How Short is Too Short – Dressing after Fifty
How Short is Too Short – Dressing after Fifty
Are you the ‘bee’s knees?” If you’ve never heard that phrase before then I already know your answer to this question – how short is too short?
Remember when we discussed the sleeveless after fifty topic, (click here) now let’s talk about “how short is too short”
My husband is sort of a prude when it comes to women and short dresses, he says, “if a woman has to pull it down when she sits down then it’s too short” and sometimes, I have to agree, not always but sometimes…it all depends
Before retiring he was a Student Advisor in a middle school and would often come home complaining about how some of ‘the young ladies’ wore clothing that was either too short, too low cut, or simply too revealing for school. Between the ages of 13-15, most young men are “coming into their own” and oftentimes enticements such as these may be a bit too much for them to handle in an appropriate mature manner.
However, we are not talking about prepubescent teens, we are talking about grown women over the age of 50. In school they used the “tip of the finger rule”; the dress, skirt or shorts should not be higher than where the tip of the finger landed on the leg.
Should the fingertip rule apply to women over the age of 50?
Personally I do because when I’m wearing a dress, I want to feel comfortable in all situations. I don’t want to feel as though I need to pull down it down everytime I sit down; while getting in and out of a car or having to bend down to pick up something, however, you may have a different opinion…
What’s your take?
A sleeveless sheath is my favorite go-to dress and most of them are above the knee but are not too short above the knee. I think the length is just right and looks good on any body shape and size.
Wearing a pair of heels with a sheath dress not only elongates the legs but it makes you feel super sexy – and that is not a bad thing especially after the age of 50!
So the question needs to be answered…
“how short is too short after the age of fifty?”
I remember the finger tip rule, my girls’ school currently has that rule now. I do not wear short dresses that are too short, I don’t like showing off too much.
yes, I remember being very concerned when I saw some of the girls and what they wore to school….
I love that dress on you. Comfort is the key to dressing over 50 and there are NO requirements & NO Rules. I feel like I have earned the right to wear what I want with reckless abandon as long as it does not offend anyone or cause the Police to come talk to me. . .LOL!!
oh no…not the Po Po!
Love the dress and the shoes, and I always puzzle over my culottes. My legs are fine but I am over 50!
So, put on those culottes and show those legs!!!
I have to shake my head at what some girls wear today that are just one sneeze shy of showing everything. I wear what I want and what I feel comfortable in…but in Vegas all bets are off LOL
I know what you mean and it amazes me that parents, especially mothers let them walk out the door and then have a fit if someone says something to them…SMH. Oh yeah, Vegas baby!!!
Yeah but have you see what some of those mothers are wearing!!!
I do…sad!
mama u know i love ya! u r wearing that dress looks beautiful! xo Make ur own rules!
thank you lovely lady – gotta love those legs!!!
I don’t mind showing my legs in a fairly short skirt, but I am really self-conscious about my cleavage, so I always cover that up as best as I can. I don’t like anything uncomfortably short, but in winter when I can wear tights, I’m very happy to go super short.
That purple dress above looks great on you; I think you’d still look great even if it were a few inches shorter. xx
I am tall 5’10” so i have a huge issue with length. I am also high wasted . I was actually talking about a dress being too short n my blog today.. so 1-2″ above the knee is my preference because if i bend over I don’t want my goodies showing.
Sherry, you are so right – the world doesn’t need to see our goodies! Hope you are enjoying the weekend and glad to meet you!
I’m with you on this one. I like at the knee or right around there for straight skirts like your sheath dress. Which looks great on you, BTW. It’s a wonderful style on you. My problem comes with not being able to wear heels of any height, not even 1″. I have a back problem, so no heels. It really makes a difference in the way so many skirts look. So I wear fuller skirts with a longer length to them so that flats, usually ballet flats, look okay with them. I like the proportions better. And since I have a large shoe collection to choose from (yes, I too LOVE shoes!), it’s never a problem to find the right pair.
My husband is a teacher of 6th grade…in a charter school with a dress code. Thank heavens he doesn’t have to deal with that whole mess! I remember the skirt length issues all too well.
Always enjoy checking out your shoes! Judi
Thank you Judi, I too love my shoes and although I don’t have any back issues, I know the day will come when I can no longer wear the heels. Some days, I feel like it’s too much but for some strange reason flats make my feet hurt. Most likely it will be kitten heels or clogs – which truth be told are my favorite style of shoe.
Dress codes are the way to go especially in the middle schools. I hope you are enjoying the weekend.
Very elegant love the purple color and the floral shoes on you!
hanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Jess, thank you, purple is one of my favorite colors…well at least it is now, years ago it wasn’t because it always reminded me of “Barney” the big Purple Dinosaur!
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. I wear shorter dresses/skirts in winter than summer despite living in Alaska. My legs are my best asset. Thus, I keep my neckline up and just show off my legs.
Thank you for having such a great link up – I really love your outfits and love to see the changes in season in Alaska.
I used to be a prude too, but now I say if you have it, flaunt it. Chances are you won’t have it forever so enjoy it while you can! you look amazing!
I love the way you think! Hope all is well on your side of the world.