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The miniskirt trend isn't only for the young...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Usually, if I see an article about age related dressing it incurs a massive eyeroll but I found this article refreshing, particularly this quote "Don’t you feel you’re too old not to? At 50, 60, and 70, if you can’t do what you want, damn! When are you gonna do it? We’re definitely on the clock now, for real! This is the time to be free and wear whatever."

https://www.glamour.com/story/.....e=facebook

Angie's blog and this forum absolutely embrace having fun with fashion at any age and I find it refreshing to see this ethos echoed elsewhere. I would love to know if the quote strikes a chord with you too?

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Jenni NZ

Veteran

It’s a great quote. I think I might still wear some short dresses this coming winter- with tights though. I like the shape of my legs but less so the veins-which will be covered, in tights.
My now 28 y old DD2 did say “You’re too old to wear that short dress Mum” when she was 19- I was 53 at the time-but in the last 8-9 years she has become kinder!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thank you for your support.
Seriously, I’ve never seen a reason not to wear a skirt of whatever length, and intend to continue, even when some women comment, “well, it’s not what *I’d* do…”. Lol. Joke’s on them. Sorry to see the article focuses so much on the negativity; I appreciate you pulling out the positive.

Vildy

Veteran

I'm 73 and wear what I want but the question is what do I want to wear and why. The why is of paramount importance to me since I'm highly pragmatic. I don't like extra bells and whistles on my clothes if they have no purpose and are just there for "style". I also don't want edgy or rebellious rock chick or goth clothing because to me it signals trying to stir up other people. I don't even wear message tee shirts.

The one and only period where I did feel rebellious was when I was 18 and this beautiful and sophisticated girl in my dorm who lived in NYC and looked like a 40s movie star - maybe Linda Darnell - came back from a weekend at home wearing a miniskirt. Seems odd to characterize an 18 year old as sophisticated but she was.

I'd just come from a high school where there was a strict dress code and it was said that if they made you kneel down and your skirt didn't touch the ground they'd send you home. Only, nobody wore a skirt that short and I never even saw a miniskirt. But I resented the dress code - no spaghetti straps, no sleeveless shirts! no pants no jeans and shorts one day a year when there was a jr and sr tug of war over a mud puddle. So I sat down and shortened every one of my skirts and wore them that way. Ironically, going home for Thanksgiving, we happened to live across the street from the high school grounds and they had thrown out their dress code and, it being Southern California, everybody was wearing riotously colored shorts and tank tops and the like. It didn't look like a school so much as like a beach party.

There's a minister at one of the church thrifts where I shop who is small and wiry, grey haired and probably in her 60's at least. She's been wearing mini-skirts for years now. She looks great in them and they suit her persona and her style of movement. They're very natural looking on her. For me, that's the key: how do they fit into your day. I don't think micro minis make sense for any kind of day and I wouldn't be interested in wearing them even if every single person I saw wore them every day.
I do have a navy faux suede mini, just above the knees and I love it and wear it because I feel jaunty and energetic in it That's a way I like to feel.

I did look up the designer interviewed in the article who thought modelling them herself would show other oldsters they could wear miniskirts. I guess I'm not her customer. Didn't see any pics of minis but I did find this typical outfit. Puts me in mind of Alice in Wonderland. Not my lane.

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Anonymous

Thank you! The whole "After 40" (or 50 etc) mentality Really grates on me. What to/not to wear, what to eat/not eat, what (few) exercizes you should do.....It's just a load of c%@! Like you hit that arbitrary number and your experience/body/health status is the same as everyone elses. I like this blog, and generally avoid ones that cater to middle age +, because Angie is so much more positive!

lyn67

Veteran

I agree one can wear whatever wanted, what feels good, etc, etc and is not wise to generalize or to downplay the subject. For me at least, circumstances matter a lot- the worst example would be when a mother (even if not consciously) could possibly outshine her daughter(s) somehow(?!?). For me it sounds quite impossible :-)) but believe me- throughout my life I've heard people commenting a few times in this regards on different random similar situations. Now, we can say we don't care but maybe our daughters do(?)- so this can be a delicate subject, too.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Good point lyn67 it clearly was making my daughter embarrassed 8-9 years ago when she thought my dress was too short. But I think to 19, 53 does seem very old. I feel sure it would have to me when I was 19.
And Vildy, I agree with you that I won’t be copying that blogger! Ha!
I did keep wearing that dress 8-9 years ago but asked a few colleagues of my own age what they thought. They all liked it!

Aquamarine

Veteran

Great article. I’ve seen the negative commentary on Beth’s blog when she wears certain clothes but they come across (to me) as finger wagging.

My philosophy is “keep it classy” whatever I am wearing and that might mean something different to someone else!

Aquamarine

Veteran

Oh, and to answer your question—I LOVE the quote.

Kaelyn

Veteran

This is wonderful! I'm one of the younger folks (turning 30 this year), and I've never understood the mentality that women over any given age shouldn't wear something. If it makes you feel good, it's age appropriate, period. My mother is 60 and having an absolute blast with her look for the first time in a long time, and I'm having so much fun watcher her style evolve. Thank you for sharing this.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Jules! (And Suntiger). I appreciate the quote and kind words

Lyn67, good point about how your style can effect your children. Food for thought.

Style is PERSONAL. And that is the point. NOW, more than ever.

I believe one should wear what makes one feel fab, empowered, energized, calm, ready for the tasks ahead, happy, attractive, appropriate, and confident. This differs greatly between people. I have learned a LOT in the last 16 years I've had YLF, and evolved some of my opinions too. Always learning

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

To Kaelyn's point, I have clients in their 50s, 60s and 70s who feel they are FINALLY dressing the way they want to, and having fun with fashion!

rachylou

Veteran

I think the age uniform thing is dead. You just need the right lifestyle. But have to be honest - I just don’t have anywhere to go in anything Nicole Kidman wears. And bare knees and mini skirts, for me this is a no because hot metal benches in the sun.

gryffin

Veteran

Ok, truth be told, I wore my share of micro mini's in my 30's. Always with tights and booties but I was the girl in the short skirt and the long jacket. I have the straight slim body type with longs legs to rock the look. Now I still prefer short skirts, I'm short 5'3" with long legs and it's my most flattering length but I don't wear mid thigh, I wear right above the knee. I'm 62 and agree if I can't wear what I want that's respectful to the situation but that I like and looks flattering, well when and I gonna do it. Things change, hem lines change, but it's about what feels right now, I don't follow the rules or fabs any more than I follow it with jeans or pants style. I'm in the ornery I like what I like mode. But rock whatever length you love and feel great in!!

Anonymous

I’m with Vildy on this. I have always tried to dress appropriately. In the lifestyle I have led & continue to lead, mini skirts are not appropriate. Maybe in someone else’s world, but not mine.

Echo

Veteran

As I've said before, for me if I consider it inappropriate on me now, it was also inappropriate 30 years ago. Too low cut, too short, too revealing, etc. is too whatever-it-was at ANY age for me.

Aquamarine's comment about keeping it classy resonates with me. I believed in it in my twenties, and I believe it now.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kaelyn, that’s cool about your mom! I’m not quite her age, but am now enjoying clothes in a way I didn’t when I was your age. I’m wearing some things I got then—I knew I liked them, but didn’t have the guts. Things like my funky blue pants, purple eyelet miniskirt (not micro) and the white linen blouse with buttons down the front. There are some things that made me feel snappy then, but I was generally so afraid of being seen as just a body when I wanted to be just a mind, and was in a field that claims that only minds matter, that I didn’t want to be seen as a body at all. At my age, I think people are more likely to think you have a mind if you aren’t afraid to also have a body, iykwim.

Aquamarine, I think I generally keep it classy. It bugs me when people here claim my things are too tight not just because that sounds trashy, but also because it goes against my mandate that things be comfortable. Like Vildly, I generally don’t like things that are there for no purpose, like the extra flap on a moto jacket. It just looks flamboyant to me. But of course different people see different things & ive also had a pic of a clown in Tokyo posted with the suggestion that I might like such styles. Ouch.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I believe in wearing what you want. Personally I’ve never had gorgeous legs so I’ve not been a big fan of mini skirts, ever. And I don’t love seeing people wearing skirts so short that private parts are at risk of being exposed. But like the kids say, you do you! I fully endorse wearing what makes you happy, taking into account situational appropriateness.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have a confession, I'll be sitting out this trend at 44, not because I am against showing my legs but because there are around 2.4 warm days in Scotland and I like to stay warm

Somethings you have posted really resonate, I'm intrigued by SFash's comment 'At my age, I think people are more likely to think you have a mind if you aren’t afraid to also have a body, iykwim" and will need to ponder it some more.

Lyn, that's a good point about taking on board my daughter's opinions, although, as Janet points out my girls have a "you do you" kind of attitude right now but this could change as they get older.

Angie, having an open mindset is a great things, our attitudes absolutely have changed over the past decade and I'm sure it will continue to do so.

Vildy, the "why" is so important and I guess it circles back to feeling authentic in our clothing choices.

I'm sorry I haven't responded to everyone's comments, I'm going to come back and read them in more detail later.

DonnaF

Veteran

I was a teen in the Twiggy/Mary Quant age, but even then I never wore actual minis because I never felt I had the legs to pull I off. I still don’t, but I still wear short skirts because I feel they give me the best proportions. Plus, since I’m short, most people look down on me so I figure that to them my hems look longer!

Up until my daughter graduated from high school and left for college, I dyed my hair and dressed to fit in and be mostly invisible and not embarrass out of consideration for her. Plus, DD’s taste in clothes has always tended to be more conservative than mine and she had no magpie gene. As it was and is, I became a mom at age 40.5 so was closer in age to some of the kids’ grandmothers than their mothers.

So now that DD lives halfway across the country and DH rarely says anything about my choices, I dress exactly as I want. I pay little to no attention to age *rules* but fear I have a tendency to veer into Twee Territory. See dress below which is several inches longer and has full length sleeves on me. The flannel is like the biggest softest hug so I am tempted to keep it, especially at 60% off.

Madewell Long Sleeve Button Placket Tiered Cotton Flannel Minidress

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Top Pick

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judy

Veteran

Personally, a miniskirt like I wore in the late 60's doesn't fit my lifestyle any more. Also, just aesthetically I don't find them that beautiful, as in no drape, or much visual interest. (very easy to sew though, made them in home ec class). But I love to see the whole age thing going, and people wearing what they want, that makes them feel good. Bravo.

I think if more of us olds show our aging skin more often, it would become more normal to see it. I recall a moment in a coffee shop in the early 2000's...it was the age of Oprah and What Not to Wear saying an older woman should always cover her arms...and here was this vibrant woman in her 60's probably (the age I am now) wearing a sleeveless dress, and her not young looking fleshy arms and legs just didn't matter at all. And I remember thinking I want to be just like her!

RobinF

Veteran

Interesting article, I love the quote. I don't mind shorter skirts but the micro-mini trend is not for me, don't want to risk a wardrobe malfunction. For me, appropriate or inappropriate is more a matter of modesty and the social circumstances.

Great discussion!

Sal

Veteran

It’s a really interesting topic. I don’t think ageing skin should have to be covered. I wear shorts at a medium - short length but haven’t worn a mini for a long time, part of that is that they haven’t been as fashionable or available of late and I have always been drawn to longer skirts.

I am comfortable with skimpier tops than many on the forum and I am more likely to balance that with a longer skirt.

Runcarla

Veteran

I agree with all the folks who hold the opinion that a woman can/should wear what she likes - at any age. However, that is one very weird outfit Nicole K. Is wearing! I can’t think of a single occasion or activity (other than a fashion shoot) where a person would wear a combination of bikini top, hip hugger micro mini, and knee high stockings.

slim cat

Veteran

I have settled on short denim shorts - looks alright in sunny CA but I'm not into that trend. Some pictures showcase regular mini skirts and some look great with tights - it's all great and lovely.
Still think that Nicole K. have worn much more beautiful outfits that the one they have in the article.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree that it is easier for me to wear what I want the older I get. I don't want to wear a micro-mini but that is not the point I guess.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Jenni I don't have kids myself but I imagine there's a certain phase most go through where *everything* you do is embarrassing - whether you're wearing 'too short' skirts or 'too long' ones! Good on you for sticking to your guns whilst weathering that storm still it subsided

(That's not to say I think we should actively be trying to embarrass other people, but that specific 'teenage/ young adult' embarrassment can often benefit from little mixing up of things, to introduce their world view to a 'different' way of doing things... )

@kaelyn I just turned 30 & agree about enjoying seeing others older than me experiment more with fashion! My biggest critic was always my mother, though I realised much of her constant restraint was due to worrying about social norms etc imposed on her (& by extension, myself). Putting together my UK black capsule wardrobe has felt like the first step towards reclaiming myself (still within her culturally specific modesty boundaries), so I'm hoping it will rub off on her too when I see her - to show her I can still wear graphic t-shirts, floofy skirts & menswear inspired shoes whilst being socially appropriate (covered) might get her thinking outside the box too!

Joy

Veteran

I certainly wore the mini skirts in the 60’s and 70’s, but am over it and have no desire to go back to those short skirts. Older women also think their bodies and skin texture will not be to advantage next to that of a much younger female. The older woman has other charms and experiences. An older woman showing too much skin can look ridiculous. She can still have fun with fashion in new ways. If she really wants to dress like a teen, she can but should not be surprised at how she appears to others.

MsMaven

Veteran

I didn't wear miniskirts when I was young because of--well, religious requirements. I did eventually wear above the knee skirts and still do, once in a while.

My legs, muscles, skin tone etc. are in good shape. Hardly a sag to the knees thanks to hill walking. Unlucky for me, my varicose veins are back (I had surgery on them 18 years ago) and my skin is pale. I don't do well with skin tanners. And I've dealt with some skin damage already. So I have worn a shorter skirt, but only with black tights.

There is one issue I don't see discussed in these article on WNTW. At my age I feel a lot more vulnerable. Maybe lockdown has increased this feeling. I can't run and if somebody thought they could just knock me over and steal my bag, I don't know how well I could fight them off. I didn't feel this way even a couple of years ago. I feel stronger in pants. I don't want to look vulnerable either. I want to look like a tough old lady.

So it's not an age requirement to cover up for me, it's my feeling of safety and strength.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Is the Nicole Kidman pic you’re all talking about the one where she has on that little black set? I agree with whoever said it isn’t appropriate for much more than a photo shoot, but can see it being advertised for a summer’s day. As much as I didn’t appreciate all the ways of saying it’s hard not to flash your crotch, that would be my concern, that I’d make others uncomfortable that way. But I think the point is not that she can go to the grocery store; it’s to show off her body. I’m happy to have mine be seen, but don’t care to show it off. Fine distinction, I know.

Btw, I def have old lady knees. I’m surprised by the slam from Mary Quant, didn’t think that was what she was about.

Zaoebi, I’m surprised your mom hasn’t seen young Muslim women in cool outfits that happen to cover them too. You have such a fun style. I hope she can see that, but of course her reactions aren’t your responsibility.

RoseandJoan, Idk how better to explain what I meant by mind/body and age. I just think that once we reach “a certain age”, it’s easy for us to be brushed off as a soft mass of nothingness. I don’t want to dress to support that thought.

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