Anyone wearing good old shorts this summer? I tend to lean towards capris and longer shorts that pretty much cover above the knee.

I'm guessing dancer is still comfortable wearing shorts...

I only wear shorts around the house/shop since no one sees me! Have not worn them in public in YEARS. Petal pushers for me, too!

I wear shorts most of the time out in public and at home.

There is no distinction in length of shorts in public and private spaces.

Length ranges from alot of leg
http://www.boomerwomenspeak.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showgallery&Number=163812 to approx. 6 inches above knee which is longer than the photo.

I actually had a pair of knee length cycling shorts that fell apart earlier this spring. So last month, I bought my lst ever pair of knee length casual cotton shorts with a pocket. It's sort of hipster which is a serious departure for me but it has drawstring inside a fitted waistband which covers that troubling gap around my back. I had to break them when on bike, to feel comfortable. I've been so accustomed to wearing lycra cycling bottoms.

Wearing shorts indoors even at home, does serve something to myself very subtley: By not covering up my legs, I see my own legs, a reminder to keep them in shape.

I always wear shorts in the summer, in public and at home. It's shorts, or a heat migraine -- not a particularly hard choice.

For me, the only issue is having to shave my legs on a regular basis in the summertime (which, for the climate-uninformed, can last 9 months a year here.) Ugh ugh and ugh. I've wasted years of my life with this stupid custom.

orchid, I like your theory about shwoing legs. But what if they are already out of shape? Urg.

Meredith, speaking of shaving, it's that time of year here in Baltimore. Even with capris, I like to keep my legs shaved.

Dotsie,
You don't mean "hot pants" do you? For the younger boomers out there, that would be Daisy Dukes.
I've still got pretty good legs, but these days my shorts don't go much above my knees and that's only on weekends vacation and at recreational events. During the week when I am running around doing errands and such, I wear capri pants. I think they are a great look and they can be casual or dressy. Wearing pants too short when you are not somewhere it would make sense to, could send the message that you are missing your lost youth a little to much.
Having said that, I live in the upper mid-west and if I was in warmer climates, my opinion might be different.
Louise
Take The Time: Image Matters! www.take-the-time.com

Louise:

I posted a photo in the photo gallery on left. Your opinion on my length of shorts (actually it's a lycra skort).

I wear lycra shorts or cotton shorts at that length.

I actually wore this outfit to a museum opening night yesterday. It was a cycling theme. But jeepers: there were non-cyclists where there were women younger than I, in sleek sundresses, fetching tops, etc., strappy sandals. It was over 80 degrees F sunny yesterday.

I actually forgot that women dress up for such events (maybe to catch a "man" too, since some of them didn't seem to have any guy around them).

Yes, I did cycle to the event. So did my partner. He and I often go into expensive restaurants..in cycling gear.

I guess I should be ashamed. But I'm not. Either I'm clueless or stupid.

Huh? Why should you be ashamed? Did you toilet paper the neighbor's dog and forget to tell us?

orchid, you're athletic and dress the part. Wearing shorts for cycling is different than wearing short shorts to show off your legs. I saw your photo and you look fantastic. I'd wear shorts too if I were you.

Louise, sounds like we have similar taste when it comes to capris and shorts.


Meredith, I often get a chuckle from your posts.

Orchid,
Great legs!
I think wearing cycling shorts to the museum was perfect since that was the theme and that is what you do.
I'm also glad to hear there were younger women there (non-cyclers, I presume) who dressed up for the event.
I am planning to write my newsletter today, I think wearing shorts will be the theme. I'll even put in NABBW"s website!

Did you mean that alot of younger women would not tend to dress up for such an event?

In all honesty, I wear shorts this short even in high-end, expensive restaurants..in my home town and wherever we vacation elsewhere. In the last 15 years, when I pack I minimize the amount of weight because either I have to cycle with all my clothing in my bike panniers when we vacation somewhere or I just can't be bothered to deal with "extra" pieces of clothing in luggage. My travelweight when vacationing even somewhere has become streamlined.

For a 3-wk. vacation, clothing is in 1 carry-on luggage.

Unless I have to attend a wedding or a business meeting where I am there as a representative of my employer, I don't pack any dressy blouses, dress pants nor dresses/skirts.

In a way, I wish some women in our age bracket who dress well, weren't too concerned all the time about their image even when they exercise. I've had a number of women tell me that they don't want to cycle because they are afraid of helmet hair or whatever other image fear they might have (ie. sweating alot, etc.).

You said it Ann, in the above quoted lst paragraph.

While the business of fashion image and good taste is useful for paid jobs, representing an organization or very formal/meaningful occasions ie. wedding, funeral, etc., methinks it's up to the boomer women to redefine of what is acceptable for casual and comfort wear, so that there are no pscyhological barriers (and real barriers of wrong clothing for physical activity) for women who want to exercise on an ongoing basis and make it part of their lifestyle so that they aren't constantly changing clothing just to please a bunch of people at an outdoor barbecue or even sit down luncheon.

Now, can we predict when we reach our 80's what we would wear in hot, humid weather?

Now,please do not tell me, it's going long pants (it makes no sense) nor it has to be a dress (why?). Otherwise we are stuck 50 years ago or more of aging women polite at their tea parties and white gloves.

I say these comments because we already have younger generations of teenage girls and women who are far more overweight than we ever were at their age. (in general). So if we (our generation) become more comfortable and less self-conscious of our bodies for health related reasons, moving comfort..then it will help them.

It's a wonder that alot of teen girls..do NOT bike regularily. It's shriekingly obvious at many cycling events we go to and on the roads/bike paths. Yea, I wonder. worrying about their makeup, hair, fashion...geez. Not about good sporty fun, as we all remember when we were budding teen-women.

Sorry for my rant.

So are these our only choices? Tea parties and white gloves or biking gear? Can't we do both if we choose? Or something in the middle? I get your point, but I wouldn't assume that any woman who is dressed up is doing it to catch a man or because she's foolish. We all have different routines.

There's no doubt we spend too much time worrying about what we look like and don't build enough exercise into our daily routines, but I don't see casual dressing and regular exercising as necessarily connected. I already see people very sloppily dressed or nearly undressed all the time. They don't need any lessons in learning to be casual or in not worrying what they look like, and they certainly don't look like they're exercising regularly. I think for a lot of us just encouraging us to value sensible shoes for walking would do a lot of good. Cycling is awesome but not everyone's going to do it. *Any* exercise would be good.

And I don't usually wear shorts because I burn too easily. In fact, I have a scarf I wear in my car because I get burnt just driving. Light, covering clothing is better and safer for me.

Ellen, I only meant my comments about some women who won't engage in vigorous exercise (some really need this) because they have outright told me in person about not wanting to look sweaty/unpleasant, etc.

Sorry to say, but a certain amount of regular physical activity means anyone will look abit unpleasant. One can't wish much about beautiful self-image while sweating away, working the heart bit, etc. Having said that, there is always rm. for times of being dressed up. But in some social circles, there is near requirement of looking dressier for restaurant dinners, etc. But thank goodness those social requirements are abit more relaxed/casual than 50 yrs. ago.

ANd hence, way more diverse choice on comfortable clothing and shoes for walking, easier movement, etc. than many years ago.

But like you, I don't equate casualness with being sloppy. Like you, I cover up the top part of myself (ie. I don't wear tank tops, sleeveless when cycling, hiking) to protect my skin. But I leave my legs exposed as a concession to heat relief.

Sorry if I caused misunderstanding.

Oh no, I think you are absolutely fine. People who say they won't exercise because they will get sweaty need to decide just how important it is to them. Plenty of people can and do work out early in the morning, on lunch hours, or after work -- you know, whatever works for the individual. There is such a range of activities that we all should be able to find one or or several things we enjoy that fit our personalities and abilities.

Me, I like working out early in the morning so my day can't get away from me. No worries about clothing and I can take a nice shower afterward and get on with my day. Other people are night people, others like to swim, etc. You know, if you like to do a concentrated workout you won't be kind of sweaty; you'll be a complete mess. At least I am. Mild exercise like walking, no. Kickboxing, totally.

I think as much as worrying about appearance, a lot of people get the idea that they can't do something and we need to help ourselves get over that. Often it's surprising how much we can do with a little encouragement.

Gosh, all my shorts are now knee length! I feel so exposed if shorter.

Last night I was at wally world and noticed a women about 50, heavily tanned, tank top, tatoo, and with I'm certain were fake ta-tas. Her shorts were not only exposing the bottom of her bum, but also her plumbers coin slot through the fabric! I was embarrased to see someone of her age exposing herself - I know in todays economic times that less is more - yet, not with clothes! I wanted to throw a beach towel over her. Eek and geesh.

I saw her again at Target about an hour later! She sure was strutting her stuff!

I think I know that woman -- or her cousins! You know, there's a huge difference between orchid's cute photo -- pulled together, neat, well fitted, and obviously athletic outfit (I would not wear it everywhere, but that's just me) -- and the rear-end and boob-exposing, sloppy stuff I'm sure we all see on a regular basis. I hate to indict my own gender on this issue, but in my experience women are the primary offenders about 90% of the time. If some men dressed the way a lot of these women do, they'd be exposing themselves and we'd have them arrested. But women can get away with anything, including exposing *their* personal bits, and no one says anything. Really, it's not fair, it's tasteless, and it looks terrible.

For me -- which is a little off the topic of the thread but still related -- I'm not wearing anything that shows too much or that has to be adjusted. No short skirts you have to worry about tugging down or having to keep your legs squeezed together when you sit, no see-through, no stuff that's too low or wants to flop open in the front or is cut so you have to keep adjusting your bra straps.

I wore short skirts in the 60's and they were fun, but you had to watch what you were doing. My legs are still in good shape, but I am far more interested in comfort. (And, to be honest, a little style so I look neither like I'm trying to be 25 or like I'm 80). Today I have on cotton/linen drawstring slacks, so they are very light but not confining, a t-shirt, and comfortable Clarks sandals. Oh, and the pants are navy blue so I'm not worried about any show-through.

I subject shorts to the same test: any tugging or worries about showing my bits and they're out. I like capris because they're covered and comfortable; crops not so much, but only because my legs are so short they look like they don't fit. Again, the laziness. Once I get dressed, I want to be comfortable, look decent, and not think about it again.

I'm with you on the comfort thing. I recall wearing the low cut bell bottoms back in the day and I was always worried about my butt sticking out. I like to wear clothes that I don't have to think about what's showing, or moving, or tugging, etc.

We've grown to this point. The younger kids who wear the short stuff, low cut tops and bottoms aren't there yet. They still do it for the sake of style. Been there, done that.

The older ones (and I've seen them or their cousins too) that dress like their 20 are only doing it for attention. DOn't you think?

Oh, my gosh, Dotsie, I haven't thought about those hipster bellbottoms in forever! We thought we looked so good in them; actually, I did, come to think about it, but that was a long time ago.

I'm not so sure about the older ones' motives. I'm sure some of them are doing it for attention and to recapture their lost youth, but I'll bet a lot of women got it in their heads a long time ago that that's how you dress and haven't altered their thinking.

There was a woman in my office who always wore very short skirts and dresses, despite the fact that she was in her 60's. Yes, she did have nice legs, but her clothes were so short you could see her underwear if you were walking up the stairs behind her and when she sat down she must have been sitting on her underwear alone. Frankly, everyone made fun of her behind her back. Not only had all of us seen her underwear but her clothes looked so dated -- these awful polyester dresses that she must have preserved forever. I don't know what she was thinking, but it was her 'look.'

Wow, gone a few days and look at all the conversation! I can't help but agree with everything that's been said.

Our personal image/style reflects who we are, who we want to be and who others think we are. In the first 5 seconds of meeting someone, an assumption (right or wrong) is formed about our level of education, social heritage and much more. We do judge a book by it's cover and that doesn't make us wrong - it just makes us human. A value is placed on everything the eye takes in - is it safe or is it threatening, is it pretty or is it ugly, etc.

Realtors know that a house must have "curb appeal" before anyone wants to go inside. Authors and booksellers know that a book must have an eye-catching cover before people will pick it up and look inside.

Does your cover tell people what you want them to know about you?

Louise: What I do like about North American society is that we tend not to over-emphasize visual images and make snap judgements about people based on their front "cover". This is why for work hiring, by law in North America, it is illegal to submit photos of oneself with your resume.

Totally different practice in many Asian and European companies which some firms ask out right for a photograph of yourself when you email /send your resume. I worked for a German company that is here in Canada and with alot of ex-patriate employees from Germany, U.K. and Philippines. These are university/college educated employees.

As an example, there was young German engineer, who started with the firm. He wore a suit a tad too big, he looked stiff but he was pleasant. Then over time, he understood the corporate work culture, simply dresssed/carried himself in a more natural style and became a resourceful, helpful person. Had I judged him solely on his attire, it would have been unfair and I (with emphasis on myself) would have been criticized for being negative.

I do feel the visual dress and image is important in the workplace up to a certain point. What is noticeable to me over the past few decades, is more women showing their decollatege...so different from 20 years ago. To me, it is the younger generations that can be abit too casual and need to be guided.

However the attire that you see in my photo or wearing of lycra shorts/tights after getting off the bike, I have worn and strolled into workplaces where the corporate culture ranged from very formal (courts, law firm) to more relaxed (engineering firm, construction site), I have never worried about what other people think, even if I look sweaty/splashed up due to rain. Then I get changed into work attire

I'd rather convey the message to any employer that I care about my health, I am doing something about it, I am physically mobile and alert (not aging and incapable), instead of wondering if people will make snippy remarks about my shorts/legs, etc.

I really do want to be careful about over-emphasizing visual self-image to others. It can be a barrier to cross-cultural, cross-class integration and diverse community building.

A few years ago, there was a discussion in opera enthusiasts and classical music subscribers, about the younger generation /others attending a lovely opera/symphony in jeans, spiked hair...not important? I'd rather remove the barrier of "proper" clothing requirement (as long as they aren't barefoot/wearing bathing suits) and rope in more future younger enthusiasts for Pucinni, Mozart, etc. concerts.

Yes, my "cover" tells people what I want them to know.

Now, where did I put my tiara??!!

I have 2 tiaras, actually; I would like to get dressed up every weekend and go to a fabulous party, dance, symphony, etc....now if I could only find that man.

orchid, I never knew other countries allow/expect pictures. I just Googled it and found some of the information interesting.

In another forum, we're talking about predictions. I'm thinking people will eventually have a video resume. Do you think that will happen?

Already video conferencing for job interviews in past few years. I've had several where all these situations, the employer was in a different province.

I disagree with the concept of video resume. It IS very unfair, people will judge others on their appearance, voice, accent. We get into issues of colour/race, ethnicity, age and weight. I am against video resume as an automatic required submission prior to shortlisted interviewing process. It would violate alot of human rights legislation here in Canada ..and I'm sure in the U.S. also. Certainly for some jobs like acting or dance or modelling it is part of the job --how one looks, so it would only be those jobs.

I sound brutal..because strangers can be unfair in their assessment on candidates. There have been some studies done on assessing overweight people vs. not so for jobs, attractive people vs. not so for high management jobs, etc. It's not pleasant.

This is so fun! So much fodder for my blog!
Let's talk about cleavage (breast, not butt, we'll leave that for another time.) Cleavage has gone in and out of style (in public, anyway) for decades. No longer do we just see it in evening wear and on the beach, it's everywhere, in the boardroom, on the Senate floor, and at your local bank. I would like to ask the following questions:
Is there an age limit? If you've got some is there a minimum age? Is there a maximum age? Does size matter?

I think it has to do with how one can carry it off. I'm sure we've all seen some women and wanted to say, "cover it up."

There's also a time and place for everything. Leave it out of the boardroom and off the Senate floor. Keep it out of the local bank too.

Oh boy, can hardly wait to talk about butt cleavage with the thong stuck in between!

I'd really prefer not to see cleavage at all outside of dress-up occasions or the beach. Truly, I think it's vulgar. I also have trouble with people who complain about people staring at them; well, if you don't want stares, don't show your boobs around an office conference room! And yes, I think size has an effect. The bigger your are, the bolder the, uh, statement you make by uncovering your chest. I see plenty of women who aren't showing cleavage but actual boobage, if that makes sense.

I don't care what we *think* about cleavage, there's no getting around the fact that most people will see it as some level of sexual display. I realize with the huge rise in surgical procedures these women will want to show off what they paid for, but include me out.

I changed the topic line so it reflects more accurately the change of topic.

I too get tired of seeing cleavage in workplaces. There's no purpose...at all. I went to a job interview where there was a panel of 3 women interviewing me. It was business dress casual culture. But 1 woman, in information technology dept., probably an analyst or management role, wore a top distinctly revealing 3 inches of her cleavage. What for???

On the street, etc...it's so common now among younger women that unfortunately the acceptance of some cleavage goes lower and lower into the age bracket.

I guess for parties, there could be more flexibility. But again, the older one gets..we shouldn't delude ourselves. The skin doesn't look as supple, etc.

Sometimes the solution for woman not to feel pressured to show her cleavage, is to start off in life, not doing it outside of the beach and bedroom.

I don't like trying on clothes but I need some new gym bras, majorly, because a lot of my old no-cleavage clothing seems to now have too much stuff showing.

The solution for me, I guess, is to go shopping.

I'm right with you orchid. I get so embarrassed when I see cleavage.....knowing that other men OGLE her breasts!

A couple of recent purchases are making me wear some low cut necks WITH a shirt underneath. I feel WAY too bare with skin showing....and I have no cleavage!

I wear a D cup and use a lot of safety pins, LOL, LOL

I actually feel sorry for D cup women from the standpoint of doing vigorous exercise. Based on all the comments from similiarily endowed women in their 30's-50's, who cycle, the type of bras that they have to wear...it just sounds like a big hassle to have enough support (which doesn't get easier as the years march on)..and very hot in high temperature weather to wear.

I could never understand why anyone would want to enlarge their breasts. Hubby always says, "more than a handfull is a waste".

Cleavage looks good when you are young and perky...Too many wrinkles along the chest area now from too many sunburns.

I try to show my attributes; - wherever they are; ...still looking.

I swear by the Moving Comfort Maia bra: lots of support, comes up pretty high in the front, and very comfortable. I'm not a D but close. There are a lot more good exercise bras to choose from and a lot aren't all that expensive.

I wear what I call unibras for walking. They make your chcest look like one big boob.

I was shopping with my 24 year-son at the mall yesterday. The gal who waited on him was very helpful and adorable, but she had half her chest hanging out of the dress. I was embarrassed to be with my son and see so much celavage/boobs. It was like seeing the tampon commercials while watching TV with the kids when they were little.

Hi from Scotland

thanks you for the sports bra mention..I Googled and what I read is US cup sizes are more generous than Uk
anyone know more about this.

A lot of the newer fashions are cut almost to the navel. I don't like that low of a front, especially when gals get older. I took my MIL shopping a couple times recently. And she had a difficult
time finding something to wear. When you're 88, you don't want
your chest hanging out. Geese!

I find cleavage showing repugnant on most women. It's bad enough on 20 somethings who are not overweight, and they just look like sex advertisements. But when i see gals in their 40s or 50s with wrinkled LONG cleavage showing, or overweight women with miles of flesh showing, I just want to throw a tarp over them. What makes them think it enhances their image?
My husband takes a lot of photos of bike rides and on one of them one of the women was doing "Support" handing out food to hungry cyclists. My husband took a photo of her and to his horror, it showed vast acreage of cleavage. He asked me if he should delete it, I said no, it is nice of X and Y, if she didn't want her cleavage to show, I think she would have dressed differently.. That was my opinion anyway. It is totally beyond me how far out fashion has gone. I've seen the chubby young girls with the spaghetti straps holding up their ample flesh and i wonder just WHAT do they see when they look in the mirror?
I'll be glad when the pendulum swings the other way for a while.

A bit of a Fruedian slip, perchance?

Anno can you answer my question..(above) re size comparison

I think there is a time and place for cleavage and the amount shown should be taken into consideration. Anything that goes from a little cleavage to just plain "boobage" is not in good taste anywhere. To me it kind of seems like "trolling."
But that's just my opinion.

I will check into it, Mountain. Offhand, I do not have an answer.

UK USA Europe France Italy Australia
28 28 - - - -
30 30 - - - -
32 32 70 85 1 10
34 34 75 90 2 12
36 36 80 95 3 14
38 38 85 100 4 16
40 40 90 105 5 18
42 42 - - - -
44 44 - - - -
46 46 - - - -
48 48 - - - -
50 50 - - - -
52 52 - - - -
54 54 - - - -
56 56 - - - -


Cup Size Conversion Chart

UK USA Europe France Italy Australia
AA AA AA AA - -
A A A A A A
B B B B B or Nothing B
C C C C C C
D D D D D D
DD DD or E E E DD DD
E DDD or F F F E E
F G - - F F
G I - - - G
GG J - - - GG
H K - - - H
HH L - - - HH
J M - - - J
JJ N - - - JJ
K - - - - -


These are comparision charts I found. Looks like the UK and US are the same.

sorry, it did not come out perfect. I must say I did not know there was a letter name for anything beyond D sizes. Uf Da!

Speaking of cleavage - did anyone get their copy of More magazine, July/August issue?

Oh my gracious. I'm shocked. There's a picture of Holly Hunter, age 51, wearing a hot little blue dress on the cover. Okay, you really can't see cleavage because it doesn't look like she has any, but you can almost see one of her nipples. What was More thinking when they did this, or am I the only one who sees it?

Dostie,
I got the magazine, read through it and discarded it before I read your post. I didn't even notice Holly Hunter's rotundity!
LOL...you like that? [rotundity thing?]

I don't have any wrinkles on my face OR cleavage area. I decided I didn't want any, LOL, LOL

I will show a LITTLE cleavage going out at night, but not at work or during the day, etc.....