The mini skirt has come a long way since it was first popularised on the streets of London in the Swinging Sixties, and yet, it feels as though the It-girls of the day knew perfectly how to style this potentially tricky piece.
Bare legs, go-go boots, lashings of mascara and a bouffant 'do were all the rage back then, but if you're looking to take the mini for a spin in 2023, it's worth seeking inspiration from some of our fashion set favourites.
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© GettyWhat should you wear under a mini skirt?
To ensure that a major wardrobe malfunction remains firmly off the agenda, suitable undergarments are a must. Skip wearing anything too skimpy when you're rocking a mini – opt for something pretty and yet dignified, just in case a gust of wind does catch you off-guard.
MORE: How to style a pleated skirt: 4 ways to ace the classic piece in 2023
READ: Street Style Guide: How to style sheer skirts in 2023 according to an editor
If you'd prefer to not tempt fate, there's something unmistakably sexy about wearing sheer black tights under a mini skirt – though be warned, don't bother relying on them for extra warmth. Otherwise, there are some beautiful, patterned designs out there currently – monogrammed Gucci or polka dots by Falke are equally stylish shouts.
Wanting to give your current wardrobe a short hemline-themed overhaul? Keep scrolling…
How we chose the pieces
After combing through the street style galleries to find the hottest mini skirt outfits, we scoured the internet's top fashion sites, taking into account style, price point and quality, to help you recreate the fashion set-adored trend.
Hello! Fashion shares our need-to-know style tips for wearing a mini skirt:
1. Plump for preppy
© GettyMiu Miu's low-slung micro skirt sent short hemline shockwaves through SS22, and we are still feeling the effect. The preppy look, known for its crisp, polished aesthetic, lends itself perfectly to the style. Seek out inverted or box pleats in soft camel or tennis white, and if you're feeling particularly daring you could team yours with a minuscule crop top.
Style advice
© Free PeopleCrafted from cotton, Free People's preppy mini skort feels just as high impact as the Miu Miu original, and yet, the built-in shorts add a dimension of practicality. Extremely necessary for IRL wear. The piece is richly preppy, but its raw, frayed hem exudes undone polish, perfectly encapsulating the "rough around the edges" phrase. Style yours with a ribbed white racerback and embroidered cowboy boots for guaranteed It-girl appeal.
2. Succumb to sportswear
© GettyEven if shopping is your only form of cardio, sportswear is calling. Rather than edgy trainers and futuristic wraparound shades, get inspired by tennis and ballet with pristine knife-pleat minis and satin pumps. For a 1980s touch, you could even add a pair of leg warmers for extra impact.
Style advice
Featuring topstitched pleats, this off-white mini by Ami Paris is crisp and stylish. Crafted from cotton, it will keep you cool in the summer, even if there are no actual tennis matches on the horizon. Style yours with nothing but a deep-plunge navy cricket sweater or a knitted vest for a revitalised preppy moment.
3. Inject a splash of texture
© GettyBranch out from your usual fabric choices and embrace interesting textures. Opt for cool-girl glosses, buttery leathers and high-shine finishes to give the mini a fresh, tactile element.
Style advice
This high-waisted skirt by Amy Lynn feels flashy, in the best possible way. Created from faux leather, this high impact metallic silver piece would look amazing alongside a glitter thread long-sleeved crochet top, clear mules and super dark shades.
4. Experiment with volume
© GettyA-line and bodycon certainly aren't the only shapes on offer when it comes to the mini skirt. Consider styles that champion high impact volume for a fresh, playful effect.
Style advice
This piece by cult-adored French label Jacquemus has an underlying quirkiness, but it doesn't verge into avant-garde territory to the point where it becomes unwearable. In fact, it would look great with an understated backless halter top to allow the topstitched ruffles to take centre stage.
5. Go dotty
© GettyThe polka dot print is a cyclical summer classic, but we love the hint of 1960s nostalgia in this outfit. A calculated print clash can be a major sartorial victory, and this finely dotted mini teamed alongside a knit with larger-sized spots is a case in point.
Style advice
Wraparound ruffle skirts are a key part of the high street's holiday dressing playbook, and for excellent reason. They require next to no thought on the styling front and they have a certain easy-breezy levity. This polka dot piece by Zara would pair well with heaps of tops that you already currently own: broderie anglaise blouses, lace-trimmed camis and deftly cut T-shirts to name a few . Plus, it is actually a skort design - great for protecting your modesty.
6. Brush with Barbiecore
© GettyThe omnipresence of Barbiecore cannot be overstated. Make Margot proud and follow her lead with a monochromatic look featuring a mini skirt and crop top co-ord. Playful bubblegum, dusty pastel and larger-than-life fuchsia - you'll be spoilt for choice in the shade department.
Style advice
This lustrous high-waisted skirt by Arket would make for the perfect wardrobe addition to any Barbiecore fanatic's wardrobe. Created from a polyester blend, the piece boasts an A-line silhouette and sits at a reasonable price point. Style yours with a contemporary twinset or a front-tie cardigan in the same shade.
7. Flirt with florals
© GettyExplore high octane florals and with a mini skirt that incorporates one of this season's hottest trends. Larger-than-life rosettes and contemporary corsages will imbue your look with a sense of earthy drama.
Style advice
Influencer-adored Polish designer Magda Butrym excels in statement romanticism, and her eponymous label boasts the likes of Sofia Richie as a fan. Opt for the brand's red knitted red mini skirt for a blast of colour, and you can even complete the look with a matching Bardot top, should you desire.
8. Make it monochrome
© GettyFocusing on polar opposite shades such black and white can have a profound sartorial effect. Possessing a certain vintage flair, a simple skirt co-ord can be easily modernised with cropped cuts and of-the-moment adornments.
Style advice
Ashley Williams' boucle wool mini is seriously versatile. Keep things pared back with a white high-necked bodysuit and dark oval shades, or lean into the saccharine theme and wear yours with a frilled blouse.
9. Turn up the tweed
© GettyIt's giving Annie James' London chic (an iconic cinematic style moment courtesy of The Parent Trap FYI), and we're totally here for it. Stage an elegant tweed co-ord moment and pair your mini with its outerwear counterpart. Top things off with two-tone shoes and a vanity case-shaped bag and you're laughing.
Style advice
Is this super cute Rebecca Vallance mini bordering on costume territory? Absolutely. Do we mind? Not in the slightest. Of course, there are other options out there other than hot pink, but this statement shade is perfect for Barbiecore devotees. Crafted from tweed in a simple A-line cut, this piece features flashy gold hardware and would look amazing styled with a pale pink polo neck and the matching jacket slung over your shoulder.
10. Consider corsetry
© GettyIf you're wanting to emphasise your form with a close-fitting mini, styling it alongside a corset top with a dipped hem allows a hint of skin to peek through around the midriff. This breaks up the fluidity of the print, giving it an edgier, less twee feel.
Style advice
With a textured, metallic floral jacquard finish, this piece by & Other Stories feels subtle, and yet rich on closer inspection. It would look great alongside a boned corset top with a glittery sheen, or even a crisp, white bandeau-style version.
11. Team with tailoring
© GettyFinely pleated minis lends themselves perfectly to being styled with a piece of sharp tailoring. Longline cuts layered over a plethora of neat folds gives the illusion of an even shorter skirt, and when teamed with killer platforms, this can elongate the line of the leg.
Style advice
Ludovic De Saint Sermin's light-wash denim mini epitomises the nostalgic stupor of the Y2K trend. Design elements that really ought to be left in the past - low-rise waistbands, eyelets as decoration and retro lace-up detailing - somehow work harmoniously. Wear yours with a glitzy butterfly top and tinted shades for a full immersion into the 2000s aesthetic.
12. Dial up the footwear
© GettyTake your cues from the It-girls of the 1960s, and style your mini alongside some high impact footwear. For maximum authenticity, opt for low-heeled white go-go boots, but if you're looking to amp up the drama, go taller on the height with buttery leather knee or thigh-highs.
Style advice
No self-respecting minthusiast should be without a classic black version of the wardrobe staple. Created from a polyester-elastane blend, Reiss' Clara design is infused with stretch for added comfort, and features chic flap pockets on the flanks that don't disrupt the overall silhouette. Hugely versatile, it would look excellent styled alongside a tight-fitting tee and mules for a sense of quiet femininity.
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