If, upon hearing the words "tulle skirt," your mind immediately goes to poofy ball gowns and ballerina tutus, well, you're not alone. For some, the fussy fabric seems a little too high maintenance for everyday wear, but it's actually incredibly versatile and has the possibility of veering more casual than you may expect. Let's recall Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw's iconic tulle skirt (still fabulous!) that was paired with a tank top in the opening credits of the hit HBO series when it premiered in 1998. 

While a tank is still a great option, there are myriad ways for dressing the tulle skirt up or down, whether you favor a long, flowing style or a voluminous mini. For easy dressing, consider a bodysuit, T-shirt, pajama-style top, sweatshirt, or hoodie. When elevating your tulle skirt without the requisite fluff, you can turn to a blazer, button-down, and accessorized embellishments. 

As for footwear, the choices are endless, but make sure not to limit your look to just the dainty and formal — sneakers, lug sole boots, and chunky loafers are all more than worthy partners for a tulle look. The secret to making a tulle skirt work for every day is to keep it breezy from head to toe, including hair and make-up. After all, even Carrie Bradshaw kept it simple when she rocked her classic take.

To help you get started, here are our favorite options for what to wear with a tulle skirt.

Tap Into Your Inner Carrie Bradshaw

The Sex and the City character does love her tulle skirts and even rewore a white option on the show's reboot, And Just Like That. Her elaborate look made us fall in love with this trend all over again.

Make It a Matching Set

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to feel like a princess for a day. Give this take on tulle a 21st-century update with a matching crop top and edgy accessories fit for rock and roll royalty. Cinderella who?

Go for Balletcore

Embrace your inner dancer and allow your "tutu" to steal the spotlight. Pair it with an everyday tank or sleek bodysuit before completing your look with understated sandals or ballet flats.

Slip on a Pair of Heels

When styling a tulle skirt, the go-to shoe tends to be dainty stilettos or ballet flats. However, if you're bored of the classics, switch things up with a more modern alternative, such as a platform heel, especially if your skirt is voluminous.

Give Your Look the Boot

Tulle skirts have a reputation of being sweet and princess-like, but a pair of chunky boots and a leather jacket will help to toughen them up, and give your whole look a dose of nostalgic verve.

Amp Up the Embellishments

Sometimes less is more, and sometimes more is better. A blinged-out tulle skirt really shines with a patent leather belt, pointy mule pumps, cat-eye sunglasses, and an oval rattan purse. Try making your top simple and going all out on your accessories.

Tulle Cool for School

The preppy look is always chic, and a schoolboy-inspired blazer and floor-length tulle skirt are a surprisingly dreamy match. Sticking to a simple color palette, like the white and blues seen here, make an outfit feel cohesive, particularly when paired with classic white sneakers or penny loafers. 

Pair with Your Favorite Sweatshirt

Looking for the comfort of sweats with a dressy vibe? Take your sweatshirt or hoodie to the streets along with a tulle skirt and boots for a shortcut to cozy without sacrificing style.

Buckle Up with an Oversized Belt

Go monochromatic with your tulle and set off the look with a contrasting oversized belt. A blazer, jacket, or oversized grandpa cardigan makes a tulle outfit extra chic.

Go with a Classic White Button-Down

Nearly every ensemble can benefit from a crisp white button-down, and a tulle skirt is no different. Add a delicate belt and heels for a more formal look and a little clutch for a night out.

Go Short

A mini-tulle look doesn't have to scream "ballerina." Try pairing it with a polo or fine knit crew neck sweater and flatform sandals or chunky loafers for a stylish modern take.

Dress Up a T-shirt

There's no need to stash away your favorite T-shirt just because you're rocking tulle. To balance out the look, try a pair of heeled knee-high boots or a chunky lug-sole pair.

Layer Over Pants

Like all things '90s, the skirt-over-pants trend is back, and a tulle skirt will add extra flair and softness to an otherwise all-black look.

Elevate a Cozy Sweater

A tulle skirt works just as well in winter, especially when you layer a knit sweater over a collared shirt. Go for chunky loafers and warm socks, or even a knit cap and long wool coat if it's particularly chilly.

Top the Look with a Blazer

Whether your skirt is voluminous, sleek, long, or short, a blazer will instantly dress it up. Consider belting the look or going monochromatic with your tulle skirt and blazer combo.

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