Pencil skirts make a comeback: jennifer lopez leads the charge

Jennifer Lopez sparked a nostalgic trend yesterday, proving the pencil skirt isn't a relic of the past. The actress and entertainer opted for the classic silhouette while shopping with her daughter in Beverly Hills, igniting a renewed interest in the 90s-inspired staple.

The return of the power skirt

The J.Lo sighting isn't an isolated incident. Designers have been consistently featuring form-fitting, below-the-knee skirts in recent collections. At Saint Laurent's Spring 2026 show, Anthony Vaccarello paired black leather skirts with cotton poplin tops, while Tom Ford presented a shinier, almost reptilian take on the design. Even minimalist brands like Jil Sander, under Simone Bellotti, offered a streamlined interpretation.

This season also saw familiar faces embracing the trend: Marc Jacobs continued to experiment with skirt proportions, and Dries Van Noten showcased clashing prints, a nod to the early 2000s, while Demna at Balenciaga paid homage to Gucci's noughties roots.

Lopez herself is a long-time devotee. She's been spotted in pencil skirts throughout her career, and her recent acquisition – an aqua brocade number from Willy Chavarria – demonstrates its enduring appeal. The enduring popularity of the pencil skirt speaks to a desire for polished, sophisticated dressing, a stark contrast to the casualization of recent years.

The pencil skirt isn't just a Fashion item; it's a statement. A return to a time when dressing for success meant looking sharp, from boardroom to after-hours. It’s a reminder that style, like trends, is cyclical.