Marie Claire fashion editor Lauren Tappan and Who What Wear editor Aniya Molinia came up with the exact same white skirt outfit for the same weekend brunch in May. It was a black top (tubular in Tappan's case, one-shoulder in Molinia's) injected into a flowing white maxi skirt. [When the two met, "it didn't take long to realize that they were practically wearing the exact same outfit. By the time they arrived at the Washington Square brunch, they were doubling and tripling up. The woman at a nearby table was wearing a black T-shirt and a white maxi shirt.

I also noticed the same accidental copy and paste happening on my "For You" page and in the fashion wilderness of New York City. Thousands of TikTok users have videos showing how to wear a white maxi skirt, most often starting with a black T-shirt. People are practicing with dozens of shopping options, from classic (J.Crew and Gap) to bohemian (Dôen and Zimmermann). When Milan-based creator Annie Tara Shova recently created a collage of women in summery white maxi skirts, my phone screen turned into a mirror. [I asked Annie, who digitally collages trendy items and runway collections, about this popular outfit. She confirmed that the white skirt is currently in the spotlight, but its origins go back a bit further. There, Creative Director Miuccia Prada elevated the somewhat somber office uniform with skirts covered in exquisite, dainty lace and three-dimensional floral embellishments, as well as understated neutral sweaters and contrasting jackets. (This look was a self-reference to past Prada collections.)

These same items sold for $10,000 to $15,000 in the brand's boutiques. A few months later, the trickle-down effect of the "Devil's Wear Prada" cerulean monologue is hard at work, with the white skirt as the piece of the moment.

In designers of all price points and origins, white maxi skirts have a clean, understated appeal. Says Annie, "I love the fresh, clean look of white skirts in any outfit." I even incorporate them into my own wardrobe."

The same versatility applies to the outfit formula prevalent throughout street style. The contrast between the black top and the white skirt is crisp and striking. (Even less so when the two are integrated into one dress, as was the case with Sofia Richie Grainge at a recent Fashion Week.)

This is a clothing formula that is not limited to a single body type, brand identity, or price point, even if its DNA comes with a Milan Fashion Week pedigree. Black T-shirts and white skirts are being placed at every point of the aesthetic spectrum in hundreds of retail stores (and even more second-hand stores) this summer.

Minimalist, yet leaving room for maximalists to add their own sense of style, there are no stipulations to its scope. Nevertheless, I also noticed that there are factions specific to fashion subcultures. In midtown Manhattan, near Marie Claire's office, black T-shirts almost always cover the shoulders and skirts are made of heavier, less transparent fabrics. Downtown (and near college campuses like NYU), shapes and textures begin to lean more ethereal and casual. A TikTok that came across my feed counted a fan wearing a white tiered maxi skirt to a recent concert by indie artist Lizzy McAlpine, illustrating the need for this piece as a dress code for introverted music lovers. [But unlike one-off viral items like Zara's spotted dress or Realisation Par's leopard-print skirt, there's no need to worry about looking too much like someone else on these occasions.

"I think the reason this look is quickly becoming a summer uniform staple is simply because it's simple," Tappan says.

"The combination of items in the capsule wardrobe never fails and always looks good."

So what if everyone else has the same idea?

I can assure you that by the time you finish reading this article, put down your phone or laptop and head outside, you will see at least one person wearing a crew-neck T-shirt or ribbed tank top and an unadorned A-line white skirt. It's the most seamless and straightforward of all the top and skirt combinations. It's understated and romantic with red ballet flats and a big hair bow, or sporty with an Adidas samba and a braided ponytail.

As a fashion editor, I am in search of office-appropriate summer work attire. I also want to feel comfortable and cool when commuting to work in 85-degree temperatures, like the week I started writing this article. I found a middle ground: a sleeveless black top and a plain poplin skirt. It has the same effortless color block, but is a more understated cut for jumping into meetings and appointments. Over the weekend, editors Lauren and Anja wore the same look with a tube top or one-shoulder tank in place of a heavier top.

It's undeniable that Boho is back, but you don't need Chloé's runway budget for its resurgence. (The summer white big skirt outfit fits the Laurel Canyon dress code. ) It's a tiered skirt with translucent lace and rumpled creases, and a top that's a little finer than a basic crewneck. Ruffles on the sleeves, tie-neck collars, eyelet lace, etc.

Katie Holmes has yet to wear a black T-shirt and white skirt combination. Given that she has been wearing 90s slip dresses and baggy overalls in the spring and summer, one can only imagine that a similarly understated look will be part of her seasonal wardrobe. Maxi skirts cut on the bias in linen, satin, or silk fit the "less-is-more" styling philosophy perfectly.

On days when even looking for a separate T-shirt and skirt feels like a waste of time, choose a dress that picks the proportions for you. Just as pre-style clothes are on the rise on the runway, from Fendi to Bottega to Miu Miu, there are brands that do a less difficult job of combining a black bodice and a white, fluffy skirt into one piece. They come in two varieties, one light and breezy for summer and one long-sleeved that can transition into fall. (It was also co-designed with Sophia Ritchie Grainge.)

You are a graduate of Jennifer Lopez Street Style University, with a major in It items and a minor in logo recognition. Naturally, the black shirt and white skirt combination in your closet includes the Prada skirt that started the movement. Elaborately crafted in romantic lace and adorned with Prada's tiny triangle at the hip, it's the perfect skirt for the fashionista in your life. Wear this skirt in any major fashion city and you will be noticed by the fashion-forward crowd.

You can balance a worthy investment with an equally striking, yet understated piece: the Margot T-shirt by Leset. It's a premium cotton option that our editor tells us is the Rolls Royce of crew-neck T-shirts.