Shorts over tights? Over 40? Yay or nay?

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Shorts over tights? Over 40? Yay or nay?

cheryl

Veteran

I love the shorts over tights look, but is that something that someone over 40 shouldnt do?

14 years ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from anne

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think it depends on the overall look as well as your style! Do you have a pic of what you had in mind?

14 years ago

Mac

Veteran

I think it CAN work, but those of us over 40 have to put this look together with even more care than the younger ladies.

14 years ago

Anonymous

In general, I'd say Nay. If the shorts are longer and you are petite, maybe. I've got a very petite friend over 60 who can get away with shorts a few inches above her knees, but the look is not at all sexual on her. In fact, she almost looks like a child.
As Rae said, a picture would help.

14 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I loved this look this winter, but when I broke it down in my head I realized I wasn't going to to get it to that truly unselfconscious place where real fashion happens, especially with the shorty-er shorts. So, I bought the look for my 15 and 8 year old daughters for xmas and enjoyed it vicariously. I may just be hypervigilant, however, because I'm currently shepherding my two daughters through the shoals of tween and teendom and I don't want to look like I'm competing with them for certain types of attention. Post some pics. You know the old saw: never say never! L.

14 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

P.S. Please don't think I'm a terrible mother who dresses my 8 year old up like a tart! The flesh is all modestly covered and this look on her is purely fun. It's delightful in fact. I should post a pic. It comes off more like an anime action heroine on her. (Its the 15 year old varsity runner with acres of beautifully muscled long leg hanging out between short shorts and boot tops that I should be worried about... LOL... but they've all got to learn how to manage the magical powers of young womanhood sooner or later, right?) L.

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think it's possible to pull off but I'm pretty sure it's beyond this over 40 (meaning me.) I do have rather conservative tastes though. I'm a definite maybe.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I'm saying "nay," at least for me. But I bet Marley could totally rock it!

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

I think this may depend on where you live too. My area is so ultra casual/gearish that they look at me like I'm nuts for wearing skinnies tucked into tall boots. I can only imagine the talk if I wore shorts over tights. It's super cute though.

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

I think it's a tough look to pull off after 40, but not impossible.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Wow, I think that would be tough to pull off after 40, although there are probably women out there who could do it.

I was in Paris last October, and I saw tons of girls with shorts over tights, but they mostly looked under 25.

14 years ago

afterism

Active Member

Not even under 40 IMO.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

You all are a tough crowd! Or I am tasteless. I have worn shorts over tights to WORK. I think Audi has pulled it off well, and she's 40 or so...

http://geekthreads.blogspot.co.....ubrey.html

14 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm 38 and have done it.

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Doesn't Bella sport this look fabulously? I'm not sure about her age...you might want to search her posts and check out her blog. I'm not keen on short shorts (for anyone, really) but longer ones, why not?

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Team Anna, Una, and Audi. I do not see what the fuss is.

14 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

I am totally on board with the shorts+tights+over 40 look. I mean, if you wear shorts, why wouldn't you wear shorts over tights? And if you don't wear shorts I'd think it'd be less intimidating with tights because you're showing less (no?) leg.

14 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

If you have the legs for it, go for it!

Says the 45-yr-old woman who does not have the legs for it and would like to live vicariously!

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Janet, from what I've seen of your legs, you DO most certainly have the legs for it. I feel far better in dressy wool shorts than a short skirt.

14 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

Thanks for the great responses everyone. Guess i am just gonna have to give it a try, at least around the house, lol! I really like the look.

14 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I do think 40 is the new 30 so I say go for it if you've got the right legs for this look.

I broke all of those style rules and continued to wear short skirts into my 40s. But now that I am in my 50s, well, all of that has come to a screeching halt even though I yearn for the cool comfort of shorter shorts and skirts.

14 years ago

Aunty

Veteran

Have a try. Great on some, not so great on other's. You could be one of the great's!

14 years ago

Lyrebirdgully

Active Member

I did it last winter and I'm nearly 60.
MY shorts are quite wide, knee-length and cuffed, and I wore them over tights and knee-high boots with a blazer, beret and long scarf etc. I was attending my teenage son's school concert, and the next day he told me that some of his female friends had remarked that they liked my outfit. Teenagers are the toughest critics of all, so I reckon if I can pull it off, so can you. Wear shorts that are modest, fit you properly and are a flattering style to start off with, and you are probably showing no more actual leg than the woman next to you who is wearing a skirt - even less if you wear long boots!

14 years ago

cloud9

Veteran

I was just on a college campus and I saw this look everywhere. The ones look sexy/tarty/weird are the lacy tights. My favorite was the plain solid dark tights with neutral shoes, If the shoes & tights are the same color, it made the legs look a mile long. I believe that look you can pull off if you have the legs for it.

14 years ago

Anh

(website)

Active Member

I'm 35 and I've worn it but not in the office. Usually it's when I go somewhere that no one knows me or how old I am
I wore it once at a hockey game.
See here:
http://fromhaircolortostiletto.....olors.html

Anh
Xxx

14 years ago

san

Veteran

I think alot of it has to do with how sophisticated you wear it. I wouldn't want to see short shorts on anyone over 20ish really, no matter how great their legs are, but I think it can be done in a manner that does not suggest you are one of the college gals. Longer shorts with tights would look good done tastefully. If you are comfortable with skirts and tights, shorts and tights are similar in look.
A picture of what you had in mind would be great so we could mull that over. Great question actually.
Thimbelina, I loved your words on this subject and agree completely.

14 years ago

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Yay why the hell not! I think it's a great look as long as you're not wearing ripped denim cut offs with black tights and cowboy boots it can look super stylish.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

I think you can. Depends on the details, as many above have been saying. I am not too far off 40 and tried it last winter. It wasn't my great look on me (very short legged), but if my legs were one of my best features I'd be going for it! I like that outfit of Audi's.

14 years ago

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