THE ITTY-BITTY-MINI: A MICRO-TREND FOR A MICRO SKIRT
The exponential rise, and dramatic fall, of the viral Miu Miu mini skirt.
By Zoe Constantinidis
Since its debut in October last year, we have seen the infamous Miu Miu mini skirt everywhere. Slung low on the hips of Bella Hadid, Nicole Kidman, Paloma Elsesser, and about 100 other influencers, the garment has become the next It-item of the fashion world. However, where there is a rise, there must be a fall, and with microtrends, the Miu Miu mini skirt is destined to live a mini life.
Since Paris Fashion Week about a month ago The Skirt, as I have now come to call it, has yet to make another grand appearance. No magazine covers, red carpets, or Instagram photos have been taken with The Skirt. It seems the itty-bitty mini has become just another item in a macrocosm of microtrends.
Trends used to last about a decade. Think the 20s slip dress, the 50s swing style, or the 70s bell bottoms. Unfortunately, in this era of quick consumerism, trends have shortened to mere months. Take the House of Sunny dress that went viral on Tik Tok. The green dress was maxi-length with forest green swirls all over, had an overall psychedelic pattern, and consistently sold out. However, months after its viral status, the dress was seen as passe, unwanted, and discarded.
The Miu Miu skirt had an immediate rise to fame. Not even a month after its debut, it was worn by Emily Ratajkowski to the 2021 CFDA Awards, then seen on Emma Corrin, Hailey Beiber, Naomi Campbell, and Hunter Schafer.
But why did this skirt amass such a cult following so quickly, and why has it seemingly disappeared?
There is nothing people love more than nostalgia, and while I cringe to think the noughties are nostalgic now, The Skirt fits perfectly with the Y2K rampage taking over fashion. Low rise, super short, and barely legal, The Skirt was perfect for those looking to dress straight out of the Mean Girls set. It came in various neutral colors from tan to navy blue, had equally scandalous matching tops, and was perfect for eliciting quite the reaction from passersby.
However, what made The Skirt so deliciously attractive is also what has brought its ruin. Primarily, impracticality. There is nothing practical about walking around wearing a glorified belt. I may an exhibitionist, but I too have my days where I would rather not have the entirety of Broadway see my ass. One gust of wind the world will know your business.
In a recent interview with The Cut, celebrity stylist Andrew Gelwicks, whose clientele includes Tommy Dorfman, Catherine O'Hara, and Lisa Rinna, said while the skirt carried the "wow factor to stop someone mid scroll” there was no denying its destiny to live a short life. Most probably because of this generation’s constant pursuit of novelty.
Wow-factor does not stay wow-factor, and with minds fraught with constantly fresh stimulation, The Miu Miu mini revolved quickly through everyone’s feed and now remains a memory in our saved folder for us to rehash when the cycle renews.