how to wear shorts
there are many women who think they can’t wear shorts. am i right? which is due in large part with baby boomers focusing on all things wrong with their body. that’s how we were raised. we were told we had to look thin and dress thin no matter what. and it’s hard to shake a mindset formed in our early years. horizontal stripes? nope. skirts above our knees? no way. distressed jeans? absolutely not for women over 40, 50, or whatever you’ve been told. shorts? my legs are x,y, and z. and the list goes on. but i’ve always had the notion that clothes should work for you. to purchase the items you love while building a functional wardrobe. because one thing i’ve learned is that there is a powerful connection between how we look and how we feel. and if we feel good, we will step out the door in confidence. ladies, clothes have a way of making us feel good. there are so many studies to support this notion. and guess what? i happen to love shorts and plan on wearing them long after the age of 60.
so today’s ootd is all about how to wear shorts. since it’s date night, i decided on a shorts suit. a striped cabana blazer with matching shorts. while this ensemble looks fantastic when worn as a suit. each item will mix and match perfectly with my summer wardrobe. the loose fit of the blazer is perfect for those warm georgia temps that have already arrived. i popped on a gorgeous bamboo tee called dawn draper from Southcott Threads. many of you might remember the founder Amy Graham was featured on my interview series Over | Under last August. if you have not tried bamboo cotton i highly recommend you do. not only is bamboo cotton good for the environment, but it also’s soft and comfy, doesn’t pill and isn’t see through. some actually claim this is the perfect tee.
the blazer is finished with patch pockets which gives it a casual look.
shorts | tee | blazer | shoes | similar handbag
shorts and summer go together like surf and sand. once those temps heat up, there’s nothing quite like a pair of stylish shorts to cool down. with so many lengths available how short is up to you.
nude block heels add subtle sophistication. style tip: the shorter my shorts or skirts, the lower the heel. it gives balance.
shorts | tee | blazer | shoes | similar handbag
the dawn draper tee has lots of drapes which adds to the casual ease of this outfit.
can you believe it’s thursday? where has the week, month gone?! soon we’ll be seeing those may flowers those april showers prepared us for.
You look AH-MAZING!
I’m on of those who just can’t wear shorts. I have fat knees (well chunky legs too) and too-white legs. 🤷♀️ So I opt for cooler pants and maxi skirts/dresses.
Me too Gina! I love to wear flip flips with a midi or maxi skirt in summer. No shorts for me as my legs are too, well…yukky. It’s one thing to throw out preconceived notions about what one can or can’t wear, but we still want to look good and stylish!
I just LOVE your attitude!
You look fabulous in shorts! Not all of us are so fortunate. Then, come to think of it, you look great in everything. Enjoy your info so much.
Those prices 🙁
Of course I wear shorts. I live in Florida! Age 64. Mine are all Ann Taylor or Loft, but I have a stripe pair I got at Old Navy last year. 🙂
You look great but since you did this article on shorts, can you address the situation some of us deal with which is “white leg syndrome”. Do you use a tanner on your legs? If so, do you have a favorite? Thank you!
Hi Pam, one of the best self tan’s I’ve come across is Jergens, they do it for face and body in light to medium or medium to dark, they do one for the face as well. I find it blends well and doesn’t smell and gives a natural colour. I can’t get it in England so I buy it when I go to Florida or I get it off Amazon UK. Hope this helps regards Julie from England
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question! I will try the Jergens!
Regards,
Pamm
The last time I used a self-tanner, which was ages ago, it made the age spots on my legs darker, which was not attractive in the least. Needless to say, I never used a self-tanner again! Unfortunately, my numerous large age spots and patches of spider veins limit when and where I wear shorts, but I have learned to live with it. When I was younger, and my mom was in her 50’s, I used to wonder why she never wore shorts when it was so hot in the desert where she lived. Now I know why!
I am 63 and 4’11” tall; I look good in shorter shorts but am self-conscious because of the “you shouldn’t” culture.
I totally support what you said about the way we were raised (looking at what is not, rather than what IS). One good side of ageing is to make myself more independent of what others think “ought” to be. And I also love shorts.. I love white sportive ones, but also in Chino style. Have never tried to wear with a Blazer, which adds a more “serious” proper look to them – will try this out, once the temperatures in Austria have increased a little 😉
That is one fabulous outfit on you! Even though I’m over 60, I still have good legs (as did my mother and grandmother) but I’m ready to break another old rule. I’m now ready for shorts again. As for prices of anything you wear, bring it on. I have fun finding similar looks at lower prices and get a boost on my retail high!
Sorry Beth, but that shirt pulls across the chest and is the collar a v or just droopy? This is the first time I wasn’t crazy about an outfit.. it didn’t do you justice IMO
I was born up in England just after the war and growing up then there was a slightly different attitude. Most of us were thin/slim and being over-weight was never a problem. It was the opposite, as a teenager I thought of myself as being so thin, even seeing Twiggy in the magazines and in t.v. didn’t help. I covered myself up, would never wear shorts! I will wear them now, and even though my legs are still slim, I have big knees, never a good look but it doesn’t stop me as it would have done in my teens. I look back and think , why didn’t I realise that I was not too thin! Thanks for doing these articles
Hurrah for you! You look super in shorts, and you are comfortable, so why not? I’m nearly 67 and continue to wear shorts. My husband continues to tell me I have great legs. Thanks for the thumbs up to shorts. I’ll wear them as long as weather gets hot and I have legs.
To each their own.
Love the shorts and blazer – sharp! But, I think you missed the mark in the Tshirt. It’s a mess under that crisp suit. I’m all for casual but it just looks sloppy.
I agree, however, Beth has a better version of this outfit on her Instagram page where the tee is more streamlined and she has a pump instead of an ankle wrap sandal.
I’m 78 and still wear shorts. I wear mostly longer ones, 12″ lengh. I also have some that are shorter. My legs have always been long and thin, especially my ankles and calves and am very self-conscious. The rest of my body used to be that way but have larger top than bottom now. I am very careful how and where I were shorts, but for golf I used the walking shorts. At home I wear shorter shorts. I’ll wear shorts till I die! Loved the outfit by the way~
Bonnie, GOOD FOR YOU!!! We need people like you and Beth to disrupt the “age appropriate” rules. We”ve got to break this tyranny . Your post made my day.
Thank you for this blog! I wear shorts and skirts above the knee. Since I walk so much, I feel good in shorts and skirts above the knee. I’m not ready to stop wearing them. I love your outfit. I remember some of my favorite summer suits in the 90’s were shorts and jacket combinations.
Just had to tell you that i came across some pictures of you a couple of years ago and was so inspired that I lost 50 pounds and pulled out my sewing machine and whipped up a huge and knockout wardrobe. Now instead of being frumpy and ugly I am an elegant 64! My husband is thrilled too!
Love your style! You look fantastic! Here’s a tip for everyone’s legs- makeup. I put a light layer of foundation and lotion on my legs and they look flawless. Thanks for all your inspiring fashion ideas!
Hello Monica,
I have to say, I never thought of using make up that’s for my face on my legs! Not sure why it didn’t occur to me before but I’ll give it a try. Thank you for the suggestion!
-Pamm
I think you look fab in this outfit I am going to look out for Bamboo cotton here in South Africa. I am 62 and live at the coast and still wear shorts but longer length it is just too hot in summer for long pants. Love your blog. Thank you.
Hi Beth
You look great in shorts, however I am not a fan of this outfit. It reminds me of a prison uniform. A solid color in the same style would be wonderful!
I am glad the shorts and blazer set have made a come back. This look use to be very popular in early 90’s. I am in my late 50,s and of course not quiet as little as I was in the 90’s. My shorts would have to be a little longer to hide my veins. Is there a cream you recommend for this problem.
Like your article and outfit. At nearly 70 I decided to just like the way I am and wear what I want.
I am 71 and still wear shorts when it gets really hot, but a longer length. This is one outfit though that I don’t care for. The t shirt looks messy and the striped top and shorts, coupled with the t shirt looks like you left the house wearing pajamas. I usually love your outfits, but not this time. I think the top would look great with a pair of white jeans though.
I think you look amazing Beth – this is a great set to own! I would buy it.