Last season, we noticed the uptick in drop waist dresses. And this past fashion month, the silhouette prevailed, with iterations appearing on Simone Rocha, Dior, Balenciaga, and more. While most of them focused on dresses, Chanel went the skirt route.
The low-rise jeans’ older sister, unlike a dress, a drop waist skirt is a much harder garment to pull off. Matthieu Blazy’s iterations were a moving dialogue with Coco Chanel, who fashioned most of her collection in this bold way. At the time, it was revolutionary, a gender defining break as women switched from corsets that created an hourglass silhouette to a loose, undefined shape. Matthieu Blazy’s 2026 version put a playful, modern edge to it. With his spin, we saw mini skirts reach the knees, while some powered through extra-long blazers and colour-blocked belts.
The high street took notice and came out with their own versions as well. Here, a dropped waist isn’t Blazy’s illusion with long tops but a regular skirt where the waistband is longer, sitting snug before flaring and creating the illusion of a dropped waist. In fact, most dropped skirts on the market follow the same pattern. But with Blazy’s runway as inspiration, styling these skirts leaves plenty of room for experimentation and creativity.
For the standard look, opt for midi or maxi skirts in neutral tones. Since this silhouette is all about elongating the torso, opt for V-necks and ultralong sleeves to heighten this look.
When it comes to shorter skirts sitting low on the waist, opt for long tops, shirts, or a loose tunic. Light layers help build a playful, modest look, while tights in vibrant colours and prints can also make the look fun.
And if you don’t want to wear a drop skirt but want the illusion of one, layer a regular skirt under a shirt or blazer and wrap a belt, creating that faux waist. A good chunk of Blazy’s looks follow this formula. If you’re looking to recreate the minis-to-the-knees, you would have to strategically layer two skirts over one another to achieve the look.
As for accessories that complement a dropped waist, we’d recommend ballet flats or closed-toe pumps that leave all the attention to the skirts. Layered belts à la Schiaparelli over a regular skirt can also create the drop waist effect, in case you’re looking to DIY it. As for bags, stick to a clutch or top handle; a crossbody might disrupt the illusion.
