't resist the print and the accordion pleats. It's so chic, I think it makes a strong argument against the perceived frumpiness of midi skirts.

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Tribal prints are pretty huge for spring, so this Myne skirt is a great way to kill two trends with one stone, so to speak. I also think this is a quite reasonable price for a 100% silk skirt--guess that silk-is-becoming-cheaper-than-cotton prediction is not too far off!

I love the relaxed look of this DVF Chania skirt--it's pleated jersey, meaning you can ball it up and throw it in your suitcase, and when you take it out, you can slip right into it, making it perfect for that glamorous jetsetting lifestyle we all wish we had (and that DVF herself seemingly does).

And in case you were worried that midi skirts aren't sexy, take a look at Thakoon Addition's draped silk skirt. The color alone is pretty sexy, but the soft drape of the washed silk makes it sensual too.