STYLE:
Chasing skirts

Get out your scissors, the miniskirt is back. Again!

by ALEXANDRA SPUNT

A mini history

Like most items with any staying power from the disposable land of fashion, the miniskirt was born in London. Often cited as the mother of the mini, designer Mary Quant—tired of the constraints of women’s fashion—introduced the first short shift dress back in ’58. By the mid-’60s, former bobby-sox babes were cutting their poodle skirts and popping the pill. And let’s not pretend these events were unrelated; it may not have been bra-burning, but the mini played its part on the stage of sexual liberalization. Hey, it’s just hot. And this summer it’s back in full force.

Not that it ever fully left—the mini has made frequent appearances over the decades; in the ’80s it was part of both punk and the power-suit. And for that rare breed of woman who has legs up to her face and not a trace of cellulite (or for those who do, but think it will get them a free drink at the bar), the short skirt has never really gone out of style.

Let us not forget either the mini controversy sparked by Ali McBeal’s barely crotch-covering, cross-examination gear. Perhaps feminists would have been less up in arms if the mini-clad gal hadn’t been a supposed modern woman (or would that be po-mo?) who divided her time between bouts of insanity, bouts of depression, and husband chasing (can anyone say Victorian?). No wonder she had no time for eating. But I digress…

From runway to ruelle

This season (which, in that parallel universe of runway fashion, was actually last fall) put the miniskirt front, centre, and very short. It’s hard to say who did it first; certainly the Prada campaign did not mince images when it showed a Twiggy-like model (hair and make-up in top ’60s form) in an ultra-short tunic dress. But Lagerfeld, Miu-Miu, Cacharel, Vuitton and others all displayed their version of skirts and dresses, tous courts.

If we’re going to ensure that our city lives up to its fashionable rep, ladies, it’s time to pull off those stretch jeans and ride the short wave (as if half the city won’t be naked anyways, as Montreal becomes the Babylonian summer version of itself). A word to the wise though: the mini may be for the low-maintenance girl, but not the no-maintenance girl. Take a look at what’s been going on under your snowsuit. That’s right: time to get back in shape, pull out the home waxing kit, get out in the sun or slap some colour on those pasty, white thighs (they’ve got some pretty decent bottled-bronzage nowadays). And there’s no shortage of mini selection. Here’s a little guide for those who are too short on cash to get their designer short on.

Zara (1500 McGill College)
French clothing chain Zara is unquestionably one of the best rip-off lines in fashion history. They quite obviously send out their spies to the prêt-à-porter shows, and they usually manage to pull off well-cut replicas. This season the store looks like the set of Austin Powers—all short skirts and rainbow dresses, along with simpler black and white versions. One of the sales girls and I had a good chuckle when a manager told me that I wasn’t allowed to take notes in the store. Chill back Zara, I’m not trying to steal your already stolen designs. Prices: $39–$59.

Preloved (4832 St-Laurent)
This store, which happens to be a Toronto import, opened in Montreal last November, continuing the hipification of upper St-Laurent. All the pieces here are original works, made from recycled clothing, and home-sewn in the T-dot. The no-sweatshop factor makes for slightly pricier remodelled vintage garb, but it’s worth it. Variations in jean and cord, as well as some very mini minis, have some customers asking “if those are belts,” says store supervisor Meaghan Kennedy (also a Toronto import). Well done, Preloved. Prices: $59 for your basic mini, up to $85 for more complex designs.

Lolita (274 St-Viateur W.)
The best-kept secret in low-budget shopping, Lolita owner Georgia Karytsiotis, aside from being lovely and affable, has a good eye for second-hand and fair prices. A recent visit to this used-clothing store offered up plenty o’ minis and little dresses. Here, variety is guaranteed, as they add new items to the racks on a nearly daily basis. Prices: start between $10–$15 and move on up depending on the item in question.

Perhaps the best feature of the miniskirt—for those who really choose play over pay this summer—is that a quick closet raid and a pair of scissors can make anyone a swinging-’60s gal.