Is 42 too old for a mini-ish skirt?

[Millie1]

Can't believe i'm asking this! I'm a real jeans & boots person but enjoyed tunics/wool dress & leggings with boots last winter. Sooooo ... looking ahead. What about a mini with boots & tights this year? I've got skinny, skinny calfs so will only do boots, not ballet flats. I'm 5'7" and a 8-10 but have a 3-pregnancy-tummy IYKWIM! Want something that I can also pull my wellies on with when I need to do outside stuff around home .. so casual and washable is a must .

If it's ok for my age, would any of these fit the bill, and what colours should I go for. These www.duoboots.com/products/boots/detail/calf_fitted_boots_everyday/brindisi/7/colour/2-brown_waxed_nu buck_leather/ are my everyday boots although I also have these www.duoboots.com/products/boots/detail/calf_fitted_boots_everyday/oristano/248/colour/1-black_leathe r/ which are a bit dressier. Okay, and the skirts (in no particular order): www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/Womens-Skirts/Above-Knee-Skirts/WG371/Womens-Favourite-Mini.html?NavGroupID=13 - not sure about colours. Like the pink but it might be a bit bright for me and maybe denim is just too youthful? www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/Womens-Skirts/Knee-Length-Skirts/WG376/Womens-Stitch-Detail-Skirt.html?NavGrou pID=13 or www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/Womens-Skirts/Above-Knee-Skirts/WG372/Womens-Washed-Cord-Mini.html?NavGroupID= 13 - again not sure which colour would be best.

All words of wisdom or links to alternatives appreciated! Thanks!

Don't be silly- I am 55 an wear just above the knees with opaque tights- I am same size as you, but people think I am much younger

I have Duo Oristano in black, calf 33, and am buying Bodens' mini in wool- plain purple colour.

I have a charocal wool mini-length 20- from Boden last year.
I also have a denim pencil skirt from Boden which is just on the knee.

I'm currently pondering the miniskirt question (I'm a bit younger than you but shorter, and my calves aren't skinny!). I really like that pink one actually.

One word about Boden unlined skirts-if you wear thick and /or thick patterned tights the skirts cling and creep up your thighs- you do need a slip under neath.
There were loads of commetns on this in the reviews last season but they are still just lining the wool ones.
I find it hard to get a slip that is 19 inches long and neat enough to go under a skirt.

Is that true for denim & cord ones too, Purplepeony?

It depends, have you got thin legs?!

Think you can go quite short with good tights and thin legs. Maybe I will be in trouble for saying that. But thinks look slightly less slutty on thin people. So unfair.

Hi

Like the first pair of boots - nice and casual and would go with most things - sorry but don't like 2nd pair just too pointy for me.
Looked at the skirts - 1st is ok very very causual though, did not like the denim one bit- much too long and wd not call this a mini. and 3rd skirt is again very casual wd go for one of the darker colours and definately not the yellow.
I actually think that you wd be much more fashionable sticking to leggings/jeggins and long line tunic/jumpers etc, the skirts that you've picked out are and not being rude here are very mumsy you are only 42 !!!!!
x

Meg- absolutely, though not so much the denim one. I have given one skirt to charity shop as was so sick of it riding up at the front when walking and almost showing my knickers.

Just above the knee isn't mini you loon. IMHO mini is mid thigh or shorter.

'tis a very flattering length for a lot of women. MIL looks great in hers at ?56, no reason I can see that she should stop wearing her's for ages get. No question at 42 as long as your legs are up to it.

The skirts you've linked to are a bit old for you, I think. First boots are ok, don't like the second ones at all I'm afraid.

Thank you!!!!

Purple ... thank heavens you reminded me of the lining/riding issue ... have a couple of boden skirts (and indeed their wool tunic/dress from last year) which do just that. Hmmm. Shall rethink their denim skirts. And, someone with the same calf size as me - wow! I'm impressed ! Love the purple skirt you're ordering ... will be lovely with your black boots!

Sanesometimes ... some days 42 feels ancient ! I guess I'm not that confident with tunics etc - if it's a cold day, what sort of jacket/coat do I go for? Don't want to go down the wool winter coat route cos I live in the sticks, on a farm (sort-of!) and it would be too dressy for my casual lifestyle. Like long, chunky cardys and loooove scarves though.

Shall go through catalogue again and put in an order to try on. Thanks for the reassurance that I won't be mutton dressed as lamb!

Thanks DD ... the Oristano boots don't seem too popular .. just Purple & I!

I guess my lack of confidence comes from spending most of my life bemoaning my skinny legs ... didn't help that I spent my childhood being teased about them . But yes, they're thin and I've got ankles.

Soooo ... what sort of skirt would be around that length, casual and not too old for me - there's the million dollar question!!

If Boden is no good then any nice denim/cord minis elsewhere?

I think you could go quite a bit shorter than the boden ones tbh

I'm with OrientCalf on length.

one
two (why not?)
three

What about this sort of look
www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/casualwear/18/4

or

www.next.co.uk/shopping/women /smartcasual/12/5

x

op

I wear the skirts just above my knee which I think is age appropriate.

The Brindisi boots are pretty chunky in real life- I have been to the shop in London and tried them all . Oristano look better in the flesh- and better since they have been worn in and creased a bit!

I find that the cut of all Duo boots differs- some I really like don't fit even though the calf width is right- the heels or ankles can be too big, or the boots just look "wrong" in a narrow fitting- I felt that about Brindisi-it looks better ina wider calf fitting, TBH.

i am purple peony's body double although MUCH younger (48 ) and i also wear above the knee skirts. But only with opaques and casual boots or non tarty shoes IYSWIM ( i dont wear flat boots / shoes )

i have 32cm calves and like being able to wear woolly ribbed tights and patterns without worrying about adding bulk

if you have good legs you shoudl show them off - they are the last thing to go , y'know

Millie i live in the sticks as well and lived in the over-the-knee Duo boots with tunics and leggings and dresses last winter.I wore an italian heavy wool duffel-style coat that was knee length and a black italian down washable coat - both from Tk Maxx .I have 4 dc's so i tend to buy dark colours.I'm in awe of your legs though.I would have thought you can buy miniskirts anywhere?.

Have you got good legs? In which case it doesn't matter. My legs are the only bit of me I like so I wear short skirts a lot.

Helloooo. 55 and still wearing the minis, but with opaques/woolly tights.

No-one has said I look shit. And lived.

Well, I'm the same height and size as you, only one pregnancy but I'm 7 years older and for winter casual, I live in skirts about 2" above the knee with tights and boots. And I can think of various friends, the same. Warm, comfortable, easy to wear.

So if it is too old, at least you'll be in plentiful company.

If you have good legs you are never too old for a mini-ish skirt.

KristinaM- how dare you be my body double and me not know about it!lol.

And as for the much younger...ha! A friend who didn't know howold I was told me last week she thought I was about 43- either she needs her specs changing of the face creams work.

Like you, I wear above the knee but never with high heels- always flat boots or ballet pumps.

Anything longer makes me look frumpy- I have eventually learned that mid-knee to just above knee is the right length for me.

I cringe at the thought of me in calf length in my 30s........

IMO mini is mid thigh and not for anyone out of their 20s.

Boden is not exactly the height of fashion, although I admit a lot ofmy basics come from them, so I think anyone is pretty safe in theri clothes.

Above knee is fine.

Mid thigh is not.

if you like it wear. if you have the legs go for it!

Okay .... so many more posts since last night so starting at the top ...

DD - your links went to Esprit homepage but I shall go now and look at their skirts and see if I can't figure out what you were linking to!

Sanesometimes ... couldn't get the second Next link to work .. I see where you're coming from with the first link but do I have the nerve to be seen in my local supermarket soooo dressed-up? (for me!)

Purple - I actually have both those boots. I looooove my Brindisi's - I mostly wear them with skinny jeans but they'd be good with leggings and something. I'd wear them all summer if I could, they're so comfy - and they're going into their third winter! Got the Oristano's last year so they're still being worn in. I love, love, love Duo - being able to get boots to fit and not look like wellies is a real novelty !

Which leads me to the ... so could I wear ballet flats with my skinny calves? Honestly, they're straight, shapeless (well, to my eyes anyway).

Everyone else - thanks for giving me a good shake and telling me not to be such a dill .

Now, I need to find the outfits. Any more suggestions are welcome - very welcome!

Oh, I do love these

www.thewhitecompany.com/productdetails.aspx?Id=2003481&ItemNo=JECDU&SelectedItem=JECDU
www.thewhitecompany.com/productdetails.aspx?Id=2003481&ItemNo=KWCJR&SelectedItem=KWCJR

although the first one is sold out in the grey in my size but I do like the second also.

Could I wear tunic & leggings or skirt with this jacket (quite like the look of it) www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/Womens-Coats-Jackets/Coats/WE279/Womens-Off-Duty-Parka.html?NavGroupID=2 - obviously it's okay with a casual skirt but what about with leggings?

Am off to check out Jigsaw, Kew ... anywhere else ... for skirts et al.

Thanks so much - I'm seriously lacking in confidence and when it comes down to it don't particularly like wearing jeans all the time!