Not a Mini and Not a Midi—This Trending '90s Skirt Style Is Far More Controversial

As someone who is on the petite side and not very adventurous when it comes to skirts, I'm pretty skeptical when there's a new trend circling, but I can be swayed. One thing that can admittedly sway me is a celebrity endorsement, like the one Elizabeth Olsen just gave what I consider to be the most controversial skirt trend of the season: knee-length skirts.
History shows that everything that was cool in the '90s (see Kate Moss example below) comes back around—even the trends that became controversial after they peaked. Unlike miniskirts, midi, and maxi skirts, knee skirts gained a reputation for being "frumpy" and associated with conservative officewear. But Prada and Miu Miu are working to revive the skirt trend, as a slew of models for the brands' F/W 25 collections wore knee-length skirts on the runways. Olsen, who has been out and about in NYC, paired her black knee-length skirt with a red top, camel-colored jacket, and black pumps. She looked elegant and chic, and anything but controversial. Keep scrolling to see her look and some knee-length skirt inspiration, and shop a few of the most stylish ones on the market.
On Elizabeth Olsen in NYC
On Kate Moss in 1994
On the Prada and Miu Miu S/S 25 Runways
Pictured: Prada F/W 25
Pictured: Miu Miu F/W 25
Shop Stylish Knee-Length Skirts

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
-
Your Ultimate Spring Shopping Spree: 54 Arrivals From COS, Ssense, Steve Madden, and More
All your favorites are here.
By Natalie Gray Herder
-
It's Spreading: Every Day, Another Chic L.A. Fashion Person Is Seen Wearing This Black Pants Trend With Ballet Flats
French girls also approve.
By Eliza Huber
-
My Friend Gave Me a $550 Budget to Update Her Spring Wardrobe—Here's What I Ordered
I narrowed it down to eight key pieces.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
10 Spring Outfit Ideas That Will Make Anyone Look Like a Fashion Person
Bring on the compliments.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
Zara's Linen Collection Is Top-Notch—27 Pieces That Have My Attention
The pants alone are worth checking out.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The Classy Skirt All the Cool Europeans Will Skip Jeans for This Spring
Incredibly elegant.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
Elizabeth Olsen Just Wore These Anti-Trend Heels With Cropped Pants, and It's a 10/10
So elegant.
By Allyson Payer
-
Elizabeth Olsen Could Have Any Bag by The Row, But She Chose This Unexpected One
Surprising.
By Erin Fitzpatrick
-
I Used to Hate This Skirt Trend, But Lucy Boynton's Cute Outfit Made Me Do a 180
True prep.
By Drew Elovitz
-
This Elegant Skirt Trend Resurfacing Just in Time for Spring Was Destined to Happen
Follow Zoë Kravitz's lead.
By Nikki Chwatt