Jumper and Skirt Outfits: How to Wear a Jumper With a Skirt in Winter

A jumper and skirt outfit works when the two pieces balance each other. Volume on top suits a neater skirt, and a neat knit suits a fuller one. The waist needs to show somewhere, either through a tuck or a knit that is short enough not to need one.

Shoes take a little more thought with a skirt in winter than they do with trousers, so there is a section on boots, trainers and flats below, along with the question of tights.

Which jumper to wear with a long knitted skirt

The Mel Merino Blend Rib Skirt is a long rib knit skirt in a soft but hard-wearing merino blend. Hayley wore it for about ninety days before it launched, to be sure the yarn would last. The waistband is fully elasticated, so the skirt can sit a little higher or lower depending on the jumper, as long as the jumper is long enough.

An oversized knit is the easiest place to start. The Felicity Loose Knit Jumper is boxy, with long sleeves and a slightly sheer open knit that feels a little dressier than a chunky jumper. A small tuck at the front and the sleeves pushed up keep the shape in proportion, and the Felicity and the Mel in navy make a simple head to toe outfit.

Because the Mel is a fairly neat, long shape, it also takes real volume on top, such as a cape. The Audrey Wool Blend Cape, in a grey check with a touch of blue, works particularly well over head to toe navy.

A neat knit such as the Gwyneth Fine Merino Roll Neck gives a sleeker line, and it tends to work best if you have curves. On a straighter figure, a neat knit with a neat skirt can lose definition, so a knit with a little volume is usually the better choice.

How to wear head to toe knitwear

A knitted skirt with a jumper in the same colour has the polish of a suit, because the colour and the fabric match. It makes a good work outfit if you never wear a blazer, and a shirt underneath adds a collar if you want one.

In charcoal, the Mel works with the Nian V-Neck Cashmere Blend Jumper, whose V neck breaks up the neckline, or with the Alex Cashmere Blend Jumper if you prefer a crew neck. In the same charcoal as the skirt, either one gives the effect of a knitted dress while keeping the ease of separates.

Knitwear in one colour feels luxurious when it is built up in layers as the temperature drops, finished with a cashmere blend scarf in the same shade, such as the Carmel Cashmere Blend Scarf in charcoal. A blazer over the top, such as the Josephine Wool Blend Blazer in black, breaks it up without changing the colour story. The Orla Faux Leather Shirt, worn open over the top, works rather like a shacket and brings a contrast of texture to all that knitwear.

How to choose a jumper colour for your skirt

If you are not wearing one colour from head to toe, the simplest approach is a knit that either carries the colour of the skirt in a stripe, or a single block colour that pairs well with it.

With a navy Mel, the Felicity Loose Knit Striped Jumper in navy and mustard picks up the navy in its stripe, while the Felicity in mustard gives more contrast. Mustard and navy work well together, and the mustard lifts the darker colour. Our guide to what colours go with mustard has more pairings.

The Cora Alpaca Blend Short Sleeve Striped Jumper is a brushed alpaca blend whose charcoal reads almost as a very dark navy, so it sits with navy, charcoal and black. It is neat enough to tuck, and it layers over a fine roll neck as it gets colder. For something less expected, the mustard Felicity also works with the Saffy Art Print Skirt, which has a subtle mustard tone in its print.

How to wear a jumper with a denim skirt

The Imogen Denim Skirt is an A line midi with a flat front and a softly elasticated back, and the shape is what the outfit should show. A longer jumper worn loose over it cuts you off at the wrong point and hides the neat fit across the tummy. A long knit works better tucked in, with the sleeves rolled to keep the line at the waist.

A shorter knit avoids the question altogether. The Blythe Funnel Neck Cropped Jumper is the shorter version of our Bea, so it tucks in without adding bulk, or sits neatly at the waist if you would rather not tuck.

A fine knit in navy creates one long column with the dark wash Imogen, such as the Gwyneth in navy. The Trinny Fine Merino Crewneck in bottle green with a navy sleeve keeps the same neat line with a little more colour.

The Camille Cashmere Blend Striped Jumper is neat and slightly shorter, which makes it easy to tuck into a denim skirt. The Nian in sky blue is a softer option with the mid wash.

How to wear a jumper with a pleated skirt

The Mia Pleated Skirt is a knife pleated midi in a soft metallic fabric, so a plain knit keeps the focus on the pleats and the gentle shine. A fine roll neck is the classic choice, and the navy Mia with a navy Gwyneth makes a sleek tonal outfit.

The bronze Mia sits most easily with chocolate, camel and cream, and the Blythe in chocolate sits neatly at the waist for the daytime. A black roll neck gives more contrast if you prefer it.

What boots to wear with a midi skirt

Long boots are the easiest answer with a midi or longer skirt in winter. Brown boots with navy make a soft contrast, which a chocolate or tan bag can pick up, and a belt at the waist finishes it if you want more definition.

A shorter boot works too, and with a long skirt it looks neatest with a narrow ankle. With a midi skirt that has a split, Claire Lopez prefers a knee-high boot to an ankle boot, so there is no awkward gap between the boot and the hem. With faux leather in the outfit, a long black boot, a shorter boot or a flat all suit it.

For a more casual skirt and jumper outfit, a silver or ecru trainer works with the Mel, as does a loafer, while a pointed flat suits a denim midi. A silver sandal takes the same knitted skirt into the evening.

Tights with a skirt in winter

A skirt in winter raises the question of tights, and a shorter skirt means choosing between bare legs and tights that show. A longer skirt solves it, because with boots the tights stay hidden, so you can wear them for warmth even if you are not usually a tights person. Leggings under a longer denim skirt work in the same way.

That is one reason a plain knitted skirt is one of the foundations in our guide to building an autumn capsule wardrobe. Our guide to how to style a jumper covers shape and length in more detail, and there are more options in our knitwear and skirts.

In short, a jumper and skirt outfit works when the volume is balanced, the waist shows and the boots suit the length of the skirt.

Frequently asked questions

What jumper goes with a long knitted skirt?

An oversized or boxy knit, tucked at the front with the sleeves pushed up, balances a long knitted skirt, and a jumper in the same colour makes it look like a knitted dress. A neat roll neck works too, particularly if you have curves.

Should you tuck a jumper into a skirt?

A tuck, even just at the front, shows your waist and stops a long jumper cutting you off at the wrong point. If you would rather not tuck, a shorter knit that sits at the waist, such as the Blythe, gives the same proportion.

What boots go with a midi skirt?

Long boots are the easiest choice, and a knee-high boot avoids a gap of leg if the skirt has a split. A shorter boot with a narrow ankle works with a longer skirt, and brown boots with navy make a soft contrast.

Can you wear tights with a midi skirt?

Tights are easy with a longer skirt, because boots hide them and you only feel the warmth. With a shorter skirt you need to decide whether the tights will show or whether to go bare legged.

What colour jumper goes with a navy skirt?

Navy from head to toe looks polished, and a stripe that includes navy, such as navy and mustard, ties the outfit together. Mustard on its own gives more contrast and lifts the navy, while a charcoal knit also sits well with it.

Can you wear a jumper and skirt to work?

A knitted skirt with a jumper in the same colour has the polish of a suit, so it works well if you never wear a blazer. A shirt underneath adds a collar, and a blazer over the top makes it a little smarter.