Ask anyone I grew up with, and they'll probably tell you that it's no surprise I ended up working in fashion. A plaid green kilt was my uniform for nearly a decade, followed by a slightly more relaxed dress code full of khaki pants and blazers when I switched to a coed high school. Whenever I could, I rebelled.
Whether skirting the rules by wearing opaque tights with too-short skirts, or triggering updates to the dress code after I tied the ends of my hair hot pink à la Avril Lavigne, uniform dressing was decidedly not for me.
So color me shocked when the supremely stylish Lucy Boynton stepped out at the London photo call for A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story in head-to-toe Celine looking straight out of my yearbook (albeit, much more glam than your average '00s teen). Just swap Boynton's vest for a navy blue blazer and that's more or less the ensemble still buried in my hometown closet, Mary Janes and all.
On Lucy Boynton: Celine shirt, vest, skirt, and shoes
Don't get me wrong—I refuse to dig up my polyester plaid kilts, but Boynton's ensemble has me reevaluating my stance on pleated skirts. I'm still not 100% convinced to submit to the knee-length requirement (I'm short, so it's tough!), but I managed to find several skirts that fit the assignment.
Keep scrolling to shop several knee-length pleated skirts to embrace that prep school spirit, and leave the backpack behind in favor of a cute new (Celine?) bag. We're pretty sure you'll ace this assignment.
Shop Pleated Skirts
Imagine if your high-school uniform was entirely Ref!
TBH, I wore tons of J.Crew in high school—and still do!
Don't miss the sweet bows on the back.
This wild pattern is worth the uniform violation.
Skirt the knee-length rules by wearing tights with this pretty pleated number.
Interesting closures add a bit of personality to this polished skirt.
The low-rise waist and slit makes this pleated A-line skirt more playful than preppy.
Burberry nails the classic skirt trend—in silk, no less!
Looking for preppy-inspired from a modern, designer POV? Thom Browne's your best bet.
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Wait, Is the Forgotten Skirt Trend Everyone Used to Wear With T-Shirts Making a Comeback?A major throwback to throw on.
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It's Settled: Fashion People in NYC Are Obsessed With This Non-Denim Skirt TrendLet Ciara show you how it's done.
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This Is the Pretty Skirt Color Trend Elegant Dressers in Rome Are Suddenly Wearing With Black FlatsFollow Dakota Johnson's lead.
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I'm Booking an Emergency Mani-Pedi After Spotting These 5 Pretty Skirt-and-Sandal CombosSeen on Kylie Jenner and Alexa Chung.
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Put Down the Black Flip-Flops—These Are the Simple Flat Sandals Celebs Are Wearing With Summer's #1 Skirt TrendI'm inspired!
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Flip-Flop Fatigue? Fashion People in Ibiza Are Wearing Bikinis and Skirts With This Flat-Shoe Trend InsteadYour new go-to summer shoes.
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Michael Rider Brings a French American Take on Preppy-Bourgeois Style to His Stellar Celine DebutInside the spring 2026 collection.
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Stop It Right Now—These 39 Under-$100 Nordstrom Finds Are Incredibly GorgeousKitten heels, lacy skirts, and new It sneakers.
