You know a trend has caught on when you start seeing it everywhere. But with so many options comes the question: Which one is actually Worth It? Every Tuesday, we're looking at a different fashion girl favourite and the varying price points it comes in, and letting you know — straight up — how much you should really be spending. You work hard for your money; why not put it towards pieces that matter?
The metallic pleated skirt is a classic case study of fashion's typical trickle-down effect: A designer sends an item down the runway, a few celebrities wear it publicly, and, months later, it shows up at retailers of all price points. At least, that's what happened with this must-have: We've seen it go from street style-favourite (courtesy of Gucci) to full-blown fast-fashion get over the past year. And, we can see why.
We've been longtime fans of a metallic item, and this is the kind of skirt you can feel fun and dressed up in that has nothing to do with sequins, glitter, or anything else that reminds you of New Year's Eve. Plus, it looks just as good with a pair of white sneakers as it does with tights and heels or boots, so it's no wonder you can't scroll through Instagram without seeing at least one.
The problem with buying into such an on-trend look, of course, is wondering if it's still worth doing so — and if it is, how much you should really be spending on it. That's where we come in. Ahead, we've put together a selection of metallic skirts at every price point to show exactly what you get for your money, as well as our verdict for the best option out there. Here's to shimmery statement pieces for all.
What You're Spending: £1,850
What You're Getting: We know, talk about sticker shock. But, listen — when you spend this amount, you're getting the OG of metallic pleated skirts. Gucci is, of course, the brand that kicked off the trend heard 'round the world, and this one comes in authentic leather and features a silk crêpe de chine lining. We may not all be born with silver spoons in our mouth, but we're gonna call this the next best thing.
Gucci Metallic Leather Plisse Skirt, £1,850, available at Net-A-Porter.
What You're Spending: $795
What You're Getting: The thing about that slightly under-$1000 price point is that you're still getting the designer label, minus the four-digit cost. If you've got the money, we'd definitely recommend this Christophe Kane option which is just as — if not more — moveable and shiny as the Gucci version, but for nearly a fifth of the cost.
Christopher Kane Lurex Pleated Hoftix Skirt, £642, available at Forward by Elise Walker.
What You're Spending: £426
What You're Getting: Sure, this may be a more justifiable price point for many shoppers (especially considering how many different ways it can be worn), but there's a catch. This option is more of a layering piece than a full-on skirt: The site shows it styled over pants, but note that the fabric doesn't actually go all the way around. So while you may be saving a few hundred bucks, it's not exactly something that can be worn on its own.
Taro Horiuchi Slit Pleated Apron Skirt, £426, available at Farfetch.
What You're Spending: £22
What You're Getting: Once you get below the £50 price point, things start to change. You'll notice the length of the skirt is slightly shorter than previous ones, and it now comes with an elastic waistband. Still, this one totally does the job, guilt-free.
Miss Selfridge Metallic Pleated Midi Skirt, £44 £22, available at ASOS.
What You're Spending: £39
What You're Getting: As the cost drops, the trend begins to lose its luxury allure. Sure, this option could still totally be dressed up, but the cheaper fabric and lack of structure make the lower price tag more apparent. Here, the elastic waistband is covered by the same fabric as the skirt, rather than a streamlined band. Hm...
StyleNanda Small Box Pleat Skirt, $49 (£39), available at StyleNanda.
What You're Spending: £9.99
What You're Getting: At the shockingly low fast-fashion price of under-£10, the skirt is really starting to cut corners. Sure, it's still metallic, but it's not that photo-worthy, all-over shine that we started out with. And while it flows nicely with movement, the fabric is much lighter, less structured, and continues onto the elastic waistband. From experience, we're going to go out on a limb and say this likely won't survive more than one wash.
Zara Pleated Midi Skirt, £9.99, available at Zara.
The Verdict: Go Mid-Range
With this trend, we recommend spending a justifiable £22 on the mid-range version by Miss Selfridge, available at ASOS. Sure, it may not be pocket change, but for a trend that's not super new, we say skip out on investing in the "real deal" and stick to a more affordable version that'll hold you over until the next big skirt style comes along (which, really, will only be a matter of weeks).
Miss Selfridge Metallic Pleated Midi Skirt, £22, available at ASOS.
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