Ask Angie: Shorts length - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Shorts length

Jonesy

Veteran

I was wondering about your thoughts on shorts length by age. I know you have talked about it on several threads related to different items (e.g., I remember your thoughts about shorts and OTK boots and age) but I was hoping to get some clarity :).

Specifically, I really like these shorts, in black, and am considering ordering them. But they have a 6 1/2 inch inseam. I am quite tall with long legs, so that would come to about 3 1/2-4 inches above the top of my knee. Too short in your book for someone who will be 44 next month?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....RRWidgetID

I have some bermudas and capris which I like, but I am really digging the slouchier shorts look this summer, and those seem to look best when they are a bit shorter than bermuda length IMO.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We are both July babies, Jonesy

I'm not always popular for my stricter perspective on the length of short shorts and skirts/dresses, when wearing them after a certain age because I do bat for Team Age Appropriate Dressing - especially when bare legs are involved. But I *do* take into account context and body type because those are also important factors to consider on top of age.

Excuse my rambling! I always feel that I need to clarify - FWIW.

To answer your question, I think that you'll personally rock those shorts at 44, AND that you will dress them up in a sophisticated way - which is key. They aren't tight, they are made of luscious fabric, and you'll add your flair. Not easy to do - but you have my vote of confidence

kellygirl

Veteran

Not Angie, obviously, but I really like these! I hope you get them and show us how to wear them : )

kellygirl

Veteran

High five, Jonesy! I'm 44 next month too!

Lisa

Veteran

I think these work work quite well on you and hope you pick them up.

Heather

Veteran

Jonesy, for someone who will be 44 next month (and obviously knows where the fountain of youth is!!!), I say these shorts (length and style) will look incredible of you! You have gorgeous long legs and super style. Can't wait to see.

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks so much for your clarification, Angie! Your thoughts make total sense to me. I'm going to order these and see what I can do with them, style-wise. I do have some ideas up my sleeve, so we'll see what happens...

Thanks for your comments, Kellygirl and Lisa! ETA: Thanks so much for your sweet comments, Mizz Heather!

Yay for July birthdays, Angie and Kellygirl! How fun that we share the same birthday month! I do admit to a bit of Leonine pride, and occasionally roaring at my children :).

Aida

Veteran

Ooh I can't wait to see you in these, I'm with the others that these will look fantastic on you!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yay from me. They're not all that short, and as others have said, they are loose and stylish. I think what looks can often look goofy is really short, tight shorts. This is generally true for the 40+ crowd, but it can even be true for younger women, too. I saw a girl yesterday who didn't look a day over 18 wearing a pair of fluorescent pink hot pants, and they were just plain ugly on her.

tarzy

Veteran

Ah, Leo - that accounts for your gorgeous mane of hair!

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks for your input, Aida and Elisabeth! I have ordered these, and we shall see how they look. Baggy and silly, or slouchy and chic?

LOL Tarzy--yes, I do have the Leo mane! Zodiac stuff is fun, eh?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Are Leos supposed to have thick hair? Huh. I never knew that. As it happens, I do. Go Leo!

Jonesy

Veteran

Just because of lions having thick long manes--sort of a literal interpretation of the Zodiac sign :).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yay! The shorts are ordered!

I'm early July, so I'm a crab - along with Tara, Lisa, Jean and Sandy. I know that there are other early July birthdays, but my memory eludes me. The sign of turning 41

Scarlet

Veteran

Me too--I am a crab with lion hair
I think these will look great on you, Jonesy. I can't wait to see these in action--maybe with those cool black, thick-strapped, ankle-height sandals, if memory serves.

Jonesy

Veteran

Angie, somehow I doubt that your memory is fading at this point :)! Scarlet, you are an honorary Leo with that mane of gorgeous hair! Yes, I was thinking about the sandals you mentioned with the shorts. It might be "a whole lotta look," to quote Tim Gunn, but I will see how things go.

Thanks for the input, Angie, and everyone else!

catgirl

Veteran

I guess my zodiac sign (Aries) would explain the horns sprouting from my head!

Jonesy, I can TOTALLY see you rocking these shorts. I do not see anything non-age appropriate about them - though age appropriateness often does not occur to me in general.