How short is too short?

[skirted84]

Today I received a skirt ordered from Urban in the UK. Its a mini skirt alright, a mere 12.5 inches. Basically a denim mini kilt, though no wrap and just a few pleats consistently around. Only JUST covered my underwear and thats standing still. Just bending or sitting or even stairs would give a clear view. Undershorts or leggings would only defeat the purpose of a skirt. Returned.

In reality even very few women would gladly wear it, maybe young attractive women with no care for modesty within societal imposed decency, and it would be great if the same standards were applied regardless of age or gender. In reality its still a fight for "any" skirt being acceptable for men which we have more or less succeeded in.

So what are your own limits? Mine is about 16 inches which is about halfway butt to knee, takes some care sitting or bending but not unreasonable.

[DrFishnets]

My limit is 16 inches too which is halfway butt to knee. If I was to wear a very short mini skirt I’d wear black opaque 100 denier tights. Most of the time I wear skirts that are down to the knee or midi and maxi skirts down to the ankle with 10 denier sheer black tights/pantyhose. When I’m wearing my t-shirt mini dress I wear ripped legging with fishnets underneath.

[denimini]

I often wear 12.5" mini skirts in public and 10.5" around home without being too worried about visitors.

[Kirbstone]

You've got the climate for those, Anthony. Even 16" is way too short for me.

Curiously, I like a little movement in skirts, conferred by flare and extra length. Pleats help too. For me at 6' 2", the hem of a 20-incher still falls well above the knee, but is not quite mini. I am more comfortable with that.

Tom

[kingfish]

My personal comfort level starts getting eroded at around the 16" length, or about halfway to the knee.

For my wife (on me) the limit is about a couple inches above the knee. Maybe I shouldn't have intentionally picked something off the floor by bending at the waist in one of my 16" skirts. That length from then on was considered too short by her. In my defense, I was feeling a bit frisky, and we were at home alone at the time.

My hard limit is when it the risk of exposure becomes inevitable. In other words, increasingly risky (or should I say racy) is okay as long someone is practiced well enough to confidently prevent accidental exposure.

And that exposure comes in the form of exposing the undergarment (or worse) under normal circumstances. If you flash "it", score one for who calls you out.

[Kieran]

Mini skirts (about 15 - 16" length) are what I typically wear and feel most comfortable in. Haven't tried anything shorter but wouldn't rule it out completely if it suited my body and I was also wearing tights underneath.

[Modoc]

I wear skirts in many different lengths, but I don't think I would ever go out in anything more than 2 inches above my knee. I'm not sure how that measures up in the skirt world because the waist heights vary.

[denimini]

I just measured my default cargo mini skirt that I wear everywhere; meetings, shopping, visiting and just now riding my bike to the general store ........ including the dog leg lift mounting technique. 12" and no problems.
PS: I don't wear hi-vis unmentionables; black is the go and is difficult to distiguish anything between shadows and black bicycle seat. Also I am 5'7" after being stretched on the rack for an hour, so I guess an equivalent for a 6'2" person would be 13.5".
So to answer the thread title: I think that less than 10" would be too short for a person of my "stature".

[Faldaguy]

Wow, something of a surprise. I've never really 'measured' the skirts, only guessed, so with this thread I got out the tape measure -- grabbed a handful of what I considered my "shorter" skirts -- mostly about 16"; one very short at 14" and the others plus or minus a bit. I do have a couple even shorter, but not for any routine wearing -- maybe about the house on hot day without company; perhaps a party??? -- a swim cover or wrap at the beach, but even 16: leaves one vulnerable to exposure in routine daily activity, unless you are extremely diligent, and even with years of wearing, I'm not always that aware or careful. It turns out the picture I posted a few days ago in "pics" https://photos.app.goo.gl/dtZonzKQFyv5to3b6 is 16" on a 6' frame, and feels quite short to me, although I have worn it out for a walk or casual shopping on a summer day. I think it takes about 19-20" to be fully "secure" and even then the wrong cut, gust, or move will present more than the skirt covers.

As others have mentioned, pleats, and fuller skater, circle, A-line and lighter fabrics may mold to your body in ways that help provide conventional modesty. Obviously one's choice, or lack, of undergarments is going to impinge a good deal on viable lengths. Setting, and one's personal sense of decorum along with social customs are going to guide that choice too. Back in our hippie days, it was not uncommon for the women to wear some very short skirts with only cautious posture for modesty as the social norms were loose; & today the fashion trend not only grants a minimum of coverage, but seems to encourage women to be a bit risqué but without crossing the line into tawdry or vulgar -- one heck of a balancing act; but the bodily freedom granted women vs men still limits our skirt length.

[Seb]

For me maybe 10cm above the top of the kneecap - same thing for shorts though. If I have leggings or tights I can go to halfway down the thighs without feeling uncomfortable.

[Mouse]

This is a decision for each of us and obviously we are all different. A quick measure has resulted in my answer being 13" with a few others being on the 14" mark.
This is it:-

Here I am wearing a black catsuit, so whatever happens I am totally covered. This was a trip out in January, where the skirt was just providing a bit of colour to the outfit.

The same skirt from last summer, but I am still wearing a leotard, which has everything covered, so I am personally happy.

This is just my opinion and where I am in my journey.

[JeffB1959]

The shortest skirt I've ever owned was 15 inches, considering I stand six foot two in my bear feet, that length would be extremely short on me.

[Ray]

18 inches is my minimum. I’m more comfortable at 20 inches.

[skirted84]

UGG boots Mouse? I have these too and live in them!

[moonshadow]

How short is too short?

Depends on who you ask.

As for me, I like skirts from the knee to the calf. I very seldom wear anything above the knee.

Keep in mind I've got somewhat of a belly, so very short or skin hugging skirts don't look right on me.

My body is basically a bowling ball on toothpicks, so I like longer skirts to help with my overall shape.

On the other hand, I've seen thin guys totally rock some mini skirts.

IMO, it really depends on your body shape.