Women's Short & Mini Skirts

At mini length there is not enough skirt for the hem to do the work, so the waist and the cut of the hip carry the shape. Straight and pencil minis stay close the whole way down; A-line and skater cuts release from the waist and flare; pleated minis in knife, box or accordion form carry their volume in the fall of the fabric rather than across the hip. Skorts lay a panel over a pair of shorts, and wrap or asymmetric hems cut the line on a diagonal.

Rise sets everything else: a high waist raises the whole skirt and lengthens the leg below it, while a low rise keeps the whole piece on the hip. Denim, cotton twill and tweed hold their own structure and stay put; leather and coated finishes stand away from the body; satin, jersey and knit follow it. Ribbed knits and boucle bring texture at close range, and a lining keeps an open weave from riding up.