The Best Skirts to Add Volume to Hips & Cinch the Waist: Style Advice, High Street & Designer Picks (UK & USA)

Written by the Tellar.co.uk Stylist Team | Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always Free.

Creating balance in your silhouette is a timeless styling goal, especially for those looking to add volume to the hips while defining the waist. The right skirt can completely transform your body shape, emphasising curves and flattering your proportions. Whether you have a straight frame and want to enhance curves, or a pear shape and wish to create balance, this guide covers the most effective skirt styles, expert styling tips, and the best brands to shop—both high street and designer, in the UK and USA.

And to make sure your skirts fit just right, we’ll introduce Tellar.co.uk—the UK’s leading sizing platform, which helps you find your perfect size in 1,500+ brands in real time.

🎯 The Goal: Emphasise Hips, Define Waist

To achieve this, look for skirt styles that:

Sit at the natural waist or higher
Include volume-building features like pleats, gathers, or structure at the hips
Use fabrics that hold their shape, like cotton twill, taffeta, denim, or neoprene

Avoid anything that clings to the hips or flattens curves—like tight pencil skirts without stretch or low-rise waistbands.

👗 Best Skirt Styles to Add Volume to the Hips

1. A-Line Skirts

Flare gently from the waist to hem.
Great for adding subtle volume while creating balance for straight or rectangular shapes.
Choose structured fabrics to enhance the effect.

2. Peplum Skirts

Feature an extra fabric layer at the hip.
Best for those with smaller hips or a straight shape wanting an exaggerated hourglass silhouette.

3. Tulip Skirts

Voluminous at the hips and narrow at the hem.
Naturally create a cinched waist and a curvier lower half.
Look for options with pleats or gathered fabric around the hip area.

4. Fit-and-Flare or Circle Skirts

Tightly fitted at the waist, with a dramatic flare.
Ideal for creating a fuller lower half while highlighting a small waist.
Knee-length or midi styles provide the most versatility.

5. Tiered or Ruffled Skirts

Add volume through layered textures.
Perfect for petite figures or those with long torsos.

6. Box Pleat Skirts

Defined pleats create hip structure and add width.
Choose midweight materials like wool or denim for the best silhouette.

Best High Street Brands (UK & USA)

1. Zara

Trend-forward options including ruffled midis and pleated tulip skirts.
Great for affordable peplum and fit-and-flare shapes.

📎 Does Zara Sizing Run Small or Large?

2. COS

Minimalist styling with bold architectural shapes.
Their structured midi skirts and voluminous A-lines are ideal for waist-cinching styling.

📎 Does COS Sizing Run Small or Large?

3. H&M Premium

Offers wide range of skirts with statement shapes and textures.
Good for tiered and box-pleat styles in sustainable materials.

4. Mango

Carries waist-enhancing wrap skirts, belted midis and tailored A-lines.
Excellent for soft structure and bold colourways.

📎 Does Mango Sizing Run Small or Large?

👛 Best Designer Brands for Statement Skirts

1. Reiss

Known for tailoring—beautiful belted skirts and fit-and-flare shapes in elevated fabrics.
Great for workwear or smart-casual wardrobes.

📎 Does Reiss Sizing Run Small or Large?

2. Massimo Dutti

Offers structured midi skirts with beautiful fabrics like wool blends and taffeta.
Their high-waisted, slightly flared skirts add shape with polish.

📎 Does Massimo Dutti Sizing Run Small or Large?

3. Tibi & Staud (USA)

Offer bold silhouettes with architectural pleats and dramatic flare.
Ideal for occasionwear and statement dressing.

🎨 Styling Tips: Balance, Shape & Texture

✅ Add a Fitted Top or Belt

Balance volume on the bottom with a tucked-in blouse, fitted knit, or belted waist.

✅ Play with Fabrics

Use stiff or medium-weight materials to build volume.
Taffeta, cotton poplin, denim and scuba work best.

✅ Create Vertical Proportion

If your lower half is fuller, balance the look with a v-neck top, structured blazer, or vertical seams to elongate.

📎 Explore more in:

The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Tuxedo Suits

📏 Fit First: Why Skirt Fit Can Make or Break the Look

Skirts that are too tight at the waist will ride up or crease, while those too loose will fail to create a defined silhouette. Because sizing differs between brands, you need a tool that can interpret your measurements for each store.

🚀 Enter Tellar.co.uk – UK’s Leading Real-Time Sizing Tool

Tellar.co.uk helps you find your best-fitting size in over 1,500 brands instantly—so your skirt fits perfectly the first time.

🔧 How It Works:

Measure once—your bust, waist, hips, or use an item from a brand you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to see your exact size in any brand.
Shop with confidence—fewer returns, better fit, less waste.
Always free. No app or download needed—fully browser-basedInstruction on Posts
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➡️ Create your free Tellar profile here

➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

➡️ Download your free printable measuring tape

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