Almost every women’s fashion retailer that I’ve looked at online recently is offering at least one tiered midi skirt, but I won’t be buying one. That’s because I don’t wear skirts very often and I already have one that’s very special to me. Special because I bought it on the Pacific island of Saipan in 2011 when I hubby and I spent the summer working as short term missionaries there. 

That’s me on the island 13 years ago. As you’ll see in the current photos, the skirt is actually greener than it appears to be in this photo. Unlike the much more colourful mass produced skirts that were very popular on Saipan that summer, mine was handmade in a tiny dressmaking shop on the island. 

Many women are put off by tiered skirts because they are so voluminous, but the key to styling any full skirt is to think about proportions. A good rule of thumb is to balance the volume of the skirt with something more fitted on top. Let me show you what I mean. 

This outfit was very comfortable, but the boxy shape of the top, which you first saw on the blog here, leaves the outfit looking somewhat dowdy. 

A fitted top tucked in at the waist is a much better look (although I should have ensured that it was tucked more smoothly before the picture was taken). Adding a decorative belt to cover the elastic waistband adds definition and gives the outfit a more finished look. 

Of course, you can always change the look with the addition of a third piece, but again, think of proportion and choose one that doesn’t overwhelm.