Remember that time you took a skirt into the changing rooms, couldn’t be bothered to take off your jeans, so you just tried it over the top? No, you weren’t crazy. It did look good. And finally the world is catching up with your genius thanks to the revival of Y2K trends.
As we approach pumpkin spice season in the UK, a skirt layered over trousers is a practical way to look styled while also staying warm. And last week, Pinterest’s newly released Autumn 2024 Trend Report revealed there has been a +695% increase in searches for the ‘skirt over trousers’ trend.
It’s official. The ‘skouser’ is back, and about to take over your feeds for A/W24.
What was once the look of every early 2000s Disney Channel child star, is now a bold fashion statement, but if you’re wondering why this unlikely trend is catching a second wave now, keep in mind Autumn really is the most nostalgic time of year, so we tend to embrace more of the 90s and Y2K looks around this time.
Layering is of course popular every fall, but if you want to mix it up this year and stay cosy yet chic, a combination of trousers and a skirt or dress together could see you turning heads in a very good way, and allow for a lot of playful creativity, making it easy to turn a basic look into a clever ensemble.
Still, styling the skouser should never be slapdash. The wrong skirt (or dress) paired with the wrong trousers could make you look less high fashion and more Tammy Girl-gone-wrong. Take care to think about the proportions of your outfit. For example, will the style of skirt go well with a skinny jean or a flared trouser? Does a mini or a mid-length skirt work best with the top you have chosen?
Both items of clothing can seem like they are in a power struggle on the lower half of your body, but some experimentation can certainly pay off. By choosing the right items, you can feature both equally and have a tonne of fun creating outfits with more dimension and layering than ever before. Plus, there’s no need to invest in new items of clothing; you probably already have everything you need in your wardrobe.
Megan Watkins, Head Stylist at online fashion destination SilkFred, weighs in on the trend:
“Not only does the ‘skouser’ combo have a distinctly cool-scandinavian-girl feel, it’s also perfect for this transitional period, where you still want to inject a bit of summer (the skirt) into your overall look, whilst staying practical for the weather (the trouser).”
On the more modest end of the scale, Watkins suggests matching a chic pair of black trousers with a black mini skirt for a continuous, colour-matched, streamlined look. Pair this with a structured white shirt, a kitten heel, and simple, pulled-back hair, and you can go from office to an evening out without a second thought.
