The idea that a high hemline is a modern phenomenon is something of myth. Through the years there’s been no shortage of ladies keen to show they’re a cut above the rest.
Picture credits: Rex Features.
Louise Brooks, 1928
American dancer, model, showgirl and silent film actress Louise Brooks posing in a frilly dress.
Betty Grable, 1937
Actress, dancer and singer Betty Grable dressed in a short skirt on the set of This Way Please.
Peggy Moran, 1940
American actress Peggy Moran photographed wearing a beautifully cut short dress.
Rita Hayworth, 1944
Rita Hayworth wearing a mini dress for the film Cover Girl.
Marilyn Monroe, 1950s
Iconic actress and model Marilyn Monroe posing in a daringly short skirt.
Raquel Welch, 1966
Actress and author Raquel Welch wearing a pink towelling mini dress with a striking yellow hem.
Sandie Shaw, 1967
English pop singer Sandie Shaw posing in a stylish mini dress.
Crossword Dress by Robert Krausz, 1968
Model wearing a Robert Krausz’s puzzle-inspired design.
Goldie Hawn, 1969
Goldie Hawn posing in a mini dress in a film still from Cactus Flower.
Brigitte Bardot, 1960s
French star Brigitte Bardot wearing a glamorous pink mini dress.
Joan Collins, 1960s
Joan Collins in a typical 1960s black and white mini dress.
Nancy Sinatra, 1960s
American singer Nancy Sinatra in a hippy-style, red crochet mini dress.
Kate O’Mara, 1970
English actress Kate O’Mara wearing a fringe mini skirt.
Moira Foot, 1970
English actress Moira Foot posing in a short button-down dress.
Plastic Bubble Dress, 1970
Model wearing a 1970s-style yellow plastic ‘bubble’ dress.
Jacqueline Bisset, 1972
English actress Jacqueline Bisset posing in a pink mini dress.
Kim Basinger, 1983
Kim Basinger wearing a T-shirt dress in a film still from Never Say Never Again.
Ali Espley, 1984
Model Ali Espley in a sequinned mini dress called ‘Fantasia 2001’.
Brigitte Nielson, 1991
Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen posing in a sultry black mini dress.
Sharon Stone, 1992
Iconic image of Sharon Stone wearing a revealing white mini dress, in the movie Basic Instinct.
Kate Moss, 1992
Kate Moss modelling a mini skirt by Karl Lagerfeld.
Mariah Carey, 1992
Mariah Carey posing in a short pleated dress on her hotel room balcony.
Cindy Crawford, 1993
Cindy Crawford wearing a Herve Leger bodycon dress.
Naomi Campbell, 1993
Supermodel Naomi Campbell showing off an asymmetric mini dress in Paris.
Tori Spelling, 1994
Tori Spelling wearing a short black dress in a still from the hit show Beverly Hills 90210.
Shannen Doherty, 1995
Shannen Doherty posing in a floral print pattern mini dress.
Kate Moss, 1997
Kate Moss wearing a black and yellow wool top over a black jersey knit skirt by Versace.
Geri Halliwell, 1997
Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls performing in her famous Union Jack dress.
Mariah Carey, 1998
Mariah Carey wearing a white bodycon dress at the Fresh Air Fund Benefit Dinner.
Jennifer Lopez, 1999
Jennifer Lopez singing her heart out in a sequined split mini skirt with matching hot pants.
Paris Hilton, 2002
Paris Hilton wearing a denim mini skirt at the Pierrot Fashion Show in New York.
Mariah Carey, 2003
Mariah Carey performing on British TV in a purple ra-ra skirt.
Beyonce, 2005
Beyoncé wearing a sparkly Dolce and Gabbana dress at the World Music Awards.
Naomi Campbell, 2010
Naomi Campbell modelling a colourful short dress for London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010.
Shakira, 2012
Shakira arrives at the NRJ Music Awards wearing a short strapless dress.
Kristen Stewart, 2012
Kristen Stewart attending the MTV Movie Awards in a sparkly silver mini dress.