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Original poster

Can a 40 year old wear...

162 replies

Loonytoonie · 01/12/2013 16:24

...denim shorts and thick tights? Possibly with chunky boots, maybe with ballerina shoes (black), and a fairly plainish long sleeve fitted top.

I have a fairly muscular build and decent legs. DH reckons I'm too old for that....

OP posts:
NoComet · 01/12/2013 22:20

I think a short skirt or non denim shorts might be safer, but only because my 12y lives in denim shorts over leggings (assorted colours) and my 15y wouldn't put on her shorts except in hot weather.

southeastastra · 01/12/2013 22:28

ooh and don't forget to get your colours done Grin

HavantGuard · 01/12/2013 22:33

You don't have to dress old to avoid dressing like a teenager. Nothing makes women look older than appropriating teenage style because we're all so used to seeing them wear that the contrast is deeply unflattering, especially that jaw dropping moment when the person turns round and you see an 36 year old face on what you assumed was a 16 year old. There are styles that 25 year olds wouldn't touch because they are too young.

noddyholder · 01/12/2013 22:58

Mrsdevere Grin

Lottapianos · 01/12/2013 23:15

Wear what you want. If you genuinely feel good in it, then go for it. Why the hell not? I'm 34 and I wear denim shorts and tights and have no intention of stopping any time soon. I don't know what's supposed to magically happen at 40 that makes certain looks NOT OK ANYMORE

Financeprincess · 01/12/2013 23:28

Nothing magically happens at 40. Don't be facile. You can be too old for some styles when you are 34 (to pick a random number). The point is, sometimes you have to accept that certain items of clothing will make you look like mutton, or silly, and you have to take that into account.

I'd live to still be wearing micro mini skirts, as I did up until my early 30s, but I had to accept that it didn't look as good when I was a bit older and that different styles suited me better.

The OP quite reasonably asked whether, at her age, she could get away with denim shorts. She's not asking for permission; she wants to gather impartial opinions.

By all means live according to the "I'll wear what I like!" principle, but if you do, don't complain when people are critical of your appearance.

Financeprincess · 01/12/2013 23:29

I'd LOVE, not I'd LIVE. I don't miss pelmet skirts that much.

Belize · 01/12/2013 23:29

Lotta, it isn't that it's not ok it just looks daft and a bit tragic. Not a look I strive for if I'm honest Grin!

SlicedLemon · 01/12/2013 23:44

As someone over 40 a huge part of me thinks wear what you feel happy in and sod anyone else but I have become aware of tge jaw drop scenario lately. Thankfully not at myself but 2 of my trendy mates.
What I mean by the jaw drop is when some sees you from z dustance or ftom behind. You look young and fab by your clothes, even have a great figure and good legs etc. but then you turn around with your 40yo face and your admirer automatically drops their jaw in shock or surprise.
Not a nice experienceSad .

SlicedLemon · 01/12/2013 23:46

But actually I do strongly believe wear what you like znd enjoy it. Chances are you will never look this fab again. In 10 years time you will think "wow I was quite good for 40. what was i so worried about? "Smile Smile

ProphetOfDoom · 01/12/2013 23:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LondonNinja · 01/12/2013 23:58

Wear what you feel good in! Sod everyone else. As long as you feel confident in it, you'll wear the outfit (rather than it wearing you)...

Sod dressing at Hobbs - I'm in my mid-40s and would hate to feel that I had to wear some of their frumpy stuff. Some is nice, but, er, not as a 'look'.

southeastastra · 01/12/2013 23:58

sliced lemon that is just such a depressing way to look at things

so you care what some random stranger would think if they saw your shock horror over 40 face???

what does it matter what strangers think? blimey life is too short to not take advantage of the fun we have in the UK with fashion

HavantGuard · 02/12/2013 00:00

You can wear all sorts of stuff without touching on a style that's the preserve of tweenies/teens.

sparklysilversequins · 02/12/2013 00:01

Yes of course you can OP. I am 42 and do. My last boyfriend who was gorgeous and 30 certainly seemed to like it Smile.

eden263 · 02/12/2013 00:07

Wear what you feel happy in, sod what anyone else thinks.

treaclesoda · 02/12/2013 00:07

can I hijack slightly to tell you all how I fell in love with this look 25 years ago as a 13 year old, after I saw it in a fashion magazine.

My dad refused to let me out of the house, not on the groubds of decency, but on the grounds that it was 'disrespectful to my family' to 'dress so strangely'. Grin

treaclesoda · 02/12/2013 00:08

I haven't worn this look since I was about 18, but I say if you want to, go for it, why not?

JollyGolightly · 02/12/2013 00:16

Are your legs fabulous? If so, go for it.

FlirtingFail · 02/12/2013 05:50

"I'd rather be a 70 year old in sequinned hotpants than a 40 year old in Hobbs." - yes to this! Also yes to looking back and thinking "I looked good for 40, why didn't I wear it."

IMO, it is far far more aging to wear frumpier age-appropriate stuff. Surely the point of wearing this kind of thing at 40 is not that you think you look 17, but that it's fun?

annieorangutan · 02/12/2013 06:07

God thay hobbs stuff is frumpy. I have not ever seen it before it looks like stuff my 60 year old mum would like.

Ifancyashandy · 02/12/2013 06:43

No to Hobbs, Phase 8, White Stuff, Joules et al. Boring and frumpy.

I'm 44. In the last week I've worn short tweed shorts with black opaques and pointed brogues as well as a leather skater skirt with ankle boots, pleather leggings and leather jeans. I'm often complimented on my style & have bloody great legs. Damned if I'm keeping all my light under a bushel! I work bloody hard at keeping fit and intend to dress to please myself for the rest of my life.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in / suits you.

ithaka · 02/12/2013 06:51

Not denim - but then, I would say 'no' to a denim skirt as well, too Pamela Anderson.

It is not a look I like on anyone over teenage years, but as long as the shorts aren't denim, you could probably get away with it. I am not sure why you would want to.

Ifancyashandy · 02/12/2013 06:53

'Im not sure why you would want to'

Presumably because the OP likes the look.

SlicedLemon · 02/12/2013 08:38

southeastastra - whats so depressing? And no I am not worried what people actually think but my friend certainly was upset - she said so. We did "laugh" about it later but all can think of times its happend before times people have told me about (and laughed about in my youth) and even when we have seen people ourselves from behind etc and been quite surprised when they turn around that they are nearer 40 than 20. Its a sad fact of life that if you have a certain look and even if it suits you and you look fab - people dont automatically expect you to be over a certain age in that look.

And yes - I think hell of a lot of women look back at their 20yo selves and wish they hadn't been so insecure in their appearrance back then and think "what was I worried about, I would die for that figure now/tits to be in the right place now etc". Its a life lesson and wisdom that grows with you as a person that now I am 40 - yeah I dont look a pert maybe as I did at 20 but I will look back at how I look now in 10/20 years time and think "bloodyhell woman, you looked damn good, what were you worried about". Wear it now.

I reallly try not to judge people on how they look but I am only human yep sometimes it happens but I would never be so rude to say anything.

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