Alexa Chung's Favorite Accessory Elevates Every Skirt Outfit

The Evolution of the Waist Accent

Think back to the early days of summer, when fashion enthusiasts paired fluid velvet dresses with cotton and silk bandanas tied tightly around the waist. Alexa Chung was among the first to champion this distinctive aesthetic, cementing it as one of the defining looks of the warm weather season.

This week, however, Chung debuted a clever evolution of her signature styling trick. Instead of her usual silk bandana, she stepped out wearing a wide, structured cummerbund. Borrowing this classic piece from traditional menswear, she used it to cinch her waist with effortless precision. The accessory creates a seamless bridge between a skirt and knitwear, functioning much like a regular belt while delivering a vastly superior visual punch.

While menswear-inspired pieces always look sharp when paired with tailored trousers, styling a cummerbund with a midi skirt feels particularly fresh and exciting for the upcoming season. As skirt silhouettes continue to gain momentum across the fashion landscape, this unexpected styling choice offers an instant injection of refined elegance.

If Chung’s latest ensemble inspires you to experiment with this silhouette, several brands offer fantastic options right now.

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Zara features a pleated design priced at $46, perfectly capturing the vibrant cobalt blue shade that dominates autumn trends. ASOS Design offers a wide cummerbund option for $23, which works brilliantly to elevate everyday trouser combinations.

Olli Vera Atelier presents a pleated satin belt for £58, introducing a welcome burst of color to your winter rotation. For a luxury investment, Valentino Garavani offers a silk cady model priced at £1,120, which is also available in striking shades of purple and pink. Finally, Really Wild provides a rich olive green suede cummerbund for £110, making it wonderfully easy to integrate into a minimalist, functional autumn wardrobe.

Style enthusiasts looking for further inspiration can explore recent seasonal roundups, such as Nikki Chwatt’s guide to chic autumn accessories that fashion insiders are snapping up. Kristen Nichols also details essential wardrobe staples like pencil skirts, leather jeans, and satin jackets, offering a firsthand look at what editors wear during fashion month.

Anna LaPlaca suggests kickstarting your autumn wardrobe with 42 chic purchases, ranging from cummerbunds and jazz shoes to rich royal purple hues. Meanwhile, Judith Jones explores the latest collaboration between Alexa Chung and Reformation, highlighting standout pieces inspired by classic British style and vintage romance.