Origins of the miniskirt

The miniskirt, a garment with a rich and contentious history, originated in 1962 when London-based designer Mary Quant introduced her first small skirts at her shop on King's Road, Bazaar. Quant described her motivation as wanting to create clothing that allowed women to "move, jump, be alive."

Public reaction to the miniskirt

At the time, the exposure of legs in public was controversial, with some men reacting strongly against it. According to Quant's autobiography, Quant by Quant, men from the City wearing top hats reportedly hit shop windows with umbrellas, shouting "Immoral!" and "Disgusting!" at the sight of miniskirts worn with tights. Coco Chanel reportedly found it "indecent" to "show one's knees."

Miniskirt as a cultural symbol

The miniskirt became a symbol of the Swinging London movement and quickly gained popularity across Europe. By the mid-1960s, French designer André Courrèges further popularized the style during the spring-summer 1965 collection, introducing colorful vinyl miniskirts with a trapezoid cut. These designs were described as "resolutely more futuristic" and "just as scandalous," yet they achieved great success among fashion icons of the time, including Françoise Hardy, Catherine Deneuve, Twiggy, and Verushka.

Modern interpretations of the miniskirt

In recent years, the miniskirt has become a versatile staple in fashion, suitable for various occasions and styles. During the Paris Fashion Week autumn-winter 2026-2027, four distinct silhouettes of the miniskirt were spotted, showcasing its continued relevance. Designers such as Alexander McQueen, Celine, Hermès, and Dior presented various interpretations of the garment. McQueen featured a "all-black" look with a shiny leather miniskirt paired with a leather jacket and heeled boots. Celine's Michael Rider drew inspiration from BCBG silhouettes, presenting a more modest version of the miniskirt with opaque tights and a cape jacket. Hermès honored the miniskirt's origins by pairing it with a turtleneck and colored tights. Dior demonstrated the miniskirt's versatility for evening wear, combining it with a formal Bar jacket and high heels.