Would you wear this in your 30s

[Grandmaschickensalad]

I’m mid thirty’s and struggling with what to wear at the moment. I’m petite with a nice figure but pretty much live in maxi dresses because I feel like I need to hide everything all the time.

I’m going to the office tomorrow for the first time in a long time and have tried some dresses on but I just feel like I can’t get away with anything above the knee with bare legs anymore. Husband says I look good in the dresses but I can’t shake it off - is it just me that feels like this or is it common to start feeling like this at this age?

I’m probably overthinking - I just don’t want to be one of those people that look 19 from the back and then turn round and give someone a fright

No picture but I'm intrigued! I'm sure you look fine.

I'm 35 and you've made me feel quite old now 🤣

Oh sorry! I don’t even feel old to be honest I just sometimes look at my face and think that does not suit the body but I have always felt insecure about my looks so it’s my hang up.

Out of interest how short would you go with dresses to the office?

I’m mid-30s and would wear any dress I thought I looked nice in without factoring my age into it. I feel young and the older I get the less I care about what anybody else thinks of me.

I'm thirty six and wear on/above the knee a lot. I'm overweight but my legs are good.

I think you're possibly overthinking. However I'm a big fan of wearing what makes you comfy.

Since returning to the office about 6 weeks ago my wardrobe which used to be pencil skirts/smart trousers and a blouse is now drop dresses and cardi's, however I suspect the cardi's may become jackets as the phased return finishes, but the dresses will remain because they are comfy and look fairly smart. I am 30 if that counts for anything.

These are the kind of dresses I have I know they're amazon, but they are fairly good quality AND they have pockets!!!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074M7X67J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_04FWCRCF0K9JN3B8AAY7?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Sorry I should add they're about 3/4 inches above the knee

Oooh cheesey I think that’s lovely! Even the deep red colour is perfect

I'm 37 and wore a knee length sundress today 🤷‍♀️.

I don't mind if someone thinks I'm 19 from the back and then gets a fright when they see my face. If you have the body of a 19 year old then you're doing ok IMO. 😂

I'm 45 and would wear that. If you have a nice figure what's the problem?

Busysittingdown very good point

Thumbcat there’s no problem for some people. I have very little confidence so I just thought I’d see if I was being too critical of myself or if other people felt more insecure as they got older.

To add I do not have an issue with anyone else wearing what they want - it’s not about that.

Seriously? My mum in her 50s wears dresses like that - she has great legs!

I'm 39 and wear dresses just above the knee. Bad Pic attached. Pls excuse horrid bath tiles. Don't really expect people to be staring at my legs so wear what I'm comfy in.

Depends on the norms in your office rather than your age imo

The trouble with maxi dresses at work is that they get caught under the chair wheels so I go for knee length or midi, don't worry about what anyone thinks!

Nicegerbil - very true! But I have never met them before. This is a new office for me as I switched jobs during the pandemic. Have only met them on teams before.

I’m planning on wearing an above the knee dress to work tomorrow; I’m early thirties and I’ve got slim legs so rather than my normal jeans I’m going for it tomorrow in the interests of keeping cool

Of course! 35 is still young (I say at 34)!
Your only 17 years into adulthood, with at least 45 years more to come - why start restricting what you wear so young in life.

Wear the dresses - I’ll bet you look fab. You’ll look back at 70 and be glad you did

What kind of office is it?

Smart, but fairly relaxed eg advertising - shoulders covered, skirt on or just above knee, smart sandals with pedi

Law/accountancy: shoulders covered, on or below knee with jacket, hosiery and closed toe

I'm putting on the old tin hat now

It’s a bit depressing when women in their mid thirties feel too old to get their legs out. For them, and for the rest of us too.

Agreed, for me it's more the office. I'm 5ft 10, so getting my legs out is a lot of legs

@TSSDNCOP I'm 5'9 and 37 years old, in this heat unfortunately people just have to see my legs I shave, moisturise and tan them so hopefully they are not too scary.
OP I would steer clear of a maxi if you will be sat on a wheeled chair (I speak from bitter experience when my dress got stuck and I hadn't noticed, flashed a boob to the entire office of mainly blokes as I stood up) I would just make sure it is a professional dress (no boobs, to the knee and don't worry about it.) Most offices are fairly casual these days I think.

Fuck that. I'm in my 40s, have had two kids, and I'll wear whatever the hell I like I'm short, skinny, and definitely not groomed. The most important thing is your confidence. I've become more confident in what I wear as I get older because I really just don't care what people think any more. I do dress nicely, but only because I like what I wear. Other people's opinions just aren't important.

The only time I ever got a comment was when I wore a really, really serious grown up dress for a work thing. My colleague did a double take and said 'You don't look like you. I don't like it.'

I'm 50 and I wear skirts that are just above the knee. Only in winter with tights now, I admit, but that's more to do with having skin that won't tan than aged knees. In your 30s, especially as your husband says you look good, I'd still go for it! I would only go just above the knee, but that's because I think shorter than that is too often unsuitable in an office rather than anything else.

I don’t think a dress above the knee is appropriate for anyone in an office, but only because when you’re sat down it becomes crotch flashingly short and difficult to cover the expanse of flashed thigh or knicker.

But in your own time than nah, that’s not too old at all

I'm mid 30s and don't wear any dresses/skirts below the knee! Unless an evening gown. Even work dresses/skirts are always a bit above the knee. And for summer/parties I go shooort! Mini skirts and short shorts. I love feeling the elements on my legs and arms.

I'm very senior in my career, and very sensible in life and plan on wearing short things as long as I enjoy them, even when my legs don't look as good. Age doesn't even come into it. We've got another 50-60 years to love, that's a LONG time to not expose legs.....