short skirts for over 40's

[SimplyCupcakes]

so, I am lucky in that I am tall, have pretty good legs except for bumpy knees and a few veins, I am mid 40's. Is it acceptable for me to wear a short, fitted dress?? I need to know before my wonderful hubby comes home, see's the dress and says "Definitely!!!" He doesn't seem to realize that we change our wardrobe as we get older..bless.

No reason at all not to wear a short dress, if you have the legs for it.

And listen to DH, you look fab.

i hope it's acceptable as most of my dresses are short and fitted.

ooh, not the answers I was expecting! DH has been nagging me for years for not showing off my legs but now feel it would look a bit 'common'? However, I do despair when I see some of the young'uns with too short skirts and not the legs for them but brazen enough to carry it off.

Of course you can wear short skirts, above knee.
I changed my wardrobe last year and have 2 skirts and 2 dresses above knee length. I was very concious of my white legs but have decided not to care
Go for it.
I'm 40.

Wear it. Bangs gavel

(Over 40 myself and partial to getting my legs out so have a vested interest!)

Yes do it! My mum, pretty thin, 55, does, looks fantastic. My aunt, pretty fat, 50, does, looks fantastic.

I would say I think you have to dial down the bling and / or makeup if you're going short, but I think that applies to everyone. Or else it can look a bit 80s / American / Corrie

awwww, bless! Thank you sooo much, feeling much better now, am always envious of women all shapes and sizes that have the confidence and self-esteam (?) to wear what they like. DD (20) also says I should go for it!

I'm chucking out any skirt or dress that isn't either a maxi or a couple of inches above the knee length tbh.
You can get away with any length while you are young but somehow now I'm mid 40s I look frumpy and mummy in mid length

Agree whoknows - there is something chic about shorter length in 40s, 50s, 60s. Antidote to the frump.

There is a woman on the school run who I would guess is well into her 40's and only ever wears teeny tiny short skirts and dresses. And she looks fantastic!

(except when she bends over to pick something up from the floor.....you might want to practice crouching facing away from people)

Go for it - if you have the legs, show 'em off!

I think most people even those in their 20s look better in just above the knee or on the knee.

as I thought, DH was a 'definitely, but only when we're out together!' Still haven't decided, have got 8 days before it has to be returned or bought!

Link to dress?

Yes your right about certain lengths looking frumpy (mid length ?) not quite sure why when you get to a certain age. Have always got away with things up to now I am 44 but put some diamante flat stroppy sandals on and my feet looked old in them, there was too much flesh exposed
It is so much easier when you are younger you can look good in anything. Feeling wistful.

strappy not stroppy !

I'm not sure about that kerstina there are a lot of younger women who shouldn't wear short dresses/skirts!

I'm mid-fifties and still wear shortish skirts but only only with opaque black tights.

I'm trusting my daughter to tell me when it isn't acceptable.

I am 40 soon, and have wondered about this, and what we are doing is allowing convention or fear decide what we wear, really. I have noticed that men always seem to encourage it, so it must be a 'woman' thing to worry about or care about the 'rules'.

I like all skirt lengths and won't just lay away the shorter ones (not micro though! I never did do that) once I meet the big 40. I would decide upon what made me look and feel best, and sometimes a shorter length works best.

In summer, I see women of all ages wearing shorts, and nobody every worries about that. Today on the bus I saw at least 4 women well over 55 wearing loose fit shorts and they had awesome legs. I can see why the men don't want them hidden...

But this isn't about men. It's how you style it, isn't it?

kerstina I have never considered aging feet! Surely this cannot be??

Maybe I was just having a bad feet day The veins seemed to be standing out !!!

Mine have been aging since my teens then! I always get veiny hands and feet. My friend, who is 54 doesn't have them.

Pro tip: hold your hands in the air for photo's!

Am 41 and have just bought a denim mini skirt. If you look good and feel confident in it, why on earth not?

unfortunately I have decided not to keep the dress! I just know that i'd go to put it on, then have a 'nope, can't do it!' and end up never wearing it. I think its just too short, being quite tall (5ft10) it is shorter on me than it would be on an average height woman, and as its a stretchy material I would be spending all evening hoiking it down! so pleased by all positive comments, now will not automatically not try on shorter dresses just because i'm over 40! Thanks all! x

You're right, you've got to feel comfortable and confident. X

Go for it. It is how you style it that makes the difference. I do think that quality is more important in short skirts though to get the 'hang' right so look for good fabrics that are weightier-embellished skirts hang well and will not fly up revealing all nor hoik up. I especially like the flat sandal/tan legs/shorter skirt combo in Summer and thick patterned or bright tights/woolly sweater in Winter. Check out Chanel A/W for inspiration for the Winter-lots of woollen and flannel shirt skirts there.