I bought myself some shorts yesterday

One of the few pleasures of getting older is not giving a stuff about what people think! Wear your shorts and sleeveless tops with pride whatever your size or shape - just be comfortable

sarahellenwhitney I am well into my 70s. I told DD I had bought some shorts and her response was that she has never understood why I didn't wear them before because I am still slim, in shape and have good legs - and that applies to a lot of women my age these days.

I live in shorts in summer. Quite happy to wear them out too. My legs are still good even if the rest of me leaves a lot to be desired

Jane10 LOL, with you VivNE65. have larger knees due to arthritis, would never wear shorts or skirts, dresses in this country only on holiday but have succumbed to the heat and am wearing them I just thought at my age why should I worry, I make sure they fit properly and look ok I always look at the back view (jane10) as my daughter told me have a bit of confidence in yourself there are worse sights seen.

PamelaJ1 Are you sure she was in her 70's?.Myself living by the sea the sights I behold, with the holidays well underway ,beggar belief. Many I observe are but young mothers who see no problem in going topless for sunbathing and not, I can assure you, a pretty sight.

I haven't worn shorts for years and generally avoid separates in this heat. It's good to hear that you're comfy in them. At the moment I'm wearing a home-made dress in a shift style which helps to keep me cool.

I think divided skirts are called culottes , though Ive seen them called "cut off wide trousers" in some shops.

A dress is surely the best - nothing round the waist.

Having said that, I don't feel right in a dress - my tum has got so big, I look like a pillar box on stilts.

I am going for loose cotton Marlene-style trousers - really baggy. Legs don't get tanned, but they don't get hot either.

Just wear a dress or skirt. Much cooler and considerate of others!

How about what used to be called a divided skirt, ladies?

for those of you, who like me, don't feel comfortable wearing shorts in public any longer.

I don't know whether you can still buy them, but if you google divided skirt you can find a youtube tutorial on sewing your own

Mine are quite short but I can bend over safely without being in danger of displaying any underbuttock,

On the rear view problem, There is an Ogden Nash poem

Sure deck your lower limbs in pants;
Yours are the limbs, my sweeting.
You look divine as you advance–
Have you seen yourself retreating?”

you need to read 'advance' with an American accent

I am size 12 so I am not too worried about my rear view, and the shorts are not tight.

I’ve been wearing shorts since it first warmed up, both in and outdoors. I’ve also worn dresses for the first year in ages. Frankly I don’t care what other people might think of my legs, knees, arms. They can always look away if it offends them!

Jane10, I know what you're saying but I really don't care. If those who are small minded enough to criticise the back view would come around the front and meet the real person and not the packaging they might be pleasantly surprised. They'd certainly be welcome.

Never worn shorts, last skirt and/or dress I owned was over 30 years ago. I find trousers comfortable in the heat - so used to them, I suppose. Just as well as I have horrible swollen knees from arthritis!

My old boss was a keen adherent of so called 'City shorts' and culottes. She thought she looked great in them but the rear view was awful!!
You shorts wearers - look behind you!

pittcity the golf skorts can be very smart - try Golf Garb or ladyesignergolf.com for discount ones. I look like a boiled pudding in them!!

Comfort is the name of the game for me. I dug out my ancient denim but somewhat presentable pair. Wonderful. Admittedly a bit big and legs have seen better days but.....hey. I don't ogle other peoples' legs and I'm pretty sure they're not interested in mine. Just love the extra free vitamin D.

I bought some denim shorts last month as I haven’t worn shorts since I was young. Once I had plucked up the courage to wear them I have practically lived in them. Now my pasty legs have taken on a bit of a tan I don’t feel so self conscious and wish I had bought some years ago. I am also very reluctant to show off the tops of my arms which wave like flags when I lift my arms up, but the heat has forced me to put them on show too!

PamelaJ1 That really made me laugh. I am a cross between a 12 and 14 and never wear a bikini but I do wear shorts, albeit smart ones!

I bought myself a skort for walking netball (a sports skirt with built in shorts underneath). I am now wondering if they make them for everyday wear.
My main problem with revealing more leg than usual is that I need to use more suncream than usual!

I find tailored knee length shorts too hot and uncomfortable on holidays in the sun do wear skirts or dresses instead but I like the sound of yours Monica. May I ask where they’re from?

I bought a pair of dark denim knee length shorts this week and they are getting their first and maybe last wearing today. The ankles are okay but the thighs are not.

The men in my family seem to wear shorts all year round. Ds and Sil have actually been known to wear them during Christmas holidays and 12 year old dgs is following in their footsteps. They’re all hardy outdoors types-rugby, hillwalking, long distance cycling, kayaking etc, so think that might explain it! Not for me I’m afraid-need to shed some weight first!!

If the humongous woman I saw by the seaside can wear a bikini then anyone can wear shorts.
She had a tattoo on her tummy, it may have been a single flower when she had it done but it’s grown into a bouquet.?>?. What value for money, she is in her 70’s

I have a few pairs of shorts and recently bought myself some tailored ones which I love wearing. I wouldn’t say I have nice legs, but balance that against being cool in this weather and it is no contest.