Q. I’m in my forties and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve moderated my wardrobe to suit my age but I’m reluctant to give up my favourite item of clothing - my little black mini skirt. Honestly, how old is too old for a mini?
A. When I was a teenager, department stores had whole floors devoted to clothing the 40-something woman. These collections, by names such as Windsmoor, Alexon and Jaeger, featured sensible knee length skirts with adjustable waistbands and lots of tweed to ensure a total eradication of any sex appeal. In the past, when women reached their 40s, they used to dress the part but nowadays, twinsets and tweeds no longer fit the bill - these days we simply refuse to be condemned to a life of beige and navy, knee length skirts and common sense.
It would be fair to say that a woman’s style changes with time. But older needn't mean frumpy or unfashionable. A savvy dresser knows how to utilise the hottest trends to knock years off her body and face regardless of her age. The temptation is to try to hide curves as we grow older when, in fact, it is far more flattering to show them off, irrespective of your size. Don’t be frightened to show off your assets. A bare midriff can look awful, but an open neckline and lots of shapely leg is fantastic.
Jennifer Aniston, Elle Macpherson and Cindy Crawford all still wear mini skirts well into their 40s, proving that you can wear whatever style you want - providing you have the body to carry it off. Mature women should avoid too-tight shirts and slacks, and know where the fine line lies between inappropriate and acceptable when it comes to the length of skirts and shorts.
If your legs are still in relatively good nick, you can certainly wear a short skirt, just make sure that it’s in an elegant style and cut. Stay away from anything in a tight clingy fabric and choose more forgiving styles that have a slight flare. You also need to keep your top half covered up, as this will balance out the amount of flesh that you have on show. Stilettos or kitten heels will only make you look tarty: instead, go for flats (ballet pumps, say) or chunky platforms or wedges.
I've always maintained that there is a very fine line between a daring, sexy older woman and mutton dressed as lamb, so choose your skirt with care. The best style is one that lands just a couple of inches above your knee and remember to avoid micro mini’s like the plague. They are bad enough on a teenager, but downright frightful on anyone over 40.
