After a Month of Testing Black Mini Skirts, These Five Made the Final Cut
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In an attempt to make getting dressed a little easier, I've spent a ton of time and energy curating a wardrobe of versatile basics. It's taken me literal years but I've managed to track down jeans that hug my hips just right, a classic white T-shirt that isn't see-through, and a bra that actually fits my chest properly. The one item I can't seem to pin down? The perfect black mini skirt.
Trust me: I've tried dozens of different styles, and ended up settling for pieces that were almost right but had some flaw that kept ruining my outfits. Either the waist was gapping, the length was awkward, the skirt would ride up when I walked, or some combination of all the above. So, I made it my mission to finally find a black mini skirt that ticks all of my boxes—and I ended up falling in love with several...
My top picks for the best black mini skirt in 2025:
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
Glowing customer review: "The skirt fits perfectly and is such a cute basic to have. I love that it is a skort so I don’t have to worry about the length or it riding up or down."
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
- fabric is on the thinner side
This Reformation skirt looks to be the quintessential pick for summer. Between its breezy A-line silhouette and oh-so-crisp linen fabric, 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. Note that Reformation's website doesn't have a review section, so you're going to have to take my word for it!
- Material: 100% Linen
- Colors: 4
- Sizes: XS to XL (plus size version only comes in white)
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 belt loops and a skort lining
- comes in mulitple lengths
- pockets are spacious enough to fit a phone
Cons
- skort lining rides up
Hear me out: More skirts should have belt loops. Why, you ask? Because belts prevent bottoms from slipping down *and* they give your outfits some more personality. This pick from GAP boasts belt loops, as well as a skort lining and pockets. Just note that shoppers say it runs large and recommend sizing down for a proper fit.
- Material: 95% Recycled Polyester, 5% Elastane
- Colors: 2
- Sizes: XXS to XXL, plus tall and petite lengths
Glowing customer review: "Very classy A-line skort, can dress up or down, a staple in a capsule wardrobe!"
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 to 16
Glowing customer review: "This skirt is such a staple! The length is great - not too short but not too long. "
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
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.
- Material: 58% Cotton, 38% Modal, 4% Elastane
- Colors: 4
- Sizes: XXS to XXL
Glowing customer review: "This is by far the most comfortable mini skirt I've ever purchased! The waistband is very stretchy. The material feels really good quality and seems wrinkle-resistant when I wash it and travel with it."
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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Cosmo's team of digital fashion and lifestyle experts have decades of combined experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds—testing many brands IRL—to bring you the best clothing, accessory, home goods, and gadget picks for every season. Basically, we’ve curated the internet to bring you the chicest options like it’s our job (because it is, heh).
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.
Lauren Gruber is an commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Country Living, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight, Shop TODAY, USA Today, Self Magazine, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
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