Time for another Smash the Fashion Rules road test. The Fashion Rules dictate that you mustn’t even consider a mini once you’re over 30. Pish tosh! Think you might be too old for a mini? Don’t worry, I’ve got the skinny on how to wear a mini when you’re over 30!
Winter is the perfect time to wear a mini, if they’re not usually on your fashion radar. They are the perfect foil to oversized chunky knits, and go beautifully with leg-flattering opaque tights and boots. Just the thing to keep you feeling sassy in winter. Nothing like a bit of Smashing the Fashion Rules to keep you toasty warm too!
How to Wear a Mini when you’re over 30
Add some detail up top:
Pop on some detail up top, like a scarf or statement necklace. This will help draw the attention to your face.
Keep the fit relaxed up top:
Don’t forget the golden rule. If you’re wearing tight clothing on your bottom half, keep it loose and relaxed up top. It creates a visual illusion that your legs are longer and leaner than they really are.
Go for a tube style in stretchy ponte:
A tube style in stretchy ponte or thick jersey, especially if it has panels or built-in contouring, is the perfect style to carry off this look when you’re over 30. Love the sucker-innerage of that miraculous fabric called ponte!
A short flippy skirt is a lovely look but can be quite ageing if you’re not quite so young. Obviously, you’re still lovely! However, don’t worry if you love full skirts. A full skirt worn on the knee, and teamed with a fitted top tucked in and a waist defining belt, is very flattering, no matter your age.
Lengthen legs by keeping it tonal below:
A great way to lengthen your legs is to keep your colours tonal. Here, I’ve teamed a black skirt, black tights and black boots, with colour up top, but it would work equally well with tonal colours in blue or grey or green or maroon, with the skirt as a contrasting pop of colour.
Shop my Style
1. Aztec Knit Skirt by Fate from The Iconic $69.95
A neutral pattern in a flattering stretch fabric with a horizontal pattern to really play up your gorgeous curves. Team with pops of bright colour as the neutral pattern can take it! Click here for more details.
2. Hypnotise Skirt by Junk from The Iconic Reduced to $54.98 from $109.95
Glamorous sequin stretch mini. Because of the structured shape of the skirt, I would break my own rules and wear with a pop of colour silky tank tucked in, a statement waist belt and a satin tuxedo jacket. Employ the leg lengthening technique with black opaque tights and black bootees, and you’re hot to trot for a sexy date night. Click here for more details.
3. Embossed Panel Skirt by Motto $59.95
This is the skirt I’m wearing in this post. It has a curved front panel of embossed stretch jersey with the other panels of plain stretch supreme jersey. It’s slightly thicker and therefore warmer for the cooler months, plus holds you in beautifully. Click here for more details.
4. Highway Panelled Skirt by Decjuba from The Iconic $69.95
This stretchy ponte skirt features an on trend leatherette panel down the centre front, a high waisted cut and a double vent at the back hem. The high waisted cut allows you to alter the length of the skirt by pulling it higher or lower on your body, as desired. Feeling ladylike? Wear it lower. Feeling a bit cheeky? Higher it goes! Click here for more details.
5. Metallic Knit Skirt from Glassons Reduced to $20 from $39.99
A groovy take on the mini skirt trend. This one is slightly shorter but because of the elasticated fabric, can be worn lower on the hips if you prefer. Would look fabulous with all black. Wear it as casual glam style by teaming it with an oversized knit, thick tights and black flat ankle boots. Click here for more details.
Of course, rules are made to be broken. If you’re comfortable wearing a mini skirt at any age, then go for it! If you’re a bit nervous and think you might be getting a bit old to pull it off, follow my guidelines to give you some confidence. My idea of a mini skirt is a hem that finishes above my knee. When I was younger, it was a hem that finished considerably higher. If you’ve got legs and confidence, then fill your boots and wear any length you fancy. Now, go out and there and take your legs for a twirl!
If you decide to mini it up for a change, I’d love you to share your pictures with me. Just tag @kimbalikes on Instagram and Twitter, or share a photo on the Kimba Likes Facebook page!
Kimba Likes Style Notes:
Customised Alannah Hill hairbow – purchased from Alannah Hill Birkenhead Point
Brown Sugar Wave Knit Top – gifted from Brown Sugar. Reduced to $59.95 from $119.95
Brown Sugar Wave Knit Infinity Scarf – gifted from Brown Sugar. Reduced to $19.95 from $59.95
Brown Sugar Milano Knit Biker Jacket – gifted from Brown Sugar. Sold out
Motto Embossed Panel Skirt – purchased from Motto
Berlei Dig Free opaque tights – purchased from Berlei
Seed Black Ankle Boots – purchased from Seed last season (inspired by Acne Pistols)
Kimba Likes Image Credits:
Images created by Kim-Marie Williams using PicMonkey
Product images from Motto, The Iconic and Glassons
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I was not remunerated or compensated in any way, shape or form for this post.
You can trust Kimba Likes to keep it real. Just how I roll, baby.