https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 20:59:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544331 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 22:30:51 +0000 old chic 1544331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marley, where did you get that picture of my knees?<br />Proportion-wise, I like a skirt just above the knees, but at 66, I feel it's only fair that I have to wear opaque stockings with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544313 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:56:15 +0000 Beth 1544313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene, what a lovely post. It deserves to be taped onto mirrors everywhere. You're so right.</p> <p>Knees are one of those body parts that start looking odder the longer you stare at them. Maybe that's what they're so far down our legs? At the end of the day, it's about being glad they work.</p> <p>Marlene's pictures are too funny. I relate the most to #7. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544285 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 20:25:16 +0000 Suz 1544285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am feeling rebellious, too, <b>Janet </b>-- wearing shorts today on my 50 something legs.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>petitesanonymous </b>-- I think your legs and knees look great and would never hesitate to bare them. But as you say, it's up to each person.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544269 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 19:29:21 +0000 Angie 1544269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marley's gallery made me laugh. Let's celebrate ALL knees.</p> <p>Jokes aside, it is our right to expose and conceal our bodies as we see fit. And in the big scheme of things, others aren't all that concerned with what your knees look like anyway. It's YOU who has to be comfortable with the exposure and proportions. &nbsp;</p> <p>Janet, why wouldn't Jamie love your legs? He should!</p> <p>I'll add my spider veins and back knee view for good measure - plus a whole slew of knee dimples. Clearly my 45 year old knees are smiling and happy.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544264 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 19:17:55 +0000 Janet 1544264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>High five, Gaylene. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544260 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 19:06:42 +0000 Gaylene 1544260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You go, Janet! And I'll be right behind, on my bike, with my bumpy knees on display in my shorts. </p> <p>Seriously, though, isn't this whole "who should bare what" discussion really about how age and experience ought to give a woman confidence into what is right for HER in a particular situation. A decision to conceal or reveal might be based on ideas of flattery or convention, but it could just as easily be based on a desire to stand out or to be comfortable. By the time we reach the mid-point of our lives, the answer to "what to bare" ought to come from inside us, not from an external "rule". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544255 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:55:08 +0000 shoppingisfun 1544255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We are all free to wear what we want, sure. But why wear something that doesn't look nice, when better looking options exist? Of course there are plenty of people out there who go out in pajamas or sweats and obviously don't care at all how they look, so obviously not everyone is going to agree on this subject, lol!</p> <p>Here is my take on what makes an outfit appropriate, or not: clothes, just like body language, tattoos, etc, are a form of non-verbal communication; what a person should wear depends on what they want to communicate. That's why it is appropriate (just for example) to wear a sexy outfit on a date or to the club; if you are trying to attract a mate (or if you just want to fit in with all the other ladies who are trying to attract dates), a sexy look is totally appropriate. Wearing the same outfit to the office would be inappropriate, because you (generally) don't want your coworkers to think of you in a sexual way. To take another (non-sexist) example, think of a guy in full leather motorcycle gear; if he is with his motorcycle club, he is wearing appropriate gear (leather is safer for a bike, makes you look tough around the other men, etc); however, this would be inappropriate for the office because, at the office, you are probably not trying to communicate a tough-guy image. Just like a woman at the office is (hopefully) not trying to communicate a "sexy" image. That's how I look at it, anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544254 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:54:36 +0000 rachylou 1544254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had another thought... I agree about Duchess Kate's short skirts and my delight when I heard the Queen told her to lengthen her hems! Lol. Ok, but the thing is... this is my thought... Duchess Kate is a conservative, classic dresser as needs must (not that she has no sass or kickiness, but still...). Her conservative classic clothes look funny short. I think if she was Tilda Swinton avant garde, it would be another story... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544231 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:23:03 +0000 Janet 1544231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After a while, all of this discussion makes me want to show my unattractive 50-year-old knees, just to be rebellious. My husband loves my legs (weird guy ;-)) and encourages me to wear shorts -- who are we to decide whether some other woman is allowed to bare her knees? </p> <p>Just had to get on the soapbox and be contrary for a moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/3#post-1544224 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:11:42 +0000 shoppingisfun 1544224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am only 36 but I will not wear a dress shorter than an inch or so above my knee, except with opaque tights. Some people (me) just do not have nice legs, and why would I deliberately show off the worst part of my body?!</p> <p>I have been seeing a LOT of ladies around my office lately, age 50+, wearing dresses and skirts that fall 3-5 inches above the knee (or the opaque portion of the skirt ends there, with a see-through lace/chiffon falling lower). It looks AWFUL. I have also seen younger women doing this; they tend to look much better in the leg department, but still completely inapproprate for the office IMHO. My take on short skirts for people over, say, 40 (or at the office in general) is: just DON'T. </p> <p>JMO.</p> <p>ETA: me in a dress. I will not go any shorter without opaque tights! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1544171 Sun, 23 Aug 2015 15:17:35 +0000 Anonymous 1544171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How did I miss Marley's knee gallery?! Mine show the wrinkling and crepey skin right on top of the kneecap when I am standing straight. Bending the knees tightens everything up but one can't go around with constantly bent knees. I agree with Gryffin that leg wear smooths and is a great solution. I feel many years younger in very sheer stockings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1543209 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:23:43 +0000 klauren 1543209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Marley - glad to see my knees aren't on there!&nbsp; However, I used to not care too much about the knees until I had replacement surgery (yes, on both!) and the scars, while natural and show my surgeon's skill, are still not anything I really like showing any more.&nbsp; Especially when people make comments and ask "what happened!?!?"&nbsp; I just as soon wear a longish skirt, dress or tights or pants that cover the scars.&nbsp; There are plenty of styles out there to cover and still stay current. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541587 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:41:58 +0000 Anonymous 1541587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hahaha! &nbsp;Oh my god Marley - this looks like the cover of the National Enquirer! &nbsp;You made my day </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541584 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:37:25 +0000 Suz 1541584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My knees could fit right into that gallery of horrors too. At least if shot in an unflattering light from an unfriendly angle. Or--gasp-- in close up!!! Also unlike gryffin and Vix I am cursed with short calves (and am relatively short to begin with). But I'm keeping that dress anyway and will wear without hose in summer. While my knees may not be my prettiest feature and my legs are rather short, they are otherwise strong and fit, and my skin is unblemished apart from the odd bug bite. So I'll wear with hose or leggings in cooler weather and bare legs in warmer weather and I won't wear to the board room, a funeral, or a meeting with the cruel press!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541567 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:19:27 +0000 Anonymous 1541567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>People have different priorities at different times and looking great or looking "young" isn't always their first!&nbsp;</p> <p>No one is going to truly conceal their age form me with hair dye, cosmetic surgery, clothing, etc. because my categories are pretty vague, baby, very young, young, older, still young, and older.</p> <p>Whenever I catch myself criticizing someone else's appearance my next thoughts are .." what is wrong with you that you have time to think mean thoughts about something so trivial, imagining that you can make some kind of assessment about someone by their clothing, and watch out, because that judgmental eye you're turning on someone else is the same you use on yourself."</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541565 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:16:44 +0000 Vix 1541565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I know -- right? Besides, lots of those knees look damn good to me.&nbsp;</p> <p>Let's face it: knees and elbows are inherently weird looking (even on babies!), but they have to be to do their job. Can't stretch the skin too tight as you gotta be able to bend 'em!.</p> <p>Everyone I know who's injured either appreciates them a lot more when they've started recovering, that's for sure!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541441 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 05:11:21 +0000 Janet 1541441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Uh, my knees look worse than a few of Marley's photos. How on earth do I dare wear shorts or even a swimsuit without subjecting poor innocent eyes from the horror? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541224 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 22:11:45 +0000 Susie 1541224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking about this because on Suz's post I commented that I would prefer that the dress be a bit longer FOR ME. It's not about the knees per se, but more about how much of the leg above the knee we want&nbsp;to show. For a casual summer dress or skirt, I am fine with them hitting a couple of inches above the knee. For a dressier dress and for work looks, I want them to hit just above to just below the knee. Being short myself,&nbsp;hems that hit just above are a bit more&nbsp;flattering and a midi length is definitely challenging. </p> <p>I think that bare legs vs tights/hose makes a difference too, and I would want more coverage with bare legs. </p> <p>And as others have said- and was mentioned on that post too- the setting/event makes a difference too...too short for a funeral might be just right for date night!</p> <p></p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541176 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:38:06 +0000 gryffin 1541176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una - I have not had a chance to read through all the posts but I almost choked on my tea when I saw Marley's pictures!! &nbsp;Marley they need to truly come with a warning box!! &nbsp;For me hemlines are about proportion, style of dress, supporting pieces. &nbsp;I'm in my mid 50's, 5'3", I'm a rectangle with a flat chest and am long from ankle to knee. &nbsp;I've been told I have very good legs and I don't have any of that saggy, wrinkly stuff - sorry Marley but gravity has not hit yet. &nbsp;Since I wear very low heels or flats - shift dresses are most flattering on my body 2-3 inches above the knee. The hem balances my proportions and gives me a long elegant leg line. &nbsp;A fitted sheath dress looks best just above the knee. &nbsp;Midi's are tough when you are short. &nbsp;I have one and it needs a heel, a significant heel, to give me the same elegant leg line and since I'm currently having a foot issue it's just not as practical, versatile or comfortable. &nbsp;I do always wear tights and leggings for day or sheer black or nude hose for evening wear with dresses. &nbsp;Everyone can wear what they lilke and I applaude that but nothing, imho, gives more polish and refinement than legwear. &nbsp;Proportion, preference, age, body image etc - they all make us comfortable in certain styles and hemlines. &nbsp; How could there ever be a rule that would work for everyone? &nbsp;I think the trick is feeling confident, stylish, comfortable and appropriate for the situation - if those factors are in place than only your opinion really matters.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541160 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:18:22 +0000 catgirl 1541160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marley, you crack me up!&nbsp; I guess I'll just&nbsp;be grateful for the condition of my knees inside and out. :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541152 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:13:15 +0000 Marley 1541152@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey Una - in response to your statement about how you've never looked at a knee-baring outfit and thought good heavens woman, cover those saggy, wrinkly, etc. knees! - Take a look at these images I especially collected for you. &nbsp;:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541146 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:02:27 +0000 Thistle 1541146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see no age related issue with baring whatever you like. For me, it's about context. What is appropriate for the occasion, so to speak. Knee baring is part of that equation, and the length of a skirt for work is different than a funeral, is different than date night. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1541142 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 19:52:45 +0000 unfrumped 1541142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Angie, in that my knee-detector/inspector is more about the lines of the dress than about age. Still I know it is somehow personal, maybe, in terms of the "lines" I find most pleasing. It is similar to the rules of thirds, but not exactly. Things like the proportions of bodice to skirt, and where the waist falls and the type of fabric.</p> <p>I say that because I see young women wearing dresses at certain short lengths and to me it looks like the dress got chopped off before it wanted to be, even though the gal may be young and gorgeous, legs and all. What I think of as the Little Orphan Annie or Shirley Temple look. Sometimes just an inch or so longer would look more elegant, in my book.<br />Less often, but sometimes, a dress is too <u>long</u> and I feel it "wants" to be a bit shorter, for movement or to not overwhelm or something. You might see this occasionally for cultural or religious issues where the dress is long, and if I were to wear a long dress, I'd wear a different style. Or a dress or skirt that should be hemmed to fit the individual . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540996 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:54:57 +0000 texstyle 1540996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel fine with my knees showing and don't give it much thought but I guess if I find later in life they don't look so great to me maybe I'd want to cover them at times when I'm trying to really look my best to others. But I'm holding on to (and wearing) my above knee shorts, and bikinis for now.</p> <p>As far as what looks best to my eye - I think it can depend greatly on where the hemline falls above the knee and how the thigh is shaped where that hemline falls.&nbsp; If it falls at the widest part of the lower thigh it may not look quite as good to me as if it falls at the slightly more narrow part of the lower thigh. So a difference of just one or two inches can really change the look to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540878 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 03:40:42 +0000 Anonymous 1540878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been thinking about this thread and don't think there should be "rules" because everyone is different. Each will reach the decision to bare or not to bare on their own and at different times. A time or situation will come when you will know.<br /> My legs are still good but i no longer feel right in anything that is thigh length. I have a shorter friend that is my age who still wears Bermuda shorts or even shorter. They look proportional on her and not at all sexy or revealing.<br /> I have seen quite elderly women on the beach in very skimpy bikinis. At first it was a shock but then I thought, " why not?" On a beach it seemed ok but probably not at the city swimming pool. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540863 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 03:11:21 +0000 Isabel 1540863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never really think about that either. I think about what looks good on me and what I like and is appropriate to me. &nbsp;I like skirts right above the knee in general. &nbsp;</p> <p>The truth is that if I worried about showing my legs, I would only wear pants and maxis. &nbsp;I am bowl legged and bruise MASSIVELY easy. &nbsp;And I don't care. &nbsp; : &nbsp;) &nbsp; Though if the bruises are big, I do put some concealer on because OTHER people freak out. &nbsp; &nbsp;: &nbsp;) &nbsp; But my knees and flabby arms are part of me and the aging processes...they are real....and authentic. &nbsp;I won't hide them simply for the reason of getting older or saggier.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540690 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:56:29 +0000 catgirl 1540690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vix, I want your POSTURE! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540683 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:46:40 +0000 Gaylene 1540683@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And, Anna, Staysfit's feelings about HER knees are why we all get to make our own call on what body parts we choose to expose or cover. Angie loves the elegance of a midi skirt, but, on my leg, that length is probably the most unflattering option I could choose. My eye sees a lower leg that looks heavy and shapeless which does not make me FEEL elegant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540681 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:44:37 +0000 catgirl 1540681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, this discussion took off!&nbsp; I love all the perspectives here and "kneed" to think about it all more.&nbsp; I totally get dressing for proportions and for&nbsp;elegance (although I think that's a subjective term to a degree).&nbsp; All I'm saying is that I personally have&nbsp;never ONCE looked at a knee-baring outfit and thought, "Good heavens, woman, cover those sagging, wrinkly, scarred, dimpled knees!"&nbsp; And I think I like it that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/knee-baring-and-age-limits/page/2#post-1540669 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 20:28:18 +0000 Sal 1540669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion here. Each to their own. I know what I like and what suits me, and know when to be more conservative.</p> <p>We are all fortunate if we have a choice to dress our body as we like without the constraints some women face. </p>