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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to object to being told to wear shorts on holiday?

34 replies

Bbbuuu · 28/04/2026 14:57

It’s 18c where I’m on holiday, cloudy. I wore trousers as it’s not particularly warm as got a slight breeze. Wouldn’t be wearing shorts if this weather was in the UK.

My DM saw me in my trousers (lightweight) and she insisted I wear shorts! Why?

I don’t need to be told what to wear in my 40s

OP posts:
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Carnationsareforever · 26/06/2026 22:38

Ignore ignore ignore

you are an adult with full mental capacity

whether you chose to wear a skimpy bikini or a fur coat it is totally your own business.

wear what feels right and comfortable in the weather you are in - no one else’s business what you wear but yours.

you have no need to change your attire nor justify it to anyone else - if you are comfortable so be it,

Tryagain26 · 26/06/2026 22:30

How strange Does she always tell you what to wear ? Does she wear shorts on holiday all.the time?
I don't wear shorts even when it's 30 degrees!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 26/06/2026 22:27

How weird! Hs she got some strange idea that it’s compulsory to wear shorts when you’re on holiday?

Idontjetwashthefucker · 29/04/2026 19:38

19 here today and it's been fecking cold with the wind, but that doesn't matter. You can wear the fuck what you want...tell her that

Purplecatshopaholic · 29/04/2026 19:33

I assume that given you say you are an adult in her 40s, you ignored her and wore what you wanted op. Who cares what she thinks.

Avantiagain · 29/04/2026 16:22

My MIL used to tell me to put some shorts on to get some colour on my legs. I ignored this. I never wear shorts.

Bjorkdidit · 29/04/2026 16:16

I was surprised when I got to the end of reading your post and saw you were in your 40s.

Surely once you're past primary school, you're old enough to decide what clothes to wear and suffer accordingly if you're too hot, cold or wet?

But like others, I wonder what this 'insisting' actually was and whether she kept on after you told her you were fine as you were. I can see that would get boring, but you'd just tell her to leave you alone.

CaptainMyCaptain · 29/04/2026 15:30

I hope you said no and continued to wear what you wanted.

She sounds like the mother who posted recently asking how to stop her adult child wearing socks with sandals.

AprilMizzel · 29/04/2026 15:26

I don’t need to be told what to wear in my 40s

Say that to her.

She may have mindset hoilday or sun shorts/summer tops - MIL does but the kdis and I burn very quickly in any sun so tend to cover skin with loose cottons and linens or viscose fabrics.

Sidebeforeself · 29/04/2026 15:19

why are you asking us? We don’t know why she said what she did

muggart · 29/04/2026 15:16

why do so many mothers have such weird attitudes towards their daughters? it seems more normal than not to have these bizarre mother-daughter dynamics

Beachwalker66 · 29/04/2026 15:14

Tell her to stop interfering in what you wear.

You didn’t actually change into shorts did you?

And don’t take her on holiday with you again, she sounds overbearing.

INeedAnotherName · 29/04/2026 15:12

Compromise and put a long skirt on.

/joking

bigsoftcocks · 29/04/2026 14:47

Why would you even need to consider this let alone post on a public forum. Are you mind controlled by her !!??? (Yes I am fully aware of mind control is)

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 29/04/2026 12:55

Are you 7?

Deadringer · 29/04/2026 12:51

I am 60 and my older sister told me to wear shorts on our recent sun holiday! I said no, shorts look awful on me and I much prefer my loose linen trousers.

AgnesX · 29/04/2026 12:50

Is this the same mother that wants you to take your socks off when wearing sandals?

Elsvieta · 29/04/2026 12:48

To vary the MN cliché, you have a DM problem. I hope you laughed, told her to stop being so bossy and stayed in your trousers.

TheWickerFan · 28/04/2026 16:27

I’d still be freezing at 18. I also don’t wear shorts ever. Some people are weirdly rigid about what you should wear and when but they don’t get to enforce it on you. Ignore.

UneasyUnpeasy · 28/04/2026 16:25

FeliciaFancybottom · 28/04/2026 15:21

How did she insist? Did she put them on you?

You beat me to it!

What did this "insisting" involve?

Did she forcibly remove your trousers and dress you in shorts?

Presumably you are a fully grown adult and just said "I'm more comfortable in trousers thanks". So, what happened then?

Original poster
Bbbuuu · 28/04/2026 15:24

redskyAtNigh · 28/04/2026 15:06

Why did she insist? Do you have history for overdressing and then spending all day complaining? Were you doing an activity where shorts would be more practical?

No. My DM wears cropped trousers and vests - ones with a wide strap when it’s 16c. She has no trousers with her. I have two - ones I wore on the plane and another pair. Even DF had DM’s flack

OP posts:
Aliceinmunsnetland · 28/04/2026 15:22

!2% say yabu?? Is that OP's mum and a few of her enlisted friends ?😄

FeliciaFancybottom · 28/04/2026 15:21

How did she insist? Did she put them on you?

Namechangedforthisoneyep · 28/04/2026 15:20

Flipping heck, if you need to ask mumsnet whether YABU for this or not then maybe you are acting like a baby!

Tell her to jog on!

Aliceinmunsnetland · 28/04/2026 15:19

Hoping you are adult enough to stand up for yourself OP.

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