The dress with legging look - can you wear it if you're over 40?

[ShellingPeas]

I wore leggings with style back in the 80s when I was young. Now I'm 43, still have a pretty good figure (size 8) and good legs but don't want to look like mutton etc... And I'd hate it if someone thought 'oh, nice from the back' and then I turn round and scare them!

So, dress/tunic + leggings - yes or no for over 40s?

Yes I think you could. I'm 44 and have been known to I share same fears as yourself - young back and scarey front .

oh god I hope so! I wear it, although more often I wear jeans rather than legging, but that has more to do with not have the right shoes!
Especially is you are size 8

Yes, definitely, but I think some shape to the top is important, particularly if you're a size 8 or a busty wench!

i dont like

my mum is loving the dress over leggings look. Obv she is much much older than you

er that's not meant to be a put off btw. She looks fine

herjazz

yes go for it, I'm 42 and wear leggings with tunic/long t-shirt/boyfriend cardi etc. I'm size 6-8 with toned runners legs and after years of not liking my legs, now they're in good shape i wanna get them out!

Okay, so generally positive at the mo...

I do the dress and jeans thing a lot - I work with pre-schoolers quite a bit and need something that means I'm not flashing my knickers to everyone when I'm crawling around the floor or pretending to be a rabbit. Hence wondering whether leggings were okay for the summer weather (should it ever get here).

I will try it and see if (a) everyone falls about laughing, or (b) I get lots of attention from the rear and horrified faces when they see my face!

Problem is, in my head, I am still 20 and I'm not quite ready for polyester floral frocks yet.

I know what you mean about the nice from the back look. i am sometimes scared i have this effect i am 46

i ind the obsession with black legs boring.

I can't get away from thinking it is an 80s thing and therefore for young people. Am certain the 40-somethings didn't wear them back in ye olden days.

i dont liek too many clothes on
smacks of indecision
eg vest, t, cardigan, jacket, leggings skirt belt
just put LESS ON

bibbety - didnt 40 somethings wear tight ski pants though? that was a middle aged look anyway.

Shellingpeas - you should also try navy, brown and dark grey leggings - not just black. I think those colours are generally more flattering and suited better to wearing with summer colours. Black with summer colours looks a bit "I got lost on the way to my modern dance class"

What do you think we should wear when 40? crimpolene and draw waisted trousers? Wear what you like!

Max Wall knees here also (47 this month).

I wear dresses with jeans or trousers as I line the flowiness of a dress and the elongating of the middle section (plus the fact I don't like having my arse on display), but don't necessarily want my knees exposed at this time of year.

And afair, back in the day (when I also had Max Wall knees), 40 somethings were wearing shell suits.

Honestly, so much sniffiness around here towards 'older' women just trying to look nice.

I cant stand this look and Im 42. I did it to death in the 80's. I still remember my blue patterned leggings and navy linen Hobbs jacket. And, wearing shorts to work!! its amazing how it has all come back in but when you are 19 and a size 8-10 its different to being in your 40's. Its a no from me Im afraid. The trouble is, what the hell do you wear? why are all the dresses a stupid length? I wore a lovely Kew dress last night and ended up wearing thick black tights but, if this weather picks up what are we supposed to do then? And, Maxis? well, I did them when I was much younger and cant face it now. I dont know what we are supposed to do. I love fashion as well.

So, let me get this straight?

You can only answer the op's question if the answer is "yes" ?

(Not getting at you op, its a perfectly reasonable question, but some of your respondents seem to think anything other than a positive is NOT ALLOWED on here).

I firmly believe that if you wore it the first time around, you shouldn't wear it the second time and therefore I would say NO!

I am similar age to you (42) and wouldn't do it. And I'm not a size 8 but I'm not obese either - but I see the teenagers wearing it and thing "not appropriate for me".

I think the answers are mixed. Its an individual thing. For me the answer is no but, then again, Im not a size 8. Its open to discussion, I think thats the point.

i LOVE summer clothes
hate tights with much aggro so cannto wait for shorts, crops and jeans style skrits

Yes, it is an interesting discussion, but if your view is not then that is interpreted as "sniffiness" or an invitation to wear crimpelene!

yes cyb
and yoiu are jealous of jordan