I Spent Months Testing Black Skirts—These 5 Styles Earned a Permanent Spot in My Wardrobe
No more gapping at the waist, hallelujah!
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A black mini skirt is one of the hardest-working pieces in any wardrobe. You can style ‘em with virtually anything—an oversized sweater, classic tee, button-down, tiny top, you name it. The problem? Finding the perfect one is a lot easier said than done.
I’ve tried more black mini skirts than I can count, and for years I kept settling for styles that were almost great—the waistband gapped, the hem hit at an awkward spot, the fabric rode up after a few steps, or some combination of all three. In a moment of desperation determination, I decided to make it my mission to find a black mini skirt that would actually check every single box. Spoiler: I fell in love with several.
My top picks for the best black mini skirt:
The Best Overall Black Mini Skirt
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Scarlett Curve Love Mini Skort
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I tested five mini skirts from popular retailers: Abercrombie, Reformation, GAP, Aritzia, and Everlane. Keep reading for my full, honest thoughts on each one.
Best Deal
Pros
- Doesn't ride up, since it's a skort
- Curve love fit eliminates waist gapping
- Longer in the back for added coverage
Cons
- Runs slightly large
A design that takes a mini skirt from good to great? A mini skirt that's technically a skort. Abercrombie's Scarlett Skort was already a best-seller for its invisible shorts lining that prevents it from riding up when you walk and, you know, accidentally flashing someone on the dance floor. Now, it's available in a Curve Love fit with an extra two inches of room through the hip and thigh, plus a slightly longer cut in the back for more booty coverage.
| Material | 66% Recycled Polyester, 32% Viscose, 2% Elastane |
| Colors | 5 |
| Sizes | XXS to XXL |
My Thoughts
Full transparency—I owned the standard (aka non-Curve Love) version of this skirt for over a year, and it was *almost* perfect—except for some major waist gapping. I felt like my prayers were answered when Abercrombie finally came out with a curve-friendly version.
This is basically everything I could ask for in a mini skirt: it's short but not ~too~ short, it doesn't ride up at all, and, best of all, fits like a glove. It also has darts in the back, accentuating my curves for a booty-lifting effect. I've been wearing it pretty much non-stop over the last month, and I'm already picking out which color to buy next.
Pros
- Breathable material is ideal for warm weather
- Comfy elastic waistband
- Scallop waist detail adds visual interest
Cons
- Original linen fabric is sold out
While the linen version of the skirt I tested is sadly sold out, you can still get the same fit in this similarly lightweight viscose version. It's the kind of effortless piece that every wardrobe needs. And even though it's simple enough to go with literally everything from cardigans to camis, it has a delicate scallop detail on the waistband that gives it an extra flirty feel.
Sold on the linen look? The Veranda Skirt is such a good alternative.
| Material | 100% viscose |
| Colors | 4 |
| Sizes | XS - XL |
My Thoughts
This skirt is sooo lightweight and comfortable—it barely feels like wearing anything at all. It has a more flowy silhouette than the other skirts I tested, so it's not quite as form-fitting. The waistband has plenty of stretch, so I can sit for hours without it digging into my skin. I went with my usual size and it fit just right, hugging my waist with plenty of room at the hip and thigh. The only downside? It doesn't have a lining and the fabric is quite thin, making it feel flimsy (albeit breathable). Still, I know I'm going to be reaching for this skirt all summer long.
Pros
- Has a skort lining
- Lightweight linen fabric
Cons
- Doesn't have belt loops like the original style I tried
- Doesn't have the same stretch
Although Gap’s BiStretch Tailored Skort was my original pick, it was apparently just as popular with everyone else—and promptly sold out. But this linen version is a perfect (if not better!) backup, especially this time of year. It comes in petite and regular lengths, and has built-in shorts that make it so much comfier for everyday wear.
| Material | 55% linen, 45% rayon |
| Colors | 7 |
| Sizes | XS - L |
My Thoughts
Surprisingly, this is the mini-est mini of the bunch. I sized down per reviews, but I kinda wished that I had stuck with my true size: the skort liner was tighter and stiffer than the skirt itself and kept riding up when I sat down or walked long distances. I actually ended up cutting out the skort liner (Project Runway, who?), and it fit so much better.
On the bright side, I do love the belt loops, which gave me so many styling options. And most importantly, the side pockets are genuinely spacious—I can fit my phone with room to spare.
Pros
- structured fit is perfect for business casual looks
- crepe fabric looks and feels expensive
- fully lined
Cons
- on the pricey side for polyester
If you're looking for a not-too-mini skirt that looks and feels polished, go for this best-seller from Aritzia. It comes in five different types of fabrics, but I highly recommend this Japanese crepe material. It has a subtle texture and drape-y look that pairs perfectly with other sophisticated separates like blazers and vests.
| Material | 100% Polyester |
| Colors | 5 |
| Sizes | 00 - 16 |
My Thoughts
Okay, office siren! This skirt is ideal for more upscale settings since it's not too short and has a structured silhouette. The crepe material looks luxurious in person, and it's fully lined with a satin fabric that feels soft against my skin. As far as sizing goes, I'd recommend sticking with your true size or sizing up, since it's a little snug in the hips. I love that the darts at the back give me plenty of shape without being skin-tight.
Pros
- Allover stretch fabric is super comfy
- Short but not *too* short
- Versatile A-line silhouette
Cons
- Fits looser in the waist than my normal size
- Classic black is currently sold out
Everlane is one of my go-to destinations for high-quality basics—and this mini skirt is no exception. It's made from a soft cotton-blend fabric that feels thick yet breathable, with plenty of stretch for a comfortable fit. The A-line shape is fitted at the natural waist and flares slightly through the hip and thigh without veering into skater skirt territory. The result? A timeless, understated piece that will take you from weekends to post-work happy hours.
Sadly, the black colorway is MIA from the site (if you’re reading Everlane, please restock!!!) but there is one more size of the all-white. Sure, it doesn’t fit our experiment the same but it is great for the summer.
| Material | 58% Cotton, 38% Modal, 4% Elastane |
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | XS - XXL |
My Thoughts
I totally understand why this mini skirt is called The Dream, since it's comfy enough to catch some zzz's in. Its fabric is stretchy all over, but it holds its shape and looks put-together enough to wear to more upscale occasions. I went with my usual size, and while it's a little looser in the waist than I'd like, it's nothing that can't be hidden with a long top. It's also mid-thigh length, making it a bit longer than your typical mini skirt—so it a great pick for anyone who wants a little more coverage.
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For this specific story, associate editor Lauren Gruber wear-tested five black mini skirts over a period of time, judging the fit, fabric, and performance of each one.
Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.
Lauren Gruber is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with more than five years of professional writing experience. She specializes in fragrance, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, and more. Before her time at Hearst, Lauren graduated from New York University and wrote for Shop TODAY, Entertainment Tonight, Self, V Magazine, L’Officiel, and more. When she’s not researching Prime Day deals or testing the latest perfume launches, you can find Lauren hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater.
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