The 11 Rules for Wearing a Mini Skirt in 2024
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Miniskirts are back, baby! According to data from Lyst and ShopStyle hems are rising in 2024, with the miniskirts swiftly becoming one of the must-have silhouettes of spring and summer. And contrary to what you may think, mini lengths aren’t just appropriate for petite women or those under the age of 25—they can look chic and polished on anyone, provided you know the best tricks to pull them off. And what are those tricks, you ask? Here are my top 11 tips for wearing a mini skirt in 2024 like a stylish adult.
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1. Opt for Skirts That Are Neither Too Tight Nor Too Flowy
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What does this Goldilocks silhouette actually look like? Think slim-cut A-line. Skirts that are too flouncy (i.e. ruffled or pleated minis) can all too easily look very juvenile, and skin-tight pencil skirts or hip-hugging spandex is a bit too sexy for day-to-day. Look for a mini in a somewhat structured fabric that moves away from the hips for that perfect balance between loose and fitted.
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Sézane Malia Skirt
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Lands’ End Button-Up Shirt
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Billini Urson Boots
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2. Don’t Go Too Short
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Your hem needn’t be so high as to run the risk of flashing your undies every time you sit down in order to get the leg-lengthening benefits of a mini. This is especially true for tall women. Look for skirts that hit about three inches above the knee if you feel self-conscious about showing too much leg. They’ll look just as trendy without exposing too much skin.
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Madewell Layton Mini Slip Skirt
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Alice + Olivia April Floral Top
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Open Edit Waistcoat Vest
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ASOS Strut Slingback Heels
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3. Short Skirts and Long Jackets Are a Match Made in Heaven
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Turns out Cake really knew what they were talking about when they wrote the song ‘Short Skirt/Long Jacket.’ The combination of a trench coat or duster and a mini gives the illusion of additional coverage without actually covering up your legs (after all, you chose a mini because you wanted to show off your stems, right?), making the whole thing feel much more grown up. And no, you don’t need to pick a matching set to make this tip work, contrasting colors or fabrics will look just as cool.
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English Factory Knit Pencil Miniskirt
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Everlane Supima Micro-Rib Crew
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Miss Selfridge Faux-Leather Trench Coat
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4. Choose a Top That Strikes a Balance
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Once it gets too warm for outwear, you can balance out a short skirt with a top that offers a bit more coverage. Think long sleeves or a high neckline, like a crew or mock neck. Even if you opt for a tank top, choosing one with thicker straps or a similar high neckline will look more polished for a daytime ‘fit than a delicate spaghetti-strap cami (save those for when you want to turn up the sexiness).
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LOFT Linen-Blend Skirt
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Zara Blurry Print Shirt
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Nordstrom Elsie Flats
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5. Monochrome Is Always a Good Idea
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
This is an especially good trick for petite gals: Layering a navy knit over a navy skirt helps to lengthen your torso and ensure your proportions look right despite a high hem. You can also add in another color, like a lilac blazer, if you want to shake things up, but to be honest, we’ve never met a fully monochrome outfit we didn’t love.
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Babaton Gallerist Skirt
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& Other Stories Linen Blazer
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GAP Modern Crewneck T-Shirt
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6. Keep Things Simple
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
If you love a good print, pattern or texture, then by all means, go for it. But if you’re still wary of how to pull off a shorter hem, keeping things super sleek and simple is a great place to start. A plain white T-shirt tucked into a monochrome, tailored skirt with little to no frills looks chic and polished, whether you finish the look with retro sneakers or a pair of Mary-Jane flats.
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Majorelle Ilena Mini Skirt
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Abercrombie & Fitch Essential Polished Tee
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Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Heels
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7. Stick with Flat Shoes or Low Heels
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
High heels can look super sexy with a mini dress or skirt, but for a casual day look they’re just too much. Flat boots or a low heel—we’re talking two inches max—are not only easier to walk in, they will also help keep your proportions in check.
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Rails Canyon Skirt
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Lamarque Thara Coat
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Dr. Martens 1460 Boots
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8. Try a Smart Matching Set
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Sporting a mini skirt and coordinating cropped jacket has an undeniably posh vibe that feels much more grown-up than a mini on its own. Opting for a tailored set in a neutral hue is a tried-and-true classic, as are more colorful Elle Woods-inspired duos. But you can also opt for classic denim if you like, so long as the pieces lean toward polished (i.e. darker washes with no distressing). As for shoes, try flat knee-high leather boots or flat loafers to keep those professional vibes going.
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J.Crew Denim Mini Skirt
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J.Crew Denim Blazer Jacket
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Aldo Clementinne Slingback Flats
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9. If You Want to Show Off Your Socks, Keep Them Short
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Having a brightly-colored crew sock or ankle-height fishnet peep out from a pair of loafers, flats or sneakers can be a cute way to add some depth to your look. But when worn with a mini skirt, higher socks tend to look very much like a school uniform. Keep your socks to ankle height at a maximum, or at least scrunch them down, unless you’re headed to a Gilmore Girls costume party.
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Maeve Colette Mini Skirt
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Kule The Matey Sweater
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Uniqlo Cotton Socks
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10. When in Doubt, Go the Sporty Route
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Tennis skirts continue to be a major trend for 2024, especially with Zendaya’s hotly anticipated new movie, Challengers. Luckily, they’re incredibly easy to style—just slip into some white sneakers and layer on a sporty polo or neat crewneck sweatshirt—and look cute on everyone. (P.S. Try a skort with no pleats for a more polished effect.)
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Old Navy High-Waisted PowerSoft Skort
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Under Armour Playoff Ace Polo
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Treasure & Bond Shrunken Terry Sweatshirt
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11. Leave the Raw Hem Denim to the Youths
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
It is possible to rock a denim mini like an adult, but it really only works if you opt for a dark wash with neat and polished detailing (like the matching set pictured earlier in this list). Frayed hems, bleaching and distressing at the pockets are just too linked to high school (or at least the early 2000s) in my mind to look chic in 2024.
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