What Is a Skort Dress?

JANE FLANAGAN / STYLE WELLNESS

Fashion can be a confounding thing. It seems every year there’s a new name for a garment (shacket, amirite?!) So, if you’ve landed here because somebody mentioned a skort dress to you and you thought “what the heck?!” don’t worry, we’ve got you!

If a Skort is a Skirt with Shorts Underneath…

Let’s go back to basics: What’s a skort in the first place?

A skort is simply a pair of shorts with a covering panel (with the fabric draped either just at the front or wraparound) that makes it look like you’re wearing a mini skirt. Skorts (like so many other wonderful, practical garments) started out as athletic garments. You may, for example, be familiar with skorts from playing tennis or field hockey.

But like so much athletic gear, modern day skorts have made a crossover into the athleisure category, which means they’re up for grabs to be worn as daywear, evening wear, and even office clothing. For inspiration on how to style your skort, click on over here. You’ll be amazed at just how versatile and practical these garments are! 

Then A Skort Dress is a Dress With Shorts Underneath!

So, if a skort is a skirt with shorts sewn in underneath, a skort dress is just that with a top part also attached. Basically: It will look like you’re wearing a dress (one garment), but you’ll have the modesty wand protection of shorts should your dress blow up or ride up when you’re sitting.

Why would somebody ever need or want to wear a skort or skort dress? Well there are a few reasons:

They Protect Your Modesty 

Usually short (like tennis skirt length), a skort or skort dress offers the benefits of wearing a short skirt paired with the modesty of wearing shorts. Whether you’re playing sports or just walking around on a hot day, a skort protects you from inadvertently flashing by-standers while still allowing you to show some leg.

They Can Help Prevent Chafing

Wearing a skort instead of a short skirt or dress will protect more than modesty: If you’re susceptible to thigh chafing when you wear skirts, the individual leg sections of the skort will offer protection for your inner thighs and help prevent the repeated rubbing that causes chafing.

Some Find Them More Flattering Than Shorts or Jumpsuits

Shorts and short jumpsuits can be divisive garments. Some of us love them, but others hate the way they can ride up between your thighs. And if you don’t love your thighs, they can accentuate them. 

A skort “smooths” out your shorts with that skirt-like panel. This can mean a smoother and more flattering silhouette on some.

How to Wear Stylish Skorts or Skort Dresses

Dresses always make you feel more “dressed up,” but they’re actually pretty low effort. After all, you don’t need to worry about mixing and matching tops and bottoms. Pop a dress on, and you’re dressed. It’s as easy as that.

So if you’ve got a skort dress, the rules are similar. Indeed, it often boils down to the accessories you choose to add to your look. Here are some ideas

1. Top Your Skort Dress Off With a Denim Jacket or Blazer

Throwing on a different jacket can give a dress very different vibes. You can choose a classic denim jacket, a leather biker jacket, or a blazer. Each one will go with a skort dress but will take the look in very different directions.

Whatever direction you choose, support the look with the right footwear so it looks like a coherent look and not that you threw on a random assortment of things in your closet!

2. Your Footwear Choices Can Take You to Casual or Dressy Places

Footwear is really important. A girly look will always tend toward heels or strappy sandals. But you can also find some pretty sneakers that will keep you in a pretty-casual vibe.

If you’re more the preppy kind, think about penny loafers or ballet flats. You can even add tights. This look is timeless, chic, and polished and works best with neutral tones.

Or, of course, you can go for a completely athletic look and keep it casual with a fitted tee, tank, and some sneakers (choose from running shoes to designer kicks).

The point is your favorite pair of shoes can be worn with your skort or skort dress—it all depends on what look you’re ultimately going for. So have fun - try on a bunch of different things until you find something that really speaks to you!

3. Don’t Forget Jewelry and Purses Too!

What’s the difference between a skort at Wimbledon and a skort for daywear. Well many things… but accessories definitely make a big difference. Try layering necklaces or wearing different styles of purses. You’ll find that the skort is versatile enough to dress-up or down and it’s often the accessories that will take it there.

Don’t forget that hair and makeup play a role here too. Not that you need to pile it on, necessarily. But if you want your skort or skort dress to carry you to a restaurant or evening event, you’ll want to think about how you really elevate the look.

Discover Knix’s Sport Skort

Introducing your new activewear essential: the Skort. Designed with stretch fabric and an anti-chafe short liner, you can love every frictionless movement. Plus, drop-in pockets help you keep your must-haves handy.

The Skort is designed with stretch performance fabric and a super flattering mid-rise waistband for extra comfort and support. Paired with a rounded hemline for a stylish & functional fit.

Leak-Free Gusset

Discover confidence like no other comes from wearing the right gear. The Leakproof Skort supports you during any lunge, jump, or leisurely walk. Built-in backup protection keeps life's leaks out of your mind and helps you focus on your A-game.

Movement Made Easy

Movement should never make you feel uncomfortable, regardless of the heat or any irritating thigh friction. The lightweight & stretchy interior anti-chafe shorts keep you feeling great no matter what.

Shop the Knix Sport Skort here

 

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.