Welcome to The Great Try-On—our digest of everything you’ll need for your most stylish season yet. We identified the ultimate spring capsule wardrobe, which consists of seven practical hero items. A few of our editors tried on each of these wardrobe builders, with head-to-toe looks styled by our editorial director, Lauren Eggertsen, so you can see how they look IRL. From the trousers everyone’s talking about to the skirt that goes with absolutely everything, we hope that these photos and the candid reviews of each item will help you shop for a seasonal wardrobe filled with essentials and trend-forward pieces you’ll wear for spring and beyond.
Spring cleaning often brings a certain pep to the season. There’s something about the ritual—the fresh air sneaking in through open windows, the sunlight stretching a little further each evening—that makes even the most mundane tasks feel a little more magical. Unpacking seasonal garments can become a whole event: order some takeout, pour a glass of wine, queue up a playlist that captures the spirit of spring, and dive into the clothing tucked away in plastic bins under the bed.
It’s practically like taking yourself out on a date, though instead of romantic dinners, it’s about reuniting with old sweaters and well-worn jeans. But this season, skip the dating apps. For anyone looking to spark a little spring fling as the days grow longer and the air turns softer, look no further than this season’s main love interest: romantic, delicate lace slip skirts.
Whether dressed down with a tee and sneakers or elevated with a silk blouse and jelly sandals, lace skirts have completely stolen fashion people’s hearts. To test out this season’s favorite new bottom piece, our editors tried three lace slip skirts from J.Crew, Dries Van Noten, and Diotima. Scroll (and shop!) all the ways to style a lace slip skirt this spring.
First up is Ana Escalante, Who What Wear’s associate features editor. She tried out J.Crew’s wildly popular Gwen Lace-Trim Slip Skirt in a classic black colorway. Read on to hear her candid thoughts (especially if you’re on the taller side!).
Ana’s take on the skirt: “I’ve had my eye on his lace slip skirt from J.Crew for a couple of months now, so I was so excited to try it on. Spoiler alert: I did like it, but I have some caveats. If you’re on the taller side, make sure to check your measurements. Being 5’9” with larger thighs, I wish this piece were slightly longer to accommodate my height. Other than that, though, it was perfect in my book. The romantic detailing of this skirt with the subtle, monochromatic lace at the bottom pushes this piece from boring to beloved in my book.”
Styling tips: Especially for a mini lace slip skirt, opt for a structured jacket or top to balance out the skirt’s romantic details. A lace slip skirt practically works with any shoe style, but according to Ana and her casual, laid-back style, she felt most comfortable dressing down the item with a pair of metallic sandals from The Row. Just because something feels date night–ready doesn’t mean it always has to be dressed up to the nines!
Shop the skirt: J.Crew Lace-Trim Slip Skirt ($70)
This lace slip skirt by J.Crew has many things we love about it—the price point, the size range, and the colorways are all bonuses in our book. J.Crew’s Gwen and Gwenyth Slip Skirt line already has some die-hard fans, so it’s no surprise that this slip skirt from the brand comes on top if you’re itching for something a bit more trend-forward from the elegant American brand.
J.Crew
Lace-Trim Slip Skirt
Staud
Corrine Suede Jacket
The row
Vika Leather Sandals
Next up to the challenge was Senior Fashion Editor Eliza Huber, styling Diotima’s Coverley Crocheted Silk-Satin Midi Skirt. Unlike some of the other lace slip skirts on this list, this one feels a bit more atuned to a chic beach vacation than the streets of New York (although Eliza assured us she wouldn’t have a problem wearing this skirt anywhere!). Read her full review below.
Eliza’s take on the skirt: “I’m a big fan of the lace-trim slip skirt trend that’s been rising the ranks in fashion over the last few months, and when I like a trend, I want to try it in as many versions as I can get my hands on. I own the J.Crew version in black and love it, but appreciated the unique lace design of this Diotima red alternative. It’s almost a mix of lace and crochet, making it a really fun and different option for spring and summer, especially paired with a matching bikini top on vacation or a simple white tee on a warm city day. At the same time, you don’t have to pack it away for fall. I wore it with a gray cashmere sweater and brown leather bomber, proving it’s a 365-days-a-year purchase.”
Styling tips: Just like Eliza suggested, this skirt would go perfectly with anything in your closet (or in your packed luggage, if you’re wearing it on vacation!). Instead of going full vacation mode, Eliza chose to style it with her favorite gray slouchy sweater, vintage-inspired statement earrings, and fiery red Mary Jane flats from Bally.
Shop the skirt: Diotima Crocheted Midi Skirt ($725)
Rachel Scott, the founder of Diotima, is a longtime Who What Wear favorite, so it’s no surprise to see one of her skirts rank high on our list of springtime buys. Thanks to this skirt’s elastic waistband and crochet detail, it feels casual enough to wear on repeat as the temperatures rise. The 100% satin skirt comes in four sizes (1 to 4), accommodating sizes US 0 to US 12.
Diotima
Crocheted Midi Skirt
Martha Calvo
Elle Clip Earrings
Nour Hammour
Clint Leather Jacket
Saint Laurent
Cashmere and Silk-Blend Sweater
Bally
Gerwin Glossed-Leather Mary Jane Flats
Gucci Eyewear
Oval-Frame Acetate and Gold-Tone Sunglasses
Last but not least, fashion editor Sierra Mayhew took on the challenge of styling an asymmetrical Dries Van Noten skirt for our lace slip skirt edit, working with casual pieces she wears daily to transform this eye-catching skirt into an approachable piece you can rotate in and out of your wardrobe with ease. Below is her full Dries deep-dive.
Sierra’s take on the skirt: “Of all the things I tried on for this story, the item I wanted to take home with me the most was this showstopping skirt from Dries. It simply was the outfit. You could style it with the simplest pieces, and it will just take over an entire room. The asymmetrical hem was something worth staring at, and looked even better when paired with power boots. If you want to see something even sweeter, check it out in pink.”
Styling tips: Let the skirt do all the talking. Sierra opted for a simple white tank to emphasize the skirt’s chic construction, putting all of her attention on her bottom half. The addition of a pair of knee-high leather Khaite boots took the skirt from completely delicate to a bit more of a nuanced look.
Shop the skirt: Dries Van Noten Asymmetric Midi Skirt ($995)
Everything Dries Van Noten touches turns into gold. Although the Belgian designer stepped down from the namesake label late last year, Van Noten’s touches can still be felt throughout the brand’s current offerings, especially in the brand’s whimsical, free-flowing pieces. This asymmetrical skirt is a staple of the brand, coming in various color combinations and patterns, with an option for every taste. A drawstring waist makes this a winner in our book, though, making sure you’re able to fit and feel comfortable in the skirt, no matter your size.
Dries Van Noten
Asymmetric Midi Skirt
Toteme
Curved Ribbed Tank
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