How Old Is Too Old to Wear "Short Shorts?"

my 17 year old wears them & I think its wrong... she pretty near perfectly shaped & very cute, but short shorts are kind of skanky. (no offense!) There is no where suitable to wear them.

If you have to ask, you're probably too old ;) I'm kidding! sort of. Personally, I don't think mother's should wear clothes like that. In all honesty, I don't think ANYONE should dress like that. I don't want to see the bottom of anyone's butt cheeks, I don't care how slammin' their body is.

I went through this too. I dont think it has anything to do with age. Woman/girls should dress appropriately at any age. If you feel the shorts are too short, they probably are. I ordered a pair of shorts online and they were really cute, but toooo short, I could not bring myself to wear them in public. Just around the house cleaning and to bother my husband. ;)

For the sake of your older boy, please cover up! I too have a 13-year-old boy and honestly everywhere these boys look there is skin, skin, skin. I have a couple of clueless Mama friends who are forever bending over or sitting forward wearing low-slung shirts and the boys (and husbands) have to work so hard to avoid staring down the cleavage it's not fair to the guys lol.You may look great (and good for you!) but other than fitness and swim wear, the mom of a teenage boy should opt for modesty. You don't really want his creepy little friends putting you in the MILF category, that's just too weird.

In her burial shroud.

Seriously... there is no inappropriate age (imho) merely inappropriate places.

The only time in life, young or old, fat or skinny, to wear short shorts...is if your are looking for a "date"....they are tacky, tacky, tacky.

The most beautiful women that walk the Earth wouldnt be cought dead in them....just ask Stacey and Clinton from TLC's What NOT to Wear.

Like Riley said, when I'm dead. There are no age rules. Your 13 year-old will be embarrassed by you because you exist. There are appropriate and inappropriate clothes for body size, shape, and type, and place and occasion.

I'm a size 6. I work out almost daily. I weigh within 5 lbs of what I did when I graduated from high school. I'm 50. When I try on clothes, I look in the mirror. It either looks good or it doesn't. Yep, some styles and colors don't work on me that might have when I was younger. I will not stop wearing a bikini to the beach, shorts or shorter skirts, tank tops, etc. on a nice summer day based on my birthdate. I will stop when it doesn't look good. I'll know when.

Your 13 year old may object, especially if his friends say anything to him.. This is what happened to my sister when her sons friends started noticing her.. and the way she dressed. My nephew pretty much threw a fit and told her to please stop trying to look like a teenager.

Once you begin to wonder, id the time, to probably taper off. of the short shorts.. and little bikinis.. maybe a tankini..would feel better.

i applaud you for all your hard work. but with a 13 year old boy i would be done with the teeny tiny clothes. not only is it awkward for him, but what about his friends who might come around? their parents? but that's just me. i am more conservative. there is class and beauty in wearing slightly more, rather than less. it doesn't have to be a straightjacket though.

Good for you for maintaining your youthful good looks!

There's a world of difference between clothes that look "attractive," and clothes that "attract" because they are suggestive. Clothing can be even sexier than nudity, and designers know how to push that distinction.

Look at each article of clothing and ask yourself these questions:

What message(s) will I convey when wearing this item? What message(s) will other young mothers (and their husbands) receive, whether I intend them or not, when I wear this in front of them or their children? What message about the wearer is this item really intended to convey? What will I think when my daughter is old enough to demand clothing like this?

If you're comfortable with all the answers, go ahead and wear it.

I look great for my age, but I only show that much skin for my husband. I don't like young girls dressing that way because of what I know it does to my teenage boys.
But if you are comfortable with it, go ahead. Just be mindful of where you are.

Umm, if you are questioning then that is a hint, but I think that the short shorts are cut off at 25 ... some of the "city shorts" that are short but not butt cheek short can be pushed with the right stylizing of the outfit.

If your 13 yr old says "Mom, are you wearing that?", that would be an indication that it could be inappropriate. If you look good tho and don't feel self conscious you are probably ok. Since you are asking the question, I'm thinking that you probably know already.

I really think it depends on more then if you can physically look good in shorts. I have observed, that woman who don't wear very much are not taken seriously...or as competent. I'm not saying it's fair, but it's reality. I tend to not care what people think, but one thing I can't stand is people not taking me seriously. I do think after a certain age...unless you're a celebrity...people think it's kind of lame for woman to be dressing like a teenager. Honestly, I have no opinion on it. I don't care how other people dress. So, if you're asking me it doesn't matter. In the general public, I think people would say you're too old.

P.S.
I missed the part about you having a 13 year old. Yah...I don't think it's appropriate to wear clothing like you describe around a teenage boy. Kind of creepy.

I personally think the numbers on the calendar are irrelevant and immaterial. I hate longer shorts, the kind that come to my knees. Why am I wearing shorts if they are that long? Might as well wear pants. I don't go so far as to wear the shortie shorts where your butt cheeks are practically hanging out, that's a little too much to me no matter what age. If they look good on you and "the basics" aren't completely hanging out who cares.

Sorry but short shorts are tacky on anyone over 20. If you consider yourself the least bit fashionable you would avoid them. If you are comfortable as a fashion 'don't' and choose to wear them in the spirit of 'all ages can wear anything-who cares about rules' then go ahead. Just know you will look tacky. Four inches is the shortest anyone should go.

i object strenuously to the idea that women should cover up more at a certain age. everyone has different body types, different comfort levels, different styles. if YOUR style includes short shorts and you are comfortable in them (regardless of how you look), you should wear them.
i get annoyed when i hear people say that women over 50 shouldn't wear tank tops, or grandma should always have a bra on even in her own home. people can avert their eyes if they're sensitive.
khairete
S.

I don't like them, ever, but I'd say when you get to the stage of having tween and teen boys - that is the time to stop.

I'm 28, and I refuse to wear shorts unless I'm working out or hanging around the house. I'm 5"8, and wear a size 6. I have long legs, and most shorts in my opinion are "too short" for my body especially to be toting around a 2-year-old and a newborn.

Personally, I think that shorts aren't classy, and would much rather prefer to wear a skirt, capris, or a pair of white slacks in the summer time. Shorts just look lazy to me. There are so many more fashionable choices that are flattering on many body types. The majority of "short wearing" women don't seem to comprehend this, and in the summer I'm forced to witness body parts that should never be revealed in public...

You have a 13 year old boy, so in my opinion you are too old to wear revealing clothing. It's not appropriate around his friends and I would not be comfortable having my son around a mother who dressed in "little clothes".

I am also petite and fanatical about working out... and at 32 feel that I am too old to dress like a teenager. There are so many ways to show off your figure without being overly revealing.

Just my opinion, but "short shorts" (meaning that they are higher than your fingertips when you are standing) should be for "at home with no visitors" only after you have children. When I see a mother pushing a stroller in short skirts/shorts, tube tops, too tight tops (even if she has the bod to wear it)... my first thought is always "She's a mom now. Cover it up a bit".

Personally, I gave them up when peeling my thighs off plastic seating became too painful.
If you're in great shape, EVERYTHING looks good on you - even shorts that are a few inches longer.
I notice as I age I'm less willing to suffer for fashion (and I also gave up shoes that were likely to cause a broken leg if I fell off them).

It's a matter of balance, isn't it? So long as your bum is covered (I'm thinking a 2" inseam), I think it matters less how long they are, and more what type of an image they present. Short, cute, preppy shorts with a non-revealing tee and flats aren't the same as Daisey Dukes worn with a spaghetti strap tank, visible bra straps and heels. If they seem to be overtly sexy, they start making you look old and cheap. If you are petite (as in not tall) and tiny, longer shorts would probably look overwhelming on you. Shorter shorts would be fine.

I think you are too old if you ask if you are too old or not.

B.
Family Success Coach

I wouldn't wear them to Target or the grocery store, but I say in your yard or around the house, why not? I also believe if you have "got it" Flaunt it though too = ) The year before I got pregnant with Alex ( my youngest) I lost a ton of weight through diet and exercise. I can tell you I was wearing the tight t-shirts during the summer months ( I prefer capri's but that is because I am self conscious about being pale as death LOL!)
I guess it all boils down to what you are comfortable in...

My mother is in her 50's... SHE wears short shorts, and she looks darn good in them. As long as other people can't see your rear end hanging out, I don't think it's a big deal! Wear what you feel good in and leave it at that.

Well, I'm 31 and I still rock short shorts. No butt cheeks showing and not super tight but short. Im comfortable and I live in Florida where the heat makes less clothing appealing. I don't wear them everywhere, I know my audience. I also wear a bikini and anything else I feel comfortable in. You can wear short shorts and tank tops and still be covered if they are in the right size. I am by no means flaunting my body around, but if I feel comfortable, Im wearing it.

Shorts, skirts, and bikinis are fine, if you have the body for it! Just don't go so short or so tight that you're son will be embarrassed. Show off your hard work tastefully!

not butt cheeks shorts just shorts,normal length (not long) are fine with a nice tshirt or blouse. when you put them on, look at yourself in the mirror and decide. i wear shorts all summer long.

To each their own! I am 33 and a mother of 3. I wear a size 0, but feel I'm too old for short shorts. I prefer ones that are at least mid-thigh and really like Bermuda shorts. I still wear a bikini and shorter shorts to the beach.

As long as your butt and legs are decent, and they're not short-shorts, I don't see any age cut-off. There are some 25 year olds that shouldn't wear them.

As long as YOU like wearing them, and YOU like the way you look in them, you're not too old.
I'm 46, and I still rock Daisy Dukes. Even my 21-year-old daughter has told me that I still have "a slammin' body."

I'm 53 and I would say...53. Fifty-three is definitely too old for short shorts, even if you have the body of an Olympian bodybuilder.

I wear "short" shorts. I'm "into" my 30's and don't feel its inappropriate. I think it your bottom is popping out, then you should cover up. Why inhibit yourself bc you're a mom? If you feel sexy, and good about yourself then just wear what you LIKE. What makes you comfortable and happy. But if you find yourself second guessing a lot or feeling insecure... then you probably should cover up a little.

its the rule of: if you're showing a lot of leg, then don't show all your cleavage or middle either. or if you're showing cleavage, then don't show all your leg.

You should wear what you are comfortable in. Age does not matter. I wear mostly longer shorts but I have spider veins that I just hate!!!! I love shopping at the same stores as my kids and they are both in college. I have no interest in wearing old lady clothes. The best compliment I have ever received is when my stepson told his girlfriend that I dressed really nice. Be comfortable and proud of yourself.

I think it depends on how good your legs are. If you have great legs, go for it.

Short shorts should not be worn by anyone in public I find it inappropriate for little girls and teenagers to wear o school so you defiantly shouldn't be wearing them out and about. At home in your yard wear whatever you want but they aren't appropriate when you have company.

It depends on your definition of short shorts. I wear short shorts, but they are not skin tight short shorts. They are kacky shorts hang a couple inches below my tush. I am short, and I think they look better on me than the long ones - and I'm in AZ, so wearing pants all rear long is not an option. It's not OK if your talking about the skin tight short shorts that the teenagers are wearing these days. Those look like jean underwear. My mom use to wear short shorts and tank tops when I was younger and I was always so embarrassed. I remember getting ready to walk down the aisle at HS graduation and one of my guy friends told me how hot my mom was.

I think it depends on the time and the place. If you are going out to dinner and drinks with your hubby than show off your sexy body. If you are going to the kids' soccer game in the summer than that probably isn't so appropriate. Grocery shopping, well as long as your goods are hanging all over the produce, then your probably fine. Think Classy not trashy. You've heard of people of Walmart, right? ;o)

Just think of how others around you would feel. If you are the hottest mom on the block and the other moms around you feel like your flaunting your looks they may distance themselves (and their husbands) from your company. If your son's friends are over then you shouldn't be dressed like a hottie, you should be dressed like a mom. IMO you DON'T want to the a MILF to all your son's friends. To your hubby, absolutely, but a bunch of teenage boys, NOPE!

If you are at the beach then by all means ROCK that MINI BIKINI :o)

im almost 30 and i feel im too old for that. But thats really just my opinion. I dont like long shorts either though.

Take the rule of the mini skirt where 30-35 (I'm pretty sure it's 35 that it's to old according to What not to Wear) years is to old. Unless you are wearing daisy dukes. If you wear modest shorts than you can wear them till you die (IMHO)
But I really think it comes down to how do you feel to wear short shorts in front of your thirteen year old?? Sure social rules are a good thing to go with, but we can't tell you when or it's not appropriate.

Loved reading all the responses! So, thank you K. for coming up with this question. :)

Throwing in my 2 cents worth too...

If you've been wearing short shorts regularly so far (except during pregnancy perhaps??), then why suddenly change? If your family and friends around you are used to seeing you in shorts, then they shouldn't feel odd if you go back to them. So long as you feel comfortable in them, your comfort will probably send out exactly the same signal to everyone - just comfortable and casual.
But I also agree with some of them who said below that it is OK to wear them, so long as we (moms, who have teenage children) take care to not show too much bum or cleavage. As responsible moms, we have the duty to present ourselves as decently dressed so that our kids don't turn tables on us tomorrow. But at the same time, we don't have to see it as 'end of our golden days'...do we? :)