Do you wear short shorts?

[JulyJuly19]

I nipped out to the post box today (work from home) and decided not to change out of my slumming it at home and working in the garden working from home clothes as I normally would to go out, as it is only 5 minutes away. However I suddenly felt self conscious about the fact that I was wearing shorts! Cut off denim shorts about 2/3 of the way up my thighs. (It has been scorching here today).

I hated feeling self-conscious but I feel like the skin around my thighs and above my knees has got less firm recently. (i'm 39). I do exercise regularly (running, swimming and weights) and the muscles are good, just not the saggy skin on top!

How old are you and would you wear short shorts? I.e. not long "city" shorts, and not super skimpy up your bum ones, but 2/3 up the thigh type?

If I had the legs I would, but I like to keep my cellulite as a special visual treat just for DH - lucky boy!

Life is short, no-one cares that you have a bit of saggy skin at the top. Just wear what you feel comfy in OP, let those legs breathe!

I'm approaching 40 and I wear them all the time (on the few occasions it's warm enough I might add). I sometimes have to remind myself I'm no longer 18 when choosing clothes though as my style hasn't really changed since then 🙈

OP here. Ok so regarding age.... I'm sorry that I feel like I opened a can of worms by mentioning my age and asking yours. 🙈 Let me be clear that I absolutely DO NOT subscribe to the idea that certain clothing "shouldn't" be worn by women after a certain age due to any warped sense of morality or "decency" - this is absolute bollocks and I hate those articles usually in the Daily Fail about what not to wear after 30 etc etc . The reason I asked about age was to compare if others have experienced saggy skin syndrome in their late 30's and how they felt / if it changed what they feel comfortable wearing.

I am feeling in awe and motivated by all the ladies saying they don't give a fuck and I want to be that person. On balance my legs aren't the worst anyone's seen- I'm size 12, 5'9" and reasonably slim. So it's all in our minds isn't it, and in our perception of ourselves / our own self-confidence. When I was a teenager / 20's I hated my legs because for some reason I didn't like my ankles. Now I wish I could have those legs back! Now I'm self conscious about my thigh skin becoming saggy over the last couple of years due to age. But I'm trying to imagine my 60 year old self and what she would say to me now. Probably something like "I'd love those legs back!"

It's incredible the influence that the media / society / popular body image / instagram has on us and I am really starting to feel this as I turn 40. I know that's not a new revelation, but it is still staggering to me, that as pp have said, men just don't face these issues.

Moving forward, I think I will try making my legs the best they can be, exercising, exfoliating, waxing, bit of body lotion, but most of all feeling gratitude for all the places they have taken me and all the things they have enabled me to do. 💕

@itsboiledeggsagain @blankcheque City shorts are those long very tailored structured ones that stop above the knee and you can wear with a blouse for a smart "office" look.

@AnnaNimmity that is actually a really helpful rule, thank you! I wish they'd bring back that show - or a version of it perhaps presented by other people- What Not to Wear wasn't it?

I prefer skirts and dresses as a rule but find shorts much more practical for running around after small children. The winds always finds a way to blow my dress up when I wear them!

I wear mine quite high because I find it more flattering too.

Hi OP - I too wish I had the guts to ignore what my legs look like and just wear what's cool and comfortable. But for me, it's fat, not age, that stops me from doing so. I would like to imagine that nobody would notice or care about my fat thighs if I wore shorts, but sadly I just do not believe that's true. I might start my own thread about it somewhere else though and stop hijacking yours

I wear shorts. I'm over 50 which is irrelevant. I also wear short skirts and dresses, bikinis on holiday and shorts/swimsuit twice a week at the gym. My body is slim and in decent shape, I don't have any hang ups.

Forgot to say, I’m older than you OP and though the shape of my legs is pretty good they bruises all over due to my hobby, so they aren’t that attractive! I still wear the shorts.

I prefer short shorts, think they look better than the longer ones which tend to make my legs look dumpy.
I take blood thinners and have bruises all over my legs but still get the shorts out if it's hot enough. Up here in the NE it hasn't been warm enough for shorts yet this summer. Bloody miserable weather.

But I'm trying to imagine my 60 year old self and what she would say to me now. Probably something like "I'd love those legs back!"
I remember Freddie and the Dreamers singing 'We wear short shorts' so I will say it to you. Had I realised what lay ahead for my legs - and particularly my knees - I would have worn them every day.

I don't wear them now partly because I'm vain but also because I can't stand the feeling of bare flesh cooking in the sun. When it's hot I feel much more comfortable covered up.

Does anyone not wear shorts because their legs are white?

@Dandelionplease white legs are easy to remedy! I use bondi sands gradual tan which is brilliant and easy. I would love a body lotion to firm up my saggy skin but I doubt there's anything that could do that!

July- thanks will look it up 🙂

I agree short shorts are much more flattering, but I hate the fat on the inside of my legs just above the knee. I'm a healthy weight, but I can't seem to shift these. I end up in long shorts, which aren't particularly flattering and definitely make me look bigger over all but I just can't face the short ones.

Floral Nomad.

I think short shorts only look bad if you’ve got fat thighs and no sign of a thigh gap

Well it’s a good job I don’t give a flying fuck what you think. And no one else should either. Nut ckearky at least one ouster has taken it to heart and now feels bad about her legs - hope you’re proud of yourself

It’s great YOU think YOUR legs are fabulous, we might not all agree, but there’s absolutely NO NEED to tear other women down.

DandelionPlease. I won’t use colouring products, I don’t believe the chemicals in them can be good for you and it’s a messy faff I’m not up for

I work on the theory that yes they’re a bit shite (well, a LIT white truthfully) st the start of the summer but they won’t stay that way if I’m wearing my shorts !

My aim is to feel comfortable, not look like an airbrushed model. I don’t exist to bring others visual pleasure. I’m clean, I’m tidy(ish most if the time), I smell nice and that’s good enough for me any one that doesn’t like it can go screw themselves frankly

@ChippingInLowCarbing yes, great attitude! This is what I'm aiming for!

But I confess @Dandelionplease that a bit of gradual tan does make me feel more confident (slimmer) and so I don't see the harm in it for me personally. If you do try the bondi sands, use a mitt and apply it daily until you build up to the colour you like. X

I didn't wear shorts for years as I only tried longer ones and at under 5ft they really don't suit me. Now in my mid-40s and I wear mid-thigh ones all summer (although not to work) and absolutely do not care what people think of my legs. I exercise regularly so my legs are toned although the skin on my thighs has cellulite and stretch marks from 2 children.

cut off denim from Gap and cotton short ones from Gap too

IncrediblySadToo - agreed you should wear what you like especially shorts!

i recall being a slim 21 year old and worrying that I couldn't wear short denim shorts and being reassured by the saleswoman that I could.

Also about 7 years ago in Gap, a healthy 9.5/10 stone (Inbetween) trying on shorts - wondering if they looked ok, a very nice woman in the fitting room told me kindly that I looked fine - and I did - especially with a light tan. Yes, I have cellulite, yes, I'm not a perfect 10, sod it i can still wear shorts!

I don’t exist to bring others visual pleasure.

We should get MN t-shirts printed with this. So wise.

Dandelionplease I have very white skin. I used fake tan on my legs once, for a family wedding because my mother told me my legs were too white. I hate the photos, my legs don't look like my legs at all. So I'm white and proud. Better to be your natural colour than a painted (or bleached) version of yourself.

@CountFosco whilst I applaud your stance and your confidence, I don't think there's anything wrong with @Dandelionplease or anyone else using a little bit of tan if it helps her feel that bit more confidence, if she chooses. It's not that different to wearing make up or jewellery really. Also gradual tan is not the same as fake tan. After one application you barely notice it, and you have to build it up over a number of days, so there's very little chance of emerging from the bathroom as Tango man.

For me I think there's a balance to be found between doing a few material things to boost my confidence externally (wearing the right length shorts, exercise, gradual tan) and feeling confident within myself and giving less of a fuck.

It's not that different to wearing make up or jewellery really.

I don't wear makeup either, don't think it's necessary.But if others enjoy it that's fine, I don't think people should feel they have to wear it though.

I actually view jewellery quite differently though, it's about craftmanship and displaying your taste and wealth. Fabulous jewellery looks as good on aged bodies as it does on young ones. And no-one thinks they can't go out without any jewellery on.

That's fine @CountFosco. I'm not really disagreeing with you anyway. Just saying that although it's your choice to never wear make up or tan, it's ok for other women to choose to do so if they feel it helps boost their confidence imo.

The things we do to ourselves... women have to run through this awful, self-critical checklist before they can deem themselves worthy of dressing comfortably for the weather. Are my legs thin enough? Are they the right colour? The right shape? Is my skin smooth and flawless, or do I have blotches, veins, and bruises? Can anyone see my cellulite? Have I completely denuded my legs of any hair? God forbid you oblige anyone else to witness a less-than-perfect pair of female legs in public.

As far as I can tell, men need only answer one question - do I want to wear shorts today? If yes, wear the damn shorts.