Inbox Stylist: Short Skirt / Long Jacket

Preparing for a very no-pants November.

If you like your legs, it’s “you” season, baby. The hemlines are shorter and more sheer than ever, and it’s your time to shine.

Here’s the math: long(er) top layer + hemline shorter than said top layer.

It’s a challenging outfit formula, should you accept it — challenging in the sense that you’ll raise a few eyebrows. Fuck it! I say, let them look!

Below are a few ways I’m planning to pull this off (while still feeling like myself). Hopefully, these jog your brain in an inspired direction. If you go full-in, tag me in your stories on IG so we can reassure the timid that this is a trend for all of us. A few early adopters have already been tagging me, and I’m here for it.

No pants November (and September and October), let’s goooooo.

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Your base layers are going to do all the work here.

• I suggest a thin, body-clinging slip dress instead of an outright mini skirt, it layers more smoothly under a sweater and can stand on its own under an oversized jacket or blazer with tights.

• The proliferation of long, sheer skirts and dresses on the market right now can also tag in for a mini skirt — you still get leg coverage with the tease of more skin. I love this one from Khaite.

• A pair of mini shorts makes a great dance partner with tights of any color. I particularly like these sporty, sturdy nylon numbers from Wardrobe.nyc, but these from Mango are also great for those who want to plunge into full-on micro territory.

• Tights are your BFF this fall. The best black ones, and I’ve written many times over, are Wolford’s Neon 40 style. Calzedonia also makes great ones at a lesser price point. Don’t limit yourself to black! There are so many fantastic options available right now: think a deep cherry red, fishnets or even this incredible grommeted pair.

• If you’re just beginning to dip your toe in, an oversized jacket or sweater is a great way to balance out your more exposed gams. The Row’s Ophelia sweater is an investment but returns season after season as one of those forever staples. Using girl math, that’s a very low cost-per-wear. I like to style oversize tops with an equally-oversize, slouchy bag (like this one by The Row) and clutch it close to my torso to give the top some shape and movement as I move around. Style a longer sheer hemline with a trendy flat and finish it with some statement earrings, hair swept up.

• David Byrne-sized blazers don’t seem to be going anywhere, but I think they look best when their oversize scale is balanced out by lots of leg. Think Amy Smilovic’s “big, slim, skin” rule. A black-pointed toe heel with lots of good toe cleavage will elongate your leg even more. This is another good use for your little black slip dress. You’ll barely see it peeking out from the blazer. Style it with a bag that’s a little weird, like this mesh number by Khaite.

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• Leveling up, a true mini in an autumnal suede is daring with a bare leg — but a high boot tempers it well. I like it styled with a men’s sweater and a shoulder bag in the color of the season. Finish it with a toughened-up headband.

• While the black blazer, t-shirt, and shorts combo isn’t particularly radical, it’s the party below the waistline that levels this look up: it’s a great moment to hook into a colored tight and finish it with the “wrong” shoe — in this case, one that bares your toes. Again, we’re letting the hemline of the jacket fall below the hemline of the shorts. Key!

• For the advanced set, a skirt so sheer it basically acts as a thinly veiled pair of panties might be the move. Wear it with something more conservative up top (like this Co sweater in the perfect shade of green) but maximize the leg length with a kitten heel like these blockbusters by miu miu. Finish it with a mesh bag — your bottoms don’t have to be the only thing see-through.

• Sinfully short micro-mini shorts sing a heavenly tune when styled with tights and an oversized bomber for a night out. I like the addition of a prim bag and shoes (the ladylike bows on this Ferragamo pair take it over the top). A statement-making pair of surrealist earrings by Schiaparelli is the proverbial cherry on top.

Some additional styling inspo, above — including a few snaps by stylish readers @shayinjune and @adinagiulia.

Go forth and be brave, friends!