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Older men wearing shorts

(86 Posts)
BBbevan Thu 28-Jul-16 08:41:09

My neighbour was telling me of an article she had read which said that older men should not be allowed to wear shorts as they look awful in them.
My DH, over 70, wears shorts as soon as the weather warms up. His shorts end just above the knee, and he usually wears a polo shirt or a cotton one. He dislikes trainers, so wears either fisherman's sandals, Birkenstocks or deck shoes. I think he looks pretty good.
Do any of you GNs have DHs, Ohs, Partners or even family who wear shorts?
Do they look good in them, or should they be discouraged?

Maggieanne Thu 28-Jul-16 10:30:46

The only ones I dislike, and it's usually the younger men, are Bermuda shorts, they just look wrong. Fat, overhanging bellies and tattoos are also to be avoided but otherwise shorts look fine, at least it exposes more flesh to the sun to give us a vitamin boost, that is when it appears, ahem, it's raining at the moment!

Alima Thu 28-Jul-16 10:37:41

Gordon Bennett, why don't they just shoot all of us now! Nothing wrong with shorts on older men at all, as long as they are a decent length. Far more acceptable than younger men going shirtless showing off huge beer bellies and moobs!

Gononsuch Thu 28-Jul-16 10:40:34

Alima

Like it moobs, like it alot.

Granny2016 Thu 28-Jul-16 10:52:48

They look good if the are longer with nice sandals.
Some young men look atrocious with their belly hanging out and trainers.
My postmen are all older and wear shorts in the summer.

ginny Thu 28-Jul-16 10:55:45

Can't say I particularly like older men in shorts or older ladies with veiny legs or either if they don't fit well.
I will however defend anyones right to wear them if they want to and feel comfortable in them.

Funnygran Thu 28-Jul-16 11:01:16

Ageism again. My DH wears them most of the summer with polo shirts and sandals (no socks) or deck shoes. He has better legs than me. Are we supposed to shuffle round in elastic topped slacks and Velcro shoes? As for some of the sights I see in town on the younger generation when the sun comes out......!

Lewlew Thu 28-Jul-16 11:03:04

Feeling sorry for middle-aged people today as they won't be able to face their later years without thinking they are not fit to be seen in public. Next, the younger generation will be demanding we all put bags over our heads because our wrinkles are offensive.

Again... 'Wild In The Streets' film comes to mind. angry

sluttygran Thu 28-Jul-16 11:03:38

I think it's perfectly fine for older men to wear shorts, especially if they are the nice, smart, slightly longer ones and well-fitting.
Unfortunately, this thread made me think of my obnoxious former husband, who wore mini-shorts and no shirt at every opportunity. He considered himself a real stud, and told me that people often admired his 'beautiful body'

In reality, he looked a bit of a sight, with his belly sucked in, strutting around and showing off his skinny white legs, socks and sandals.

He was a horrible, vain and abusive man, and I still have nightmares about him, thirty years on.

Now, what was that about shorts?

oldgoose Thu 28-Jul-16 11:04:11

Some shorts look good - but this applies to both sexes. The well-cut, just above the knee ones are fine, and suitable for any age. However my OH insists on wearing shorts all summer - he even wears them for work (he is a van driver). He is 62 and chubby and the shorts he loves, and won't part with are grey, with an elastic waist which he has to wear under his paunch, and made of stretchy brushed cotton and they have huge wide legs and look as if he is wearing a skirt. He has large, white calves. I have tried to talk him into buying longer shorts and better cut ones, but he loves these old things because they are comfy but they look atrocious. What is worse is that he wears them with black socks and black trainers. He refuses to listen to anything I say about them and I'm too much of a coward to 'lose' them in the wash !

Gononsuch Thu 28-Jul-16 11:05:38

Do you lot remember Kegann the footballer, he wore shorts I mean he really WORE shortswink

BBbevan Thu 28-Jul-16 11:19:19

Greyduster that Saunders of the River remark made me laugh out loud.
I did wonder if said neighbour was a little jealous. Her DH has long, thin , very white legs etched with blue veins. He is a lovely chap but perhaps ought not to wear shorts other than around the house.

gillybob Thu 28-Jul-16 11:19:43

I don't know a footballer by the name of Kegann Gononsuch. Unless you mean Kevin Keegan???

In which case yes he did WEAR shorts, which footballers usually do. He also sported a rather fetching curly perm. grin

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 28-Jul-16 11:40:39

It's the Oh put them away shorts that should be banned. You all know what I mean. Otherwise, shorts are fine. wink

nonnasusie Thu 28-Jul-16 12:04:29

My DH who is 70 wears shorts from about May onwards, when it's 35c plus it's far too hot for long trousers! Some of his shorts are not very elegant but he only wears them for working in the garden or the "orto". The chickens and dogs don't care what he looks like as long as they get fed!!! He also still wears jeans when the weather gets cooler as he is comfortable in them (and they are practical and hard wearing)!!

icanhandthemback Thu 28-Jul-16 12:16:02

My Nan used to wear hot pants back in the day and Donny Osmond hats despite the fact she was 70. I think she looked fabulous and I am so glad she felt able to wear whatever she wanted. I am less in favour of young people wearing stuff with everything hanging out when it's cold but that is probably because they can get away with it and I can't!

hapgran Thu 28-Jul-16 12:21:21

Brilliant comment Lewlew!
On the topic of shorts, I would just like more decent summer weather to justify wearing them. It is miserable here in Devon today!

Christinefrance Thu 28-Jul-16 12:24:46

Oh for goodness sake what has age got to do with shorts ! There are so many styles to suit most shapes so why not. The only issue I do have is with appropriate places to wear shorts regardless of age
Church, restaurants etc.

Hattiehelga Thu 28-Jul-16 12:28:37

DH 77 and active and wears tailored shorts in the warm weather with polo tops, white socks and sandals or trainers and looks great. Today's youngsters have a blind spot that they too will age and will be so shocked when they realise they have !!

dopeydi Thu 28-Jul-16 12:28:52

Yes my husband wears them he has been sporty all his life so has great legs, he wears them with trainers, if he had his way he would pull his white sports socks up and look like a really old man (he's 66) I make sure he has them just on his ankles ?

ninathenana Thu 28-Jul-16 12:32:42

H is 68 he's another one who wears shorts from May to end of September. He has garden shorts and smart ones for going out. I think he looks great grin what I can't stand is, as has been mentioned, socks n sandals or trainers with knee high socks and shorts. Now they both should be banned !

Katek Thu 28-Jul-16 12:44:34

Mine is reluctant to wear shorts as he says his legs are too short! He will wear 3/4 cut offs with 'sandals that think they're trainers'.There's nothing wrong with his legs -he's another ex rugby player-apart from being white because he never exposes them. Ds and Sil wear shorts all the time when they're not working. Sil wears them nearly all year round. Can't abide Lycra shorts for cycling/running but at least my lot wear training shorts over the top. Only bad look for shorts on older men is those very wide ones that make them look like Eric Morecambe. I have a pic of my dad in tropical uniform in Rhodesia and he's wearing not only shorts but knee length socks and a pith helmet! .

GrandmaValerie Thu 28-Jul-16 12:46:42

DH has great legs, is trim, I'm envious and wish my legs looked as good in shorts as his! He even looks good in shorts worn with socks and sandals. Resolution for me - walk more, eat less, lose weight.

Mollydolly Thu 28-Jul-16 13:05:47

Oh dear here we go again. Why can't everyone whatever age or sex just wear exactly what they like and feel good in even if they look totally stupid in someone else's opinion. What the heck does it matter? It's harming no one and if someone doesn't want to look at them don't look! The poor youngsters have all been hounded for years as to body image etc, both boys and girls with tragic results in a lot of cases. Now they are starting on us oldies for goodness sake when there are such awful things happening in the world surely old men in shorts or skirts even is not top of the list to fuss about. Ha ha rant over, thanks for reading.

tanith Thu 28-Jul-16 13:33:45

OH wears them but only in the garden when its hot, his legs are a bit spindly and pale so he wouldn't go out in them. I agree that everyone can wear what they are comfortable in I wear shorts all the time in the Summer and have lots of pairs most are nearly knee length but I have a couple of shorter pairs for the garden.

widgeon3 Thu 28-Jul-16 14:11:08

Hear hear Mollydolly
Spindle shanks husband wears shorts, socks and sandals.... and why not. Makes him feel more comfortable in his 80s and allows him to get on with living in hot weather
As for fashion, why should the fashion police dictate?
My feet are now dry and lumpy. It's far more comfortable for me to wear socks with my sandals. If people find it offensive they can avert their eyes.
non-fashion directed clothing that fits an elderly shape is also impossible for me to find. If the only skirt that fits is purple with red spots then maybe that is Hobson's choice too.