It’s True—the Cotton Poplin Skirt Trend Just Replaced My Jeans

To my jeans, I’m sorry, we’ve had a good run, but I think we need a break. I’ve worn you every day for about four-months straight, and while I’ll always come back to you when I’m in need a reliable and quick outfit solution, for the sake of my style and my editor status, I need to think about broadening my horizons.

Perhaps it’s the sudden influx of sun but this week I’ve had the sudden urge to wear skirts again. This is especially handy as 2024 is shaping up to be the year of the skirt, with more styles than ever rising to the top of the fashion agenda. We’ve seen pencil skirts come back into the fore, whilst pleated minis are enjoying a similar revival thanks in part to the momentum gained by the release of Zendaya movie Challengers and the upcoming Wimbledon tennis tournament. Still, the skirt trend that has piqued my interest is, in my opinion, the most versatile, sophisticated, timeless and anti-trend of them all. Meet the humble yet elevated-looking cotton skirt.

Lately, I’ve seen fashion people around the world start wearing full skirts that nip in at the waist, flaring out before landing on the ankle or oftentimes draping down to the floor. You’ve likely seen them too dominating your Instagram feed as influencers have taken to the streets (or, in Isabella Cohen’s instance, their local art galleries), showcasing skirts in billowing, ballerina-like shapes that sit on the body so elegantly. The reason? Their cotton-poplin fabric.

A material we see a lot of in summer, cotton poplin is breathable yet has more of a starched structure to it than standard cotton, making it more sturdy in its shape and thus more impactful in its silhouette.

As detailed in our bumper autumn/winter 2024 fashion trends report, this season and next there’s a clear move towards a more refined way of dressing which is ultimately the reason for the cotton poplin skirt’s sudden popularity. It’s simple shape loans itself well to minimal styling, whilst its romantic feel appeals to more nostalgic dressers; in doing so it appeals to many people and various aesthetics. So much so we’ve seen demand soar, with options selling out at M&S and H&M alike. I’ve also seem premium skirts from brands including Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo disappear over night.