Hi, this is Hailey, your Aesthetic Sensei. Today's Fashion School lesson: everythiing you need to know about Mini Skirts!
Wearing a mini skirt (or a mini dress) is a fun & fabulous fashion choice, but it can sometimes be tricky.
So, here's a style guide of what you need to know about Mini Skirts, and how to wear them!
Table of Contents
When at first glance it seems highly impractical despite how cute it looks, worry not: we gathered all the fashion tips that you'll need to start rocking the look!
Now, here's everything you need to know about wearing a Mini Skirt.
Aesthetic Fashion History: Mini Skirt Edition!
Mini Skirt History: from Ancient Egypt to K-Pop
Mini skirts have a long and fascinating history that paralleled the most important social movements and feminist-focused fashion revolutions.
Did you know? The first recorded use of mini skirts in history is actually dating as far as ancient Egypt!
Fast forward to our modern era, the Mini Skirt was made popular in the 1960s by fashion designers Andre Courreges in Paris and Mary Quant in London.
Labeled as the feminist's new uniform, the mini skirt revolution has taken the world by storm and shows no sign of slowing down!
According to Mary Quant, mini skirts symbolize "Youth, life, and tremendous opportunity". They are worn as a sign of positivity and light-heartedness among women, with a rebellious side to it that says "I'll just do what I want!"
The mini skirt quickly became a bold statement piece as well as a status symbol, to the point of being adopted by modern women from all over the world, from Jackie Kennedy to Afghan university students!
“They celebrated youth and life and tremendous opportunity. They had a kind of ‘Look at me’ quality. They said, ‘Life is great.’” — Mary Quant
Mini Skirts: Modern Fashion History Timeline
- Ancient Egypt: First documented mini skirts!
- Mid-1950s: Andre Courreges releases his Moon Girl collection, featuring very short skirts and dresses.
- The early 1990s had mini skirts make a come-back, with the golden era of supermodels. The teen movie Clueless, released in 1995, also had a huge influence on the youth, and got the iconic plaid-print, school-uniform like outfit Cher and Dionne have been wearing to become a classic.
- Later on, the Gyaru style took over Japan and the rest of the World by making the school uniform look popular, inspired by popular manga and anime. Along with it came the Harajuku and Kawaii fashion, with lots of colorful, girly outfits.
- In the Y2K years (2000s) in the West, sexy was the way to go, with Y2K pop stars wearing their minis in music videos (Baby One More Time music video by pop star Britney Spears) and the red carpet alike. Fashion icon Paris Hilton leading the way, in denim mini skirts andbold graphic tees.
- In the late 2010s, eGirl fashion had mini-skirts make another ground-breaking come-back, thanks to the rise of social media apps like Instagram, Twitch and TikTok! Famous eGirls like Pokimane and Belle Delphine are wearing them on the daily, and anime Magical Girls like Sailor Moon have made it their uniform!
- Now in the 2020s, K-Pop is one of the most popular music genres on the planet. The typical outfit of our favorite Korean pop stars includes a mini skirt and a cute top. The K-Pop superstar girls band Blackpink wears amazing mini skirt outfits on stage, as they look fantastic and allows to dance comfortably.
5 Tips to Wear Mini Skirts Like a Pop Star!
From wardrobe malfunctions to "feeling naked" - here's how to fix it!
When at first glance it seems highly impractical despite how cute it looks, worry not: we gathered all the fashion tips that you'll need to start rocking the look!
Mini skirts may look great in photographs, but having the confidence to wear one in real life can be challenging, as you may feel very exposed, as well as having to deal with unexpected wardrobe malfunction!
So, how to feel comfortable wearing your Mini Skirt?
A few fashion tips to keep in mind:
1. Wearing heels
If you want to wear heels along with your mini skirt, try to keep your makeup simple and your top a tad bit casual to help keep your look girlish and cheerful.
2. Be comfortable in your skirt
Do not keep pulling it down or tug at it when you sit. This will make you appear self-conscious and no one likes to be around someone who isn’t confident in their own clothes! If you feel the need to pull it, then just go in for a slightly longer skirt the next time!
3. Tight mini skirts
Remember, a tight fit skirt will definitely ride up your thighs when you sit, while a full skirt with pleats will cover more leg. So choose your style that is best suited for the occasion!
4. Minis with built-in shorts...
...are a great idea if you like to be active. Cycle, cartwheel run around and have fun without worrying about your underwear showing!
5. If you are a tall girl...
...with the longest legs around, a mini skirt meant for someone with an average height will look even shorter on you! So be careful when buying a mini, always check the size chart for actual length!
6. Get the right underwear
Avoid wardrobe malfunctions by wearing underwear that provides enough coverage, like boy shorts or opaque tights.
7. Pick the right shoes
Pick shoes that flatter your body shape, that you also can comfortably walk in. Platform shoes are the best option, as they elongate the legs while also providing comfort.
8. Layer and accessorize
if you feel too "naked" and uncovered, don't be afraid to layer up, for example by wearing an oversize cardigan or hoodie with your outfit, or by layering tights and thigh-high socks together.
How to Pick the Right Mini Skirt for your Body Type?
Did you know? The type of skirt that you pick actually matters a lot! Not everyone can wear any type of skirt, but worry not: there are ways around it.
Here are the types of mini skirts that suit you best, according to your body type:
- Skinny: Opt for voluminous fabric
- Curvy: A-Line skirts are your best friends, as well as high-waisted skirts.
- Hourglass: Lucky you, you can wear anything you like!
That being said, pleated skirts are a great option for everone, as they add texture and volume in the right places, while having enough fabric to let you move around easily.
What Mini Skirts To Wear According To Your Aesthetic
Let's practice what we preach! Here is some aesthetic fashion inspo for How to wear a Mini Skirt!
Mini Skirts are an incredibly popular fashion item, for their versatile and attractive look. They are easy to pair with a wide range of clothing items, and are a great match for any aesthetic style.
That's why every aesthetic and subculture adopted it, and really made it their own!
From Dark Academia to Dollette aesthetic, every fashion style has incorporated their own version of a mini skirt in their ideal outfit.
Dark Grunge / Goth / Punk Mini Skirts
Black skirts are a staple to any wardrobe, and even more so for aesthetic girlies with a dark aesthetic vibe.
Coquette / Soft Girl / Dollette Mini Skirts
Pastel colors, ruffles and bows give a lovely elegant vibe to your outfit. Pleated skirts and petticoat styles work best with your aesthetic.
Academia / Preppy Mini Skirts
Nothing says Academia like a plaid skirt! School uniform vibes are achieved by neutral and darker colors.
Harajuku / Kawaii Mini Skirts
Colorful and bold all-over print mini skirts are sure to make a statement. If you are more on the Kawaii side of things, a pastel plaid skirt will add a touch of cuteness to your outfit!
In conclusion...
Mini skirts are present in every aesthetic girlie's wardrobe, as they are fun to style and versatile. If you don't have one yet, we hope this article inspired you to adopt one!
