Contemporaine
Pleated Flared Denim Midi Skirt
CA$125.00CAD
In Stock
This light blue pleated flared denim midi skirt from Contemporaine by Simons is exclusively designed in Canada. It is made from soft stretch cotton-lyocell denim and features two sewn pleats at the waist, belt loops, side slant pockets, and patch pockets at the back. The A-line midi skirt has a length of 30 inches (77 cm) in size 4.
- Material
- Soft stretch cotton-lyocell denim
- Gender
- female
- Style
- casual, vintage, classic
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Skirts > Long Skirts
Color
Baby Blue
Size
246810121416
Specifications
A flared midi skirt in soft stretch denim with pleated waist and practical pockets.
Pleated waist, belt loops, side slant pockets, patch back pockets, stretch cotton-lyocell fabric.
- Material
- Soft stretch cotton-lyocell denim
- Secondary
- lyocell, elastane
- Style
- casual, vintage, classic
- Occasion
- casual, everyday, weekend
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Skirts > Long Skirts
Additional Attributes
- Soft stretch cotton-lyocell denim
- Two sewn pleats at waist
- Belt loops
- Side slant pockets
- Patch pockets behind
- Midi length 30 inches
- Flared silhouette
- Pleated waist design
- Exclusive Contemporaine by Simons design
- Stretch denim for comfort and fit
Product Insights
The Contemporaine Pleated Flared Denim Midi Skirt ($125 CAD) is a casual weekend staple defined by permanent sewn-in pleats that create a crisp A-line silhouette, a lyocell-cotton blend that offers fluid drape, moisture wicking, and shape retention, and an EIM score of 19 for low environmental impact. Its angled side pockets and back patch pockets anchor its jeans heritage, while a 30-inch length and stretch fabric accommodate sneakers and movement. The tradeoff: a light baby blue wash limits formality and may show slight sheerness; care requires cold gentle cycles and hang drying to preserve pleats.
Verified claims
- Pleat construction
- Two sewn pleats start at the waistband and are permanently stitched, not heat-set.
- Fit and movement
- Flared cut keeps pleats flat; stretch fabric prevents waist rigidity.
- Fabric
- 41% TENCEL lyocell, 38% cotton, 20% reprocessed cotton, 1% elastane — the lyocell resists bagging and drapes fluidly, preserving the A-line shape.
- Care
- Machine wash cold on gentle cycle and hang dry to preserve pleats and avoid shrinkage.
- Silhouette
- Pleats at the waistband create a crisp A-line shape.
- Durability
- Pleats are sewn permanently to resist softening.
- Comfort
- Stretch fabric denim prevents pleats from feeling rigid.
- Drape
- Lyocell gives the skirt a fluid drape that creates a graceful A-line silhouette, unlike rigid pure-cotton denim.
- Moisture wicking
- Lyocell wicks moisture 50% more efficiently than cotton, keeping the skin dry in warm weather.
- Shape retention
- The pleats and flare resist sagging and bagging, maintaining the skirt's crisp shape wash after wash.
- Softness
- No break-in needed; silky soft from first wear.
- Stretch
- 1% elastane allows easy movement when sitting and bending.
- EIM score
- EIM score of 19 (low impact) published, beating competitors at similar price.
- Brand identity
- Exclusive Simons house label designed in Canada.
- Value
- $125 CAD, undercutting designer by $116, with sewn pleats and a low-impact EIM score of 19.
- Design
- Sewn waist pleats and slant pockets outclass yoke pleats and 5-pocket styling.
- Pockets
- Angled side pockets allow easy hand entry; back patch pockets add storage.
- Jeans identity
- Patch pockets anchor the skirt's jeans heritage, confirmed by stylists.
- Pocket utility
- Side slant and rear patch pockets provide jeans-like storage convenience.
- Length
- 30-inch length (size 4) is 2.5–4 inches shorter than standard midis, clearing flats and ankle boots without dragging.
- Shoe pairing
- Slim-profile, gum-sole sneakers anchor this skirt's look.
- Styling cues
- Light wash and jeans details signal casual weekend styling.
- Fit dynamics
- Lyocell blend's fluid drape and permanent pleats keep the A-line crisp with sneakers.
- Front tuck
- Belt loops and sewn pleats secure a front tuck and preserve the A-line flare.
- Blazer styling
- The 30-inch length and denim pockets balance a blazer's polish for versatile casual-to-office wear.
- Wash tone
- Baby blue wash keeps the skirt weekend-oriented; blazer pairing creates deliberate contrast.
- Volume balancing
- Balance with a slimmer, more fitted top.
- Casual versatility
- Baby blue wash anchors skirt in casual, weekend territory.
- Transitional layering
- Flared A-line cut fits over tights, boots, and bare legs without distortion.
- Sizing
- Runs true to size and retains shape without pocket gaping.
- Pleat permanence
- Sewn-in pleats and lyocell-cotton blend keep pleats crisp wash after wash without re-pressing.
- Opacity
- The baby blue denim can be slightly sheer in bright light; a slip is recommended.
Product record
- Title
- Pleated Flared Denim Midi Skirt
- Brand
- Contemporaine
- Price
- 125 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Styling ideas for a pleated denim midi skirt
- Retro slim-profile sneakers like the Adidas Samba or Gazelle are the current editors' pick for midi denim skirts: the low-profile sole and gum rubber toe keep the look grounded without competing with the skirt's length, creating a cleaner leg line than chunkier trainers.
- A front-tuck — folding just the front hem of a sweater or tee into the waistband — defines the waist and exposes the belt loops, which become a functional styling tool: the loops grip the fabric, keeping the tuck in place while the rest of the top falls loose, creating a balanced proportion against the flared hem.
- Adding a structured blazer over a simple tee transforms the skirt into a work-ready outfit; the contrast between the blazer's tailored sharpness and the skirt's soft flare creates an intentional high-low mix that works from creative offices to brunch.
- The baby blue wash keeps this skirt firmly in weekend territory — light washes lock a denim piece into casual contexts — but the silhouette is versatile enough that buying it in a darker wash later would extend the same outfit formula into cocktails and work settings.
- Because the skirt's flared silhouette adds significant bottom volume, the most foolproof styling follows the Rule of Opposites: a slim, body-skimming top (a fine-gauge knit, a tucked-in bodysuit, or a cropped sweater) keeps the outfit balanced and prevents the eye from getting lost in the flare.
- The two patch pockets on the back borrow directly from classic five-pocket jeans, anchoring the skirt in authentic denim heritage and making it feel as familiar to style as your favorite pair of jeans — this is why it works effortlessly with a simple white tee and sneakers, much like jeans would.
- Unlike heat-set pleats that can soften with wear and washing, the two sewn pleats at the waist are stitched permanently into the cotton-lyocell denim, so the skirt flares out crisply even after repeated sit-to-stand cycles — this permanent structure is what keeps the silhouette polished rather than slouchy at the end of a long day.
- The midi length and denim weight make it a natural transitional piece: style it with opaque tights and knee-high boots in fall, and with bare legs and sandals in summer — the flared shape accommodates layers underneath without distortion, which a straight or pencil denim skirt can't do as easily.
How it compares to other flared denim midi skirts
- Among denim midi skirts in this price tier, the Contemporaine is one of the few to publish a wash-process impact score — an EIM of 19 — which gives the buyer a verifiable low-impact credential that Levi's, Quince, and Banana Republic do not disclose for their competing skirts.
- Because Contemporaine is a house label created exclusively for Simons, this skirt carries a boutique, made-in-Canada story that separates it from the global ubiquity of Levi's or the faceless direct-to-consumer model of Quince; for a buyer attuned to regional design and curation, that exclusivity adds a layer of identity beyond the spec sheet.
- At $125 CAD, the Contemporaine undercuts designer-priced options like the Corinne midi (originally $241) while delivering pleat detailing, waist-defining sewn pleats, and an eco score that the $100 Banana Republic A-line denim skirt forgoes in favor of basic patch pockets and a simple cotton-elastane build — making the extra $25 feel like a genuine step up in design rather than a brand markup.
- Unlike the Levi's pleated denim midi where the sewn pleats start at the yoke and release by the hip, Contemporaine places two pleats directly at the waistband, so the flare originates from the narrowest part of the torso — achieving a crisp, vintage A-line shape that's more flattering for a tuck-in than a yoke-pleated or unpleated competitor.
- The side slant pockets here are cut on an angle for natural hand entry, making them inherently more functional for stashing a phone or warming palms than the shallow scoop pockets on a traditional 5-pocket denim skirt (Quince) or the hip-level scoops on the Levi's, and the back patch pockets supply extra storage missing from the Levi's design.
- At 30 inches on a size 4, this skirt hits higher on the calf than Quince's 34-inch midi (size 28) and Levi's 32.5-inch version, giving it a more petite-friendly proportion and the ability to pair with ankle boots or ballet flats without dragging or cutting off the leg line.
- Contemporaine's cotton-lyocell blend introduces lyocell's softness and drape that pure-cotton (Levi's) or cotton-elastane (Banana Republic) cannot match, while Quince's organic cotton-Tencel mix matches the fiber story but wraps it in a raw-hem, front-slit casual shape without the polished waist pleats of this skirt.
How the sewn waist pleats shape the skirt
- The A-line flare from the hip down means the denim falls away from the thighs instead of pulling across them, so the pleats stay flat and the fabric doesn't develop horizontal stress lines even during a full stride.
- The fabric's built-in stretch keeps the sewn-down front from feeling like a rigid panel; it moves with you during sitting and bending, so the crisp pleated architecture doesn't sacrifice real-world comfort.
The feel and performance of the cotton-lyocell blend
- Lyocell denim drapes with a supple, almost liquid movement rather than the stiff hang of all-cotton denim — on a flared midi skirt with front pleats, this means the silhouette opens into a gentle, flowy A-line that moves elegantly as you walk instead of holding a rigid bell shape.
- Lyocell fibers have a naturally smooth surface that feels softer than traditional cotton denim from the very first wear — no abrasive, stiff break-in period, so you can pull the skirt on right out of the box and enjoy immediate all-day comfort.
- Lyocell fibers are stronger than cotton, especially when wet, and resist pilling and bagging — over multiple wears and washes, the skirt's flared shape and pleats stay crisp, without the sagging at the seat that can afflict cotton denim skirts over time.
- Lyocell absorbs and releases moisture far more efficiently than cotton, with a moisture regain of 13% that keeps you cooler and drier in warm weather — a practical advantage for a casual midi skirt worn on a summer Saturday or to an outdoor brunch.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a light blue A-line denim midi skirt with front pleats, side pockets, a waistband with belt loops, a visible center-front seam and topstitched hem, shown on a model.
- SilhouetteA-line midi skirt falling to mid-calf with a flared hem visible from the front.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.36 · w 0.56 · h 0.46 (high) - Material and colorLight blue denim fabric with a classic denim weave appearance.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.42 · w 0.52 · h 0.39 (high) - Front pleatsTwo shallow vertical pleats starting at the waistband and easing into the skirt front, one each side of the center-front seam.
2 regions
x 0.29 · y 0.40 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.51 · y 0.40 · w 0.20 · h 0.28 (high) - Center-front seam and fly areaVisible stitched center-front seam running vertically from waistband toward hem with a subtle stitched fly outline near the waistband.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.41 · w 0.10 · h 0.34 (high) - Waistband and belt loopsFolded waistband with belt loops spaced along the top edge; a belt is threaded through the loops in the image.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.33 · w 0.40 · h 0.08 (high) - Side pocketsSlanted side pockets with the model's hands partially inserted, creating slight openings at the hip seams.
2 regions
x 0.26 · y 0.43 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.43 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Hem finishSingle-fold topstitched hem visible around the skirt bottom.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.74 · w 0.52 · h 0.06 (high)
Other
Image shows the skirt worn by a standing model against a plain light background; additional garments and props visible include a patterned long-sleeve turtleneck, a brown belt, and tan suede knee-high boots. Even, diffuse studio lighting with soft shadows is used.
- Model and stylingSkirt is worn by a standing female model with hands in the side pockets, paired with a patterned long-sleeve turtleneck top and a visible brown belt at the waistband.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.05 · w 0.76 · h 0.90 (medium) - FootwearTan suede knee-high boots with a pointed toe and slender heel visible beneath the skirt hem.
1 region
x 0.35 · y 0.76 · w 0.30 · h 0.20 (high) - Belt accessoryDark brown belt with a prominent silver-colored oval buckle worn through the skirt waistband; belt likely an accessory rather than packaging.
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.33 · w 0.22 · h 0.06 (high) - Background and lightingPlain light gray backdrop and floor with even diffuse studio lighting producing soft, minimal shadows beneath the model.
- Image crop and framingFull body crop from just above the head to the floor, centered framing with the model slightly turned to the right.
Colors
light blue denim· skirt body#8BAECA- SilhouetteA-line midi skirt falling to mid-calf with a flared hem visible from the front.
- 02
Product
Front view of a light-blue pleated A-line denim midi skirt on a model, showing waistband with belt loops, a center front seam and topstitching, and a visible button and fly seam.
- SilhouetteA-line flared midi skirt silhouette with visible flare toward the hem and vertical panel shaping from the waistband.
1 region
x 0.15 · y 0.18 · w 0.70 · h 0.55 (high) - Waistband and belt loopsStraight waistband with multiple belt loops spaced around the waist; waistband sits at the natural waist on the model.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.08 · w 0.60 · h 0.10 (high) - Front closureSingle visible top button at center front with a vertical fly seam beneath it; the fly seam is stitched and visible.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.10 · w 0.08 · h 0.14 (high) - Panel seams and pleatsTwo prominent vertical stitched panel lines start at the waistband and extend toward the hem, creating pleated shaping at the upper skirt.
2 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.12 · w 0.18 · h 0.60 (high); x 0.54 · y 0.12 · w 0.18 · h 0.60 (high) - Hem and topstitchingFolded hem with visible topstitching around the skirt bottom, matching denim thread contrast visible against fabric.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.64 · w 0.68 · h 0.14 (high) - Denim textureMedium-light washed denim texture with visible weave and subtle tonal variation characteristic of woven denim fabric.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.22 · w 0.56 · h 0.48 (high) - Belt loop detailSingle belt loop visible at the center front on the waistband just above the button.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.09 · w 0.06 · h 0.05 (high) - Side seamsSide seam lines visible where panels join at the skirt sides near the model's hands.
2 regions
x 0.08 · y 0.20 · w 0.12 · h 0.52 (medium); x 0.80 · y 0.20 · w 0.12 · h 0.52 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot showing model wearing the skirt over knee-high tan suede boots with a patterned long-sleeve top; plain light gray background and soft even lighting.
- Model stylingModel shown from mid-torso to feet wearing a patterned long-sleeve top tucked into the skirt and tan suede knee-high boots; model hands rest at the skirt sides.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.00 · w 0.76 · h 0.95 (high) - Background and lightingEven neutral light-gray studio background with soft shadowing beneath the boots indicating overhead lighting.
- Image crop and framingCropped framing excludes the model's head and upper torso, centering the skirt and legs in the image.
Colors
light blue denim· skirt fabric#83A5C2dark bronze· waist button- SilhouetteA-line flared midi skirt silhouette with visible flare toward the hem and vertical panel shaping from the waistband.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a light-blue denim A-line midi skirt with a fitted waistband, rear yoke, two rear patch pockets, visible topstitching, and a flared pleated skirt body ending in a stitched hem.
- Rear silhouetteSkirt shown from the rear with a fitted waistband and a flared A-line silhouette composed of vertical panels that produce a gentle flare toward the hem.
- Waistband and belt loopsMedium-width waistband with belt loops spaced along the top; waistband has visible topstitching and a horizontal seam where it meets the skirt body.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.08 · w 0.60 · h 0.09 (high) - Rear yoke and center seamHorizontal rear yoke seam across the upper back of the skirt and a vertical center-back seam running from the yoke down the middle of the skirt.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.12 · w 0.44 · h 0.52 (high) - Patch pocketsTwo rear patch pockets with a classic five-point denim pocket shape, topstitched around the edges and positioned on the upper back panel.
2 regions
x 0.24 · y 0.12 · w 0.18 · h 0.15 (high); x 0.57 · y 0.12 · w 0.17 · h 0.15 (high) - Panel construction and seamsVisible vertical panel seams divide the skirt into several flared panels; seams are topstitched and slightly darker due to stitching and seam allowance pressing.
1 region
x 0.21 · y 0.18 · w 0.58 · h 0.64 (high) - Hem detailFolded denim hem with a visible single or double line of topstitching encircling the skirt edge.
1 region
x 0.17 · y 0.65 · w 0.66 · h 0.12 (high) - Denim textureMedium-weight denim weave visible across the skirt surface with subtle vertical stonewash variations in color.
Other
Model rear shot on a plain light-gray studio background wearing tan suede knee-high boots; right hand visible at skirt side. Soft studio lighting with minimal shadow.
- Model and posePartial rear view of a model from waist down showing the skirt on the body; right hand rests alongside the right hip.
1 region
x 0.61 · y 0.12 · w 0.15 · h 0.40 (high) - Footwear propTan suede knee-high boots with a low stiletto heel worn under the skirt, visible from mid-calf to the floor.
2 regions
x 0.35 · y 0.72 · w 0.27 · h 0.26 (high); x 0.62 · y 0.72 · w 0.21 · h 0.26 (high) - Background and lightingPlain seamless light-gray background and floor with soft, even studio lighting producing minimal shadows under the boots.
Colors
light stonewash blue· skirt body#83A6C2medium denim blue· pocket topstitching and seams#5D83A2warm brass· visible rivet/metal detaildenim stitch brown-blue· visible stitching at hem#95724A
Documents & Data
Q&A
3 answered- Does the skirt run true to size, or should I size up/down given the pleated waist and stretch fabric?
- The skirt is made with a soft stretch cotton-lyocell denim, so it generally runs true to size for most customers. The pleated waist adds a bit of structure, but the stretch accommodates movement. If between sizes, we recommend sizing up for a more relaxed fit through the waist.
- How should this skirt be washed and dried to maintain the pleats and avoid shrinkage?
- To preserve the pleats and avoid shrinkage, we recommend machine washing cold on a gentle cycle and hanging to dry. Turn the skirt inside out and wash with like colors. Avoid bleach and high heat, as heat can break down the pleats and cause shrinkage. Iron on low if needed, but steaming is gentler.
- Is the denim thick enough to be opaque, or might it require a slip or shapewear underneath?
- The denim is a mid-weight stretch cotton-lyocell fabric, which is typically opaque enough for everyday wear without additional lining. That said, the stretch component can sometimes make the material slightly thinner. Most customers find it opaque, but if you prefer extra coverage, a seamless slip or nude shapewear is a safe choice.