Mini dress
Mini dress
A mini dress is a short dress with a hemline well above the knee (often mid-thigh). Popularised in the 1960s alongside the mini skirt, the mini condenses attention to legs and hips and shortens proxemic distance in scenes.
History & cultural notes
- Associated with 1960s youth culture and liberation movements; the mini has since signalled youthfulness, defiance, or playful confidence depending on context.
Materials & fit
- Common fabrics: cotton, jersey, silk, synthetics. Silhouettes range from loose A-line minis to fitted styles.
- Practical notes: a shorter hem affects movement; describe how the character manages sitting, crossing legs and wind to keep scenes believable.
Narrative uses & writing tips
- Use minis to emphasise legs and gait—describe stride, the tilt of the ankle, shoe choice and the way fabric moves with hips.
- Tension scenes: short hems create realistic risk (a gust of wind, a rising hem) — use these moments for accidental reveal or a deliberate adjustment to show agency.
Example
"Her mini ended mid-thigh, a deliberate slash of skin when she crossed the room; she walked like she was steering attention with the soft cadence of her heels."
Why it works: kinetic detail (stride, heels) plus hemline placement conveys confidence and intention.