How Short Is Too Short?

As inspiration for most of my blogs, usually a casual conversation with friends is what sparks an idea. Now this topic seems to be a divisive one amongst my circle. Although I follow most societal norms on how to dress, like not wearing a bikini to a funeral, I think I am more liberal with my wardrobe choices. What are your thoughts? Should a woman of a ‘certain age’, and for argument sake we will say north of 40, be dressing in a certain way? Is a mini skirt, for example, inappropriate? If not, if she is a mother does that change things? Well—how I see it—it’s totally up to the individual. It also goes without saying that there is a double standard when it comes to men and women.

I have a pretty open view of the female (or male) body. My children walk in and out of my bedroom as they please. I give them the heads up when I’m dressing or undressing, but most of the time it doesn’t faze them. My husband is much more modest and I respect his views. He, under no circumstance, would be naked in front of the children. Conversely, I say to my kids all the time “it’s just the female body. There is nothing wrong with it.”

Now I am a very moody dresser, meaning I can be conservative and modest some days and then wear a mini skirt the next. I am totally comfortable in my own skin, and I would not want to change that for anyone. If I choose to tan topless it’s my decision—hey it’s just 43 year old boobs!

Being a mother or not does not make a difference to me in terms of the way I dress. My body is mine and it belongs to me only. Therefore, how I choose to dress is totally and solely up to me. I am thankful that my husband has never had an opinion on the matter, well actually lucky for him that he is neutral because he would lose this argument!

I may not always dress in this particular way but the way I see it, as long as I feel comfortable and I am still within ‘societal norms’—I say all is fair. I do have a little fashion rule that I don’t always follow, but use it more of a guide. If I decide to show my legs I usually am more conservative on top, and visa versa. However, in the scorching heat of summer I abandon all rules (and sometimes bras) and wear whatever makes me feel cooler.

I completely understand that we judge others on how they dress by forming opinions based on how others look—subconsciously or intentionally—I think it’s important to acknowledge that we all do it. So of course what I wear is determined also by where I am headed that day. However, I’d like to think that most of the time I am dressing to please me, to make me feel good, and that I am wearing something I am comfortable in—mini skirt or not—I wear what fancies me!