Ladies 40 and over-Do you agree with this fashion advice?

[Christine]

I'm 25 and I think that's total bull. My mom's 56 and her legs are WAY better than mine. I don't understand the concept of some fashion police telling us that after some certian magical age we can't do this, that, or the other - like "you have to cut your hair off when you turn 30/40/whatever!" or "no one over 40 should wear anything sleeveless!". It's idiotic. If you like something about your body, flaunt it!

I just took it to mean that, *in general*, certain body parts are going to go downhill after a certain age. There are always exceptions and there will always be people who really don't care about showing their bad knees. I think she was just pointing out that if you do care, this type of dressing is going to show your flaws more and maybe just think about it.

In a lot of instances age isn't what matters. I've always had well-shaped calves, thin legs, etc. But I *hate* the way my knees look. Even at 20. I think I've worn a short skirt 3 times in my life because of it. At 43, my knees look about the same "bad" as they always have.

Ugggh, though, my arms. I HATE them.

 

[Aisling]

I agree with Ellen Barkin to an extent. I look at Tina Turner, and she has beautiful legs, but as a 60-something, she looks ridiculous wearing miniskirts, unless she's doing her stage act. I think of someone like Sophia Loren as a woman who has aged elegantly and gracefully, who still has a gorgeous figure, but every photo I've seen of her since she's been "mature" is wearing a dress at knee level. And no one can say she looks like a granny! She's hot!

Wearing shorts and sundresses in the summer is another issue, because that's for comfort. But dressing up for business or an occasion...I agree with Ellen. Some older women with their short dresses look like they're trying so hard to impress, like 20 years olds do. I think Ellen's point is that at 40, we're on a different level of maturity, and our dress reflects our level and what we're trying to say by what we wear.

 

[Christine]

Wearing shorts and sundresses in the summer is another issue, because that's for comfort. But dressing up for business or an occasion...I agree with Ellen. Some older women with their short dresses look like they're trying so hard to impress, like 20 years olds do. I think Ellen's point is that at 40, we're on a different level of maturity, and our dress reflects our level and what we're trying to say by what we wear.

Exactly.

Last month, I went to a Gwen Stefani concert. Lots and lots of well-preserved and probably dermatologically-enhanced 40-something women there. I was surprised. They was a group of them, together, wearing these kind of slinky, low-cut dresses. They ended up looking like lounge lizards instead of "cute". At their age and maturity level, the dresses just didn't suit them. It wasn't a matter of bad body parts, etc, but they just looked silly.

 

[disykat]

I'm 45 and my legs are fine, but I have noticed my arms are starting to not look as good. However, in the summer you will see me with shorts that are well above the knee and sleeveless tops. I don't see myself giving up either any time soon.

I try to dress age appropriately, and I do think that means dressing more modestly than you might if you are younger. However, I really don't get what is wrong with showing knees and elbows.

 

[Robinrs]

Are we asking the ones who are wearing them or the ones LOOKING at them?

Sorry, but I see WAY too many woman showing stuff I do NOT want to see! I'm convinced they have no mirrors in their houses.

Assets are great but they need to be treated differently as we age.

As for Melanie Griffith's legs... I'm OLDER than her and I don't see my legs going that route for eons!!!

 

[rie'smom]

Shorts-yes
minis-no
Just because you can,doesn't mean you should.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I've been on the "other" side of 40 for quite some time now. I won't give up my shorts!

Let's see...It will be 95 degrees or above in Florida in July at WDW. Do I want to wear pants or shorts??? I made my decision! Shorts win! (That was easy!)

 

[Cee]

The skin over my knees is starting to "bag" , but my legs are still
good at 52 and I'll still wear skirts above the knee if I'm wearing stockings.
But bare legs? I have to go with the longer shorts or capris. I wish I didn't.

 

[Planogirl]

I've always had ugly knees so I tend to hide them but I say wear what you want. Who cares how old you are, if you look good you look good!

 

[Todd&Copper]

A lady who rides my commuter bus into DC is definately over 40 (or God love her she spent way too much time in the sun as a teen!) and she occasionally wears skirts that are too short from both an age and a professional standpoint. She looks absolutely ridiculous. I guess she believes that b/c she is thin it is OK, but it is so inappropriate.
That said, I see no problem with shorts or above the knee skirts. I am short and large framed with very muscular calves (but not cankles, that God) and I will never wear a skirt that falls below the top of my knee, b/c it makes my legs look too large. I don't think I'll feel any differently 10 years from now when I am in my 40's, either.

 

[missypie]

I see a lot more ladies who should cover their upper arms than should cover their knees. It's really pretty depressing. It's not a fat vs. thin thing. After a certain age, the skin loses its elasticity. I'm convinced that even if a woman weighed 80 lobs, at some age her lower arm skin would still sag down. I've really started to work my arms with weights, but the most I can hope for is to slow the flabby arms, not stop them.

 

[Christine]

I see a lot more ladies who should cover their upper arms than should cover their knees. It's really pretty depressing. It's not a fat vs. thin thing. After a certain age, the skin loses its elasticity. I'm convinced that even if a woman weighed 80 lobs, at some age her lower arm skin would still sag down. I've really started to work my arms with weights, but the most I can hope for is to slow the flabby arms, not stop them.

My friend who is 41 years old and who works out and is not overweight told me that the other day, her daughter said to her: Mom, your arm skin is starting to look like Grandma's!

 

[DisTeach1]

That's why, after a certain age, 40 or so, a women really needs to spend more time doing weight lifting than cardio. I've always been thin, but I realize as I get older, that unless I start developing and keeping my muscle tone, my skin will start sagging off my bones by the time I'm 50. So it's not always about being thin when you're middle age. I do tricep dips every day off the side of the tub and pushups too. So far so good, but I'm 39, so we'll see what happens in the next 10 years.

I will wear short mini skirts or skorts in the summer with flip flops because I see no difference between those and shorts, but winter is a different story.

 

[DisTeach1]

I just realized this thread is depressing me...I wish I was 25, not 39!!! Is there anything good about growing older? I'm recovering right now from a breast lift ( a put-back, I call it, because I had the girls "put back" to their former selves), and a reduction, but I realize really what I bought was about 10 years of gravity, not a permanent fix.

 

[shamrock30]

Two of my neigbors who are in their 40's wear shorts to the top of their thighs. They are both thin. I certainly think it's okay for them to show their knees, but I think the short shorts start to look silly after a certain age. In one case, the teenage daughter dresses more conservatively than the mom.

I'm normal weight, but I feel more comfortable in capris or knee length dresses than I do in shorts. Just my personal preference though. My aunt is 60, and she still looks good in shorts.

 

[Christine]

Is there anything good about growing older?

Quite honestly, I think the sex is better.

 

[NMAmy]

I just realized this thread is depressing me...I wish I was 25, not 39!!! Is there anything good about growing older? I'm recovering right now from a breast lift ( a put-back, I call it, because I had the girls "put back" to their former selves), and a reduction, but I realize really what I bought was about 10 years of gravity, not a permanent fix.

Yeah, the older you get, the less you care how other people think of you. My mom is 75 and she still wears shorts when it's hot. I got my skinny legs from her, bless her.

 

[MrsPete]

Ewww, that monstrocity is married to a fine piece of meat like Antonion Banderas? Where is the fairness in this world?

I was thinking the same thing!

Of course, we don't know that that picture isn't retouched to make her look bad, nor do we know what he looks like in real life! It's all Hollywood!

 

[MrsPete]

I tihnk it really depends on what your legs look like more than what your age is.

Some people 40+ have great legs and some people under 40 have terrible legs.

I agree. To throw out a famous example, look at Hillary Clinton. Ever notice that she NEVER wears dresses? It's because she has cow legs. But she chooses her suits to really accent her positives.

Bill Clinton does the same thing. If you ever see a picture of him in just a shirt, he has really narrow shoulders -- not manly at all. So he always wears those nice suits with the padded shoulders, which look very good on him.

I don't admire those two politically, but they DO both know how to dress to hide their flaws and look their best -- and it's not an age thing, it's an honesty about your own body thing.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I am over 40. I still show my knees, but I see a lot of women who seem to think that if "current fashion" is dress like a slut that's what they will do....

A few thoughts.

If you saw the trend the first time DON'T GO THERE AGAIN!

If you have had a few kids or are bigger then a B cup, bras are NOT optional.

If you and your 16 year old are dressed alike, you look like a fool!