Ageless Style vs Fashion Only Midlife Women Wear
Happy Wednesday, ladies. I often talk about classic, timeless fashions. The simple cardigan, white shirt, ballet flats, loafers, trench coat, and straight-cut pants all stand the test of time. They look as current today as they did 20 years ago. Boho fashion has its timeless essentials, as do preppy and traditional styles. Today I want to talk about some fashion only midlife women wear.
You may also enjoy- Boho-Chic Wardrobe Essentials
This topic has been on my mind for months. My goal is not to convince you to give up wearing something you love but to become aware of the messages they’re sending.
Fashion that puts women in an identifiable age bracket is not ageless, timeless, or modern. The best example I can think of for a garment that does this is capri pants. I’m not talking about cropped pants, but capris that stop at the widest part of your calf.
Unfortunately, they only seem to proliferate at retailers that cater to midlife women. You never see them on young women or children…unlike the puff sleeves and ruffles, all females are being inundated with this season.
One could argue that silk scarves and brooches are dating us because all women have not adopted those accessories. And you would have a point. Except they’ve been worn by some of the chicest women in history. Carpi pants have not.
Ageless dressing means choosing clothes that accentuate our best parts and subtly camouflage the ones we donāt want to draw attention to. By our age, we’ve got plenty of body parts we’d prefer to cover, but I’d like to see us doing it with styles that people canāt pigeonhole into an age bracket.
I have no problem looking my age, I just want to look like the best version of myself and dress in a way that keeps me visible and modern.
I admit that I find capri pants one of the most unflattering garments a woman can wear, so I have a clear bias.
And yes, by this age, we’ve earned the right to wear whatever we please. So if you love capris, by all means, wear them with pride. Just be aware that they are “age-appropriate” and visually slot you into a distinct age category.
Let’s talk about this. What are your thoughts?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I am in complete agreement with you about capri pants! My other person bias is see bare knees on women whose knees are no longer a becoming part of her legs (swimwear excluded). I spent years in the fashion industry and learned that “if you don’t like the way a part of your body looks, cover it up!’ and if capris are the correct length, they work well for less than lovely knees!
I love your blog and read it everyday. Thank you!
I couldnāt agree more about hemlines ā¦both pants and skirts, that hit at mid calf.
Iāve seen young women wearing this length and itās simply unflattering. And I canāt find any good reason to end a hemline there. Just two or three inches either way makes such a difference.
Well, I so agree. And when I get home from the summer in NH..I will be going through those pants..also hereā¦but at home I got my first full length mirror..and Iām old! I ended up having knee surgery when I looked in a full length mirror and realized I was knock knee..lseverly..yes I had pain, but the look was the worst. Two knee surgeries laterā¦straight knees, but getting of capris that hit me mid calfā¦not my best look! Thanks for your continued insightl.and tell us how you lost some weight? You look gorgeous.
Really enjoying this discussion! It called to mind a discussion I had with my husband whilst lunching out in McGregor IA. I don’t recall the exact context, but he made reference to “the woman in the knee knockers.” I burst out laughing because I had not heard that term in decades. Since then we have amused ourselves with asking family and friends what they think knee knockers are. Lots of fun answers–try it! (Don’t google it, it also relates to sexual methods.) Anyway, the knee knockers he referred to are ones I would never be caught dead in. Shapeless, wide, thick denim, no shaping, falling just below the knee (and in her case worn with athletic shoes and socks and an unfortunate top that probably came from Blair).
I am not a huge fan of capris but I do wear them–but never in Europe. My knees are not horrible, but have not improved with age (67). Since I really don’t care what people under 40 are wearing and mostly focus on what looks good on me, I have retained two pair of what probably are pedal pushers. Below the knee but not far below the knee, and fairly close-fitting, I’m with those who say it’s all about your shape, proportion, and what you wear them with. Skimmer type shoes or ballet flats are good with my two pair.
Capris definitely put you in an age bracket. Though theyāre cooler and shorter than crops they date you. My beautiful neighbor across the street only whereās capris in spring and summer. Sheās 87. I donāt do shorts so Iāve been purchasing crops and ankle length a lot lately, Iām 70.
That said, if you feel good in them, by all means do your own thing.
I feel part of this is semantics. Where a pant leg ends, and what defines the style, etc. I read fashion blogs to learn, and I find pant lengths and widths confusing.
Jennifer recently posted that capri pants land at the widest part of the calf. That resonated with me as a visual image that helped clarify the mess! Crops, capri, etc (I remember pedal pushers as a kid)!
Iām a petite 5ā3ā so as an adult generally have skipped all of them because they never felt right. Now I understand more about the why: cutting the leg at an awkward place.
Personally Iām ok with just below knee for workouts, but another pair do hit mid calf and they never felt right on me. I will avoid that length in the future.
Thanks Jennifer for the discussion.
I don’t wear capris. I never gave an thought to them, but I think I’ll start noticing. An image from the 50s, tight leopard print capris with an off-the-shoulders black sweater, pops into my head. “Cheap” was the word then, a “trampy girl.” So I guess that notion has stuck with me since childhood. I guess I’ll have to muse on that some more…
One womanās cropped pant is anotherās capri. I think the key is that for the most flattering look, the hem has to hit at a narrower part of the leg. I have wide calves, so nothing looks worse on me than a pant leg that stops at mid-calf. I feel best when the hem either hits just slightly below the knee (Bermuda short length?) or just below the calf at the upper ankle (cropped). Wide pants must be crop length for me, or I feel really wide myself!
Hi Jennifer and All: I know this sounds basic, but would you post some ankle pants as opposed to capris? Would you also model some ankle pants, as usual models are so tall the proportions don’t seem realistic.
Also, I would recommend Allbirds flats (they also make sneakers) as a shoe brand that looks appropriate with many summer looks and might be a sandal alternative. These shoes are washable! And they breathe and are made of recycled materials.
thanks for a great post.
Yes, great idea. I’ll get some pictures in the dressing room to show the difference.
I agree that capris are not very flattering, although I understand why some people like to wear them. I prefer longer shorts, midi skirts, or lightweight ankle-length pants. I don’t like showing a lot of leg, but I do want to wear things that flatter my figure.
Dear Jennifer, this is a very important topic, many faceted. I am a very healthy 83 year old, golfer, volunteer, book club member and I wish to look chic but not crazy. I like my purchases to stand the test of time, but yes, not look dated!
I have found the medium wide culottes are an interesting fashion update for me. I found the unilook top and pants in dark khaki green to be a lengthening look, and another navy with small white designs and a navy top at j jill.
Thank you for addressing all the issues, from under wear to skin, and our ever smaller hair supply!
Everybody gets to wear what they want within the legal parameters. Lots of different people dress to fit in with their ātribeā. The grandmother look is a valid choice, but like all tribal uniforms it pigeonholes the wearer. If that works for you, great, but there are choices which can expand horizons, gain more recognition, and avoid the āopting out of lifeā assumptions.
Well said
Well said.
I NEVER liked capris on me even when I was young(er). They cut me off in the wrong place and made my hips looks big. I like to wear either an ankle length or long shorts. I never thought about capris being aging, just out of style. I like to keep current. Thanks, Jennifer
I agree with your opinion concerning capris. I have never owned any.
I havenāt warmed up to the crops yet. I feel they make me look larger than I am. Iām your height and weight but with thin shoulders and wider hips. When Iām out and about and I donāt see younger women wearing crops. I live in Dallas which has been very hot lately. I have worn ankle length pants. Not skinny, not wide. Not exactly youthful. I would love to see you talk about some ideas for tops to help make the pants/shorts/crops/capris become more youthful. It seems your readers have a wide variety of opinions on bottom wear. Love your blogs.
I am 61 with longer legs, especially shin bone, and short waisted. Capris work beautifully as long as they fit well. I don’t wear them saggy or in wild patterns.
Or wide leg/leg opening. Tailored button up shirts and slim tunics look fabulous. No sneakers, but wedges and ballet flats are good. For me, this creates a summery, lean look. Not dowdy or aged at all. And I do see young women in Chicago wearing them, and not for workout. I get that they may not work as well for women with the opposite shape as me. Considering that this is to be a safe space,you use pretty strong words on capris every time. Just sayin’. Now, it is going to take a lot of convincing to get me to like wide leg or flare crops. Those make me look stumpy legged.
I always encourage women to wear what makes them feel confident. If itās capri pants, go for it.
Proportion is important in making them flattering. I will continue to style them for readers because some ladies love them. Personal taste is unique for all of us.
I agree with everything SL says. I had to Google “capris” to get a look at women wearing them. Banana Republic Factory features a model that looks stunning! What is she doing? Her look is neutral & monochromatic. Her sandals match her skin tone. The fit of her pants, including the leg opening is slim, but not skin tight. IMO these are ankle pants that she has folded up to capri length.
My votes for aging pieces are anything polyester in those un-natural “Kmart” colors. Also, cutesy, holiday themed tops.
I agree with you on most things! Youāre usually right in my lane. Love your posts and blogs!
As someone with less than stellar legs (spider veins, varicose veins, cellulite and crepey skin, but not overweight) skorts and shorts that show my legs would definitely not be my best friend.
Some of us donāt like to show our legs AT ALL.
I totally understand that. Ankle pants and crops offer coverage as well as crops.
Guilty as charged.
You’ve convinced me. I’ve bought my last pair!
I will take capris over distressed denim any day!
With my pixie haircut and ballerina flats, I think I can still channel Audrey Hepburn.
I haven’t worn capris in years, but I do wear ankle length pants. I don’t know if it’s so much the capri length that looks outdated or if it’s more the styling or combination of color/pattern/silhouette that looks wrong to me. A neutral, monochromatic outfit with capris and modern sandals wouldn’t necessarily look unappealing to me, but a capri outfit with bright colors, loud patterns, giant colorful jewelry, or the wrong “comfort” shoes certainly would. The other issue is fit. If the capris are baggy or have a lot of excess fabric around the waist and hip area, they look much worse to me than capris that are tailored. And hold the excess embellishment, please. I think most of us probably follow your blog because we much prefer your clean, chic and modern style to what’s often marketed specifically to women our age.
I have enjoyed this post and all the responses. I enjoy fashion, and I want to look my best. I am tall, and I enjoy that there is such a wide range of acceptable pants length. I personally like crops, I wish there were more Bermuda shorts available.
So, the photo that leads your post today, of a back view of a woman looking at a rack of clothes, what length are those pants? Are they capris or cropped or ankle or what? And what width are they. Not skinny for sure, but what are they? Thanks. I find all this confusing.
Those are ankle pants.
I dont disagree that they might age us but I live in Texas and its too hot for pants and my legs dont look good in shorts. whats an alternative?
oh, and linen is just too sloppy looking within 30 mins of wearing it…
Capris are kaput! : )
I’ve never owned a pair of capris! Tried on a few pairs but they were never flattering! I do have a couple of friends (who are much taller than myself) who wear them and look nice. I noticed the ones they wear are the longer version that would be ankle length on my short body. I love your style! It is very inspiring and similar to what I love wearing as well. Lots of great advice and ideas to try – thank you!
If they end around your ankle, theyāre ankle pants, no matter what the brand calls them š
I’m not a huge fan of capris as they seem rather dated. However, since I only wear shorts for exercise these days, capris (and cropped pants) are my go-to during our long, hot Texas summers. I found some cute ones (modified cargo style) at a retailer near my home. I’m fairly tall (5’7″) so capri pants seem to fit my body pretty well. That said, ladies should wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and confident.
I totally agree with you on the capri, however, I also think the ankle pant on any woman other than a teen looks terrible. They look like the wrong size or that the pant has shrunk. Also, the skinny pants don’t look appropriate on any woman over 30. Just my thoughts.
Capris can look / be fashionable (think cigarrette pants in the 1950s), but they aren’t at the moment, and you are correct that young women don’t wear them. Young women don’t wear brooches or pins either, but I don’t see those detracting greatly from a look. After all, older women wear pins with classic (usually skirt) suits, and most young women don’t own a good suit. Young women do wear scarves – not silk but knit or cotton that can be doubled and bunched at the neck. At the end of the day, though, I think slim and tall women can wear most styles: add young to the mix and you can pull off almost anything.
I am short, 5ā2ā, have thighs that are somewhat āgenerous ā in my eyes, and weigh 135. Iām not comfortable is shorts that hit above my knees, and wide-legged pants make me look even shorter and wider. Iām pretty comfortable in cropped pants, and when itās so very warm outside I do wear capris. Iād definitely be interested in any suggestions to bring my wardrobe forward into a more classic look.
I too prefer ankle length pants in summer and I don’t wear shorts. I agree the right footwear makes a big difference, even with ankle length, I prefer a sleek sandal, vs. clunky anything. I love scarves but not in the summer heat. I agree with other comments that it can sometimes be difficult to find fashion that works for my age, so I find myself wearing items I’ve had for several years, and hope the next season will bring more options!