A wrap skirt looks like a lot of fabric when you first unfold it. There is a long panel, a couple of ties, and no zipper or elastic to tell you which end goes where. Once you have tied one a few times, though, it becomes the easiest skirt you own, and it adjusts to your waist on any given day.
Here is how our wrap skirts are put together, three ways to tie one, and how sizing works when the waist is adjustable.
How a wrap skirt is built
A wrap skirt is one wide piece of fabric with a waistband along the top edge. Ties come off one or both ends of the waistband. When you put it on, one end crosses over the other, so the skirt overlaps at the front or the side instead of closing in a circle.
That overlap is the whole secret. On a smaller waist, the overlap is deep. On a larger waist, it is shallower. The skirt does not stretch, it simply wraps further or less far around you.
Some wrap skirts have a small opening in the waistband near one end. If yours has one, one tie passes through it so the two ties can meet on the same side. If yours does not, you simply wrap one tie around your back and bring it forward to meet the other.
Before you tie: find the inside and the starting end
- Lay the skirt flat with the waistband at the top. The side with the finished seams and the brightest patches is usually the outside.
- Find the end with the shorter tie, or the tie closest to the edge. This is the end that goes underneath.
- Hold that end at your hip, outside facing out, with the waistband at the height you want to wear it.
Height matters more than people expect. Tying at your natural waist gives you a longer skirt and a defined middle. Tying lower, closer to your hips, shortens the hem a little and sits more like a pair of jeans. Try both in the mirror before you decide.
Way 1: The side knot
This is the everyday tie and the one most people start with.
- Hold the underneath end at your left hip.
- Wrap the rest of the skirt around your back and across your front, so the top layer finishes at your right hip.
- If there is a waistband opening, pass the inner tie through it so both ties are on the right side.
- Tie the two ends in a simple double knot at your right hip.
- Tuck any extra length of tie into the waistband, or let the ends hang.
The side knot keeps the opening at your hip, so the skirt stays modest when you sit or climb steps.
Way 2: The front bow
The front bow shows off the tie and draws the eye to the waist. It works well with a fitted tank or a short top.
- Start the same way, with the underneath end at one hip.
- Wrap all the way around until the top layer crosses the front of your body.
- Bring both ties to the center front, a little off to one side if you like.
- Tie a bow, the way you would tie a shoe, and pull the loops even.
With a front bow, the overlap sits in front. Walking with long strides can open the front panel more than a side knot does, so if you plan to dance or sit on the grass, a side knot may be easier.
Way 3: The tucked tie
If you want a clean waistline with no knot showing, tuck it.
- Tie the skirt with a side knot, but keep the knot flat and small.
- Wrap any long tails around your waist once more, over the waistband.
- Tuck the ends under the waistband at your back or side.
The tucked tie is good under a longer blouse or tunic, where a bow would make a bump, and the ties will not catch on things in a crowd.
A note on staying tied
A double knot holds better than a single one. If your ties feel slippery, tie a square knot: right over left, then left over right. It lies flat and does not loosen as you move.
How sizing works with a tie waist
Because the waist adjusts, wrap skirts come in broad size ranges instead of single numbers. Our Pokhara Patchwork Renaissance Maxi Skirt and Bandipur Patchwork Cotton Wrap Skirt are both cut in three sizes:
- S/M, for US sizes 4 to 10
- L/XL, for US sizes 12 to 18
- XXL, for US sizes 20 to 22
Each size uses a wider piece of fabric, so the larger sizes give you more overlap and more swing at the hem, not just more waistband. The length stays the same across sizes, so if you are tall or short, tying higher or lower is how you adjust where the hem falls.
If you sit at the top of one range, the larger size gives you a deeper overlap and less chance of the skirt opening when you walk. If you sit at the bottom of a range, the smaller size will be less bulky at the waist. Every product page has its own size chart, so check it against a skirt you already own and like.
Our wrap skirts in this style top out at XXL. If you wear a 2X or 3X, the Annapurna Tie-Dye Lined Skirt comes in sizes up to 2X/3X. You will find it, along with other long styles, in our boho maxi skirts collection.
Picking your wrap skirt
All of our patchwork wrap skirts are made in Nepal, and because the patches are hand-selected, no two skirts are exactly alike. Expect colors and patches to vary a little from the photos.
- The Pokhara is a floor-length A-line with a lot of flare and a tie belt, a good pick for faires.
- The Bandipur mixes printed blocks and flower-embroidered patches for a busier, brighter look.
- The Mustang Tie-Dye Patchwork Wrap Skirt uses a heavier cotton with tie-dye patches, so it is a good choice once the weather cools.
If you love the patched look, you will find more of it, including hoodies and jackets, in our patchwork clothing collection.
What to wear with a wrap skirt
A patchwork wrap skirt has a lot going on, so simple tops work best: a fitted tank, a plain tee knotted at the waist, or a tucked-in peasant blouse. For a Renaissance faire, pair it with a blouse and a laced bodice. Our plus-size friendly faire guide has more ideas for a full outfit.
Frequently asked questions
Which way should a wrap skirt open?
There is no wrong side. Start the underneath end on whichever hip feels natural and finish the knot on the other.
Will a wrap skirt blow open in the wind?
A deeper overlap helps. If you are between sizes, the larger size gives you more fabric to wrap. A side knot also keeps the opening at your hip, where it is less likely to catch the wind than a front bow.
Can I wear one wrap skirt through a weight change?
That is one of the best things about a tie waist. As your waist changes, the overlap changes with it, so the same skirt can fit across a range of sizes.
What if the size I order does not work?
Unworn, unwashed items can be returned within 30 days of delivery for an exchange or store credit. Orders of $200 or more ship free within the US.