How to Style Mini Skirts for Fall

We might be most accustomed to shorter hemlines in the summer. However, if you’re packing away your mini skirts at the start of fall, you’re missing out on a world of styling opportunity! This is an ideal time to use your mini to show off a great pair of boots (this pair is in my cart), a cozy sweater, or a penchant for layering. In fact, if you’re short like me, mini skirts also have a knack for making short legs look miles long. They’re a favorite in my closet, so let’s talk about how to style mini skirts for fall.

Don’t have a mini skirt you love in your closet? I’ll also be sharing my favorites of the season to get you started.

Skirt | Blouse | Earrings (40% off)| Bag (on sale too!) | Bow Flats

Are mini skirts in style for 2024?

Yes – and YES! Not only did most of the major fashion houses include mini skirts on fall runways, some style insiders (including Hello! magazine and Who What Wear) are calling mini skirt the silhouette of the season. Then there’s Miu Miu. Its Fall 2024 show practically positioned the mini skirt as a uniform! We’ve also seen plenty of celebs dabbling with how to style mini skirts for fall.

Courtesy: Hello! Magazine

Why mini skirts are a smart pick for fall

We all love a one-and-done garment. However, while dresses have long been my favorite for their ease of styling, skirts speak to me because they offer an opportunity to play with texture, line, and proportion. They allow each wearer to tap into their creativity, while also letting mood, weather, and the occasion guide them. It’s such a fun feeling when you pull together a new pairing and just LOVE the final look.

Mini skirts are particularly fun for fall because their shorter hemlines help balance layered looks. Tights, boots, knits… They’re fabulous, but can get a little chunky. The higher hemline of a streamlined mini solves that problem for you, creating interest while keeping your look sleekly elegant.

Sezane’s fall collection is a great example of this, which is why I’m featuring several of their skirts in this post. Browse its skirt collection and you will find copious examples of clever styling. There’s a reason this French brand is a cult favorite!

Knit Top | Knit Skirt | Skirt in Midi Style | Bag | Earrings (40% off) 

How to wear mini skirts in fall

Before we share some fall skirt outfits and how to wear mini skirts in fall, let’s get this question out of the way…

What age is too old for mini skirts?

We need to stop putting age-limits on fashion and personal style. That’s why it’s personal! Every person is unique and will have a different take on what feels appropriate to them. You don’t need to stop wearing mini skirts at 40, or 50… or 30 for that matter. If they flatter you and you feel great in them – rock that mini! At age 40, I still feel 100% comfortable in a mini skirt and I don’t intend to shelf them any time soon.

However, I do believe there are age-appropriate ways to style them. Modesty matters. Consequently, if you’re over 20, you might want to skip the micro-mini and opt for a cut no higher than mid-thigh.

Knit Top | Knit Skirt | Skirt in Midi Style | Bag | Earrings (40% off) 

Getting the mini skirt length right

I stumbled upon this fun analogy via another blog post, good conversations are like mini-skirts: both should be short enough to grab attention but long enough to cover the issue at hand. Funny, right? Couldn’t agree more!

To get more specific, you can use your finger tips as a guide. While “appropriateness” depends on the occasion, if your skirt is shorter than your fingers, there’s a good chance you’re entering risqué territory. When styling skirts for work, I generally eschew mini skirts but might wear one that’s no more than 2 inches above the knee.

Remember too, we all have different figure types and heights. This means, depending on the wearer, a skirt the exact same measurements can look completely different. For instance, a mini that works on my 4’11 frame might look indecent on someone who’s a willowy 6′ tall.

The way you style your mini skirt matters too

• Balance shorter skirts with conservative tops.

You can dial back the flirty nature of your mini skirt with a more classic, covered top. Personally, I love minis with sweaters, blazers, and layered looks. For instance, mini skirts look beautiful paired with a cashmere turtle neck (Quince is my go-to brand for cashmere).

• The shorter the skirt the shorter the heel.

Sky high heels can look a bit jarring with a mini skirt, especially if that heel is a stiletto. While I nearly always favor heels, I will pull out pointed-toe flats when rocking a higher skirt hem. I feel like you can get away with a heel with a mini skirt if it is more substantial, think block heels or a block heel boot. Kitten heels are a great choice too.

• Tights can offset higher hem lines.

If you’re on-the-fence about wearing a mini skirt, consider layering opaque tights underneath. By covering up a little, the length isn’t the first thing that jumps out at people. It instantly dials down the sassy vibe.

Skirt (under $40) | Top | Earrings

How to Style Mini Skirts for Fall

Let’s start with tops…

When styling mini skirts for fall (or winter for that matter), I like to keep two things in mind. First, does the skirt have volume? Pleated minis (like this darling faux leather number from J.Crew and this one from Revolve) are quite popular right now. In that case, I try to avoid adding more volume to the look. Instead, I’d opt for a fitted tee, sleek blouse, or crew neck sweater.

Second, if it’s a sleek mini, how can I balance the look? This means considering whether you want to offset the shorter skirt with a longer layering piece like a blazer, leather jacket, chunky sweater (just got this one from Amazon and it’s really fun to style), or trench coat.

Do I need to add warmth? 

Depending on your location, this can be a critical factor. I live in Indiana and our “fall” weather right now is 90 degrees but can (and often does) change on a dime. My first step is to add tights. In late fall, I make sure to grab my fleece-lined pair. Then, I consider how to “top” the look. This might be a wool pea coat, classic trench (Sezane’s is impeccable), or cozy wool sweater.

Finally, the shoes

Perhaps the most important factor for anyone wanting to know how to style mini skirts for fall is your shoe choice. Hands down, boots are my go-to when creating an outfit with minis. You can opt for a classic knee high (suede is my fav), ankle bootie, or try something mid-calf.

Another option is a sweet, pointed-toe flat or chunky loafer. The “geek chic” vibe is alive and well for 2024. Should you really wish to be fashion forward, you can add a cute ankle sock. I haven’t yet tried that one myself, but am increasingly drawn to the look.

Now, let’s get to my skirt recommendations for fall…

If you click on any of the images below, you can browse the mini skirt styles that are capturing my imagination this season while also gleaning more ideas about how to style mini skirts for fall. There are so many fun styles to choose from!

As a petite (I’m 4’11), finding a mini skirt that is the right length can be a challenge. I’ve found both Sezane and Chicwish‘s mini skirts to have shorter hemlines that most traditional minis, which makes them perfect for us. Let me know if you have fit questions in the comments below. Happy styling and happy fall!