How to recognise it
You see two or more horizontal seams with gathered layers of fabric between them. Each tier is wider than the one above. It is usually long, to the ankle, in a light fabric.
Where it comes from
Tiered skirts appear in the folk costumes of many peoples. In the 1970s hippie and prairie styles made them popular, and mid-2000s boho brought them back.
Who and when it suits
Loose and swishy, it suits summer, holidays and festivals. It pairs with a plain T-shirt, a sleeveless blouse or a denim jacket.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes with two or more tiers, short, midi or maxi, in cotton, viscose, chiffon or linen, plain or with a small floral print. The prairie skirt is usually printed and gathered, the boho one in a light, fluid fabric. It differs from a circle skirt in its horizontal seams.
How to style it
- Keep the top simple and fitted.
- With flat sandals or cowboy boots.
- Choose a light fabric so the skirt is not heavy.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01What is a prairie skirt?
A long tiered cotton skirt, often with a small floral print, inspired by 19th-century American settlers' clothes.
02Which shoes go with a tiered skirt?
Sandals, espadrilles, trainers, and cowboy or ankle boots in autumn.