High finance. Short skirts could be a sign that there are better times ahead. Photo: Getty Images

Ladies, it's time to hike up those skirts.

According to research from American academic John L. Casti, short skirts can be a predictor of a nation's economic and political prosperity, the Daily Express reports.

Wow. Between this and eBay's "miniskirt meteorology," these skirts might want to quit their day jobs and form a psychic network.

In his new book "Mood Matters: From Rising Skirt Lengths to the Collapse of World Powers," Casti reportedly claims that social features -- including rising hemlines and happy, upbeat songs on the radio -- can signal a nation's overall optimism as well as trigger positive outcomes in the financial and political arenas.

"All social events ranging from trends in pop music and art to the outcome of elections and even the rise and fall of great civilizations are biased by the attitudes a society holds to the future," the author says.

"When the 'social mood' is positive, events of an entirely different character tend to occur than when society is pessimistic.

"Most people think the outcome of elections causes the mood of the country to change. The opposite is true."

So what's the Romans' excuse? Those dudes wore some pretty short skirts and it didn't do them much good in the end. Just sayin.'

Ah, screw it. If it will help the economy, toss us a mini and crank up the Bobby McFerrin.

Meanwhile, short skirts are making the rounds at Wimbledon.