How to wear a mini skirt: the ultimate style guide

The mini skirt has come a long way since it was first popularised in the 1960’s by British designer, Dame Mary Quant. Appearing in the window of her historic King’s Road boutique, Bazaar, it became iconic in this era and was inspired by the fashion she saw on the streets. She named it the mini, after her favourite car.

While the mini skirt has never gone out of style, it ebbs and flows with its popularity and thanks to Miu Miu, it has had a triumphant return. Granted, their belt style iterations are slightly terrifying.

© Getty

A timeless staple yet quite an intimidating one to wear. It may be mini but it can have a mighty impact on any outfit and makes a bold statement. Whether it’s a night out with the girls or appropriate office attire, the mini can slot into any occasion. 

We’ve compiled 12 style suggestions for you so you can embrace the trend in your 2024 wardrobe. 

1. Classic co-ord

© Christian Vierig

For an effortlessly chic, put-together look, opt for a co-ord. Pairing your mini skirt with a matching top or jacket is a quick way to tap into the trend. A stylish outfit but with zero effort required - that gets a yes from us. For summer, lean into brighter tones or vivid prints to inject some fun into your wardrobe, and can also be paired with other outfits too. 

With its colour-blocking stripes and slit hem, this Staud number will be one of those pieces in your wardrobe you'll reach for year after year. Its bright tones are perfect for summer and will be a piece you'll be packing for your holidays. Just add the matching top to finish the look and you're good to go.

£63.00 AT THE OUTNET

2. Keep it simple

If you want to get on board with the trend but you’re apprehensive about how to bring it into your wardrobe, keep it simple to begin with. Opt for a plain style in a neutral tone so you can easily slot it into your existing wardrobe. You can incorporate colour and texture with the rest of your outfit to spice it up. 

Whilst simplicity is key, it doesn't have to be boring. This subtle asymmetric hem detail adds an interesting touch. Pair this with an oversized, boxy tee, a bright printed shirt or a boxy blazer for a structured feel.

£195.00 AT GANNI

3. Prep school

© Jeremy Moeller

This ticks off two SS24 trends in one go, spotted on the runways of Miu Miu and Gucci. The preppy trend has had a revival and it’s the perfect way to add a mini skirt into your look. Embrace your inner schoolgirl and go for a pleated mini and pair it with a knitted vest, chunky loafers and calf-high socks.

This Zara skirt is giving us serious back to school vibes. If Miuccia Prada says a trend is back, who are we to argue? Pair with a polo shirt, or a vest layered over a shirt. You can even add a tie for go to the top of the class.

£55.99 AT ZARA

4. Printed number

A printed option is a failsafe way to style the ensemble. Whether it’s checked, floral, striped, animal or fruits, it’s the perfect addition for a summer wardrobe. Stick to bright colours and pair with simple accessories to keep it the key focus of your look, or take inspo from Lucy Williams and mix different iterations of the print together.

Florals for spring is a no brainer. We love how this Zimmermann number has a mix of different floral prints in one and its asymmetric shape is so flattering. This is going straight into our basket ahead of holiday season.

£398.00 AT THE OUTNET

5. Denim staple

A denim skirt for summer is a must-have for any capsule wardrobe. It’s a style you’ll be reaching for year after year and can be worn in so many different ways. Take inspo from former Hello! Fashion cover star, Sarah Lysander, and style it with bright colours and stand-out accessories.

If you're beginning to build a capsule wardrobe of key pieces, a denim mini skirt is a must-have. Its such an easy, throw on piece that look effortlessly stylish.

£21.99 AT H&M

6. Luxe leather

© Christian Vierig

We love a leather piece in our wardrobe, so combine leather and the mini skirt and we’ve found the winning combo. Channel your inner biker-chic style and pair it with a boxy tee, chunky boots and a leather jacket - if you can find one to match the skirt then hats off to you!

Featuring a side lace-up detailing and silver hardware, this leather mini is ticking every box for us. Teamed with a graphic tee and chunky boots, its a winner for us.

£339.00 AT SELFRIDGES

6. Bold brights

One for the maximalists: the brighter, the better. Pick a block-coloured skirt and build the rest of your outfit around it. Whether that's using the same colour in different hues, keeping the rest of your outfit neutral to keep focus on the skirt, or pairing with clashing colours for a real dopamine dressing look. 

The brighter, more vivid hue, the better. With its frayed edges and feminine silhouette, this Dolce and Gabbana number is giving us serious Barbiecore vibes.

£675.00 AT NET-A-PORTER

7. Team it with tailoring 

One way to make a mini skirt office appropriate is teaming it with tailoring. Stick to a modest top and pair it with a matching blazer for a sleek, professional feel. Keep shoes a simple court heel, or depending on your office, add a simple, leather knee-high boot and sheer tights. 

We love this pastel toned tweed style from Mango. To wear to the office, we would style with the matching jacket, black sheer tights and a pointed slingback heel. For a more casual feel, add a boxy white tee and layer on some jewellery.

£45.99 AT MANGO

9. Shine bright

© Raimonda Kulikauskiene

Nothing says girls night out quite like sequins, sparkle and OTT. The bold embellishments do all the talking so keep the rest of the outfit simpler - opt for a plain white tee or cami and subtle accessories. 

We love a sequin for a night-out, and this Alex Perry style ticks every box. We'd pair with a glam make-up look, an oversized boxy blazer and either a pointed slingback or a knee-high boot.

£935.00 AT MYTHERESA

10. Total texture

© Edward Berthelot

A way to keep a mini skirt interesting is to incorporate a texture. We love this ruffled number, the fabric also has a quilted floral print on it too. It adds another dimension to it and gives the skirt a focal point, but not too over the top. Think feathers, crochet, ruffles or appliequé.

Crochet is one of those textures we reach for when it comes to holiday season. Wear this Farm Rio mini layered over a bikini beachside with a cocktail in hand and oversized sunnies on.

£155.00 AT NET-A-PORTER

11. Micro-mini

© Christian Vierig

There’s a mini skirt and then you’ve got the micro-mini skirt. Miu Miu spearheaded their return to the fashion scene, introducing them at their SS22 show, and we’ve seen them ever since. If you dare to bare all, style with an oversized long coat, a crop top to show your midriff and classic court heels. 

The tennis-core trend is set to be a big one, so embrace the sports luxe style with thie micro-mini Miu Miu number. Pair with a preppy polo shirt and trainers and its game-time. 

£801.00 AT MYTHERESA

12. Keep it tonal

© Christian Vierig

Choose one colour and style your outfit based around that - don’t be worried about mixing different tones of it. We love how former cover star, Leonie Hanne, has gone for a full oxblood look, a shade we saw all over the SS24 runway, from Hérmes to Versace to Tom Ford.

A leather skirt can be brought out season after season. In the summer pair with a crop top and chunky sandals, and in the winter layer on the oversized knits and chunky boots.

£189.00 AT ARKET

How we chose the pieces:

Aesthetic: I chose 12 different mini skirts and ensured that they were all different, to give a wide range of styles.

Brand: Everything on this list is from a range of brands, from high-street to designer.

Price: From designer delights to high street statements,  I have chosen a range of products from various price points.

Why you should trust me:

I am Hello! Fashion’s Fashion Assistant, with seven years of experience within the fashion journalism industry. I have a love for fashion and spotting upcoming trends, coveted pieces and scouring online for irresistible new-in finds.

HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.