7 fall-friendly mini skirts if you’re not ready to give up bare legs

With your summer tan barely starting to fade, it would almost be a sin to cover up your legs already, don’t you think?

For those reluctant to accept the cooling temperatures, we bring you the autumn-friendly mini skirt. With a knee-high boot here and a sweater there, your mini skirts needn’t be banished to the back of your wardrobe quite yet. Here’s how to style your perfect-for-fall mini skirt.

Since its inception in late 2023-early 2024, the Office Siren aesthetic has had social media in a chokehold. Heavily reminiscent of the 90s and 2000s fashion, Office Siren puts a sassy and sexy spin on classic office wear. Luckily for us, the Office Siren aesthetic also provides endless inspiration when it comes to mini skirt outfits for fall. A slim-fit mini skirt paired with a matching fitted blazer, sheer tights, and a fitted button-down makes for a chic yet edgy outfit for fall. Finish off the look with slingback kitten heels and a classic handbag—and maybe also check your workplace’s dress code before showing up.

Knee-high boots are your best friends this season! A pair of tall boots will not only protect your legs from the cold, but it’ll also give your outfit a very season-appropriate fall vibe. You can also add a pair of sheer stockings for added warmth. When styling a mini skirt, any style of tall boots that fits your taste will do. But what are the trendiest boots for AW24? Cowboy boots are a classic, and chunky biker boots are still going strong. Square toes are casual and trendy, but many of the must-have styles for 2024 feature a dramatic pointed toe. These styles are thigh-high, slouchy, or feature a barely-there micro heel. All you have to do now is take your pick!

If you’re as obsessed with Parisian style as we are, you probably have a collection of striped t-shirts and sweaters in your wardrobe. If you want to infuse some classically French elegance into your cold-weather looks, a striped sweater specifically is a great addition to a fall mini skirt outfit. A grey pleated mini skirt paired with a classic striped jumper and chunky black boots make for a chic and fall-ready outfit.

Nothing says fall like tartan, therefore a tartan mini skirt is not only super chic but perfectly in season. When styling plaid or tartan, lean into the punk and grunge aesthetics: a full black look will allow your tartan mini to take centre stage. A black blazer especially will add a more polished vibe to an edgy look such as this. Finish off the look with your favourite sunglasses and knee-high boots.

The key to dressing for fall and winter? Layering. As long as you’re bundled up in thin and versatile layers you can make any look work, no matter how cold outside. A great way to use layering to style a mini skirt during the fall is pairing it with a season-appropriate long coat that you can keep open to show off your look or button up if you get chilly. Pairing a short skirt with a long jacket will also allow you to play with proportions and silhouettes, creating dimension and movement in your look. Outerwear is the hero piece of this look, so make sure you invest in coats and jackets that are not only functional but also add interest and personality to your wardrobe.

A mini skirt can be the chance to go for a high/low look, perfect for a weekend on the town or a casual lunch. To achieve this look, pair your mini skirt with a pinstripe blazer—a mini skirt suit would be ideal in this case, but separates work just fine. The accessories are what really bring this look together: a stretchy jersey headband, tiny 90s sunglasses, crew socks, and chunky Adidas Campus sneakers.

If the autumnal breeze is simply too much for your naked legs to bear, but are still looking for unique ways to style your beloved mini skirt, the noughties have exactly the trend you’re looking for: the controversial skirt-over-pants. A pleated mini over pants—baggy jeans, wide-leg slacks, flared yoga pants…—makes for a perfect fall look that combines a bold attitude with an eye-catching silhouette.

My mum always says that “your legs don’t get cold”. I am a little unsure of what exactly she means by that, but I’ve chosen to interpret it as an encouragement for all of us to not give up on our mini skirts just yet!

Original text: Kayla Kuefler
Updated text and content: Emma Trimboli