Dressing Your Age - as in How Short is Too Short?
May 17, 2007 by Teri Cosenzi
Filed under Aging Fabulous
Forgive my rant here, but I must tell you something. I am a people watcher. A people critic. And I love to critique those that just think they are “all that” and then some!
Imagine the things I had to say to my walking buddy this afternoon when a 50-something lady with way too much makeup on, with way too much bleach in her hair, too much perfume, high heeled sneakers, and too short shorts breezed on by. Who did she think she was? Seriously. The only person that could nearly pull off this look would be Paris Hilton.
We need to act dress our age, folks. I am not talking all elastic waists and tee shirts. I am talking flattering, comfortable clothes ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE OUT TAKING A WALK!
It got me thinking, how short is too short and at what age do we stop wearing cute short-shorts? Besides the fact that you really need to have a nice behind and legs to wear them. I just don’t think a 50 year old should be wearing them. Even a 40 year old. Maybe stop somewhere in the mid thirties? I am not sure.
I have a good friend with the smallest frame - she eats like a horse, and is very athletic, and has no problem maintaining her size 2 figure even after having 3 kids. She is 42 years old, and sometimes I even find myself thinking that some of her skimpy things are too skimpy.
Gosh, I hope I am not being a prude, but I think we need to be realistic as to how we dress at a certain age.
If you are still wearing short shorts, please do tell!
I once saw a lady in her 40’s wearing a skimpy pink tank top, with denim mini skirt over printed pink leggings. It took every ounce of slef control for me not to say anything. I’m all for “if you got it flaun it” but I also believe in dressing appropriately for your age.
i still wear a mini skirt, I’m 30 but I don’t wear it over leggings. I don’t know, I just think it’s too girlish and leggings should be for teenagers and toodlers.
I actually wrote something about it months ago : http://www.superwoman.ca/look-stylish-for-your-age-011555.php
Too funny, Dexie. I also find it so tacky when anyone above 35 tries to dress like a 14 year old.
I wear shorter tennis-like skorts in the summer, but with a no sleeve polo and flat sneakers. Cute and appropriate.
I think people should wear whatever makes them happy!
If my 84-yr old grandmother would get a kick out of wearing a mini skirt - let her.
Does this mean if you are 30 you are too old to wear Roxy clothes? In short, to dress like a surf chick? x
Not only is it probably inappropriate after age 35, but it’s not flattering on the young if they don’t have the body for it. I see plenty of teens and kids who are oozing out of their shorts. Blech.
Ugh! You’ve just described my dilema. I don’t want to dress like a teeny-bopper, but I don’t want to look like a frumpy old maid. I don’t have the body I had in my 20s, but I’m no slouch either. I remember how I used to cringe (back in my 20s) at the sight of seeing an older woman who was dressed much younger than her years. I don’t want to look like that!
We saw a woman out at dinner last night that had to have been well into her 70’s wearing a super short pleated mini and a crop top - nice and tight of course. Hubby and I both thought “GILF” (hope you get that, I’m not going to explain). Anyway, she looked ridiculous. The point is, I guess - even if you have a rockin’ bod at 75 (or even 45), wouldn’t you rather have people saying you look great rather than saying you look ridiculous? You can dress fun and still dress to command respect not ridicule. That said, if I had the body of the gal in that picture above, I would run around nekkid all the time.
I totally don’t get that GILF comment. You’ll have to e-mail me in private what i means!
I get the point though. And I do believe that you need to have a nice figure to wear short and tight clothes in the first place. I also see many young girls in their teens with rolls hanging out over their pants and busting out of everything.
I rather look good then ridiculous, anytime!
Dress appropriately, people! And appropriate can be fun and flattering at the same time.
I have a friend who is in her mid 40’s with a perfect body who looks a full decade younger. She has worn a mini and it looks great! If you look younger than your age I think you an wear what you want. For me though- I am in my mid 30’s and though I ould wear a lot of different things I have ceased wanting to call attention to myself as much. I think that happens at some point you know?
I’m 32. My fiance’ is 22. I am 5′8″, 147 lbs, small waist, nice hips and legs. On ANY day, at ANY time, ANYONE I run into thinks I’m a not a day over 23 !!! I am still comfortable in short shorts (nothing exposing butt cheeks!!), however I wear them around the house and maybe to run an errand (quick grocery store run). I have an 8 year old son and I don’t want to be the hot mom his friends crush on due to the way I dress. That’ll cause him unnecessary stress. In order to maintain respect, it’s important to look like a mom, not a MILF. I can be just as sexy in capris or a just-above-the-knee length skirt but the 15 year olds won’t gawk like they would at my short shorts! LOL! Then again, when I’m with my fiance’, sans children, I’ll dress that part. He likes my shorts and doesn’t find them inappropriate b/c I look so young so. Bottom line, if you’re built for it, comfortable with it AND IT DOESN’T HURT/BOTHER/EMBARASS your children or spouse, go for it!!