Am I Too Old to Wear a Mini Skirt?

Let's ignore the body-shaming ageism and just enjoy dressing up again.

by Maryann LoRusso | Nov 4, 2021 | Fashion

I usually love all things related to Oprah Winfrey. However, O Magazine Creative Director Adam Glassman pissed me off several years ago when he wrote an article telling women over “a certain age” what not to wear. Among his no-nos: mini skirts, shorts and ripped denim. He wrote that “a skirt should be an inch above or an inch below the knee,” and that we should never expose our stomachs, even if we “have rock-hard abs. It’s never appropriate.”

I wonder if Oprah knows about this.

Funny thing is, I have unapologetically worn every one of those controversial items since turning 40. I have a background in fashion journalism and love to experiment with clothes, despite apparently having aged out of some, according to some folks. In fact, since turning 50 I still wear mini skirts, as well as shorts, colorful nail polish, ripped denim and other items on Mr. Glassman’s list of no-nos.

I sometimes wonder where “style experts”—especially those of the male persuasion—come off telling women what they should or shouldn’t wear. They’ve done it so often that I even hear women my age repeat the outdated mantras to one another: “That top is for a 30-year-old.” “That dress she was wearing was completely age-inappropriate.” “If I were only 10 years younger I could pull that off.”

Enough.

The generation beneath us has made it clear that “body shaming” is unacceptable. It’s absolutely not OK to tell a woman she is too large or small to wear something. Clothing retailers now feature models of all silhouettes on their websites and in their ads. We are finally embracing the fact that women’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes and that they’re all beautiful.

But somehow, it’s still OK to tell a woman her body is not young enough to wear a certain piece of clothing?

Now, as a 50-plus woman, you will not find me shopping at Express, or wearing short-shorts that put my butt cheeks on display. (Frankly, the latter was never my thing.) But I am entitled to shop wherever I want, and wear what I want, and I certainly shouldn’t judge another woman for donning something that she feels is right for her. My late Aunt Terri shopped at Forever 21 until her 80s, and I thought she was the coolest lady on the planet.

Designer Sigrid Olsen and I chat about why fashion is becoming more inclusive and why she’s no longer putting an age on her target consumer.

All I’m saying is, we can decide for ourselves if we want to wear a mini skirt. Or anything else, for that matter.

I’ve always loved fashion, and I want to creatively express myself through my wardrobe as long as I possibly can. I’ve spent decades in this body, so at this point in my life I can safely walk into a store, scan the women’s section and, in minutes, hone in on clothes that suit me. I’m sure you can too.

My current style is an extension of the one I’ve been developing since my late 20s, with some tweaks and upgrades. In general, I’ve stayed true to my basic vibe and let it evolve as my lifestyle and wardrobe needs have changed. I’m still brave enough to wear what I want, including short dresses and slightly cropped tops, although these days the skirts are slightly longer than they once were and the tops show less skin. I accessorize with better quality shoes, bags and jewelry. I own more jackets than I used to, along with a few more formal dresses. However, I love jeans as much as ever, and the heels on my footwear (with the exception of my running shoes) have remained characteristically high.

I have to admit that once in a while, even I question whether I might be going too far by wearing a trend that might be perceived as “too young” for me. But as long as the outfit is appropriate for the occasion, it fits me well, and I feel confident wearing it, I usually go for it. One of the great things about getting older is that I don’t care as much about what other people think.

As a former fashion editor, these are the only “fashion rules” I try to abide by:

Hone your personal style. It’s fun to experiment with trends. But while fads come and go, your personal style stays with you forever—so take the time to develop it, if you haven’t already. My friend Gail, a fashion editor with whom I chat about fashion over 40 on “Am I Too Old to Wear a Miniskirt?,” emits a cool-girl vibe with her wardrobe of jackets, jeans and chunky shoes, while I favor more dresses, skirts and flowing pants. But we each have a distinct style and have built a wardrobe around a collection of classic and/or workhorse pieces. For me, these include a little black dress, a black blazer, a tailored white shirt, skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans, silk wide-legged pants and silk joggers, a leather moto jacket, a couple of bodysuits, several cashmere sweaters, and a few blouses in gorgeous colors and prints.

Put your own spin on a look. Every type of clothing comes in many styles, so find a version that suits your personality. For instance, in the jumpsuit department, I like a nice wide-legged cut with a fitted bodice, while another woman may prefer a more tailored silhouette with cropped bottoms.

Wear the best fabrics you can afford. Skip the environmentally toxic “fast fashion” and select earth-friendly organic cotton or more durable options such as silk, linen, wool and cashmere. The planet will thank you, and so will your body when you wear clothes that feel good against your skin.

If you don’t feel comfortable, change. We’ve all gone out in something we end up feeling uncomfortable in, says Gail, whether it’s an overly snug pair of jeans or a too-short skirt. But, if you can’t sit, walk, dance, eat or breath easily in a getup, what’s the point?

In the end, it comes down to confidence. To paraphrase Lizzo, if you can walk that fine ass out the door feeling good as hell, that’s all you need.