# Miniskirts -- definition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 1, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439 "2018-05-01T22:06:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/21 "2018-05-02T12:45:55Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > [Check this photo from 1973](https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/burst-joy/). That’s a POW returning to his wife and kids. The older daughter is wearing a miniskirt. The wife’s skirt, while several inches above the knee, is definitely not a miniskirt. > > [Here’s a different shot](http://colt10mm.com/thoughts/the-story-of-robert-stirm/) with the wife and daughter next to each other. You can see the difference more clearly. [tangent] Darn… Such a joyful photograph of a POW returning after 5 years to his family. The article with the first photo says he had received a “Dear John” letter from his wife 3 days before the photograph was taken. That sounds quite harsh, but it seems a tall order to expect woman to wait 5 years after thinking her husband died, especially in 1972. Sad. [/tangent] ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/22 "2018-05-02T14:22:53Z")
I think “miniskirt” applies to anything above the knee, but I wouldn’t single it out and say “that’s a miniskirt” unless it was mid-thigh or higher. I’d just say “skirt”. In fact I rarely use the term miniskirt because they’re much more the norm rather than the exception these days. “Long skirts” are more apt to be commented on, being less common. Also, the Marcia Brady skirts that flare seem more stereotypically miniskirt-ish than the tight fitting ones linked in the OP. It’s a term with two meanings. The generic “skirt shorter than X” meaning, and the more specific “style of skirt that was popular on teenage girls in the early 70s” meaning. In my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/23 "2018-05-02T14:45:09Z")
The year was 1968. We were on recon in a steaming Mekong delta. An overheated private removed his flack jacket, revealing a T-shirt with an ironed-on sporting the MAD slogan “Up with Mini-skirts!”. Well, we all had a good laugh, even though I didn’t quite understand it. But our momentary lapse of concentration allowed “Charlie” to get the drop on us. I spent the next three years in a POW camp, forced to subsist on a thin stew made of fish, vegetables, prawns, coconut milk, and four kinds of rice. I came close to madness trying to find it here in the States, but they just can’t get the spices right! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/24 "2018-05-02T16:34:40Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > See, you present this as fact, but I totally disagree. To me, they are BOTH wearing miniskirts, just one is shorter than the other. The second (color) photo looks like the mom’s skirt is shorter than in the first. To me, in the first photo, the mom’s skirt is just the normal skirt length, while the daughter’s are definitely mini. In the color photo, it looks to me like mom’s skirt is also a miniskirt, albeit a longer one. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2018, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/25 "2018-05-03T09:16:45Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > The pictures with the slightly longer skirts are still miniskirts, IMHO. They’ve just trended upward depending on fashion cycles. Sometimes it depends on how it’s worn. A few years back I decided to try some short skirts on and the storeseller/designer, seeing me place their waistband at my actual waist, said “no, no, it goes lowe… huh. Huh! It goes just fine there, for you!” Having them ride where he thought I should would have required three sizes more and left them below the knee instead of above. I currently own a minidress which reaches below my knees if I stretch it all the way, mid-thigh to failing that bill test y’all describe depending on how much I bunch it up. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2018, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/26 "2018-05-03T09:49:01Z")
I always thought that if the girl can stand up straight and curl her fingers below the hem, it’s a mini. If the hem is above her wrist with arm straight down, it’s a micro. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/27 "2018-05-03T11:14:54Z")
I read somewhere that pantyhose was what allowed miniskirts to happen. Nobody wanted to show the stocking tops or garters but pantyhose made the higher hemlines possible. Now it does not matter since hose is rarely worn . ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/28 "2018-05-03T13:19:38Z")
Next topic: Long Jackets! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/29 "2018-05-05T12:21:35Z")
or Daisy Dukes which look just as good as mini skirts and sometimes even better. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/30 "2018-05-06T02:45:21Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I always thought that if the girl can stand up straight and curl her fingers below the hem, it’s a mini. If the hem is above her wrist with arm straight down, it’s a micro. This was pretty close to the definition from my high school except it was touch the hem not curl her fingers. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/31 "2018-05-06T10:12:09Z")
Enough about mini-skirts, who remembers midi and maxi-skirts?😃 As I recall, maxi-skirts were ankle length and were a rebellion to the rebellion that mini-skirts brought about. Midi-skirts (below the knee) followed. I remember the sadness my pre-pubescent self felt when maxi-skirts started appearing. ☹ Fortunately they didn’t take off (no pun intended) and hot pants were the rebellion to the rebellion of maxi-skirts!:eek: ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/32 "2018-05-06T15:42:10Z")
I was 16 when minis had their greatest influence, right in the middle of the most appreciative demographic. While I would certainly look when presented with one, I found far more exciting a long skirt with a slit up to _here_. Even then I felt that the tease is mightier than the show. [Bob Theiss](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheissTitillationTheory) was my god. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/33 "2018-05-06T16:49:21Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Enough about mini-skirts, who remembers midi and maxi-skirts?😃 As I recall, maxi-skirts were ankle length and were a rebellion to the rebellion that mini-skirts brought about. Midi-skirts (below the knee) followed. > > I remember the sadness my pre-pubescent self felt when maxi-skirts started appearing. ☹ Fortunately they didn’t take off (no pun intended) and hot pants were the rebellion to the rebellion of maxi-skirts!:eek: They’re all good. Well, except for gauchos. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/34 "2018-05-06T17:05:57Z")
I remember, back in the day, when they were really, [really short](http://aws-cf.caradisiac.com/prod/photos/7/1/6/342716/2653804/img-2653804f3c.jpg?v=6). Like I don’t know how girls could walk with out them riding up to their waist. > [@Leaffan](#): > > I don’t know the definition, but I know one when I see one. This. Think Saved By The Bell. [Kelly](https://eurolade.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/d3461-savedbythebell-kellykapowski-skirts.png?w=640&h=375) regularly wore miniskirts, as did Lisa and to a lesser extent (maybe) Jesse. But in any case, when I think mini skirt, I think of Kelly. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/35 "2018-05-06T17:10:06Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > Enough about mini-skirts, who remembers midi and maxi-skirts?😃 As I recall, maxi-skirts were ankle length and were a rebellion to the rebellion that mini-skirts brought about. Midi-skirts (below the knee) followed. > > I remember the sadness my pre-pubescent self felt when maxi-skirts started appearing. ☹ Fortunately they didn’t take off (no pun intended) and hot pants were the rebellion to the rebellion of maxi-skirts!:eek: On a semi related note: A few years ago I was talking to a (female) friend that’s a few years older than me. We were talking about the current dress and makeup style of high school kids. I was telling her how much older the ‘smokey eye’ makes girls look and commented on the really tight leggings. I mentioned that I didn’t know if, when I was in high school girls didn’t look like that (regarding their figure) or if I just didn’t notice. Her response: We looked exactly the same, we were just covered in baggy jeans and oversize flannel shirts. You can probably guess when I was in high school. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/36 "2018-05-07T04:53:10Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I remember, back in the day, when they were really, [really short](http://aws-cf.caradisiac.com/prod/photos/7/1/6/342716/2653804/img-2653804f3c.jpg?v=6). Like I don’t know how girls could walk with out them riding up to their waist. That’s a textbook example of a micro-mini. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/37 "2018-05-07T05:37:18Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > That’s a textbook example of a micro-mini. _Back in my day_…I’m sure there were different terms for different lengths, but I (personally) don’t recall hearing anything other than ‘mini-skirt’ when it came to short skirts. But, still, when I think of a mini-skirt, I typically picture a skirt that’s short enough that you’ll notice that it’s short and typically form fitting, something [like this](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASBz3BdOfe0/UYQMATbvO1I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/TMdhuLJprko/s1600/img-thing.jpg). Or course, there’s plenty of counter examples. [Not particularly tight](http://the12ishstyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/KatieSturino_9-683x1024.jpg)\*. On Friends, they wore a lot of short, but not mini skirts, but the tight tops they wore still gave the impression of being mini-skirts. Probably splitting hairs at this point. I think a lot of this stems from growing up in the 90’s and watching Friends and Saved By The Bell and all the other shows with similar wardrobes. \*Fun fact:This girl is (was) married to The Fat Jew. I went to school with her and her sister. ---
**Author:** ![Arabella\_Flynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@Arabella\_Flynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arabella_Flynn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/38 "2018-05-08T04:11:44Z")
My theory was always that it was a miniskirt if you imagined running for the bus and thought, “Hm. I should make sure my panties match the rest of my outfit.” It’s a micro-mini if you think the same thing standing still in front of the mirror. 😃 (While I am not a certified expert, I do costume theatrical and dance productions, and am noted for being a snappy dresser. I’m being a bit facetious, but 90% of my job there is just _knowing what things are called_ so I can google you up a cheap one.) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/39 "2018-05-08T05:39:53Z")
I am reminded of the shortest miniskirt I ever saw. It was the wee hours of the morning in a 24-hour Subway sandwich shop near one of Bangkok’s red-light areas. This very pretty Thai lady came in with a Western man. Her skirt covered only the top half of her butt. Barely. And she was not wearing any underwear. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439/40 "2018-05-08T05:44:50Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I am reminded of the shortest miniskirt I ever saw. It was the wee hours of the morning in a 24-hour Subway sandwich shop near one of Bangkok’s red-light areas. This very pretty Thai lady came in with a Western man. Her skirt covered only the top half of her butt. Barely. And she was not wearing any underwear. At some point right around that skirt length, the definitions of “skirt” and “belt” begin to conflict. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miniskirts-definition/813439.md?page=3)