How to Style a Tulle Skirt: A Complete Guide

A tulle skirt is made from layers of fine net, which gives it volume and movement without weight. That is also why it needs a little thought to style. The skirt brings all the texture and interest, so the pieces around it work best when they are simple.

In short, a tulle skirt looks best with a neat, fitted top and a defined waist, finished with shoes chosen for the occasion: trainers for the weekend, boots through autumn and winter, and heels for the evening. A jacket that finishes at the hip also tends to work better than a long coat.

This guide starts with our Iris and Esme co-ord for party season, then covers the tops that work best, how to wear tulle through the colder months and which shoes to choose. Every outfit is styled with the Iris Tulle Maxi Skirt, which is made from recycled tulle and now comes in sizes 6 to 18.

The Iris and Esme: a tulle skirt co-ord for party season

We are often asked how to dress the Iris up without overpowering the skirt. "You need that simple but special top," says our founder, Hayley Thomas, "and it's quite hard to find a top that's both simple and special." The Esme Off Shoulder Top was designed to be that top, and it comes in the same five colours as this season's Iris, so the two can be worn together as a co-ord.

The Esme is fitted through the body with a softly ruched neckline, so the top half stays neat while the skirt provides the volume. Worn in one colour from shoulder to hem, the two pieces create a long, unbroken line, and the bare shoulders balance the width of the skirt. The Esme can be worn off the shoulder, pulled up into a softer bardot line or worn on both shoulders, and as it is cut from viscose with a little stretch, it also works with jeans and wide leg trousers.

• Black: the Iris in black with the Esme in black, the easiest to wear and the most versatile if you plan to wear the pieces separately as well.
• Navy: the Iris in navy with the Esme in navy, a softer alternative to black that looks lovely with silver.
• Burgundy: the Iris in burgundy with the Esme in burgundy, rich and wintry with black boots and gold jewellery.
• Chocolate: the Iris in chocolate with the Esme in chocolate, a warm neutral that works well with tan and gold.
• Lapis blue: the Iris in lapis blue with the Esme in blue, the brightest of the five, and fresh with silver or white.

Heeled ankle boots or knee-high boots keep the co-ord relaxed enough for a party at a friend's house, while heels suit a more formal evening. A small structured bag and a statement earring finish the look, with a jacket that stops at the hip if you need a layer.

How to style a tulle skirt: keep the top half simple

Because a tulle skirt is full, an outfit looks most considered when the top half has clean lines. A fitted or tucked-in top keeps the proportions balanced, while a loose, oversized top can feel like too much volume at once. Keeping the top simple means nothing competes with the ruffles of the skirt.

A defined waist helps too. A T Shirt or shirt can be tucked in fully, and with a knit a front tuck is usually enough. The Iris is cut to sit flat over the hips, so the fullness starts lower down and the waist stays neat.

What top to wear with a tulle skirt

These are the tops we come back to most, and you will find them together in our edit of what to wear with a tulle skirt.

An off shoulder top

For the evening, an off shoulder top gives a tulle skirt a sense of occasion without adding any volume, which is why the Esme, above, was designed to go with the Iris.

A fine knit or roll neck

Once the weather turns, a knit is the most practical choice. A fine knit tucked in keeps the line neat, and the Gwyneth Fine Merino Roll Neck in black or navy sits close to the body without adding bulk. A chunkier jumper works too, tucked in at the front so that the waist still shows.

A fitted vest

A rib vest in the same colour as the skirt creates one long, unbroken line, which is an easy way to look pulled together for dinner. The Maya Rib Jersey Vest comes in black, navy, burgundy and chocolate, so there is a match for most of the Iris colours, while the Lucy Lace Trim Vest adds a fine lace edge for the evening. A knit over the shoulders is useful if the evening turns cooler.

A crisp white shirt

A white shirt brings a sharper contrast, and it works particularly well for going out, with the crispness of the shirt set against the drama of the skirt. The Perfect Shirt has deep cuffs for rolling and a softly rounded hem that can be tucked in or tied at the waist.

Something with more structure

If you prefer tulle a little less romantic, one structured piece changes the mood. The Orla Faux Leather Shirt is cropped to sit on the top hip, so it can be worn buttoned as a top or open as a jacket, and its length works well with a full skirt.

A fitted T Shirt

A white T Shirt tucked into black or navy tulle is one of the simplest daytime combinations, and it keeps the skirt feeling relaxed. The Perfect Roll Sleeve T Shirt is a good choice, as the rolled sleeve adds a little structure at the arm to balance the volume below. With trainers and a slogan T Shirt, the same skirt becomes an easy weekend look.

Tulle skirt outfit ideas

A few combinations to try, from weekends through to a winter wedding:

• For the weekend, a white T Shirt tucked in, white trainers and the Sadie Denim Shacket worn open.
• For a relaxed Sunday, the Perfect Crew Neck Sweatshirt, which is cut long enough to tuck in at the front without bulk, with clean trainers.
• For an autumn day, a fine merino roll neck, opaque tights and knee-high boots.
• For the office, black or navy tulle with a crisp white shirt, a blazer worn open and loafers.
• For smart casual, a fine knit under a boxy wool jacket such as the Ayla Wool Blend Reversible Jacket, with ankle boots.
• For dinner, a rib or lace trim vest in the same colour as the skirt, with heeled boots and gold jewellery.
• For a little more edge, a faux leather shirt worn open over a black vest, with chunky boots.
• For a party, the Esme in the same colour as your Iris, with heeled boots or heels and a statement earring.
• For a winter wedding, a refined top, heels and a tailored jacket for later in the evening. Our guide to wearing tulle to a wedding has more ideas.

How to wear a tulle skirt in autumn and winter

Tulle works particularly well in the colder months, when its softness sits against heavier textures such as knitwear, wool and leather.

Knitwear

A fine knit tucked in gives a neat line, while a chunkier jumper tucked in at the front adds texture without hiding the waist. Matching the knit to the skirt, navy with navy for example, looks polished, although a contrast can be just as effective, and a pale blue knit is lovely with burgundy tulle.

Tights and boots

Opaque tights in the same colour as your boots lengthen the leg. Knee-high boots are the warmest option and keep the line streamlined, and ankle boots work well too, since a maxi skirt covers most of the boot.

Jackets and coats

Jacket length makes the biggest difference. Because the skirt is full, a longer jacket can cut across it at an awkward point, which is why a shorter jacket usually sits better. A boxy wool jacket, a cropped faux leather shirt or a blazer worn open will all sit well, and a long coat is best left undone, so that it frames the skirt rather than cutting across it.

What shoes to wear with a tulle skirt

More than anything else in the outfit, the shoes decide how dressed up a tulle skirt feels.

• Trainers, in white or a metallic finish, for weekends and daytime.
• Ankle boots, flat for the day or heeled for the evening.
• Knee-high boots for warmth and a streamlined line in winter.
• Loafers for the office or a smart lunch.
• Ballet flats for a softer look, with the rest of the outfit kept simple.
• Heels or strappy sandals for parties and weddings.

If you are petite, a heel or heeled boot adds a little height to balance the volume. Stylist Claire Lopez, who is petite and joined us for our autumn Live, would always choose a heel with the Iris for that reason, and she points out that taller frames have more options, from trainers to a slogan T Shirt.

Bags and jewellery

A small, structured bag works best, as a larger one adds more volume. With a bare shoulder or a simple neckline, a statement earring tends to work better than a fine necklace, which can get lost against the tulle.

How to choose a tulle skirt colour

Black is the easiest colour to wear, with a fine knit and boots in winter, a simple vest and flat sandals in warmer weather, and the Esme for the evening. Navy is a softer alternative that sits more easily with denim and warm neutrals, which makes it the simpler choice for daytime.

Burgundy, chocolate and lapis blue are this season's party colours. They look their best worn head to toe with the matching Esme, and they also work with a contrast knit during the day. You will find the Iris in our tulle skirts collection.

Styling a tulle skirt for your height and shape

Proportion matters more than age or size, and a few small adjustments make a difference.

• Petite: a heel or heeled boot, a neat top and one colour from top to toe. The Iris now comes in a size 6.
• Tall: flats and trainers work well, and a more relaxed top is easier to carry off.
• Fuller hips: the Iris sits flat over the hips, so the volume starts lower down, and a tuck or the ribbon tie defines the waist.
• Fuller bust: an open neckline, such as a V or an off shoulder, keeps the top half light.

Common tulle skirt mistakes

Most of these are small and easy to fix.

• Too much volume: an oversized jumper worn loose over a full skirt hides the waist, and tucking in the front or choosing a neater knit restores the balance.
• Too many ballet references: pink tights, ballet flats and a wrap cardigan worn together can look like a costume, so one of them is plenty, alongside something more grounded such as boots, denim or faux leather.
• The wrong jacket length: a coat that stops halfway down the skirt cuts across its widest point, so a shorter jacket, or a long coat worn open, works better.

Tulle skirt questions, answered

What top should I wear with a tulle skirt?

A simple, fitted top works best, such as a T Shirt tucked in, a fine knit, a rib vest, a crisp shirt or an off shoulder top. Keeping the top neat lets the skirt stay the focus.

What shoes go with a tulle skirt?

Trainers suit the daytime, ankle or knee-high boots work through autumn and winter, loafers suit the office, and heels are best for the evening.

Can you wear a tulle skirt in winter?

Yes. A fine knit tucked in, opaque tights and boots keep it practical, with a shorter jacket or a coat worn open.

Can you wear a tulle skirt to work?

Yes. A darker colour such as black or navy works best, with a crisp shirt or fine knit, a blazer and loafers.

What should I wear with a tulle skirt to a Christmas party?

An off shoulder top in the same colour, such as the Esme with the Iris, with heeled boots or heels and a statement earring.

How do you wash a tulle skirt?

Always check the care label first. The Iris can be washed at 30 degrees, and should not be tumble dried or ironed.

A T Shirt or a fine knit is the easiest place to start, and the rest follows from there. You can shop our tulle skirts, browse our edit of what to wear with a tulle skirt, or read our guide to wearing tulle to a wedding.