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Style and beauty

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Original poster

An I too old to be wearing.......

57 replies

Dosey · 28/09/2012 15:14

.....little shorts and thick tights. I am 39. If so far enough but if not please point me in the right direction of an outfit with a tight budget. Thank you x

OP posts:

Housewifefromheaven · 28/09/2012 23:26

Linky to some pretty please??

Wowserz129 · 28/09/2012 23:28

I would go for it! If you feel happy and confident in it then that's the main thing

Housewifefromheaven · 28/09/2012 23:31

I just got these boots and am looking for some shorts to go with them.

DebbieTitsMcGee · 28/09/2012 23:37

Has anyone else ever noticed how some people have "shorts" legs and some people have "skirts" legs? It's weird, the garments are the same length but some folk are one or the other. I look fine in a short skirt but not shorts and my mate is the other way round.

ToastedTeacakes · 28/09/2012 23:53

I'm 38 and wore this last yr to a gig. Was just fine, but I look a bit younger anyway and have stick legs (not proud). Still I think it is all in the styling really, the shoes especially (brogues or loafers would look good, or some nice patent flats). What do you plan to wear on top? A thick woolly or a white shirt/blouse as someone suggested above would look smart.

Thing is, we are all so diverse, body-wise that it is silly to pinpoint what one ought to wear at a certain age. Our clothes will generally mirror our personality, so even someone of 18 might not remotely suit the shorts and tights look, if you see what I mean....

I do think this can be done well on into the 40's depending on who you are. Just avoid painfully imitating trends, this - to me - is the secret to getting older and being able to wear what the hell we like!

Zwitterion · 29/09/2012 04:44

Dosey what sort of night out?

Personally for a restaurant I would wear my tweedy shorts (H & M) with black opaques (not patterned), black wedge ankle boots (clarks Yarra for example), or patent brogues, and a thin, slinky, wide scoop neck black top (I have an old modal cashmere mix one from Jigsaw that I love).

And maybe a sparkly or metallic belt.

Original poster

Dosey · 29/09/2012 05:58

Oh zwitter that sounds fab. Thank you. I am bidding on some shorts on eBay so fingers crossed x. And yes it's a meal out!!! You lot are fab x

OP posts:

AgeingFop · 29/09/2012 08:05

Dosey: go for it. DW wears this combination quite a lot and she's a bit older about the same age as you. She looks good - well, I would say that, but others have also given positive comments.

I think it can be a flattering look. Oddly enough short shorts often look better than ones that go to the knee.

DonaAna · 29/09/2012 08:12

I love city shorts (mid thigh) with opaques, am 39. Would not do hot pants with bare legs.

Original poster

Dosey · 29/09/2012 08:39

Thank you Ageing for the positive comments

Dona I wouldn't dream of doing hot pants or bare legs!!!!!

OP posts:

TimothyTumblespring · 29/09/2012 08:44

I am 31. I wear tailored shorts over opaque tights everyday at work. They are comfortable and practical. I wouldn't dream of wearing hot pants over bare legs though!

1605 · 29/09/2012 08:51

I'm the same age and my 'age appropriate' rule is that I don't do a fashion twice. I did the shorts over tights look in the early 90s so I can't go back there, it's time for something different.

Personally, I don't think it's a question of figure and legs so much as hair and face. If you look 19 from behind, or below the neck, there's a danger that looking 39 from the front can make you look a bit comical.

toffeefee · 29/09/2012 11:45

I don't think that age has anything to do with what you can and can't wear! If you have the legs and the confidence then I say go for it! Life would be really boring if we all wore the same thing!

Biggem · 29/09/2012 12:02

Where are said shorts from?
I like this look with lovely tailored shorts, and agree with whoever said about the 19 year olds in cutoffs and tights...same way I feel about ANYONE in leggings and a top not covering the arse or muff. Unless they are leather / leather look.
Back to the shorts tho, I think if ur comfortable in it wear it!

SpicyPear · 29/09/2012 12:15

I would go for it, much more to do with figure than age. I love the look but can't do it because of my substantial arse and thighs. It wouldn't have worked on me even at 16!

Original poster

Dosey · 29/09/2012 23:25

Thank you ladies you have inspired me. I do have the figure and 1605 if I never wore fashion the second time around I would have an empty wardrobe. I did skinnies in the eighties, leggings in the nighties, I have done skipants twice and I too did hot pants and tights in the early nighties. I don't look my age and hardly ever act it!!!

OP posts:

ToastedTeacakes · 30/09/2012 00:13

Now that I think of it, I might start to make an effort to look 65 from behind so that people get a real surprise when I turn around and they see my 38 yr old face at from the front!

It's all fluid though, for what was deemed decidedly non age appropriate 50 yrs ago passes as ok these days, and I'm sure it will alter even more over the next few decades.

If I think about it, I probably won't want to wear what 'reminds' me of teenagers, so the items themselves aren't so much the issue - it's the association that connects a given age group to a certain style, like old ladies and curlers....and yet in the 40's curlers were pretty big with younger women.

Not sure I made any foofing sense there at all..

Startailoforangeandgold · 30/09/2012 00:51

Definitely one size up on the shorts.
My not so slight DD does denim shorts and tights and even at 14 the slightly looser shorts with turn ups are way better than the ones that are tighter.

theoriginalandbestrookie · 30/09/2012 07:26

Tailored ones would look fine, I haven't seen anyone on the school run with them, but I don't think that a tweedy pair with thick tights would look out of place.
Tbh I don't even think that teenagers look good in the cut off denim ones with tights.

Btw did you know that they make special low slung tights you can wear with them, woman in the office bought a pair accidentally ( for use with a dress) and spent the rest of the day hoiking them up to stop Nora Batty type accident.

BonnyDay · 30/09/2012 07:56

Stop putting kisses on your posts ffs

Born2bemild · 30/09/2012 09:17

Look nice with a fitted shortish jacket too.

ifancyashandy · 30/09/2012 10:02

I am 42 & wear grey tweed / felty shorts with dark grey wooly tights. Shoes were black, pointy brogues. Top was short sleeved cotton blouse from Jaeger. Loved it! I do have good legs, am 5'9" & they're my best feature.

I too laugh at age appropriate dressing! Was out in leather leggings & army boots the other night!

ZombiesAreClammyDodgers · 30/09/2012 15:59

Age is just a stupid number. Wear whatever you can pull off, with your figure and your look.
dustypeople I completely agree with you.

pantaloons · 30/09/2012 16:05

I'm 31 and was thinking this the other day. Mainly because I stepped out of my room in the morning wearing a nice fitted jumper and shorts with thick brown tights and the intention of wearing calf length brown boots. At the same time my dd1 who's 9 stepped out of her room wearing shorts, tights, a white t shirt and pretty scarf.

TBH she made me feel a bit old for my shorts as she looked so lovely, but I do really like my shorts. Of course on the day I swapped my shorts for some skinnies!

mamalovesmojitos · 30/09/2012 16:10

Can't believe some people think you're too old for this look! I really don't. Wear with pride.

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