The temperature is rising, the blossom is blooming, and blue skies and sunshine are starting to become a daily fixture – yippee! Yep, spring is well and truly in the air, but dare we say we're already starting to look ahead and think about our summer wardrobes? You can't really blame us, though, given the abundance of summer dress trends around this season.
In terms of shape, the drop-waist is still having a moment alongside classic fit and flare and linen shift designs. Meanwhile, gingham is competing with florals in the print stakes, and while neither pattern is exactly what we'd call groundbreaking for this time of year, SS26 has seen the emergence of a totally new look in the bandana scarf dress.
There's certainly no shortage of choice. But, if you're struggling to choose your fighter, you could eschew a summer dress completely in favour of a top and skirt co-ord.
Two-piece sets consisting of lightweight, strappy tops paired with floaty midi skirts are rivalling summer dresses as a warm-weather go-to. And it's not hard to see why. Far more versatile than their one-and-done counterparts, a co-ord is essentially three outfits for the price of one when worn together as intended, or each item styled with other pieces in separate looks.
The best part? The sets in question function just the same as a dress. They may often be initially mistaken for a dress, with strategically positioned lace trims disguising hems and waistbands, or tucked-in tops cleverly styled, creating a seamless silhouette. See Next's Asymmetric Cami Lace Top and coordinating Lace Midi Skirt, which is perhaps the prettiest take on the look we've seen while also ticking off two further trends thanks to its gorgeous butter yellow hue and delicate lace detailing.
So, if you're after something that's just a bit different, or looking to get the most out of your wardrobe with some savvy shopping, we've rounded up the best midi skirt sets available to shop on the high street now:
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
