Middle Age And The Miniskirt

[JeffB]

I found myself contemplating something highly interesting yesterday. As everyone here knows, I've developed quite the passion for wearing short skirts because I love showing off my long legs (especially when paired with high heels), perhaps my lone concession to vanity, but that begs the following question: how short can a hemline be for someone like myself at 54, graying hair and all wear and still look appropriate for my years? Most men who face the traditional midlife crisis buy expensive muscle cars or indulge in all sort of thrilling adventures. Me? I wear miniskirts, some as short as 15 inches, and I love how I look in them. But, am I acting my age when I wear a mini? Opinions?

[Dr. Shoe]

I believe a pencil skirt is far sexier so I tend to wear those. Moreover, they are more age appropriate etc.

 

There is something about a mini-skirt on an older person though!

[hh4evr1]

Most women in their 50's wouldn't wear mini skirts. They are seen more in younger women/girls. If you like wearing them and like the look of your complete outfit keep wearing them.

[Foxyheels]

Well it's certainly unconventional for someone in their 50's to wear a mini skirt so it's sounds ideal for you Jeff :-)

[Curt]

What is age anyway? I'm 40, but dress like a twenty-something woman. If you look good in it, then why not! Jeff, love the dress. I have a few pics of me in skirts and dresses that I'm going to post as soon as I can get to a computer. Would I dress my age where society expects me to, of course not. Not a pencil-skirt would look awesome with tall boots and hose with lace in them.

[SleekHeels]

Some would say that any skirt wouldn't look appropriate for somone in his mid 50's, but I think that if your legs are in good shape and so long as nobody can see your knickers then that's fine regardless of age.

 

I've often heard people making bitchy remarks about somone "dressing too young for their age" but I think they're just miserable people who are envious of others zest for life. We should celebrate humanity and fashion is a great way to do that.

[bluejay]

JeffB,

 

If you like wearing a mini skirt, wear it. Age has no part in it. You look good in skirts for a guy. Do your own thing. I do!!!!!!

 

Happy Heeling,

bluerjay

[JeffB]

Thanks for the comments, everyone! Much appreciated, and I enjoyed your viewpoints. When I started wearing skirts some five years ago, I had been rather self-conscious about showing my legs, but the more I wore them, the less antsy I became, and that led to my hemlines steadily becoming shorter while I came to appreciate just how good I look in short skirts and finally, minis which are great fun to wear, mostly for an exhibitionist angle. Heh! So, I will follow your sage advice, be true to myself and continue wearing miniskirts.

[quidam]

gee... When I read "Middle Age" and the Miniskirt my first thougth was something like

 

[JeffB]

gee... When I read "Middle Age" and the Miniskirt my first thougth was something like

 

HA! That was funny!

[HappyinHeels]

JeffB,  You have come way too far, and blazed entirely too many fashion frontiers, to now be second-guessing yourself my friend. It is precisely that ever-forward march and relentless pursuit of fashion nirvana that has put YOU in the driver's seat of the race toward full fashion freedom for men. Age IS irrelevant. I am only a year younger than you and frequently wear bootcut women's jeans, knit caps, and heels of at least 5" and couldn't care less what age I am. Remember that confidence has fuled your torch of purpose which has led you to where you are today. Don't let a gust of needless worry about age perceptions blow it out. Your fashion and passion are what make you unique here. Skirts: "wear 'em if ya got 'em!"  Strap in and skirt up Jeff!  HappyinHeels

[JeffB]

HappyinHeels: Many thanks for the words of encouragement. I appreciate everything you've said, and I agree with everything you said. Fashion and passion are indeed important to everything I've done, and you're right, I shouldn't let age dictate how I go about my freestyling, so I'll keep on keeping on in short skirts!

[Gudulitooo]

i don't think mini skirt are not for "middle age" women people.

Rather, with the years, ageing legs, family established, wisdom, etc, only a few women still need or want to wear a mini.

Thus the only few that still appreciate minis at this age feel isolated, which is in turn reduces their boldness.

This is a more a factual downward spiral against minis than a real fashion rule.

[Amanda]

Mutton dressed as lamb

[Dr. Shoe]

LOL Indeed!

 

But then again, that's the look we're aiming for!

[Guest]

Ah but Amanda don't we all want to stay young and beautiful and wish we were still 21 again.

 

Personally I think I'm still 30 but my body knows otherwise.

 

There is also a thread about short shorts on guys nearing the cut of the famous "hot pants". I've seen some scary legs in all styles both young and old.

 

Al

[Amanda]

LOL Indeed!

 

But then again, that's the look we're aiming for!

 

Like

[mtnsofheels]

Yes Amanda, you do have a way with words, that was hilarious my god! That was so awesome.

 

But as Happyinheels put it, why stop breaking the barriers now JeffB, you been a steam roller plow through!

If it makes you feel great that is all that really counts, you and nobody else.

 

You guys are great!

[CrushedVamp]

My wife asked this very question last week.

We were at church and she was wearing a rather short sweater dress. Appropriate but short, and for those that like details with beige pantyhose and heels.

Because of the semi-circular arrangement of our church, as a guy returned from the bathroom, and how my wife had her legs crossed, he got an eyeful of a LOT of her leg. It was clear from his grin, he liked what he saw. Since my wife is oblivious to this stuff, I mentioned I was not the only one who liked her dressed as she was, and that was when she said, "But don't you think its wrong of me to wear shorter skirts and dresses?"

We are on the young side of being old (50) so I am sure these days are coming to an end, but I appreciate her, and others her age, being age-defiant with their skirt lengths,

[Shyheels]

While not being a fan of mini shirts in general, I don’t see why anyone should wear one at any age if they are comfortable wearing them and it makes them feel good. I would not worry about how many candles are on the cake when making style choices - just what appeals to you and makes you feel good.

[mlroseplant]

I don't think there is any hard and fast rule about such things. I have come to the conclusion that some people can pull certain outfits off, and others can't. The problem is, there's no real way to tell in advance what it will be. Several years ago, we had a choir director from Korea who used to wear very short skirts and dresses to church all the time. She could pull that off. My wife would look ridiculous in the same outfit. Hopefully it would be only ridiculous, and not vulgar.

[Shyheels]

I think that the quality that enables one to do that comes from within rather than external appearance. The confidence, belief, and genuine self expression is what nails these things 

[CrushedVamp]

That is all so true. I also think motivation has a lot to do with it too. My wife straight up dresses for me because she loves me and knows I like it. Since she is not dressing for others attention, I think its a look she can pull off.

But people also suck.

My wife and I are probably some of the most humble unassuming people in the world, but we do like to dress up and most of the time are some of the best dressed people at a venue. Not over the top bling-bling, but sharply dressed. Yet we hear snide comments a lot. Most of the time it is my wife who hears them from other women in the bathroom, or walking past just loud enough to her husband but so that we can hear, and occasion for us as a couple.

I think it just becomes unusual as more and more people dress down, and in doing so they either feel guilty about how they constantly dress, or flat out make the wrong conclusions on why we do dress nice. For us, its all about this: "You feel how you are dressed". Spend a week in the wilderness bush crafting it, you are going to feel gross and yucky. But dress nicely, and you feel better about yourself.

 

[Shyheels]

Yes there are a lot of boors in the world - wearing sweatsuits and pyjamas to to their shopping, and I saw an article last week where airlines in the US are now bringing in dress codes for passengers - with such challenging demands as no travelling barefoot. I can’t even in my wildest dreams imagine heading off to the airport barefoot to catch a flight  Apparently it’s done often enough to require a rule.

So I’m not surprised to hear you and your wife are the odd ones out at social gatherings. 

[Gige]

I find it to be quite serendipitous that the topic of age and miniskirts should occur when today, I wore this delightfully cute outfit to the office. Whether or not the skirt would be considered a miniskirt or simply above-the-knee is a matter of debate and/or personal preference. I believe that there are two important considerations to wearing a miniskirt. The first is undoubtedly having the confidence to do so while the second is being able to style it for the settings in which is going to be worn. I am of the opinion that wearing a well-fitting miniskirt exudes a highly elevated sense of confidence and style. I understand that not everyone wants to wear a miniskirt for a variety of reasons. I do, however, strongly agree with some of the other opinions offered here that if one should feel good/comfortable/confident about doing so, then do it – age be damned! I have come to truly admire those individuals, regardless of age, gender, and whatever else, who are so confident in themselves that they will wear a miniskirt despite any conventional wisdom that says to the contrary. Please excuse my apparent brashness, but I believe that well a styled and fitting miniskirt is the epitome of confidence. Just a note/warning – this year I am upgrading some of my boots to higher heels and skirts with higher hemlines because they reflect the confidence I feel about myself in every aspect of my being. So, watch out!

After I took the photo that is part of this post, I looked at it and feel is it a great example of exactly the point I am trying to make. I “know” that I “can” wear a skirt with the helm line hitting where it does and I am proud to do so even though yesterday was 54th half-birthday. I feel this way because of how I styled it (color and fit) and that I am supremely confident in myself to wear such an item. Perhaps it is a degree of a circular argument but wearing miniskirt and higher heels boosts my confidence. With such, I am more inclined to continue  doing so because it builds my confidence. As my confidence increases, I will wear higher heels and shorter skirts. I have, in fact, recently started transitioning my skirts from being long and boring to shorter and a degree of flair to them. There is a time and place where a straight black, knee length skirt is best for the occasions, but I asked myself why not make that a leather pencil skirt? I do not know about anyone else, but when I finally retire, I fully plan on wearing a pair of five-inch heeled leather over-the-knee boots and a leather miniskirt (with some sort of top) to my retirement party. And I plan on looking Meryl Streep level fabulous, and yes, I will post pictures!

What bothers me about this “debate” (not here, but by fashion “experts”) is that every such individual has his/her own opinion on the matter that is based solely on his/her own opinion. It is rather common to read of fashion advice that individuals over X age should not wear a miniskirt while others say, “if you’re comfortable doing so, do it.” As far as I am concerned, any advice about the appropriate age at which individuals should not wear a miniskirt is nonsense. I have miniskirts, knee-length skirts, and longer skirts that I find to be wonderful because they all express a sense of style - their length is unimportant. As has been said many times before on this forum, it is not so much what is worn, but more so, how it is worn. It should be well known that I am supremely disappointed as to what passes for acceptable attire nowadays. I so enjoy seeing old photographs of a time when going out anywhere meant presenting oneself at his/her best. I have seen old photographs of a crowd at a hockey game in the 1940s, and every man and woman is wearing a dress hat of some degree. One will never see that again!

But I digress.

Many years ago in these here United States of America, there was an advertisement (both on television and radio) for a more popular men’s chain clothing store. The advertisement ended with the owner of the store saying, “You’re going to love the way you look…I guarantee it.” That line has been such an inspiration to me as if I love the way I look when wearing a miniskirt, heels, or whatever, then gosh darn it, I am going to do so. When I exit my residence in the morning to head out to my car and off to the office, I see my reflection in the glass of the front door of the residents living across the way from me (I live in an apartment complex). It was so gratifying to see my reflection of wearing today’s skirt and with the sounds of my heels hitting the pavement as I headed out to my car. It is not just one day, but every day I see this that makes leaving my residence so worthwhile.

Remember, it never goes out of style to have style!

1 hour ago, Gige said:

 

Today's outfit - Skirt by LC - Lauren Conrad; heels - NineWest.

On 1/26/2025 at 4:07 AM, CrushedVamp said:

My wife asked this very question last week.

We were at church and she was wearing a rather short sweater dress. Appropriate but short, and for those that like details with beige pantyhose and heels.

Because of the semi-circular arrangement of our church, as a guy returned from the bathroom, and how my wife had her legs crossed, he got an eyeful of a LOT of her leg. It was clear from his grin, he liked what he saw. Since my wife is oblivious to this stuff, I mentioned I was not the only one who liked her dressed as she was, and that was when she said, "But don't you think its wrong of me to wear shorter skirts and dresses?"

We are on the young side of being old (50) so I am sure these days are coming to an end, but I appreciate her, and others her age, being age-defiant with their skirt lengths,

I must offer my most polite and respectful disagreement with some of what you have wrote here as well as my apologies if I misunderstand your point. It sounds to me that your wife has a very flattering figure and is completely comfortable with such as any sweater dress, regardless of length and/or style will easily accent the slight flaw of one’s bodily shape. Wearing a sweater dress, let alone a shorter one, to many events, especially a religious service, can been viewed as a bold decision (but one I would support). Generally speaking, attire for such is much more conservative, so kudos to your wife for doing so! The question is, however, if she can wear a short dress/skirt now, why should she stop doing so at 50? I think anyone who lets age dictate what they “should” or “should not” wear is blinded by a strict adherence to conventional wisdom. 50 is too old to wear a miniskirt or high heels? White should not be worn after Labor Day? Well, says who? I believe that wearing a mini-skirt after 50 (or even 60)  gives a middle finger to “traditional” and perhaps “conservative” thinking, which so rightfully should be done.

Edited 12 hours ago by Gige
Trying to upload photo

[Shyheels]

Likewise skinny jeans, which I favour as I like to wear my knee boots over my jeans. They too are controversial, especially in older males - these seem to be considered a women’s fashion, excusable in younger hipsters but off limits to older men (unless you’re Mick Jagger) 

I like skinny jeans and wear them as a matter of course, whether I’m wearing heels or hiking boots, and have long stopped noticing if I get funny looks for doing so - just as I’ve long stopped noticing if anyone notices that I’m wearing knee boots (which I nearly always am - heels or no)

[CrushedVamp]

5 hours ago, Gige said:

I find it to be quite serendipitous that the topic of age and miniskirts should occur when today, I wore this delightfully cute outfit to the office. Whether or not the skirt would be considered a miniskirt or simply above-the-knee is a matter of debate and/or personal preference. I believe that there are two important considerations to wearing a miniskirt. The first is undoubtedly having the confidence to do so while the second is being able to style it for the settings in which is going to be worn. I am of the opinion that wearing a well-fitting miniskirt exudes a highly elevated sense of confidence and style. I understand that not everyone wants to wear a miniskirt for a variety of reasons. I do, however, strongly agree with some of the other opinions offered here that if one should feel good/comfortable/confident about doing so, then do it – age be damned! I have come to truly admire those individuals, regardless of age, gender, and whatever else, who are so confident in themselves that they will wear a miniskirt despite any conventional wisdom that says to the contrary. Please excuse my apparent brashness, but I believe that well a styled and fitting miniskirt is the epitome of confidence. Just a note/warning – this year I am upgrading some of my boots to higher heels and skirts with higher hemlines because they reflect the confidence I feel about myself in every aspect of my being. So, watch out!

After I took the photo that is part of this post, I looked at it and feel is it a great example of exactly the point I am trying to make. I “know” that I “can” wear a skirt with the helm line hitting where it does and I am proud to do so even though yesterday was 54th half-birthday. I feel this way because of how I styled it (color and fit) and that I am supremely confident in myself to wear such an item. Perhaps it is a degree of a circular argument but wearing miniskirt and higher heels boosts my confidence. With such, I am more inclined to continue  doing so because it builds my confidence. As my confidence increases, I will wear higher heels and shorter skirts. I have, in fact, recently started transitioning my skirts from being long and boring to shorter and a degree of flair to them. There is a time and place where a straight black, knee length skirt is best for the occasions, but I asked myself why not make that a leather pencil skirt? I do not know about anyone else, but when I finally retire, I fully plan on wearing a pair of five-inch heeled leather over-the-knee boots and a leather miniskirt (with some sort of top) to my retirement party. And I plan on looking Meryl Streep level fabulous, and yes, I will post pictures!

What bothers me about this “debate” (not here, but by fashion “experts”) is that every such individual has his/her own opinion on the matter that is based solely on his/her own opinion. It is rather common to read of fashion advice that individuals over X age should not wear a miniskirt while others say, “if you’re comfortable doing so, do it.” As far as I am concerned, any advice about the appropriate age at which individuals should not wear a miniskirt is nonsense. I have miniskirts, knee-length skirts, and longer skirts that I find to be wonderful because they all express a sense of style - their length is unimportant. As has been said many times before on this forum, it is not so much what is worn, but more so, how it is worn. It should be well known that I am supremely disappointed as to what passes for acceptable attire nowadays. I so enjoy seeing old photographs of a time when going out anywhere meant presenting oneself at his/her best. I have seen old photographs of a crowd at a hockey game in the 1940s, and every man and woman is wearing a dress hat of some degree. One will never see that again!

But I digress.

Many years ago in these here United States of America, there was an advertisement (both on television and radio) for a more popular men’s chain clothing store. The advertisement ended with the owner of the store saying, “You’re going to love the way you look…I guarantee it.” That line has been such an inspiration to me as if I love the way I look when wearing a miniskirt, heels, or whatever, then gosh darn it, I am going to do so. When I exit my residence in the morning to head out to my car and off to the office, I see my reflection in the glass of the front door of the residents living across the way from me (I live in an apartment complex). It was so gratifying to see my reflection of wearing today’s skirt and with the sounds of my heels hitting the pavement as I headed out to my car. It is not just one day, but every day I see this that makes leaving my residence so worthwhile.

Remember, it never goes out of style to have style!

Today's outfit - Skirt by LC - Lauren Conrad; heels - NineWest.

I must offer my most polite and respectful disagreement with some of what you have wrote here as well as my apologies if I misunderstand your point. It sounds to me that your wife has a very flattering figure and is completely comfortable with such as any sweater dress, regardless of length and/or style will easily accent the slight flaw of one’s bodily shape. Wearing a sweater dress, let alone a shorter one, to many events, especially a religious service, can been viewed as a bold decision (but one I would support). Generally speaking, attire for such is much more conservative, so kudos to your wife for doing so! The question is, however, if she can wear a short dress/skirt now, why should she stop doing so at 50? I think anyone who lets age dictate what they “should” or “should not” wear is blinded by a strict adherence to conventional wisdom. 50 is too old to wear a miniskirt or high heels? White should not be worn after Labor Day? Well, says who? I believe that wearing a mini-skirt after 50 (or even 60)  gives a middle finger to “traditional” and perhaps “conservative” thinking, which so rightfully should be done.

Zero offense taken and you are right, we do tend to be on the conservative side, but my wife's fear of the fashion police stems more from her mother (84 years old). She is a major influence in my wife's life and while that is normal to come extent, it is not always healthy. I have heard my MIL say over a dozen times, "My, your skirt is too short". Or "Your heels are way too high". If my wife gains any weight (my MIL is less than 100 pounds) she goes out and buys her diet pills. But it can be anything from the wrong color of her clothes, how tight it fits, to her choice of shoes...

We were once at a restaurant and my MIL had just chided my wife on how her skirt length was too short and not thirty seconds later the waitress came over and said, "I love your outfit". That was nice to hear...

So it is not so much me, or my wife, but constantly hearing it from her mother that makes my wife self-conscious and that is an influential person...