André Courrèges, a French designer, helped bring the trend to his country, selling his own take on short skirts. However, his designs tended to be more structured and sophisticated than Quant’s. This made the mini more acceptable to the French public, and thus more popular, since it wasn’t a grand departure from the chic styles they were used to. 

We can also credit British culture – and its popularity in America – with popularizing the miniskirt. Models like Twiggy, with her iconic mod schoolgirl look, set a new standard for beauty that was a departure from the glamour of previous decades. Mod girls also popularized tall socks and go-go boots, which would usually be worn with the miniskirt.

Overview

The miniskirt was born from youth culture and a desire for things that were fresh, fun, and flirty, much like the young people of the sixties. This new look appealed to young people, who wanted to distance themselves from the older generation and express their own views. This desire for autonomy was reflected in the women’s liberation movement, which was gaining popularity during the decade. The miniskirt was a popular choice for independent, revolutionary women of the decade.

Additionally, the British Invasion and mod culture helped bring the miniskirt to the forefront of fashion. Previously, everyone looked to France to set the trends but the miniskirt showed that new looks could come from all around.

Today, the decision to slip into a mini doesn’t have to same type of political weight that it did in the ’60s but it does show how trends and politics can go hand in hand. So rock your miniskirt with pride – and when you do, take a second to remember where it came from.

Shop the Trend: Cute & Affordable Miniskirts

Below, I’ve included a few examples of budget-friendly miniskirts in case you now want to buy one of your own!