We covered Maxis and we covered Midis. So this leaves …Minis, of course! The cute young flirty dresses are the ultimate summer essential. Maxis and Midis have been there for centuries, midis have only really entered the fashion world in the 1960s. And ever since they have been adapted to trends and with that, maintained their place in the department stores. And in our summer dresses selections.
Ever since the beginning of emancipation, a girl’s wardrobe cannot be imagined without Minis. Once perceived as provocative, rebellious, and as an expression of female empowerment and freedom, mini dresses have developed into a flirty and young wardrobe piece that we wear for nights out and – of course – during the summer season.
The evolution of the Mini
The mini skirt’s origin is Ballet. The dancers originally wore tights, a body, and the well known tutu skirt. The skirt was then developed into Mini dresses and skirts made from everyday material. Although style icons like Josephine Barker have already played with the idea of mini skirts as costumes back in the 20s, the Mini’s main public appearance and following pupillary was when style icons of the 60s started wearing them. And when speaking of the history of Minis, one person must of course be named: Mary Quant. The London designer realized early on the rising hemlines she saw at the local street styles and adapted her designs. Quickly after that, french designer houses like Courrèges and Jean-Paul Gaultier picked up on the trend and fully introduced the new silhouettes to the fashion world.
From left to right: 1. Twiggy wearing a mini dress for Vogue Australia in 1968 2. Yoko Ono marrying John Lennon in 1969 wearing a Mini 3. Michael Kors Spring Summer 1988 runway show. 4. The core 90s supermodels walking in all mini dresses for Gianni Versace in 1991. 5. One of Donatella’s first collections for Versace in 1997. 6. Sarah Jessica Parker wearing the infamous ‘naked dress’ on the set of Sex and the City in the late 90s. 7. Marc Jacobs bringing back A-line shaped mini dresses from the 60s in his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. 8. Miu Miu re-introducing ultra-minis in the house’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection
Classic summer dresses: Mini
For a classic mini dress in summer, go with a clean cut. A clean cut will even take you from summer to winter, simply add some tights. A clean cut can be the ultimate classic piece, a little black dress or a T-shirt style. For a 60s vibe with a touch of 90s elegance – so a timeless mix – style your dress with kitten heels from Miu Miu. To give it a summery touch add oval Saint Laurent sunglasses and a raffia bag from Loewe.
Staud
Valentino Garavani
Style with
Elegant summer dresses: Mini
For an elegant mini dress there are plenty of dainty, more sexy styles. Or kind of the opposite, a clean cut button down style mini dress. Add a pair of structured earrings from Jil Sander. Then, pair them with heels to highlight the legs. Or swap them for flats from Clergerie an easy stroll around town on vacation nights. Finally, add a little top-handle purse from Longchamp.
Clio Peppiatt
Alaïa
Style with
Casual summer dresses: Mini
It’s denim, jersey – or cotton – when it comes to casual summer mini summer dresses. This could even mean interpreting the ‘naked dress’ in a new and casual way. Pair your dress of choice with a Prada beach bag, some Jimmy Choo leather slippers, and asymmetrical pearl earrings from Cos.
Frame
Saint Laurent
Style with
Playful summer dresses: Mini
Playful mini dresses allow you to really play with shapes and silhouettes. So try a lot of volume or something semi-sheer. Style the mini with pvc heels from Amina Muaddi, a little party bag from Ganni, and – in contrast – a bone bangle from Tiffany.
Cecilie Bahnsen
Loewe
Style with
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Weekly inspiration
The Olympics are still in full effect. And whether you’re actually following the sports or just enjoy the entertainment side of things, Snoop Dogg cannot be missed. The rapper got sent to the Olympics to cover and entertain for the US. And he’s doing beyond well as he is the main character in many news. So Vogue checked in with him to get some ‘inside my bag for the 2024 Olympics’ details