Jessica Richards, trend forecaster, JMR Design Consulting
10 best skorts for women this year, according to experts
The skort is back again — and experts say this resurgence is thanks in part to two larger, growing trends that have risen during the pandemic.
Part of this blend of styles includes socks with sandals, which give us “a bit of comfort as we ease back into platforms and heels,” pants and jeans with “fits that are a little more forgiving” and skorts for “when we're not yet ready to abandon the comfort of shorts but need to feel updated and more dressed up,” Richards said. Alongside this, another reason skorts are back might be simple — they’re better. Nowadays, skorts have been “improved upon'' with more options that look consistent from the front to the back, making the short part of a skort less noticeable, according to Michal Strahilevitz, a marketing professor at Saint Mary’s College of California who focuses on consumer psychology. Richards seconded this sentiment, saying that the skorts of today feel more elevated, sophisticated and wearable — offered in both longer or shorter lengths and made of a range of materials from denim to jacquards.
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The other larger trend is fashion from the 2000s. Generally, “era-specific trends do normally cycle around 20-ish years unless something in the zeitgeist inspires them back a bit sooner,” Richards pointed out. So the timing was on track for a comeback. But more deeply, the pandemic did change the lives of many of us — and it’s hard to say exactly what we’ll feel post-pandemic. “There’s a general feeling that we've experienced a ‘lost’ year. As a result, we're seeing a lot of trends across accessories and ready-to-wear that give us a sense of youthfulness,” Richards told us. “Bright beaded jewelry, smiley faces, bucket hats as we prepare for a summer more in the world than we've been, there's so many elements of fun and adolescence in our dressing. The skort naturally lends itself to this trend.” And the nostalgia for pre-pandemic times transcends generations — Generation X and millennials lived through the trend before and Generation Z can find it to be fresh, Richards said.
And thrifting is an especially big part of Gen Z culture. Slow fashion and sustainability movements have helped some “look for more upcycle approaches to things they find,” Sklar explained. “Gen Z has the unique opportunity that most other generations haven't: The ability to research and see old trends cataloged on the internet and to discuss and show their interpretations on social media,” Richards explained. “Other generations have always referenced past eras and trends in their dressing, but the depth of discovery and access to imagery is certainly an advantage for Gen Z.”
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And this summer, many of us might be ready to dress up as more than a hundred million Americans are fully vaccinated. During the days of social isolation, “many of us did not pay much attention to what we wore below our Zoom cameras — let's face it: Sweat pants made a major, though hidden, comeback),” Strahilevitz mentioned. As we’re seen head to toe again, it’s “not surprising that skorts are going to be part of what we wear” and they’re fun at a time when many “want to get out and enjoy life,” she said.
“The fun and frivolity of aughts fashion feels good now, when we're finally able to take a bit of a breath after the stress of Covid and an overwhelming 2020," Richards also added. “Let's be real: Aughts fashion is flashy and not necessarily aspirational or even flattering, but it has the spirit of a good time.”
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Best skorts to shop right now
Given reader interest in fitness gear and apparel, the following are skorts that you can wear as activewear or athleisure from Shopping reader favorite brands like Outdoor Voices, Patagonia and Athleta.
Outdoor Voices The Exercise 3-Inch Skort
This skort is made from Outdoor Voices’ Lightspeed fabric, a lightweight performance material that’s made to dry quickly and for movement from running to walking. The shorts inside the skort feature a phone pocket and leg grippers designed to keep the underliner in place when you’re in motion. The skort comes in sizes XS to XL and six colors including Earl Grey and Navy.
Athleta Run With It 14-Inch Skort
Athelta’s skort is built for trail, long and short distance running. It’s made from the brand’s Featherweight Stretch fabric, which uses recycled polyester. It features a back zip pocket and split sides to make it easier to move in. It’s available in sizes XXS to 3X and offered in four colors: Sequoia Blue, Black, Agate Purple and Bright White. Those looking for a little more coverage can also find the skort at a slightly longer length.
Girlfriend Collective Skort
This popular high-rise active skort is made from Girlfriend Collective’s compressive fabric that’s sweat-wicking and designed from recycled plastic bottles. The shorts underneath feature mesh pockets for essentials. It currently comes in sizes XXS to 6XL and 11 colors including Plum, Moss and Horizon (a tangerine shade). This skort has over 2,600 reviews — although, Girlfriend Collective doesn’t publicly reveal the average star rating for its products.
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Patagonia Fleetwith Skort
This Patagonia skort is made from a recycled polyester and spandex blend. It features a faux wrap front that makes it a little dressier and a drawcord waist, along with two drop-in pockets in the front and a zippered pocket inside one of them. The skort comes in sizes XS to XL and three shades: Kale Green, Black and Upwell Blue. It’s earned an average 4.6-star rating over more than 120 reviews.
Spanx The Get Moving Skort
Spanx’s skort is designed to be moisture-wicking and quick-drying with four-way stretch. It features a UPF sun protection of 50+, a short liner that the brand says is made to prevent chafing and a double-layered smoothing waistband. You’ll also find a back zippered pocket and perforated side pockets on this skort. It comes in sizes XS to XL and three colors including Black, White and North Atlantic (a blue-green shade).
The North Face Class V Skort
This skort is made mainly from recycled nylon. It is moisture-wicking, features UPF 50+ sun protection and a water-resistant finish. You’ll find a back zip pocket and an elastic waistband on the skort as well. It currently comes in sizes XS to 3XL and three colors: TNF Black, Agave Green and Misty Jade.
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Columbia Anytime Casual Skort
This top rated mid-rise skort features UPF 50 sun protection, along with the brand’s own Omni-Shield advanced water repellency to keep you cool and dry while wearing them.
It boasts an average 4.6-star rating over more than 3,600 reviews on Amazon. It currently comes in sizes XS to 3X, along with colors like Nocturnal (navy), Black and Tusk (khaki).
Vineyard Vines 17 Inch Scallop Skort
Vineyard Vines says this skort is “our most popular performance skorts.” This skort is designed from a blend of polyester and spandex — it is moisture-wicking and offers UV protection (the brand doesn’t provide a protection number publicly, however). It also features a scalloped hem and two back pockets with seam zippers. The skort comes in sizes 00 to 16 and three colors currently (the fourth called White Cap is sold out in all but one size): Stone (beige), Deep Bay (navy) and Marlin (periwinkle).
prAna Alana Skort
This skort style features the brand’s ReZion fabric, which includes UPF 50+ sun protection and wrinkle resistance while being quick-drying. It also comes with an elastic waist, front and back pockets (there’s a hidden zipper for essentials). You can choose between sizes XS to XL and four colors: Embark Brown (more of a mustard), Dark Iron (a gray), Deep Stellar (a blue-green) and Evergreen.
L.L. Bean Comfort Trail Skort
This a-line skort is meant to sit lower on the waist, according to L.L.Bean. It’s made with both polyester and spandex, which features two-way stretch. The quick-drying, moisture-wicking skort offers UPF 50+ sun protection, adjustable tabs on the inside to customize the fit at the waist and multiple pockets. You can choose between sizes 4 to 20 and three colors: Ash (brown), Black and Iron. It has earned an average 4.4-star rating over more than 200 reviews.
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Where to find skorts
If you’re searching for skorts, the following retailers offer a range of styles and sizes to consider, including from Shopping reader favorite retailers like Nordstrom and REI. When shopping for shorts, you might usually find them categorized alongside shorts.
- Adidas
- Athleta
- Backcountry
- Columbia
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- L.L.Bean
- Nordstrom
- Outdoor Voices
- REI
- The North Face
- Zappos
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