How to Wear Granny Skirts With Heeled Ballerinas

There comes a point in every woman’s life when a mid-calf floral skirt starts looking suspiciously like the best thing in your wardrobe. In other words: granny skirts are having a moment.

My epiphany arrived when I realised I had spent years borrowing my grandmother’s jewellery while overlooking the genuinely fabulous clothes hanging beside it. The style set has made a case for wearing softly pleated midis, faded florals, lace trim pencil skirts and preppy A-line shapes I would’ve argued were reserved for over 60s.

Of course, fashion has been nudging us in this direction for a while. Balletcore softened our wardrobes with ribbons and wrap cardigans, while the rise of marionette-inspired dressing brought antique silhouettes, lace and even bloomers back into the conversation. But the growing affection for what we’re affectionately calling the ‘granny skirt’ feels like more than another aesthetic. The trend speaks to the way many of us are shopping now: less relentless consumption, more charity-shop hunting, vintage browsing and rifling through family wardrobes. After all, the most sustainable item you can wear is the one that already exists.

Swap sensible flats for a pair of heeled ballerinas and suddenly the whole outfit shifts. The delicate shape still nods to classic ballet pumps, but the slight heel gives everything a little more polish, making the pairing feel less Sunday lunch with your nan and more Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Whether your granny skirt is floral, lace, linen or neatly pleated, the formula is surprisingly simple. Add heeled ballerinas, keep the rest of your outfit relatively unfussy, and let the contrast between prim and polished do the hard work. Sometimes the best trends aren’t new at all – they’re already hanging in a wardrobe somewhere. I’ve rounded up my favourite pieces for shopping the look below, but before buying anything, I’d always recommend checking what you, your family or your local charity shop already have to offer.