I'm 45 years old, petite (5ft), short legs and weigh around 105 pounds and a mother of 6. On Friday I was watching what not to wear and they had a 44 year mother of 8, that was wearing short shorts. Stacy London and Klintin told her that a women in her 40's should not be wearing short, shorts. I'm petite and personally I prefer to wear a 3 1/2 lengh shorts. Do you think a women in her 40's shouldn't be wearing short shorts? I'm a stay at home mom / work from home so I wear shorts all the time. They had some good sales at old navy on shorts I got all my shorts for less than $8 and they where all the 3 1/2 lengh shorts and the whole time I was thinking about what Stacy and Clinton had said about women in there 40 not wearing short shorts. What are your thoughts?
Lengh of shorts for women 40+
- Thread starter lulu68
- Start date
jennifur
Cathlete
I think it depends on how they are worn.For someone your size I don't think the ON shorts would be inappropriate. I know the shorts you are talking about. I wear the ON 5" shorts. My 20 year old daughter wears the 3 1/2 and they do not look short on her. I ended up with the 5 when I thought I was buying the same shorts she had. I only noticed the difference when we looked at the label.
IMO,just as long as you're not wearing daisey dukes, and you are in reasonably good shape, I think it's ok. Believe me, if the shorts looked even remotely inappropriate on me, I'd hear about it right away from my kids.
* and I'm 50
IMO,just as long as you're not wearing daisey dukes, and you are in reasonably good shape, I think it's ok. Believe me, if the shorts looked even remotely inappropriate on me, I'd hear about it right away from my kids.
* and I'm 50
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I like the 5" shorts too, but the sizing was off. The 2's wear way to big and the 0's felt a little snug on the waistline. Over all the 3 1/2" shorts felt more confortable over all. I'm a pretty good shape and I'm not at all curvy, I think that's why I don't feel they look bad or daisy look. Thanks!
If you are comfortable in the shorter shorts I say wear them. IMO Stacey and Clinton are too conservative with their advice with woman over 40. We are in are 40's, not our 70's!
I am all for being age appropriate and would never wear the same clothes my 16 year old wears, but come on.
I am all for being age appropriate and would never wear the same clothes my 16 year old wears, but come on.
I think it all goes by how your legs look. You could be 18 and have out of shape legs that need longer shorts or you could be 60 and have awesome fit legs that look great in shorter shorts. I wouldn't go too tight though, real tight and short look teeny bopperish to me. Btw I think some of Stacy's choices for herself and other people are a bit questionable.
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tralaiven
Cathlete
Personally, even though my legs are toned due to my hard work, I am concerned about giving the pathetic message that I am trying to be young (not that I or you do this consciously) when quite obviously, I am " a woman of a certain age" ....that is a woman above 40, trying desperately to grasp at and cling to now-elusive youth.
Therefore, I stick to shorts or other items of clothing that go to the end of my finger tips when my arms are simply hanging by my sides. This puts the length generally a bit past mid-thigh. I simply feel more comfortable with this, and I am quite sure it can be sufficiently seen that I am indeed in fair shape, yet not trying to flaunt what would look much better being flaunted by a woman (of good shape) half my age...who will not possess the inevitable sag and droop and unsightliness here and there brought on by the ravages of time
obviously, this is simply my personal opinion for myself and my thinking on my choice of clothing.
Therefore, I stick to shorts or other items of clothing that go to the end of my finger tips when my arms are simply hanging by my sides. This puts the length generally a bit past mid-thigh. I simply feel more comfortable with this, and I am quite sure it can be sufficiently seen that I am indeed in fair shape, yet not trying to flaunt what would look much better being flaunted by a woman (of good shape) half my age...who will not possess the inevitable sag and droop and unsightliness here and there brought on by the ravages of time
obviously, this is simply my personal opinion for myself and my thinking on my choice of clothing.
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complik8td
Cathlete
I say, wear whatever looks flattering and makes you happy. I will be 55 in December, and I haven't worn shorts or a bathing suit in 15 years. I did buy a few pairs of bermuda shorts this year, but didn't wear them much. I'm in good condition, but I have the most unsightly cellulite, wrinkly skin, veins, sunspots, you-name-it! Just. Plain. UGLY! I envy all you ladies with beautiful skin and nice legs!!! Wear your shorts proudly, honey!
I did buy a few pairs of bermuda shorts this year, but didn't wear them much. I'm in good condition, but I have the most unsightly cellulite, wrinkly skin, veins, sunspots, you-name-it! Just. Plain. UGLY! I envy all you ladies with beautiful skin and nice legs!!! Wear your shorts proudly, honey! 
JeanneMarie
Cathlete
Therefore, I stick to shorts or other items of clothing that go to the end of my finger tips when my arms are simply hanging by my sides. This puts the length generally a bit past mid-thigh. I simply feel more comfortable with this, and I am quite sure it can be sufficiently seen that I am indeed in fair shape, yet not trying to flaunt what would look much better being flaunted by a woman (of good shape) half my age...who will not possess the inevitable sag and droop and unsightliness here and there brought on by the ravages of time
This is my rule too! Nothing shorter than where the tips of my fingers hang against my thighs. I think that's a better gage than a certain number of inches, because not everyone's legs are proportionally the same. The fingertip length rule gives you a good proportion for your height and leg length, and lets your shorts/skirts not seem inappropriately short.
I will say that most of my skirts and dresses are about an inch or two below where my fingertips hit. My shorts are right at fingertip. I have very long legs in proportion to the rest of my body, so a skirt at fingertip length is pretty short on me.... definitely too short for me to feel comfortable in public.
My running/workout shorts break the rules though. I like them shorter. I can't stand to get all hot and sweaty and have longer shorts against my legs. For this I wear 3 inch inseam shorts.
Oh, and I'm almost 57!
DixieGirl
Cathlete
I'd say if you are comfortable in the shorter shorts and they make you feel pretty and happy, wear them. I don't see why stylists lump all women over 40 into one category. Some can pull off "younger" looks splendidly while others should dress more conservatively.
I've got a variety of lengths in shorts. My latest pair are the 6" shorts from Ann Taylor Loft (LOVE them) but I've got 3", 5", 6" and bermudas. I am not as comfortable in the 3" shorts as I am in the 5" or 6" but ironically I get the most compliments when I wear the 3" pair. I'm 45 and while I tend to wear a longer length, I'm not opposed to wearing the short shorts at my age at all.
I've got a variety of lengths in shorts. My latest pair are the 6" shorts from Ann Taylor Loft (LOVE them) but I've got 3", 5", 6" and bermudas. I am not as comfortable in the 3" shorts as I am in the 5" or 6" but ironically I get the most compliments when I wear the 3" pair. I'm 45 and while I tend to wear a longer length, I'm not opposed to wearing the short shorts at my age at all.
jennifur
Cathlete
JeanneMarie-
After reading your post I actually checked my 5" shorts and they are exactly at my fingertips! I didn't consciously think of that.I found this so funny! They are short enough to not look frumpy but not so short that I feel uncomfortable in them. As for skirts I do go a bit longer as well.
After reading your post I actually checked my 5" shorts and they are exactly at my fingertips! I didn't consciously think of that.I found this so funny! They are short enough to not look frumpy but not so short that I feel uncomfortable in them. As for skirts I do go a bit longer as well.
mspina
Cathlete
Yes, this! I think it depends more on how your legs look than how old you are. What kind of random gauge is that???? I personally have a mix of lengths and wear them to the appropriate occasion. Outdoor happy hour at a friend's house in the heat of summer? The super cute shorter shorts from Old Navy with the pink flamingos got a TON of compliments for this 45 year old.
The people who usually are on WNTW, however, seem to be those who could use a little more coverage, so perhaps that's where Stacy/Clinton are coming from....
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