Shoes to Wear with Short Skirts

The whole point to wearing a mini skirt is to show off your legs. But the wrong footwear choice can actually call attention to things you'd rather not emphasize. Below are a few of the best choices in shoes to wear with short skirts, as well as a few styles to avoid.

Rocket Dog 'Jade' - A great, casual look with a mini skirt

Flip-Flops: If you're going super casual, flip flops or other flat sandals are a great look. If the skirt is simple, such as a denim mini, you can really perk up the look with a sandal that has beading, sequins or metallic detailing.

Sneakers: It's definitely a casual look, but sneakers can work well with a short skirt, like a denim mini. Avoid puffy, cross-trainers, and stick with a streamlined classic. Keds would have a cute, somewhat preppy look, while Converse would add an edgy/urban twist.

Wedge Sandals: Mini skirts are all about the legs, and there are few things on earth that emphasize one's legs more than a pair of wedge sandals. Espadrille, bohemian, strappy and woven styles all look great, but remember they should be sandals - as in open-toed. A closed-toe wedge is a little too heavy for a casual short skirt.

Flats: Due to the fact that they can add "heft," ballet flats and skimmers don't work very well with longer skirts. But with they can look great with short skirts. Look for a pretty, simple style (nothing too fussy), and pair it with a casual or semi-casual mini for a look that's all leg, and all feminine.

Tall Boots: Knee-high boots, or boots that fall just below the knee have become a short-skirt staple, especially in cooler weather. Flat or heeled, and with or without tights, tall boots are an ideal match for shorter skirts, but the boots should be simple in design. Brown and black are especially good colors for this look.

Kitten Heels: Kitten heels are usually a rather delicate style of shoe, so they can work very well with short skirts. Thongs, slides, and strappy sandals with a small, low heel help accentuate the "leggy" look you hope for with a mini skirt.

Shoes to Be Careful With

What we see on the runways isn't always the best look for real life, or all body types. While some of the following shoes can look really hot when paired with mini skirts, many of us will need to proceed with caution.

• Ankle Boots: Ankle boots can really do a number on some women's legs, making them seem bulkier and shorter than they actually are. Women with very thin legs might also struggle pulling off this look, as skinny calves could appear to be swimming inside of ankle boots.
  
  If you love your legs, give it a shot, otherwise stick with a less risky option.
  
• Stiletto Heels: Painful, yes; impractical, of course, but many still feel that a stiletto heel makes women's legs look sexier than any other type of shoe. So then, you'd think they'd be a natural with a mini skirt -- but they might not.
  
  Because of the extra sex appeal of stilettos, it could become "too much of a good thing" to pair them with a short skirt. If you have impeccable taste, do as you please. If you're the type to worry that the look is cheap, then you might want to skip this combo.
  
• High Heeled Pumps:For all the same reasons you might choose to skip stilettos, you may want to reconsider wearing high heeled pumps with mini skirts. Additionally, these shoes can sometimes be a bit too heavy looking for the carefree feel of most minis.

• Footwear to Avoid with Short Skirts

  Unless you're an athlete, or it's part of some uniform you're being forced to wear, the following shoes are too bulky for most mini skirts.
  • Oxfords
  • Bulky Shoes
  • Cross-Trainers
  • Clogs
  • Socks