I bought myself some shorts yesterday

janeainsworth, my post wasn’t aimed directly at you. It was a general comment. Perhaps I should have written ‘what one looks like’, rather that ‘what you look like’.

Not being ashamed of your body isn’t the same as not caring what you look like.

I dug two pairs of shorts out of the wardrobe this week but I have awful legs - a few varicose veins and red/purple/blue veins all over my feet. Also, after sitting (largely) in the shade with my feet up in the garden - but my feet were in the sun some of the time - I have a sunburn tide mark just above my ankles where my trousers ended. They're nice shorts, fit well but maybe not . . . .

I do give a damn what I look like, Grandma.
I wouldn’t go out if my hair needed washing, and I wouldn’t go out for a meal in a restaurant with dirt from the garden under my fingernails. I prefer to wear eyeliner and mascara at the very least, than go out au naturel.
I wouldn’t like to be thought inappropriately dressed at a wedding or a funeral.
But I can’t do a damn thing about the veins on my legs and it’s too bad if other people notice them and don’t like them.

My legs are perfectly smooth, but they are rather too thin now. I prefer not to show them.

It must be nice not to give a damn what you look like, but I do care. Not a lot, but enough to try to show myself in the best light, so I am careful what I wear.

Crossed posts marmight??

I have a lot of visible veins in my legs but I wear knee length skirts and dresses and shorts.
In this weather I wouldn’t think twice about going out to the supermarket in my shorts.

If other people don’t like the look of my legs it’s their problem not mine ?

Well I am past caring what I look like to others so long as I feel happy in what I'm wearing. My legs are well upholstered but no veins and my derriere although no oil painting, is quite presentable so I really don't give 2 figs about what anyone thinks. I have a tatty pair of old M&S shorts which I've worn all summer along with strappy tops + 2 newer pairs in case the neighbours are looking . Also have a short cotton skirt from a french market which has come into its own. I don't usually do skirts...
So ladies, carry on doing your own thing and join me in embracing freedom of legs and flapping of bingo wings

Wear what you wish girls & guys - YOLO
Cannot believe some people on this thread are being so judgy / downright mean

If you're lucky enough to age then wear your scars with pride. If anyone doesn't like what they see then they can look away

I only wear shorts in my own house and garden.
Short ugly purple veined legs yuk.

I’m 71 now so have learnt to live with them and dress accordingly.

Oh how I envy shorts wearers! Your shorts sound very nice MOnica, the sort I might choose for myself if I had the legs for them. My legs have become disfigured over the years due to chronic illness and medication so now they remain hidden, under trousers of floaty maxi-dresses and long skirts. I used to have such shapely legs too, I could cry, but I console myself that they still work and carry me where I want to go, so try not to let it bother me. Not only that, my feet swell occasionally and have become veiny and blotchy so I now have nice feet/nice sandals envy! I have taken to looking at feet that seem beautifully pedicured and wonder what I can do to improve mine.

It's sad when you prefer winter clothes that cover up and boots that hide ugly feet, but hey ho.

Sarahellen - well she was older than me and I’m 65.

Catta5 my legs are not wrinkly or veiny. But nor are they long tanned and slim! But DH seems to appreciate them!

I had given up wearing shorts due to my advanced age (though my legs are still okish) until I was boiled last year on holiday and bought some in a tourist shop. The shop lady said -these are the ones which will suit you as you are slim'. I could have kissed her. But when I looked around at some of the other tourists it didn't seem much of a compliment....
.

A photo of me and DSs entering a museum in Florida about1 0 years or more ago put me off wearing shorts!!! I looked dreadful from the rear so it's been linen trousers or maxi skirts in the hot weather for me!

old people in shorts no no wrinkly veiny legs awful

As a caravanner I had many shorts but this year took 8 to the charity shop as told to keep my Melanoma extraction site out of the sun. Have a few cut offs that cover scar. I used to have good legs.

I used to live in shorts in the summer but in recent years I've opted for cropped trousers. The only problem is getting a good fit, some of them can be rather baggy, too wide or just too long. I recently shortened a few pairs of long trousers to a cropped length that I like.

Does anyone else remember 'cycle pants', just below the knee length with side vents - not lycra!!

I am wearing 'long shorts' at the moment but won't venture beyond the garden in them!
Actually, my legs have been bitten by mozzies and are not a pretty sight.
Neither is my rear view.

J10. Touché. Thanks for increasing my laughter lines!

I’ve never worn shorts except when forced to for games at school, and even then they were short ‘divided skirts’. I’m not starting now.

The thought of all these grannies in shorts is rather mind-boggling, though I know many of you are much younger than I am.

For as long as I can remember, I have been craving a pair of cropped trousers that don’t make me look ridiculous as I am only five feet tall, and most of them seem to finish just above my ankle! It has become something of a holy grail. Well today I found some that are exactly the right length and look great. I could have danced around the shop. Only problem is, they have now sold out and as it is the end of the season I am unlikely to be able to get any more, but Hey! Result!

Knee length cotton shorts worn everywhere during this hot spell. I see to many bodies worse than mine to worry about how it looks.

I would never wear shorts as my legs are awful. I envy you who can.

I wear loose palazzo trousers in a cool airy material, they are so comfortable, I hardly know I have them on. Sadly I have to forgo tanned legs though.

I haven't worn shorts for years either - I actually found them hotter than a dress or skirt and my legs are best kept covered - mottled and lots of thread veins. I've 3 pairs of very lightweight baggy trousers which are comfortable and cool or loose dresses.