How to Style a Mini Dress

Co-authored by Carla Nelson and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 21, 2023 References

Mini dresses are made to show off your best features, especially in the lower half of your body. With a few simple accessories and outfit changes, you can wear your mini dress on a night out, out to brunch, or even to the beach. Try out a few different styles to pick the one you like most, and don’t be afraid to push some fashion boundaries!

1

Wear low-top shoes to look taller.

Accentuate your legs by keeping your ankles exposed. If you want to give yourself the illusion of height, stick to low top sneakers, heels, and flats.^{[1]
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- It’s totally fine to throw on some ankle booties or lace-up boots too! You just might not get the long-legged look that you’re going for.

2

Balance your exposed skin by covering up elsewhere.

Mini dresses are all about proportions. If you’re heading out without tights, you can cover up your arms with a fitted jacket or a shirt instead of wearing a plunging neckline.^{[2]
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- Fashion “rules” are all just guidelines, so don’t be afraid to play around with them a little bit.
- It’s the same thing in reverse: if you’re wearing tights, feel free to stick with spaghetti straps or a deep V-neck.

3

Add jewelry and a handbag for a night out.

These dresses are sophisticated and chic all on their own. If you’re heading out to hit the town, pick a thin necklace, some hoop earrings, and some shiny rings to make your dress the star of the show.^{[3]
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- Small handbags, like clutches, look best with mini dresses.
- You can wear booties or flats, depending on how cold it is outside.

4

Make a mini dress more casual with a T-shirt underneath.

Not every occasion calls for a glam look. Pull on a solid-colored cap sleeve T-shirt, then throw your mini dress on top.^{[4]
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- If you want to make this look a little more modern, go for a mesh or sheer top instead.
- Pair your outfit with some ankle boots and small hoop earrings for a cute and casual outfit.
- If you want to be bold, try pairing a solid-colored mini dress with an animal print top.

5

Get business casual with a large blazer.

You probably can’t take this to the office, but you’ll still look great. Put on a mini dress and some kitten heels, then pair your look with a large oversized blazer.^{[5]
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- Add a simple chain necklace and some large sunglasses to complete this edgy outfit.
- Pull your hair back into a low bun for an even more professional look.

6

Dress down with sneakers and a jean jacket.

Running errands in a mini dress has never been easier. Put on your dress and add an oversized denim jacket with some low top sneakers.
- Put your essentials into a small backpack or a fanny pack for easy access.
- Pair this look with some simple studs and a few rings.

7

Add sleeves to your dress with a button-down.

If the day is just a little too chilly, give your arms some coverage with an extra layer. Put on your mini dress, then add a button-down on top. To accentuate your waist, tie the ends of the button-down together to make a cropped shirt.^{[6]
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- You can dress up this look with a pair of kitten heels, or you can keep it simple with ballet flats or mules.
- Grab a small handbag and some simple studs to complete this outfit.

8

Keep it cute with an oversized cardigan.

Mini dresses can be a little revealing, and you can tone that down with some knitwear. Put on your mini dress and add an oversized cardigan to look cute and casual.^{[7]
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- Pair your look with some sandals and sunglasses to hit the beach.^{[8]
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  Carla Nelson
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  Expert Interview. 9 February 2022.}
- Or, grab some ballet flats and a clutch to head out to brunch.

9

Go for an edgy look with a leather jacket.

Contrast the sweetness of your dress with a macho outler-layer. Put on your favorite mini dress, then pair it with a black leather jacket and lace-up boots.^{[9]
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- Pair this look with some small sunglasses and a handbag to keep it edgy.
- Throw on some spiked jewelry to really pull this outfit together.

10

Show off a pop of skin with knee-high boots.

This is a look that’s sure to turn heads on a night out. Put on your mini dress and pair it with knee-high or thigh-high boots to show off just a little bit of your legs.^{[10]
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- It might seem counterintuitive to cover up your legs if you’re trying to show them off, but this outfit will actually draw attention to the bit of skin that you’ve chosen to expose.
- Pair this look with a jacket and a handbag to keep the rest of your outfit simple.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you match shoes with a mini dress?

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist
Carla Nelson is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of A Creative Cliché. With more than seven years of experience, she specializes in empowering entrepreneurs and executives through personal styling and shopping, image consulting, and wardrobe edits. She has worked with many brands, including Woman’s World Magazine and L.L. Bean. Carla holds a Bachelor’s degree from Simmons University.

Carla Nelson

Personal Stylist

Expert Answer

When wearing a mini dress, the sky's the limit with regards to shoe pairing options. This is because the short length of the mini dress will not be competing with the height of any shoe options.
Question

Can you wear boots with a short dress?

Carla Nelson
Personal Stylist
Carla Nelson is a Personal Stylist and the Founder of A Creative Cliché. With more than seven years of experience, she specializes in empowering entrepreneurs and executives through personal styling and shopping, image consulting, and wardrobe edits. She has worked with many brands, including Woman’s World Magazine and L.L. Bean. Carla holds a Bachelor’s degree from Simmons University.

Carla Nelson

Personal Stylist

Expert Answer

Of course you can! For a more vintage look, try wearing a pair of over the knee or knee length boots. If you want something a bit more edgy, try a pair of combat boots to give your look a street style edge.