For not wearing summer shorts

[anxioussmess]

im 40 and have reasonably nice legs although not very long as im only 5 foot 3, but I literally live in summer dresses as opposed to shorts and a strappy top. Am I the only one who does this?

sometimes I feel a bit frumpy and mumsy (I an
a mum also lol) but then my belly isn’t small and dresses cover it up.

in my 20s and early 30s I was always showing off my good figure in next to nothing lol

I never wear shorts, have never worn shorts unless say on a hike in the heat on holiday, which doesnt really happen very often. I hate things round my waist. Hate trousers, jeans etc.

This

Sometimes I'll wear shorts because I want to feel the sun (vitamin D) and fresh air on my body and they're more practical for moving around in. Sometimes I want to waft around in a long dress. I'll wear whatever works for that day.

Shorts have become more popular again in the last few years, but they're not compulsory. Maybe it's my age range but I'm seeing a good number of mature women realising that they don't have to be some kind of mythical perfection to wear shorts and are getting their legs out for the first time in years.

When I was adjusting to postnatal changes in my body, I decided that at 30, I was not hiding my now changed body for the next 50-60 years of my life, and actually I would still wear bikinis and cropped tops if it suited me. Admittedly I go for higher waists for physical and mental comfort, but I am still happy to air out above my naval and I don't think that my post-natal body is a shameful thing to always be hidden. The more we see the range of human bodies, the easier it is to love the body we live in.

I got back into shorts recently and am really enjoying wearing them and actually getting the legs out! I’m a committed dress wearer normally though, so easy to chuck on and go, lol.

I never tan, never have and cannot be bothered to do fake so i never wear shorts and my legs are permanently deathly white.

If you’re concerned about what it looks like (and some people aren’t) then dresses will USUALLY look better than shorts and strappy vest in the UK. Comfier too. Lots of nice non-frumpy dresses.

I feel shorts should never be worn in adulthood by anyone of any age, sex, or body type, unless actually engaging in some form of athletic activity.

I never wear shorts. So unflattering on me.

That's nice. Apply that judgement to yourself if you want to. I don't imagine most people will care what you think.

I have never worn shorts since I was about 10. I also don't get how they are cooler, surely all that extra material is significantly hotter than a dress or loose trousers. To me they exist solely to show off legs, which is fine but i have awful legs so wouldn't show them off if you paid me. I don't see why this is even an issue OP, most people I know are not into shorts.

I have not got the legs for shorts so never wear them.

I live in shorts or playsuits, I own very few dresses. I find dresses uncomfortable and do feel a bit frumpy in them.

It’s relevant to a post in which an OP asks whether she looks frumpy and mumsy if she doesn’t wear shorts. Shorts look awful on everyone, so it’s likely that what she usually wears looks better. I mean, I don’t wander the streets stickering shorts-wearers for offences against my taste or anything..

I think this is a class/regional thing. When I visit my sister in the Cotswolds literally everyone of my age is wearing printed dresses.

Here it's all cut off denim, vests and bra straps for older women (up to say mid 50s) and cycle shorts and crop tops for young ones. I went away with DSis last weekend and wrote my smartest denim shorts and presentable tshirts, but she thought they were much too short, whereas they feel a bit middleaged at home.

Neither is better or more "trendy" than the other IMO, but if fashion means what's most commonly worn, it's different in different places.

All the teachers at the kids school are in long maxi dresses at the moment. They all look lovely.

I tend to wear shorts as I feel that I'm always on the go. I might do on a night out but not for every day.

I see plenty of women of all ages wearing shorts, me included. Just wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in. Nobody is actually caring about what you're wearing - life's too short (no pun)

I'm doing the school run in 10mins, wearing a swimming costume with a dress over the top because we're going to the beach after school.
The other mums might be thinking you look lovely in your dresses and wishing they had the confidence instead of boring shorts and tshirt.

I haven’t owned a pair of shorts since I was about 7. I have terrible legs. Potato knees and Snow White skin. Give me a dress any day. The longer the better!

Me too.Shorts or a dress are not the only choice!
I haven’t worn shorts since PE about 30 years ago. Occasionally put in a dress but much happier in my usual jeans and T-shirt/ blouse.

Just wear what feels comfortable and works for your day.
I've worn both shorts and dresses this week. I'm currently wearing a dress and will change into shorts later for an exercise class this evening.

There may be some "frumpy" dresses available but most dresses are not in that category. Same with shorts, nothing particularly stylish about a cargo pair with multiple pockets on the sides but plenty of nice ones available too.

Eventually tiktok will get bored and stop trying to convince us that shorts are standard summer wear for women. They aren't and they never have been.

I live in shorts once it’s over 20 degrees! I just feel they suit me better than dresses/skirts which are always an awkward length for my height (5ft2)

I wore shorts today but they are down to my knees. Wouldn’t dream of short shorts. I find them more comfortable in hot weather than dresses because otherwise my legs rub together 😭 I’m 5ft 1 and 11am one for reference so quite the little chubby barel

Don't do it to yourself.

I bloody love this weather as I can just slip on a dress and some sandals and go! Nothing, absolutely nothing is more comfortable (and I think flattering) or easy to wear than a cotton summer dress. It's a one stop hit. You don't have to faff around trying to match anything up or tucking things in either.

Im over 40 and shorts do not look good on me. I prefer dresses/tunics with cotton cycling shorts underneath if I want bare legs