The best maxi skirts for late summer span every occasion and price point — a sequin-embellished set from Ann Taylor ($168) for evenings out, a linen column skirt from Open Edit ($39.75+) for a minimalist everyday look, a striped pull-on from Gap Factory ($29.99) for errands, and a paisley tiered skirt from LOFT ($34.99) for a boho weekend look.
What You’ll Find In This Post:
Why I Love a Maxi Skirt for Late Summer
A maxi skirt does something a dress can’t: it lets you change the top, the shoes, and the whole mood of an outfit without buying anything new. That versatility is exactly why it’s the piece I keep reaching for as August stretches on — one skirt can dress up for dinner, dress down for a market morning, and still feel right into early fall.
I picked four skirts that cover completely different occasions and budgets, from a $168 sequin set to a $30 striped pull-on. Every one of them is something I’d actually wear this month (and have!).
The Edit
4 Maxi Skirts Worth Shopping
Each of these covers a different occasion, so you can go straight to the one that fits what’s actually on your calendar this week.
1. Sequin Embellished Maxi Skirt + Sequin Embroidered Halter Top — Ann Taylor
$168.00 (skirt) + $38.00 (top) (regularly $198.00 + $109.00) · Night Sky
Why it works: This is the dressiest pick in the edit, and the one I’d reach for first — a tiered sequin-embellished skirt paired with a matching halter top, both in a deep navy floral print called Night Sky. Worn together it reads like a dress; worn apart, the skirt alone dresses down beautifully with a plain white tee.
How I styled it: I wore the full set for an evening out with kitten heels and a wicker box bag — but I’d just as easily wear the skirt alone with sandals and a tank for a farmers market morning.
2. Linen Blend Column Maxi Skirt — Open Edit
$39.75–$59.62 (up to 50% off, regularly $79.50) · Red Ruby
Why it works: A column silhouette in a rich linen blend with a single side slit — this is the minimalist pick of the group, and the deep Red Ruby colorway is exactly the kind of saturated tone that photographs beautifully against a late-summer tan. It’s also part of the Nordstrom For Good program.
How I would style it: I’d wear this with a simple tank in the same family of color for a monochrome look, or break it up with a crisp white button-down for contrast.
3. Pull-On Maxi Skirt — Gap Factory
$29.99 (50% off, regularly $59.99) · White Brown Stripe
Why it works: The most budget-friendly pick in the edit, and proof that you don’t need to spend much to get a genuinely good maxi skirt — a pull-on elastic waist in a soft brown-and-white stripe, sold as part of a matching set with a smocked tank.
How I would style it: I’d wear this with flip-flops for an actual errand day, or dress it up slightly with a denim jacket and sandals for dinner.
4. Paisley Tiered Maxi Skirt — LOFT
$34.99 (regularly $69.99, original $89.95) · Whisper White
Why it works: This is the boho pick of the group — a tiered paisley print in a soft whisper white and rust colorway that feels like it belongs on a late-summer trip somewhere warm. The elasticized waist and tiered silhouette make it one of the most comfortable pieces in this whole edit.
How I would style it: I’d wear this with a fitted tank tucked in and gladiator sandals for an easy, put-together weekend look.
How to Style a Maxi Skirt Right Now
- Let one maxi skirt do double duty: a set like the Ann Taylor pairing works as a dress worn together, or as two separate pieces — wear the skirt alone with a plain tee for a completely different, more casual look.
- Reach for linen and cotton blends first: they breathe in the last hot weeks of summer but still look intentional once the weather turns, unlike heavier fall fabrics that feel premature right now.
- Use color to signal the season: a deep tone like Red Ruby or a rich paisley reads more transitional than a bright summer print, even in a lightweight fabric.
- Don’t overlook the budget picks: the Gap Factory skirt at $29.99 is proof that an elastic-waist pull-on can look just as intentional as a $168 set when styled with the right shoes.
FAQs
Yes — a maxi skirt in a heavier fabric like linen blend or cotton twill transitions easily into early fall, especially in a deeper color. Add a light jacket or cardigan on cooler days instead of retiring the skirt entirely.
The Ann Taylor sequin skirt, since it works as a stand-alone piece with a plain tee for daytime, or paired with the matching halter top for evening — genuinely two outfits in one purchase.
The Gap Factory Pull-On Maxi Skirt at $29.99 is the most accessible price point here, and the elastic waist makes it genuinely comfortable for all-day wear.
Closing Thoughts
I love coming back to maxi skirts this time of year because they solve a real problem — how do you keep dressing for the heat while your closet is already thinking about fall? These four cover that whole spectrum, from a market morning to a night out, without asking you to buy a single new dress.
LEAVE A COMMENT