SHORT AND SWEET
Just about every 20 years, hemlines decide to take a vacation and head north. British fashion designer Mary Quant started the whole mini trend in the 1960s, giving women a reason to celebrate the British Invasion in a whole different manner. Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick embraced the trend and women everywhere discovered a new erogenous zone, the leg. Flash forward to the 1980s when the mini made a comeback decked in Lycra. Now this spring, the mini reinvents itself again as a must-have fashion item for every closet.
Showing off legs often stops women from considering the mini as a style to try, but rest assured, hip-grazing skirts can be worn by just about every body type with a little help. Just remember that you don’t have to be super skinny, just knowledgeable enough to know what works for you.
YOU’RE PETITE
Just because you’re shorter than average doesn’t mean you can’t pull off the mini. Look for flirty baby-doll dresses with ruffles or go for an empire waist reminiscent of ancient Greece. You can tone down all the girliness with a pair of wooden heels. Milly Valetta Mini Dress, $290, similar available at Intermix
YOU’RE CURVY
When you’ve got curves, you can show them off with the right mini. Go for an A-line to complement your shape. Leggings or slim pants can flatter your look, or add a pair of short shorts for extra security if this style is too much for you. Just keep in mind, the higher the heel, the less curvy you’ll look. Development Carly Chiffon Dress, $340, www.net-a-porter.com.
YOU’RE TALL
It seems like minis should be easy to pull off when you’re tall, but you have to look for something a bit longer, hitting your legs at mid-thigh, or you’ll be overexposed. Luckily, you can pull off larger prints to offset the shortness of the dress. Add a pair of low wedges to the mix and you won’t seem like an Amazon. Diane von Furstenberg Abel Wrap Dress, $345, similar available at Nora Blue
YOU’RE BOYISH
The leanest of lines can wear the shortest of styles with enthusiasm. While almost any style of mini will work on you, give yourself some curves with a bubble shape, or add a touch of feminine charm with a cinched waist and wedges. BCBG Max Azria Swiss Dot Bubble Mini Dress, $300, BCBG