I really like the look of short shorts on young gals with gorgeous gams. I’ve seen inseam lengths of three to seven inches work beautifully on teens and lasses in their twenties and thirties. The vibe is cool, alluring and totally adorable for both beach and urban settings.

I’ve also seen plenty of women in their forties, fifties and sixties sport short shorts when they’re at the poolside, BBQ’s, children’s parties and picnics, or in city centers, restaurants, parks and shopping malls. It’s possible for women over the age of 40 to have a killer pair of flawlessly toned legs and look hot in short shorts, but is it appropriate in non-recreational situations?

Short shorts make practical sporting sense on the beach, or when you’re hiking, boating, power walking, cycling, camping or playing tennis. But in any other context, I say stick to something longer. There is a difference between looking “young” and looking “youthful”. Make no mistake, these are society’s norms at play here, but I think you’re more likely to get the respect you deserve if you dress in a more ageless way.

Kendall Farr puts it well in her new book: “Style Evolution: How to Create Ageless Personal Style in Your 40s and Beyond” (emphasis mine):

“And while youthful infuses a look with an ageless and timeless charm, verve and a dose of nerve, young is where most middle-aged women run off the rails. And let’s be frank ladies, our culture assesses women – especially mid-life women – by a brutal set of standards every day. While “mutton-dressed-as- lamb” is commonly lobbed at the women faking it in a blouse dress from Forever 21, when was the last time you heard of a 50-ish man dressed in cargo shorts and a wallet chain from Abercrombie described as “beef-jerky –dressed-as- a calf”? Exactly”.

Do you think we’re too harsh or prudish in suggesting a little more leg coverage as one gets older?

Short shorts (like the two pictures on the left), are best left to those who have youth on their side. Opt for an inseam length that finishes around the knee if you’ve still got a great set of legs (like the two examples on the right). Up to three inches above the knee can also work. Shorts at this length look ageless, sophisticated and always appropriate.

I love vibrant, saturated colours, but neutrals hold an equally special place in my heart. They often freshen up or tone down an outfit, adding the crucial element that makes it all work together. Their versatility makes them a very hard working component of a wardrobe. Clothing can also look its best in a neutral colour, especially if you’re after an ageless and timeless sense of sophistication.

Over the years my preferences for specific neutrals has changed. In my teens, white was my favourite neutral. That changed to black in my twenties with white and cream coming in second. In my thirties my preferences changed again and this is how I rank my neutrals today:

1. White and cream
2. Black
3. Blue denim
4. Red
5. Silver grey

Red is a bright, but acts as a neutral in my book. Blue denim is a fabric, and a colour at that, but its ubiquity has made it a neutral in the modern wardrobe. Silver grey is a new neutral in my wardrobe and I’m enjoying its soft and pretty possibilities for Spring and Summer.

My wardrobe would not function without neutrally toned clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. They provide a strong foundation that works with every fashion trend and retail season. Simply brilliant. Your turn. How would you rank your favourite neutrals and have your preferences changed over the years?

Some style books suggest sticking to heels with skirts and dresses to ensure a flattering leg-lengthening look. That doesn’t mean sticking to stacked four inch heels when a two inch wedge or platform heel works just as well. I agree that frocks and skirts look fantastic with heels, especially when they’re on the dressier side. It’s a flop proof outfit formula that makes a fabulous impression.

But I also love the look of skirts and frocks with ballet flats and flat sandals. It dresses down the outfit to casual, practical and less fussy. Wearing flats does shorten the leg line, but if you have proportionately long legs, it’s no problem. If your legs are on the short side, raise the hemline to either right above the knee, or a few inches above the knee. This will make your legs appear longer.

I often wear flats with frocks and skirts and not just in a casual sense. I’ll go as far as adding dressy flats to a dressy dress. I adore wearing flats or shoes with a one inch heel, AND I adore wearing skirts and dresses. For me, marrying the two items in the right way is a perfect solution. Am I alone in liking flats with skirts and dresses? Do you feel dumpy if you don’t wear heels with this look?

The first dress is dressier than the others, but looks just as fab with refined, flat thong sandals. The hemline of the second dress is below the knee, which isn’t quite as flattering with flats. It doesn’t look bad, but a shorter length dress would look better. The third dress is a mini. A super Summer look for younger gals with killer legs.

Tomorrow is the official start of the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale, but in store the markdowns are already in place. I was shopping with a client this afternoon and we got some great deals.

While not as much of an event as the Anniversary Sale, which previews upcoming merchandise, this clearance of Spring product is still a great opportunity to get premium items at bargain prices.

If you can’t get to the store before the weekend, consider shopping online to nab the best deals early on.