I bought myself some shorts yesterday

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

I haven't worn shorts for years either - I actually found them hotter than a dress or skirt and my legs are best kept covered - mottled and lots of thread veins. I've 3 pairs of very lightweight baggy trousers which are comfortable and cool or loose dresses.

I would never wear shorts as my legs are awful. I envy you who can.

I wear loose palazzo trousers in a cool airy material, they are so comfortable, I hardly know I have them on. Sadly I have to forgo tanned legs though.

Knee length cotton shorts worn everywhere during this hot spell. I see to many bodies worse than mine to worry about how it looks.

For as long as I can remember, I have been craving a pair of cropped trousers that don’t make me look ridiculous as I am only five feet tall, and most of them seem to finish just above my ankle! It has become something of a holy grail. Well today I found some that are exactly the right length and look great. I could have danced around the shop. Only problem is, they have now sold out and as it is the end of the season I am unlikely to be able to get any more, but Hey! Result!

I’ve never worn shorts except when forced to for games at school, and even then they were short ‘divided skirts’. I’m not starting now.

The thought of all these grannies in shorts is rather mind-boggling, though I know many of you are much younger than I am.

J10. Touché. Thanks for increasing my laughter lines!

I am wearing 'long shorts' at the moment but won't venture beyond the garden in them!
Actually, my legs have been bitten by mozzies and are not a pretty sight.
Neither is my rear view.

I used to live in shorts in the summer but in recent years I've opted for cropped trousers. The only problem is getting a good fit, some of them can be rather baggy, too wide or just too long. I recently shortened a few pairs of long trousers to a cropped length that I like.

Does anyone else remember 'cycle pants', just below the knee length with side vents - not lycra!!

As a caravanner I had many shorts but this year took 8 to the charity shop as told to keep my Melanoma extraction site out of the sun. Have a few cut offs that cover scar. I used to have good legs.

old people in shorts no no wrinkly veiny legs awful

A photo of me and DSs entering a museum in Florida about1 0 years or more ago put me off wearing shorts!!! I looked dreadful from the rear so it's been linen trousers or maxi skirts in the hot weather for me!

I had given up wearing shorts due to my advanced age (though my legs are still okish) until I was boiled last year on holiday and bought some in a tourist shop. The shop lady said -these are the ones which will suit you as you are slim'. I could have kissed her. But when I looked around at some of the other tourists it didn't seem much of a compliment....
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