Wear the Trend: 50′s Skirts Under $50

Out with the short, and in with the midis. Fall/Winter 2014 is all about the midi skirt, and what better way to celebrate this classic silhouette than to splash a little vintage onto it? Whether you're channeling a quirky full-on Zooey Deschanel look or experimenting with ways to mix a little nostalgia with modern pieces, these six skirts are sure to scratch that 50 s itch (did we mention that they're all under $50?).

1.

Ruche Green Gables Circle Skirt in Mustard, $39.99

Tone down a bright sunny color to a more fall-friendly subdued one such as a pretty mustard shade. For that 50 s look, find one with a single horizontal stripe that delicately runs right across the entire width of the skirt. Pair it with bolder stripes and a pretty pointed-toe pump (you can throw in some metallic for an instant holiday vibe) and you're all set.

Try the look:

Ruche Green Gables Circle Skirt In Mustard, $39.99 / Oasis Stripe Polo Neck Jumper, Black/Beige, 25.00 / ASOS Timeless Oneil Black Heeled Shoes, $49.83 (before: $74.75)

2.

Dorothy Perkins Black and Stone Midi Skirt, 22

Flower power, anyone? Slapping a 70 s flower print onto an A-line silhouette automatically turns the look from hippie to darling vintage. Complete the look with a turtleneck cap-sleeved crop top and a dual-strapped mary jane pumps to put a little back-to-the-future edge to this look.

Try this look:

Dorothy Perkins Black and Stone Midi Skirt, 22 / Charlotte Russe Cap Sleeve Mock Neck Crop Top, $7.50 (before: $10.99) / Dune Black Patent Aibleen Mary Jane Pointed Toe Court Shoe, 48.00 (before: 69.00

3.

Ruche Corner Store Polka Dot Midi Skirt, $42.99

Nothing says Hairspray quite like polka dots (we'd say Grease but leather wins on that one). Put a little modern twist into the polkadot A-line skirt look by going print-on-print with, what else, more polkadots! To get a good contrast, choose different sized dots for your top and skirt, and make sure the colors complement each other. Slip your feet into white ankle-strapped pointed-toe d'orsays for a fresh look.

Try this look:

Ruche Corner Store Polka Dot Midi Skirt, $42.99 / Forever 21 Polka Dot Tube Top, $7.80 / Fashion Union White Stiletto Ankle Strap Shoe, 28.00

4.

ASOS Scuba Midi Skirt With Kilt Buckles, $42.72 (before: $71.19)

Mixing-and-matching not your thing? Not to fret - a monotone outfit makes as strong a statement as a print-on-print one. Go for bold colors such as a firetruck red or orange, and you're sure to get asked out to a burger-and-milkshake date (okay, so maybe that's a wee bit outdated). Just be careful when mixing silhouettes and hues as the wrong combinations may make you end up looking a bit deranged.

Try this look:

ASOS Scuba Midi Skirt With Kilt Buckles, $42.72 (before: $71.19) / River Island Bright Pink Ruched Sweetheart Crop Top, $20 (before: $40) / New Look Red Cross Strap Pointed Court Shoes, 12.99 (before: 22.99)

5.

Ruche Prairie Fields Floral Indie Skirt, $39.99

We've gone with a 70 s floral pattern, so now let's dial it back down to the softer and sweeter florals of the 50 s and 60 s. Pile on the sugar by wearing an off-shoulder top with a sweetheart neckline, partnered with ultra-femme strappy heels in a beige or pinkish nude hue. Don a red lip ala Katy Perry for a stronger vintage feel, or you can opt to stick to lighter shades for a subdued modern take on the era.

Try this look:

Ruche Prairie Fields Floral Indie Skirt, $39.99 / ASOS Crop Top with Sweetheart Neck and Off Shoulder, $17.80 / Nine West Breezin Platform Sandals, $33.37 (before: $89)

6.

Dorothy Perkins Black Mesh Hem Circle Skirt, 22.00

More of a Posh Spice than a Ginger Spice? These 50 s A-line skirts look good in black, too, especially with clever little mesh insets at the hem. If you prefer a little color, pick out an aztec print crop top with a sweetheart neckline. Pair it with a daintily strapped pointed-toe d'orsay to liven up this posh ensemble.

Try this look:

Dorothy Perkins Black Mesh Hem Circle Skirt, 22.00 / Damned Delux Women's Aztec Binded Bralet Top in Mint/Pink, 12.99 / ASOS Saturday Heels, $44.50

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Five Cutout Skirt Looks That Won’t Upset Your Mom

The saying “the shorter, the better” is no longer accurate for women who try to look more feminine by wearing skirts. In fact, nowadays, a woman need not chop off a good few inches from the bottom of her skirt in order to recreate a look that would express their femininity better – all that is needed is a substantial amount of cutting and a brilliant strategical placing of that cut.

When it comes to cutout tops, pretty much everywhere that one can poke a hole in has already been poked. Designers eventually asked, “Why stop there?” For designers, deciding on where to put a graceful cut on a skirt without revealing too much skin and compromising functionality proved to be a bit challenging, but not all of them are backing off. Hence, the birth of cutout skirts.

We rounded up five of our favorite blogger looks for these ironic rule-breaking but structured babies.

Maria of Stylissim

Having a skirt that looks like a giant chomped down its front has never looked this chic. Choose a graceful round cut that’s not too wide and show off a comfortable amount of extra leg. For the illusion of longer legs, go for a high-waisted pencil skirt. If you’re not confident about the length of your torso, lower waistlines should do the trick. For a laid-back but still ladylike look, pair the skirt with a slouchy graphic sweater and pumps.

Get her look:

Nasty Gal Shape Up Skirt – Two Tone, $28.50 (before $38.00) / BOY London Eagle Sweatshirt, $93.34 / Sophia Webster Loren Pumps in Black Suede, 385.00

Isabella of Views of Now

This look shows that it’s all about location, location, location (that and the gorgeous angular cut that is aptly proportional to the height of the skirt). The cutout need not be huge as long as it complements the entire piece – in this case, the roughness of the skirt material is complemented by the triangle cut and the illusion of a wrap skirt. It pays to be a smart dresser, too, since choosing an open back top complements the angular cutout of the skirt. The look is finished off with black heeled booties.

Get her look:

Witchery Quilted Wrap Mini Skirt, AUD $129.95 / Stylenanda Low Back Tee with Snap Button Closure, $35.01 / Burberry Prorsum Woodley Studded Leather and Calf Hair Wedge Ankle Boots, $1,153.03

Kookie of Death by Platforms

Sometimes, it’s not about the size or location of the cutout, but rather the gracefulness of the cut. The hemline of the skirt in this look ever so slightly curves upward, but this shy skirt curve brought an abundance of freshness to the fashion table. For a sophisticated but fun look, pair the skirt with a floral or guipure buttondown shirt and sandals with a fun geometric print.

Get her look:

Nasty Gal Peeking Daisy Skirt, $48.00 / Piece D’Anarchive Tailored Guipure Lace Shirt, 530 (before: 1,330.00) / Atalanta Weller Block Heel Sandal, $459.08

Nadya of Glitter Dessert

Not ready to put away your maxis yet? A compromise is in order. This skirt is reminiscent of the trending (and, let’s face it, slightly overused) high-low skirts, but with a fresh structural take to it. This cut is perfect for those who are not quite ready to go all the way short or, for some weird reason, love how the front of their legs look but equally despise the way the back looks. Style it up with a flowy or draped top, chunky neck pieces and some fancy footwear.

Get her look:

New Look Coral Jersey Dip Hem Skirt, 7.00 (before: 14.99) / Mugler Draped Top, $1,065.00 / Ala a Vault Chamois Cloute Sandal, $926.00 (before: $1,852.00)

Michelle of Michetteee

What happens when a side slit and a cutout decide to have an offspring? You’re looking at it. This graceful and oh-so-flattering cut is suggestive and sophisticated at the same time. This is perfect for those women who want to look cute and sexy simultaneously (admit it, we’ve all wished that upon ourselves at least once). Pair it with an equally sweet-but-sexy scalloped or lace crop top and some strappy white sandals.

Get her look:

Nasty Gal Circuit Curve Skirt, $42.00 / Topshop Crochet Crop Top, $44.00 / Casadei for Prabal Gurung Strappy Blade Wedge Sandal, $389.00 (before: $970.00)