by Carrie Eckles

Created on: July 05, 2010

Ethnic print miniskirts are everywhere in the late summer 2010 season. The trend is tribal-inspired and usually in neutral or warm colors, though green has made appearances in various catalogs and websites.

Fit and Style

The most common style for these ethnic print skirts is a mini A-line. When wearing one of these mini A-lines, be prepared to show a little leg; however, make sure the skirt reaches at least halfway to your knees. Going shorter looks tacky.

Another option is to go for a tulip shape. It’s more grown up and figure conscious - not to mention, the tulip skirts are usually longer (down to - or almost to - the knees).

Whichever style you choose, the important thing is to make sure the waistband of the skirt hits you in the right place. Ideally, the skirt should hit you just below your belly button; for higher-waisted cuts, it should hit around your belly button. Letting the skirt sling too low on your hips looks sloppy and childish; letting the skirt rise too high also looks silly. As with most things in life, the key is balance.

Pattern and Hue

It’s important to be conscious of color when getting dressed. Wearing the right color for your complexion not only brings out your natural beauty, but it also makes the outfit itself pop. Neutrals are always a safe option, but remember: never choose a neutral that is too close to your skin color. If your skin is light tan, you wouldn’t want to wear light tans and light browns, because you’d look bizarrely monochrome.

As a general rule of thumb, the smaller you are, the larger the print you can wear. Thinner women are lucky in this regard. They can go as bold as they want, and often should: bold prints give the illusion of more volume, which will emphasize your hips. Curvier women, on the other hand, should go for calmer, smaller, and more traditional prints. The crisper look of the more conservative designs helps slim the figure.

Show it Off

These miniskirts are statement pieces. They’re meant to be shown off, so make sure to showcase them by tucking in your top and pairing them with a simple but cute pair of gladiator flats. And in that vein, make sure not to boggle down the ensemble with too many accessories. Let the skirt speak for itself. A chunky bangle is all you need to tie the outfit together.

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