What to wear for summer holiday post 40 year old? Not sure I still look good in short shorts?

[Puygo]

I know people may say wear what you like and feel comfortable in. But when I look in the mirror I feel I now understand the saying you are as old as your knees. My go to summer holiday wear has always been short shorts - denim or otherwise. Along with a pretty vest or sleeveless top. But they just don’t look right any more. So I am pondering alternatives.

knee lengths shorts
three quarter length trousers
knee length skirts
maxi skirts

i feel maxi skirts are the most stylish of these but I am a mum of sporty kids and always in the go so maxi skirts aren’t really practical.

knee length skirts look really old fashioned to me
although could maybe work

which are most stylish out of knee length shorts vs three quarter trousers?

many advice greatly welcomed

I think anything goes on holiday really.
Personally I'd go for short shorts or maxi skirts. Bermuda shorts are very in but not everyone suits them.

3/4 trousers are the least fashionable followed by knee length skirts but people will be wearing the whole range of stuff so why give a damn!

Enjoy your holiday OP.

Where are you going on holiday? It was nearly 40 degrees when I was in Spain last year. You'll boil in trousers.

Just wear the shorts!!

South of France. I think I will be in swim shorts/sarongs etc at beach but trousers maybe for dinner?

I hadn’t hear Bermuda shorts are in. Sounds intriguing . Off to look them up

I don't think I've ever suited shorts. I've always envied the bony, protruding knee cap, but in my family we have what looks like a smashed in, flattened looking knee cap. My alternative to shorts that I'm really enjoying is the barrel leg linen trousers. So light! If there is a breeze you can really feel it through the fabric. Meanwhile, my knees are hidden, so I can swan about pretending I have perfectly lovely knees and no one's the wiser.

Bermuda shorts appear to be just above the knee and baggy? Looks quite nice

I’ve never had good legs so live by the adage, “tone it, and if you can’t tone it tan it” 😂

Long loose linen trousers are my friend, as are more body con jersey midi skirts and midi length t-shirt dresses.

Tenniscore is a big summer trend and those polo shirt t-shirt dresses are cute. They tend to fall knee length, maybe just above.

I like the sound of tennis dress! Can you post an example please @StormingNorman ?

I wear these on holiday and I'm 55 and a size 14/16 - nobody looks at you at all, teamed with cap sleeve vest and was cool and
Stylish in my own way

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-high-waisted-shorts/p/clp60696211?intid=mobileappppdpshare

I'm just back from Crete at the age of 63, and, to be honest, it was so fucking hot that I wore short shorts and didn't care, because anything else was just far too hot! Nobody gave a damn.

This sort of thing

https://www.gant.co.uk/shield-pique-polo-dress-evening-blue/7325707545085.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD13qTnK5CqszGpLKrCW3pXvJOk94&gclid=CjwKCAjwhIS0BhBqEiwADAUhc2cyc11V6PjR_NH2-S0qgfCShVtWSyLU6_XuQp6h0EIgXCaUMJEOFBoCedkQAvD_BwE

I don’t agree with this - I’m in late forties and see lots of people of all ages looking good in shorts. I think they are great on most people as long as they are not too tight - my advice is size up.

@dudsville yes smashed in flattened looking knee cap is a pretty good description for me unfortunately!

@dudsville I have bony protruding kneecaps and always envied women who looked like they didn't have any knees. You know the sort - smashed in and flattened

It's always the way! My DH has the lovely bony kneecaps too. He's not at all interested in kneecaps, but wishes he had better teeth. I have naturally good teeth, crap kneecaps.

I'm quite a bit past 40 but still wear shorts. Long shorts make my short size 14 legs look dreadful. The best ones are a flared mid length linen mix shorts in an ecru. Worn with a simple white vest & a loose cotton kimono over the top if you want a bit more coverage. I saw this look on Wrap London & misappropriated it using cheaper pieces.

Knee length skirts or dresses that length will be fine in the south of France. Remember you are visiting a place where style exists, not somewhere warm in the UK.

I'm 49 and wear shorts with a 4 inch inside leg (crotch to hem along the seam). Any shorter and I feel uncomfortable but I only judge it by how I feel in terms of sitting down, not what other people think. This is a cropped shot of what that length looks like

Palazzo pants are lovely, flowing and cool

If I had nice legs like that, I’d certainly not worry about wearing shorts!

I love Mountain Warehouse for casual summer dresses and just wear some cyclingesque shorts underneath if I'm running around after little ones. They always have a sale on too, dresses normally around the £20 mark.

Once they've done a season I repurpose them as night wear but I live alone and appreciate I might not do that if I had a partner, but with no buttons or zips they make great nightdresses too

I have really knobbly knees and chubby little legs that are so white I risk causing snow blindness in onlookers when I emerge from the sea, but I still wear short shorts in the hot weather! I’ve been nigh on invisible since about the age of 40, so have ceased to give a damn. I don’t wear the ones so short that one’s bottom is hanging out though. Definitely not for me!

Thank you!

I've just been away (Borneo) and had a combination of linen tops and shorts (not the very short but not long either) khaki and light pink, linen dresses and a Craghoppers shirt and Acai thin green trousers for trekking. Plus swimwear and few other dresses. Dresses roughly knee length as pretty active.

OP, that M&S denim skirt is great but you would be far too hot in it in the S of France.