Crochet Top and Burgundy Mesh Skirt — A Handmade Outfit
There is something quietly radical about wearing something you made yourself. Not in a performative way, not in a way that demands attention or explanation, but in the private satisfaction of knowing that the fabric against your skin was once yarn in a skein, that the shape of it came from your own hands. A handmade outfit carries that kind of intimacy. It fits differently, feels differently, and means differently than anything pulled from a rack.
This post is about one of my favorite handmade combinations: a crochet top paired with a burgundy mesh skirt. It is the kind of outfit that looks effortless but tells a longer story — hours of stitching, a few wrong turns, a lot of decision-making about yarn weight and hook size and how much ease to allow. If you love making your own clothes, or if you are considering diving into wearable crochet for the first time, I hope this walks you through not just the pieces themselves but the thinking behind them.
Why Crochet and Mesh Work So Well Together
Before we get into the specifics, it is worth talking about why this pairing works so beautifully as a concept.
Crochet fabric has a natural openness to it. Even when stitches are tight, there is an airiness, a texture that catches light and creates dimension. It is a fabric with personality, with depth. It also tends to have structure — crochet holds its shape in a way that knit or woven fabrics sometimes do not, which makes it ideal for tops that need to stay in place without being stiff.
Mesh is the natural counterpart to that. A mesh skirt, whether made from tulle, netting, or a sheer woven fabric, introduces movement and softness at the lower half of the body. Where a crochet top has texture and grip, a mesh skirt has flow. The two fabrics balance each other out in a way that feels considered but not overdone. You are not pairing two loud elements — you are pairing one element with presence against one element with grace.
Burgundy, specifically, brings warmth and depth to that combination. It is a color that reads as rich without being heavy. It sits beautifully against a wide range of skin tones. And when it appears in a sheer or mesh fabric, the transparency softens the intensity of the hue, giving it a romantic, almost antique quality. Pair that with a crochet top in a neutral — cream, ivory, white, warm beige, or even a soft terracotta — and you have something that feels curated and cohesive.
Starting with the Crochet Top
The crochet top is the anchor of this outfit. It is what draws the eye first, what people will want to touch, what communicates the handmade story most directly. So it is worth thinking carefully about what kind of top will serve the look best.
Choosing your silhouette
For pairing with a midi or maxi length mesh skirt, I always lean toward a shorter, more fitted crochet top. Something that hits at or just above the natural waist. This creates a visual break between top and skirt that gives the outfit a sense of proportion. A cropped silhouette also lets the waistband of the skirt show, which adds a clean horizontal line that anchors the overall look.
If you prefer something a little more modest or relaxed, a longline crochet top that tucks into the waistband can also work beautifully. In that case, you want to make sure the top fabric is not so bulky that it creates a lot of volume at the waist — something in a finer weight cotton or linen blend will tuck smoothly.
Yarn and fiber considerations
For a wearable crochet top meant to be worn against the skin or in warm weather, fiber choice matters enormously. Acrylic yarn, while wonderful for many projects, tends to trap heat and can feel scratchy on bare skin. For a top, I strongly recommend a plant-based fiber.
Cotton is the classic choice. It is breathable, washable, and comes in an enormous range of weights and textures. A mercerized cotton has a slight sheen that looks polished and pairs well with the glossy texture of mesh fabric. A matte cotton has a more relaxed, artisan feel. Both work here — it just depends on whether you want the outfit to lean more polished or more casual.
Linen is another excellent option, especially for summer wear. It is even more breathable than cotton, drapes beautifully, and softens over time and with washing. The slightly slubby texture of linen yarn adds character to crochet stitches and makes each piece look a little more unique.
For a slightly more elevated feel, look for cotton-linen blends or cotton with a small percentage of silk or bamboo. These add a subtle drape and softness that makes the finished top feel genuinely luxurious.
Stitch patterns that shine
The stitch pattern you choose for your crochet top will determine its visual personality. A few approaches that work especially well in a pairing like this:
A simple shell stitch creates a scalloped, romantic texture that echoes the softness of a mesh skirt without competing with it. It is beginner-friendly and works up quickly, which makes it a satisfying choice if you want results without a steep learning curve.
A granny stitch or granny stripe top gives the piece a vintage, handmade aesthetic that has become genuinely fashion-forward over the past several years. The geometric repetition of the granny motif reads as thoughtful and deliberate, and a top worked in a solid neutral color lets the stitch structure speak for itself.
Filet crochet, which creates a grid-like pattern of open and filled squares, is a wonderful choice if you want something that looks intricate and almost architectural. A filet crochet top in cream or ivory against a burgundy mesh skirt is a combination that photographs beautifully and reads as very intentional.
Tunisian simple stitch, worked back and forth with a Tunisian hook, creates a fabric that almost resembles woven cloth. It is denser than traditional crochet, which can make it a good choice for a structured top that will hold its shape over the course of a long day.
The Burgundy Mesh Skirt
The skirt is where the outfit breathes. A burgundy mesh skirt brings movement and color to the combination, and the way you construct or source it will have a significant impact on the overall feel.
Working with mesh and tulle fabrics
If you are sewing your own mesh skirt rather than crocheting it, you are working with a fabric that behaves quite differently from most wovens. Mesh, tulle, and net fabrics do not fray, which is one of their great advantages — you can cut them without worrying about finishing the edges, and raw hems often look intentional and beautiful. They are also very lightweight, which means you can use multiple layers to build opacity without adding bulk.
For a midi or maxi length skirt, three to four layers of a lightweight mesh or tulle will give you good coverage while still allowing the color to read as semi-sheer and luminous. If you want a skirt that is fully opaque, you can either use a heavier mesh or line the skirt with a coordinating fabric — a deep burgundy or wine-colored satin lining works especially well.
Constructing the waistband
The waistband is the detail that will either make or break the skirt. A gathered mesh skirt needs a waistband that is firm enough to support all that volume without rolling or digging in. A few good options:
An elastic waistband is the most practical. If you are using wide elastic — one and a half to two inches — it will distribute the fullness evenly and stay comfortable throughout the day. You can encase the elastic in a fabric waistband that matches the skirt, or in a contrasting fabric for a subtle two-tone effect.
A straight, non-elastic waistband with a zipper closure gives the skirt a more tailored feel. This works especially well if you are pairing the skirt with a tucked-in top, since a fitted waistband creates a cleaner, more structured silhouette.
Length and volume considerations
The length of the skirt affects the balance of the entire outfit. A midi length — hitting roughly at the mid-calf — gives the look a modern, fashion-forward feel that pairs well with both cropped and full-length crochet tops. It is also a very versatile length that works across seasons and occasions.
A maxi length creates a more dramatic, almost romantic effect. It requires more fabric, especially if you are working with multiple layers of mesh, but the result is breathtaking when it moves. A maxi mesh skirt in burgundy paired with a white or ivory crochet top reads as something between bohemian and editorial.
For volume, the more fabric you gather into the waistband, the fuller the skirt will be. A skirt cut with two to three times the waist measurement in fabric will have beautiful, generous fullness. If you prefer something more streamlined, you can cut closer to one and a half times the waist measurement for a skirt with more moderate volume.
Putting the Outfit Together
Once you have both pieces, the real fun is in how you style them together. A handmade outfit deserves thoughtful finishing, and a few decisions can significantly elevate the overall look.
Color coordination for the top
The most straightforward pairing is a neutral crochet top — cream, white, ecru, or ivory — against the burgundy skirt. This is a high-contrast combination that is clean and easy to read. The warm undertone of burgundy pairs especially well with cream or ivory rather than a pure bright white, which can sometimes feel too stark.
Warm neutrals like camel, sand, or soft terracotta can also work beautifully. These bring a warmth to the outfit that feels autumnal and grounded. A camel crochet top against a burgundy mesh skirt is a combination that feels very fall-appropriate and slightly unexpected.
For a bolder approach, a deep forest green or navy crochet top against burgundy creates a rich, jewel-toned combination that works especially well in cooler months.
Shoes and accessories
Because the outfit itself has a lot of texture and visual interest, the accessories can afford to be simple. A low block heel or strappy sandal in a neutral leather tone — cognac, tan, or nude — keeps the focus on the clothing without competing with it. A simple ankle boot in black or dark brown grounds the look for cooler weather.
For jewelry, the texture of crochet often pairs well with organic, natural materials. A chunky wood bead necklace, a hammered gold cuff, or simple gold hoop earrings complement the artisanal quality of the handmade pieces without overpowering them.
A simple leather bag or basket bag continues the natural, handmade narrative. If you are feeling ambitious, a crocheted bag in a matching yarn color would create a beautifully cohesive set.
Layering for different seasons
One of the great joys of a mesh skirt is that it layers well across seasons. In warm weather, the top and skirt alone with sandals is a complete, airy outfit. As temperatures drop, you can add a fitted long-sleeve top or a ribbed turtleneck under or layered with the crochet top. A tailored blazer or oversized denim jacket adds structure and warmth without obscuring the beauty of the handmade pieces. Tights or opaque leggings underneath the mesh skirt extend the wearability well into autumn.
Tips for Making This Your Own
A handmade outfit is, at its best, a reflection of your own aesthetic and sensibility. The pairing of a crochet top and a burgundy mesh skirt is a starting point, not a prescription. Here are a few ways to adapt it to suit your personal style.
If you love bold color, try crocheting the top in a complementary jewel tone — a dusty rose, a muted terracotta, or a sage green — and letting the burgundy of the skirt anchor the whole palette. The look becomes more playful and unexpected.
If you prefer a more minimalist aesthetic, keep both pieces simple in their construction and choose yarns with a subtle sheen. A clean, fitted crochet top in a mercerized cotton alongside a floor-length mesh skirt with a clean waistband has an almost Scandinavian restraint that is very wearable.
If you are interested in mixed media textiles, consider incorporating other handmade elements into the outfit. A belt made from braided macramé cord, for example, creates a lovely waist definition and continues the fiber arts narrative. Hand-dyed yarn for the crochet top — either your own tie-dye experiment or yarn purchased from an indie dyer — adds color depth and individuality that you simply cannot get from commercial fabric.
Sharing Your Handmade Work
One of the things I love most about making my own clothes is the community around it. Handmade fashion, especially crochet wearables, has a vibrant online presence — on Instagram, on Pinterest, on YouTube, and in dedicated making communities. Sharing your finished outfit is an invitation for others to be inspired, and it is also a record of your own creative journey.
When you photograph a handmade outfit, natural light does the most justice to both crochet texture and mesh fabric. The open weave of crochet becomes more visible in soft, diffused daylight, and the sheerness of mesh skirt fabric is beautifully highlighted without the harshness of direct sun or flash photography. A simple, uncluttered background — a white wall, a garden, a simple wooden floor — keeps the focus on the clothing itself.
When you share, include the details of your makes: the yarn you used, the hook size, any pattern notes, the fabric source for the skirt. These details are exactly what other makers are looking for, and they transform a simple outfit photo into a genuinely useful resource for the community.
Final Thoughts
A crochet top and burgundy mesh skirt combination is one of those outfits that manages to be both completely of its moment and somehow timeless. It draws on the craft tradition of crochet — something that has been practiced across cultures and centuries — and pairs it with the contemporary fashion sensibility of sheer and layered fabrics. It is wearable and beautiful and, when you make it yourself, deeply personal.
Whether you crochet the top following a pattern you love, design your own from scratch, or purchase a handmade top from an independent maker, and whether you sew the skirt yourself or find one that speaks to you, the act of choosing and combining these pieces intentionally is itself a creative act. It is proof that fashion does not have to be passive. You do not have to accept what is available. You can make something better, something more you.
That, ultimately, is what handmade fashion is about — not perfection, but intention. The slightly uneven edge, the stitch count that took three attempts to get right, the color you deliberated over for two weeks and ultimately love. These are the marks of a maker, and they make the outfit matter in ways that nothing off a rack ever quite can.
