Many tend to shy away from the mini in summer in favour of its demurer, infinitely more practical cousin, the midi. Granted, longer lengths are easier to navigate in the event of an unexpected breeze, but minis are chronically underrated.
Adored by contemporary It-girls and those who lived during London's Swinging Sixties in equal measure, short hems exude youthful spirit.
The style demands a certain level of nerve, especially if you're going bare-legged. But even if you plump for sheer tights or cool-girl knee-high socks, the mini screams power.
© Getty ImagesSleek cocktail styles and high-impact LBD's are great for evening events, but the mini also lends itself to casual cool. Imbued with throw-on-and-go ease, our celebrity street style crushes constantly team theirs with tube socks and dad sneakers for a sporty touch, but there's more where that came from.
How we chose the pieces:
- Style: Naturally, a super flattering silhouette is essential. When scouring the internet's top designer fashion sites for the best minis, we made sure that each of our picks were either bang-on-trend for SS25 or had a certain classic appeal for maximum wearability.
- Length: A mini dress is typically defined by a hemline that falls above the knee, often at the mid-thigh level. All our picks sit within this length category.
- Price: Catering to different price points is really important to us. Granted, we spend a fair amount of time lusting after designer pieces, but we've included some equally stylish options that are kinder to your wallet.
The LBD
Mayve Knit Dress
Reformation
No wardrobe is complete without an LBD. This sleek, chic and subtle option is the perfect go-to for when you have 'nothing to wear' and will instantly become your wardrobe BFF. Style with boots or ballet flats, heels or loafers; the possibilities are quite literally endless.
The Striped
Pink Pinstripe Palermo Mini Dress
Nobody's Child
Made from an easy, breezy 70% organic cotton and 30% linen blend, this playful pink and white striped mini is a summer hero like no other. Perfect for park picnics, sunny soirée's and everything in between.
The Cool-Girl Crochet
Halter Neck Mini Beach Dress
M&S
Perfect for days spent at the beach or when the city is sweltering, crochet is not only a cool-girl style staple, but it also comes complete with ventilation due to the knitted style.
The Perfect Polkadot
Lilo Mini Dress
Damson Madder
Polkadots are having a major moment in the fashion sphere right now, as is butter yellow, so this dreamy Damson Madder mini couldn't be more on trend. Not only can you wear it as a dress, you can also remove the straps and style it as a midi skirt- two for one? Yes, please.
The Denim Delight
Denim Puffball Mini Dress
ASOS
Denim will always be a fan favourite, and though jeans might not be the most inviting for the warmer weather, this mini puff ball dress definitely is. Style with heels or ballet flats and enjoy the endless compliments.
The Sporty Spice Statement
YPB motionTEK Halter Bubble Hem Mini Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch
Whether you're actually planning on playing sports or just love the feeling of activewear, this ultra-flattering halter-neck option from Abercrombie & Fitch is just the ticket. Made from lightweight, stretchy and breathable motionTEK fabric, you won't want to wear anything else.
The Big Bow Energy
Gali Bow Jacquard Mini Dress
Sister Jane
Bows will always have a special space in my heart, and so they shall also have one in yours by proxy. This pretty pink mini would make the perfect wedding guest dress or for when you want to feel cuter than cute.
The Off The Shoulder
Scorching Hot Mini
Free People
Featuring a drop-waist, an off-the-shoulder neckline, a smocked bodice and a flared skirt all made in a soft jersey fabric, this subtle mini is comfortable and cute.
The Monogram Moment
GG Canvas Dress
Gucci
If you're wanting an investment mini, look no further than a Gucci monogrammed option. This classic shift dress is crafted in brown and beige GG canvas and enriched with vintage GG enamelled buttons. *chefs kiss*
The Cottage-Core
Cream Floral Print Cotton Mini Dress
House of CB
Featuring intricate detailing and inspired by a classic vintage silhouette, this dreamy floral mini is a work of literal art. Cut from crisp stretch cotton and corseted with wired cups, this structured statement will fit all figures like a glove.
The Floral Moment
Coniston Floral Linen Blend Mini Dress
Hobbs
Florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but when they're made in the form of a flowing linen dress, we think they are. Perfect for office days, lunch dates, garden parties and everything in between, we suggest you snap this one up quick as it's limited edition.
Why you should trust me:
I am Hello! Fashion’s Fashion and Accessories Writer. With a love for all things fashion, I can usually be found playing dress-up in my own wardrobe and finding new outfit inspo and DIY musts on TikTok; nothing in my closet is safe from a safety-pin bow embellishment. I have been in the styling world for almost 6 years now, specialising in editorial features, luxury campaigns and music videos. As for the world of magazines, I have worked for various digital and print publications around the world, focusing on fashion. Basically, fashion is my bread and butter.
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