The History of the Miniskirt: From Rebellion to Runways
Nowadays, the miniskirt is a fashion must-have for every woman's wardrobe, but the miniskirt wasn't always such a common fashion piece. Its history is a tale of rebellion, sex, and sixties hedonism. The idea of a shortened hemline dates back as far as 4700BC when Egyptians wore kilt-like pieces, but the miniskirt we know and love today was born out of a youth culture movement that aimed to break free from the repressed post-war 50s fashion. This fashion piece symbolised a political youth movement where teens no longer wanted to dress like their parents. It was a playful, rebellious garment that represented a shift in societal dynamics.
Although there were disputes over who first created the trend, Mary Quant is credited with pioneering 60s fashion in London. Her signature look was super short skirts and dresses that helped to popularise the miniskirt on an international scale.
The Rise of The Mini Skirt
Dame Mary Quant's miniskirt revolutionised the fashion industry by deviating from the traditional knee-length or longer skirts that were popular at the time, but the popularity of the miniskirt can be attributed to several influential figures throughout history.
In 1968, Jackie Kennedy's choice to wear a short white pleated Valentino dress at her wedding to Aristotle Onassis sparked a conversation about the trend. During the '70s, Blondie's Debbie Harry sported miniskirts for many of the band's live performances and concerts. In the '80s, pop icons Madonna and Cyndi Lauper helped popularise the item through their performances and music videos; and the '90s saw Julia Roberts in a micro miniskirt and thigh-high boots in the hit film "Pretty Woman." However, the first actress to wear a miniskirt on film was Brigitte Bardot in Roger Vadim's 1956 film "And God Created Woman"!
This fashion piece has kept changing all the way through the early 2000s with the birth of the micro mini and up until Miu Miu’s spring 2022 micro miniskirt put this back into the spotlight. Today, the trend is back and goes arm in arm with the Y2K fashion obsession. The only difference is that what was once a look perpetuated by mainly tall, thin, and young women, is now a trend for people of all shapes, ages, and gender identities.
Our Vintage Selection of Minis
Petite tailored mini skirt - UK 10
Beige corduroy mini skirt - UK 12
