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Original poster

If you are 40 something, do you wear denim mini skirts?

198 replies

PolyesterBride · 22/09/2014 09:41

Just bought one because I have always had a short denim skirt for winter with tights. Bought it online and this one is a bit mini-er than I was planning (mid thigh rather than just an inch above the knee) and I'm not sure I can get away with it. If I was 25 then maybe but I'm 41. Will everyone think I'm mutton dressed as lamb? My legs are ok but not super toned and I'm short (5'2").

Does anyone else wear mini skirts in their 40s?

OP posts:
tanya1010 · 22/09/2014 11:27

Yes i wear them all the time with opaque tights and usually boots. I feel comfy and confident wearing them. My legs are still ok and i like the freedom and the look a mini gives. If you dont feel confident or comfy wearing them however then i wouldnt.

sisterofmercy · 22/09/2014 11:29

Mini-skirt and knee high boots is 60s style and the 60s were all about the cult of youth. If you look young for your age and are so confident that you can kick it without caring for current fashion or other people's opinions then go for it. I personally think it looks great in a retro way.

If you're a bit nervous then you won't wear it and I would recommend you get something you feel more comfortable in - perhaps something non denim (but I expect there is some stylish denim around) that is an edgy style or pattern but a bit longer.

leedy · 22/09/2014 11:34

A bit :( that I am apparently in the age group when I should be worrying about looking like "mutton dressed as lamb", etc. I mean, I'm not going for high waisted shiny toreador pants with tiny crop tops or whatever it is the young crazy kids are doing these days, but are short skirts really that unthinkable for women in their early 40s? Should I be off to M&S Classics for some nice quiet tailoring and sensible pumps? Perhaps get a perm like my late nan?

(I like my denim minis with tights and boots and a leather biker jacket.)

leedy · 22/09/2014 11:36

Though do agree that it's all about what you feel comfortable/confident wearing.

tanya1010 · 22/09/2014 11:41

Yes, i wear them all the time with opaque tights and usually with boots. I like the freedom and style of a denim mini. It is quite versatile and stylish. I feel confident and comfy wearing them and my legs are still ok. It doesnt look that short really, but i do have a couple of their skirts myself that do come up shorter than it says and looks on their website. I am 5'10" and late 40s and basically dont care what others think providing i feel ok and confident wearing it. My advice would be if you dont feel confident and comfy wearing it then dont. Also opaque tights are a must !

SqueezyCheeseWeasel · 22/09/2014 11:42

I don't think it's "muttony", I just think it's very dated as a fashion 'look', but if you don't care about that stuff (and why should you) then go for it.

KylieAteMyHamster · 22/09/2014 11:42

I know this is the S&B board so people will have their opinions on fashion but the phrase 'mutton dressed as lamb' just reeks of nastiness.

Wear your skirt, OP, if you love it and feel great in it. Really, who cares what other people think? I would rather be so-called 'mutton' than the kind of mean-spirited person who judges other women's outfits.

mswibble · 22/09/2014 11:46

I wear mine with the thermal black leggings from Primark and boots, either my stompy CATs or Uggs. Its a staple A/W winter look for me. (Im 29)

ProbablyMe · 22/09/2014 11:47

I'm 40 and I wear one with thick tights(not necessarily black either) plus boots (sheepskin or leather), flat pumps, converse... I feel happy in it, I have good legs (the rest not so good!) I shall carry on wearing it too!!!

OnlyLovers · 22/09/2014 11:47

the phrase 'mutton dressed as lamb' just reeks of nastiness. . . . I would rather be so-called 'mutton' than the kind of mean-spirited person who judges other women's outfits.

Well said, Kylie!

Momagain1 · 22/09/2014 11:47

IMHO any outfit that make an older woman look like "mutton dressed as lamb" would make lamb look like tart. Overexposed is not a good look on anyone at any age.

A straight denim skirt, with no frills or fabric treatment, of any length, is a casual classic. If you dont feel comfortable in this one, then return it and keep hunting for the one you feel is right. Since you are short, you might be able to buy a larger one, for the length, and have it tailored to fit.

noddyholder · 22/09/2014 11:57

I am 49 and would wear if it was my style but it isn't really but I don't think I am too old still have good legs and am slimmish. I have a friend same age and she wears denim short skirt with woolen tights and ankle boots and big sloppy type jumper and looks great

noddyholder · 22/09/2014 11:57

I still wear shorts in summer though with BARE LEGS so shoot me

Bowlersarm · 22/09/2014 12:00

Yes, I wear them summer and winter. Frequently told they suit me/I look nice etc.

Redefined · 22/09/2014 12:01

Umm.... not an ounce of nastiness intended in 'mutton dressed as lamb'. It was taken straight from the OP, not thrown at the poster (or anyone else!)

I do stick by my point that anyone looking in the mirror and wondering to themselves if they do look MDAS as though the style is far too young for them, probably does.

SpaceStation · 22/09/2014 12:07

Not denim, but that's because I don't really like denim skirts/don't think they suit me, but I love a medium mini (not crotch-skimming, but a few inches above the knee) in winter with tights and boots, I love that look (am 44). I like tweed, cord, thick felted wool etc. - it has to be a robust fabric.

I remember going to see Germaine Greer lecture when I was a student, so she must have been 50ish. She rocked a mini, boots and tights and not in a mutton/trying to look younger way at all. So that was a style inspiration, thanks Germaine! (Hope I also took something else from her talk...)

noddyholder · 22/09/2014 12:07

So many age related rules on MN that I never hear IRL amongst my friends We are all approaching 50 some are 50 and in professional careers and no one i any rush to ditch long hair short skirts skinny jeans etc etc unless we just feel they aren't us any more. Life is hard enough without this sort of thing.

ChickenFajitaAndNachos · 22/09/2014 12:11

I always know straight away when I try clothes on if they suit me and if I am going to wear them a lot. If I am in doubt I don't buy them and just forget about them.

bonkersLFDT20 · 22/09/2014 12:12

redroses
"No no no!
A 40 + woman really can't get away with a) light denim and b) a mini, regardless of tights!"

Really? I'm not keen on light denim, but I wear minis with tights a lot.
I am 43. How old are you?

Original poster
PolyesterBride · 22/09/2014 12:13

You're right - the phrase mutton dressed as lamb is not very nice and I never use it about other people. I like denim minis and think they look all right on me but suddenly worried when I put it on that other people might think I'm trying to dress in teenagers clothes.

It's just that the other women in my office or at the school gates generally don't wear that kind of skirt. Short skirts are mainly seen on "dressed up" people here. I want to dress down - but not in a boring, given up on fashion type way.

Everyone's right who says it's all about feeling comfortable and not caring what other people say, of course. But I don't want to be totally deluded!

OP posts:
burnishedsilver · 22/09/2014 12:14

People say that if you feel happy wearing it then go ahead but if you felt comfortable and confident wearing it you wouldn't have asked the question. The answer is in the question.

ChickenFajitaAndNachos · 22/09/2014 12:17

No minis after 40, fuck that. I'm 45, have a wicked body, tonnes of confidence, and wear mini skirts and have loads of short dresses. Oh and I have really long hair too.

noddyholder · 22/09/2014 12:19

People who use phrases like that can't feel good about themselves

noddyholder · 22/09/2014 12:22

I wore a shortish dress to a night out and one of dp colleagues wives said I looked tarty Grin it was very plain and just above the knee with opaques and ankle boots she also referred to me having hair past shoulders ?? Ironic really as I had just told her how lovely she looked even though her dress was for someone much older and she looked according to others frumpy but I stuck up for her! Women are their own worst enemies.

SpaceStation · 22/09/2014 12:22

I think what you like and feels right on you is more important than what other people wear. If you stick to that, I think it's hard to look as if you're trying to do anything, or look deluded, because all you're doing is going "I love this skirt, so I'm wearing it".

I do know what you mean about "do I look daft/deluded?" but a) if you do care what people think, responses on this thread suggest your skirt is perfectly acceptable :o and b) I do believe you can literally wear anything if you have the confidence and are wearing it because you like it.

I always like to think of Anna Dello Russo because in every pic of her, while she's obviously fashion-mad and usually wearing something outlandish, her attitude and smile just says "yes, I'm just popping down the shop, yes, and...?"