Tuesday, July 5, 2016

She's got legs; she knows how to use them*

I recently received another e-mail complaining that my skirts were too short for my height and/or my age (I am 6 feet 2 and 65 years old).

I think the height complaint is a non-starter. Tall women have long and shapely legs --- who to better show off them off then by wearing short skirts?

Online, I found this about tall women and short skirts.

"Tall women of all ages look great in a short skirt. As you grow out of your college-partying days, you will probably want to veer away from the ultra-short, ultra-tight mini skirt, but there’s nothing wrong with a skirt that ends at your fingertips or mid-thigh. If that seems too edgy, try a skirt that ends equidistant between your knees and your fingertips. A skirt this length will help prevent embarrassing Brittany-esque moments, but will still show off enough leg to make people take notice."

I also found this.

Editor-at-Large from Glamour magazine Suze Yalof Schwartz appearing on Today said, "Her 'rule of thumb' (pun intended) is that a mini skirt's hem should not be any shorter than a wearer's thumb when the hands are at the side. I actually think, however, that you have to see the wearer and the garment and that rules like that don't always apply across the board. Plus, the thumb line can be pretty short.

"For example, the wearer's legs make a huge difference in whether a mini dress or skirt makes you look fabulous or half-naked. Take Real Housewife of New York City Kelly Bensimon, for instance... As a tan, statuesque (6' 0" - Ed.) former model, her style is synonymous with mini skirts. Are her skirts, shorts, and dresses a tad too short sometimes? Sure. But does she have great legs and all the business in the world rocking a style that shows off her inherent gam glory: Absolutely!"

Personally, I think that my legs are ok, but other people have convinced me that they are more so. My legs have always received good grades. My mother often said I had beautiful legs (and that "you should have been a girl with legs like yours"). My wife and other genetic women have admitted that I have nicer legs then they do. Friends and strangers have praised my legs. A friend's spouse even nicknamed me "Leggy."

Who am I to argue? The consensus is that I have great legs, so they meet the qualification to be shown and height is not a cause for disqualification. 

But does my age disqualify me?

For starters, I don't look (or act) my age. Even in boy mode, I look younger than my age. In girl mode, with makeup and a wig piled on, I look even younger. People often guess I am in my 40s. But what's age got to do with it?

From the Internet again:

"To use her as an example yet again, Kelly Bensimon is 40 years old and not slowing down when it comes to donning miniskirts. I don't think there should be any hard and fast rule about not wearing something after a certain age. The key is being honest with yourself about how you look in it."

I honestly think I look good in short skirts despite my age, real or apparent. Until I am convinced otherwise, you will see my knees and more.
* You all probably recognize that line from ZZ Top's hit recording "Legs." I wonder if you remember a brief T-moment in the video for that song. In that video, leggy girls, who are dressed over-the-top, are shopping in a boutique outfitting another girl who is more conservatively dressed. The T-moment occurs when one of the leggy girls grabs a dress from a guy who is holding the garment up to himself to see how it fits/looks in it.
(Caveat Emptor: This is a redo of a 3-year-old post.)





Wearing Fashion To Figure.
Wearing Fashion To Figure.




John Hansen (left) in the 1970 film The Christine Jorgensen Story
John Hansen (left) in the 1970 film The Christine Jorgensen Story

19 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 05, 2016

    I completely agree with you. I too am a tall girl at 6'5". Keep in mind that it is very hard to even find skirts and dresses that reach the knee. In fact, I have several women in stores that I frequent tell me that I have good legs, and that because of my body proportions that longer doesn't look good. I say a girl has to rock her best asset.

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    1. That's the story of my life... finding skirts and dresses that reach the knee.

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  2. AnonymousJuly 05, 2016

    Perhaps the criticism is coming from outside the US? The way you dress, the length of your skirts is quite normal in that country. In Europe, for example, no professional woman of your age would wear skirts that short. That's not a criticism, it's a contrasting observation.

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  3. You DO have great legs! Go with the short skirts, hon!

    Mandy

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  4. They say meetings are like skirts: they should be short enough to hold your attention and long enough to cover everything.

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    Replies
    1. Great comment Meg. I miss your pithy writings. Any chance of reviving the blog?

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    2. I just realized that you resemble the model in today's Femulate Her spot! So that explains why you stopped blogging... you are now a model!

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    3. Well, not I'm grinning from ear to ear! If I thought I could EVER look like her, I'd rethink full-time in an instant.

      The blog is peacefully asleep, and Meg has been mostly the same, although I can't explain either event.

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  5. You do have great legs so wear what looks good on you and ignore the critics. I'm much shorter at 5'6" and I tend to wear much longer, almost ankle length skirts but with a slit up to over the knee. One day coming out of the post office, I was wearing such a skirt and I noticed my wife watching me very closely. When I got in the car, she looked over and said, "You know lady, you've got some sexy legs." Sexy Legs became her nickname for me.

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  6. You look younger than 65, and your legs are better than most women. Micromini good? No. Can you stay a few inches above the knee? Certainly!

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  7. She is just jealous!!!

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  8. AnonymousJuly 06, 2016

    Dearest Stana,

    I have been a lurker on your wonderful blog for a while, but felt the "spirit" move me to comment on this topic as it is near and dear to my heart. :o)

    I too, wrestle with the "how short is too short" question. I am 53, 6'3" and have also received a lot of compliments on my legs. I have also bought a couple of dresses that my wife thought were TOO short...oops!

    I have seen a number of articles about how "us 50+ ladies" are supposed to keep skirts/dresses AT the knee! I say "BOLLOCKS" to all that! Ha Ha

    I am actually a little more cautious when it comes to tightness as opposed to length...You'll never see me in a body-con, but I will rock a sorta snug (and shorter) sheath dress in a heartbeat.

    I use the tried and true "fingertip" method and it works quite well...I will also sit down in the dressing room while wearing the prospective skirt/dress and see if I can keep my modesty at the same time while sitting and standing. I am really curious about the "thumb rule" now.

    You really hit the nail on the head about being honest with yourself and accepting ones limitations. Passing is something I will probably never achieve, but I will promote my "leggy" femininity as long as Mother Nature lets me! :o)

    In closing, you are a real inspiration for me and I truly appreciate the lovely and positive role model you have been for our community.

    Best Regards,

    K

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  9. Great post - great advice. I must say though, when I hear that line I jump right to the old Leggs pantyhose commercial for their Sheer Energy hose.

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