The tutu skirt arguably moved away from being a piece only prima ballerinas could wear into a viable Wednesday afternoon option when Carrie Bradshaw stepped out onto the New York streets wearing one. But a lot of us are still iffy on how to wear a tulle skirt. Sure, Carrie could pull it off in a snap, but she also rocked some questionable Sex And The City outfits that I'm guessing a lot of us wouldn't jump to try out. (Here's looking at you, newspaper print jersey dress.) But whether you're fearless like Bradshaw or just feel a spark of interest when you see the whimsical, frothy skirt, every single person can pull it off if they have the urge to do so.
How? Because it's crazy versatile. Even though it's sweet by nature, it acts as a neutral and can be dressed down or up, made elegant and festive, or casual and sporty. All it takes is some creative mixing and matching and a playful eye, and it can become a staple in any person's closet.
For example, a denim jacket or a white tee can help ground the dramatic silhouette, while a dash of sequins or glitter can play up its festive vibes. Whatever your style, you can definitely pull the look off if you're interested in it. Below are 11 ways to wear tulle any time of year. Whether you're channeling your inner ballerina or sex columnist, just have fun with it.
1. Toughen It Up With Leather
Contrasts make fashion interesting, so if you have a super feminine, sweet piece like a fluffy tulle skirt, pairing it with something as opposing as a leather jacket will give it an instant street style feel. And the best part is that all it takes is one step: Just pop on an edgy jacket and you're instantly fashion forward.
2. Dress It Down With A Tee
Sometimes you get a fancy piece into your hands with the thought that you'll feel completely OK wearing something so elegant while grocery shopping or running errands, but then you feel silly once it's go-time. To dress it down a bit, try pairing it with something more casual like a tee.
3. Pair It With Sequins
On the flip side, other times you might want to go full-on show-stopper. During moments like those, go all in and pair your tulle with some sparkles. Grab a sequined shirt (or layer it on top of a sequined dress) and instantly feel party-ready. Now all you need is a glass of champagne.
4. Bring Out An Unexpected Print
If you're feeling adventurous or particularly loud one day, go an unexpected route with your tulle skirt and pair it with a surprising print. When you think "tulle," you might not necessarily conjure up images of leopard or polka dots or florals, but such combinations can be super playful. The nice thing is that the frothy-like tulle will act almost like a neutral, so that almost anything will work with it.
5. Mix And Match It With Something Unexpected
Not only can you match tulle with unexpected prints, but with unexpected pieces in general. For example, bring the cameo jacket out of your closet and clash it against your long tulle skirt. Or how fun would textures like mohair sweaters look against the fabric? Or an unexpected pair of hot pink Nikes? Let your imagination go wild and have fun with it.
6. Go All Black
If you have a more sophisticated or quiet sense of style, then the tulle skirt might seem like something pretty OTT to you. But the thing to remember about fashion is that you can literally pull anything off. You just have to make it work with your style. You don't need to conform. The piece in question does. So if you like things to be less loud, try pairing the tulle with your favorite wardrobe hue, like black or white.
7. If You're Feeling Shy, Go Plain
On another note, if the skirt intimidates you but you really want to play with it, try styling it plainly. Pair it with a clean-cut, button-down shirt and classic shoes, and you won't feel like you're making a "look at me" type of statement. Who knows? Maybe dipping a toe in like this will help you become more open to bigger, bolder looks.
8. Stripe It Up
Going all-prep is always a fun time, so try pairing your sweet skirt with a striped top for a nautical, J. Crew-esque vibe.
9. Go Full Volume
The style gurus who say you can't go full-on volume when styling might subscribe to rules a little too much. This actually looks amazing! Whether it's a baggy sweater or a shirt with big bell-sleeves, the move will give your outfit more personality and oomph.
10. Get Cozy With A Sweatshirt
You know those lazy days when you're not really feeling something as demanding as high heels and elaborate blouses, but you still want to feel glamorous? I suggest taking your tulle skirt and pairing it with a cozy sweatshirt, striking just the right balance of afternoon-in-sweats and uptown-girl.
11. Top It Off With A Turtleneck
Here are those contrasts again. When you have something as airy and light as a tulle skirt, juxtaposing it against a heavy, chunky knit will make for a fun pairing. That, and it's a strategic move for allowing you to wear the piece during the dead of winner. What a win, win.
Above all else, just remember that your tutu skirt — like anything else you wear — should make you feel like you're having a blast whenever you put it on.
Image: mksportsanista/Instagram
