Call them what you will: a wrap skirt, a sarong. Either way, this easy-to-wear style is shaping up to be the skirt of the summer.
Wrap skirts (which, ICYDK, is a skirt that wraps around the waist and fastens at the side) have long been the style we’d reach for on holiday, teamed with a pair of flip flops, a raffia bag and a damp bikini underneath. But, in 2026, this wrap-around style is quickly evolving into something that can be worn well beyond sandy shores and beach bars.
Whether you’re jetting abroad (Euro summer pending?) or staying in the UK and tackling the heatwave, a wrap skirt deserves a spot in your wardrobe thanks to its versatility. Sure a straight skirt may be a more polished option, but the wrap silhouette is designed with comfort in mind, often featuring an asymmetric hem that lets your legs peep through as you walk (a literal lifesaver on a sweaty commute). Just add a pair of sandals – or kitten heels for date night – and a simple white tank top to complete the look.
These skirts, as easy-breezy as they may be, have also evolved from the see-through designs you once opted for on holiday. This season, wrap skirts come in a variety of colours, prints and high-quality fabrics – from breathable linen to denim – making them a style you can wear to the office (dress code depending, of course), the pub garden and every summer event in between. Then, when your holiday rolls around, they can be packed straight into your suitcase, too.
Better yet, they don’t require lengthy mirror styling sessions to tie the perfect wrap. Many wrap skirts are made with real (and busy) lives in mind, with pre-tied or button-up fastenings making them much more convenient to wear.
Below, see the best wrap skirts you can shop on the high street – starting from £25. How can you resist?
Best wrap skirts of 2026
ASOS Linen blend wrap skirt
M&S Denim Midi Wrap Skirt
Mango Cotton skirt
H&M Fringed skirt
Next Wrap Maxi Skirt
H&M Printed wrap skirt
Zara Cargo Wrap Skort
Never Fully Dressed Lace Wrap Midi Skirt
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
