The Row Spring 2025 - skirts and dresses over pants

Been there, done that, doing it again.

Earlier this year, The Row told us we’ll be wearing skirts over pants next spring and the usual “don’t ask, just do” didn’t land well with everyone.  When the collection images were loaded, they were met with mixed emotions from clients and reviewers because it was departure from their usual and it seemed they’d traded their elevated everyday elegance for daytime denim and a punchy smattering of granola hobo-chic. See my Spring 2025 review here

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The Row Spring 2025, look 3 and my attempt at recreating it

Look 3 isn’t what we’re accustomed to seeing in a Row offering but it’s very familiar because it’s a nod to old Céline. I grinned like a geeky schoolgirl when I saw it because it was the equivalent of getting a gold star on a pop quiz.  Skirts/dresses over pants were my go-to for years and this was pleasingly similar to outfits I’d worn in the past (outfits which have now officially been blessed by The Row).

As much as this collection sits furthest to date from their centre, it won’t be long before we see permutations of those offbeat plaid and lace looks on the street because after the drop, there’s an incubation period where ideas marinate and then imprint and that lag between presentation and shipment brews an impatience that sends us seeking substitutes to tide us over.  I’m constantly scanning for re-interpretations and I’m eager to see them but the downside is that I might feel uninspired once the pieces arrive in store because they may feel redundant by then; that’s the risk of playing outside the timeless template.  The upside to taking the look for a test drive before fully committing is you’ll know whether this is in your wheelhouse or not and you may be able to save yourself from making a costly mistake.

Spring 2025 - Look 13, Look 23, Look 1

Even after having spent a decade dressing similarly, I still have an affinity for this type of layering and I’m revisiting the idea but I’ll be taking a more polished approach: swapping skinnies for straight, colour for neutrals, and loud lace for tulle…the less conspicuous, the greater the chances are that I’ll continue to utilize this styling trick when spring trickles in.

Some examples:

Reel: The Row Mara tote, Arm bangle, City flip-flops, Golden jeans, Danila jacket, Gary Graham skirt

1.  I’m wearing an old Row blazer (Danila) but this one would look great too and I regret not purchasing it on the few occasions I saw it at a reduced price.  The skirt is an old Gary Graham production.  He had a shop in Tribeca and his line spoke to the Victorian in me.  His pieces were medieval romantic and grungy, but feminine.  Collections were infused with soft, muted, weathered vintage fabrics and antique prints, and garments were deconstructed and sewn asymmetrically.  Edges were left unfinished, and the closures were divine, lots of hook-eye (I LOVE hook-eye!).  This skirt was the perfect off-set to the classic blazer and jeans (a pair of straight trousers would work nicely too) but I think this skirt would look lovely too. If it’s too on the nose, you might like one of these.

The Row Sisilia shirt, Andres pants, Beach flip-flops, Mara tote, wrist bangle, old Maryam Nassir Zadeh skirt

2. Ok not the best photo but I hope you can see the sheer skirt on top of the pants. Most of the items I’m wearing have since sold but this exercise is more about rummaging through your own closet to see what comes close. If you can’t come up with anything - try these skirts and these pants. This shirt is a nice substitute for Sisilia and I have it and love it (it’s more oversized). This men’s shirt is another good option (and it’s much less expensive).

The Row Giedre corduroy jacket, Mini envelope and Multi-card case, Eglitta jeans, Genevieve raffia tote, City flip-flops, Gary Graham tulle skirt,

3. I don’t usually do a fresh blue like this but the quality of the TR denim Eglitta jeans is excellent and the clean wash makes them dressier which works nicely with a well tailored jacket. The Gary Graham tulle skirt is one of my favourites and I’ve held on to it (I’ve parted with a lot of his stuff over the years) but here’s the link to those substitutes I referenced earlier.

The Row Giedre jacket, Goldin jeans, Frances slippers, Wrist bangle, Mini envelope and multi-card case, Veronica de Piante lace dress

4. Just a hint of lace and tone-on-tone camel up top. I’d swap the open-toe Frances for closed (options here) or add a pair of socks. The dress is sold out but these dresses are beautiful (remember to size up a bit as you want it loose around the hips so there’s enough room for movement over the bottoms). As for the blazer, long gone, and it doesn’t come up too often on consignment sites either BUT - I found an excellent alternative and it stands on its own. If you’re not familiar with Veronica’s line, I’d take a minute to look her up. She uses substantial, luxuriously soft fabrics (her velvet makes me swoon) and the colours are rich and warm. This jacket is soft and fits well (I’ve tried it, take your true size) and if you find it a tad long, shorten it. You need a good tailor and there’s a hand-to-hem and pocket-to-hem parameter they follow for jackets/blazers but when it’s altered correctly, you’ll reach for it more often.

Happy experimenting!

N xo