IS it inappropriate to show off my knees when I’m rapidly approaching my sixties? Am I too old to wear mini skirts that bare this much leg?
These are the questions that rattle around my head when I’m unboxing my deliveries after a late-night shopping haul.
I’m a great believer in wearing what you damn well please, but equally I’m plagued by the dreaded “mutton-dressed-as-lamb” self-doubts.
My mum wouldn’t have dreamed of wearing anything revealing when she was my age.
When I saw mini skirts creeping back on to the high street earlier this year, I wondered if I was brave enough to get on board.
I’ve been a fashion stylist for over 20 years and have dressed hundreds of women of all ages, shapes and sizes and the rule I believe in is that you should embrace your best bits.
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It’s a sure-fire way to boost your confidence.
I’ve always been happy with my legs. I inherited a decent set of pins from my mum’s side of the family and in my mind they are my secret weapon, distracting the eye away from my rapidly disappearing waistline.
Regular tap-dancing classes and striding around the shops have helped to keep them in shape, and I’ve never shied away from showing them off.
I’m not alone, there are plenty of over-50 celebrities who are happy to bare their legs.
Amanda Holden, 54, and Jennifer Lopez, 56, have recently been papped in thigh-skimming hemlines.
Davina McCall, 58, says she loves wearing them and has vowed never to give up, even if it “ruins” her career.
Now that mini skirts are one of this festive season’s biggest looks, I have to say I’m delighted.
There’s never been a better excuse to get my pins out.
You’ll find feather-trimmed fancy minis in Zara, faux leather kilts in River Island and flippy chiffon in H&M.
M&S is leading the way. Their designers have wielded the scissors and chopped hemlines to meet the demands of their core customers — midlife women.
So rather than finding micro minis that run the risk of over-exposure, you will see more wearable A-line shapes that are short enough to show off your knees and a little thigh.
I love the plum velvet mini with matching jacket, and there’s a particular party dress with a short gathered skirt that’s trending on TikTok.
It’s the perfect length for twirling around the dancefloor at your New Year’s Eve bash. So why the sudden rise in hemlines?
LIFE’S SHORT SO GO SHORT
It was only a few months ago that long satin slip skirts ruled the roost.
Could it be the “Hemline Index” theory coming into play?
Some people say that when the economy does well, hemlines creep up to match the feel-good vibe of the period, only to fall back down when recessions hit, reflecting the sombre mood of empty bank accounts.
So, maybe not. I don’t know about you, but this current rise in hemlines is definitely not a reflection of the state of my finances.
My theory is simpler. Women of my age are more adventurous and happy to embrace the trends that our mothers would have been reluctant to wear in their late fifties.
Life is too short to play it safe when it comes to fashion.
A quick “how to wear a mini skirt” search on TikTok will present you with women of all ages rocking shorter hemlines.
Yes there are the trolls who don’t approve, saying the skirt is “too short”, “too revealing” and “looks trashy”. But I see more clapping hands and flames-of-fire emojis when I post a pic of me in a mini than I do when I’m in my barrel-leg jeans, and for that I am grateful.
So, I’m going to make the most of the mini trend and wear what makes me happy.
And long may it last!
… But get it right
FANCY jumping on the trend? Here are three things you might want to consider when styling your mini skirt . . .
THE BALANCING ACT: This is all about getting the proportions right. Teaming a short tight skirt with an equally tight, low-cut top will take a gigantic amount of self-confidence.
If you can pull it off then go for it, but I personally prefer keeping my cleavage covered when I’ve got loads of leg on show.
Try teaming your mini skirt with a silky blouse or tailored blazer for an elegant evening look or an over-sized knit for everyday.
THE TIGHTS OR NO TIGHTS DILEMMA: It’s entirely up to you whether you want to go bare-legged or cover up in a pair 60 deniers.
For me it all depends on the actual length of my mini. If it’s so short that I’d risk flashing my knickers as I walk up the stairs I will reach for a pair of opaques to make me feel more ‘contained’, whereas I’m happy to go without tights in a dress that hits just above the knee.
There’s an array of coloured tights in the shops and if you wear shoes of the same shade it gives the illusion of longer legs. As for exposing my wrinkly knees and varicose veins, who cares? Not me.
Although, I do rely on a coating of Perfect Legs Skin Miracle tinted serum from This Works to take the edge off my winter white skin.
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD: Wearing the right shoes is key and for me it’s more about comfort than looks.
Pairing a micro mini with skyscraper stilettos may have worked for me back in 1985 when I was bopping around Essex’s finest dancefloors but nowadays I’d rather slip my feet into a kitten heel, fancy flats or knee-high boots.
The aim is to look effortless and that’s not easy when you’re struggling to walk without wincing.