How To Wear Shorts Over 40: Sharing 6 Styling Tips

It’s hot, hot hot this summer and I find myself reaching for shorts every day, particularly my favorite denim shorts. We all want to look put together and age appropriate so it’s important to follow certain guidelines when wearing shorts so we aren’t dressing like we are back in our 20’s. Today I’m sharing 6 style tips to follow when styling shorts.

First, if you are looking for a great denim short, look no further because my favorite ones are back in stock!

The BEST Denim Shorts | Fashion Over 40

I scrambled to get this post out because the BEST designer denim shorts are BACK IN STOCK! Ladies, these shorts sell out quickly and let me tell you why. They are the perfect denim shorts for women over 40. This is the Dee short by one of my favorite brands, AGOLDE. They are high waist (12″ rise), so the waist line is flattering and you feel smoothed out and sucked in. At my age, I also appreciate the 3″ inseam which is a good length and hits mid thigh. The wide opening at the leg gives you the illusion of a slimmer leg. Who doesn’t love that! These shorts are just a great cut, super flattering and a good price point for designer denim shorts ($128). Mine have minimal distressing but you can also find these with no distressing. I suggest sizing up one size from your normal size.

I own them in three colors, including black and oyster (sold out)…they are that good!

6 TIPS TO FOLLOW WHEN STYLING SHORTS:

1. SIZE UP

I always suggest wearing your shorts a bit over-sized. A middle-aged woman should NEVER wear shorts that are too tight or too short. Denim shorts look best when sized up at least one size. No muffin top ladies and sizing up makes the leg opening wider which helps make your thighs look smaller. I size up to a 27 in the Dee short.

2. LENGTH IS KEY

A middle age woman should never wear shorts that are too short. When in doubt, the finger tip test is a good rule of thumb. Put your arms down by your sides. If your shorts are WAY shorter than the end of your fingertips, you might want to opt for a longer inseam. I like shorts that hit at mid to upper thigh. You want your legs to look long and lean and this length will help with that.

3. STYLE SHORTS WITH AN OVERSIZED JACKET OR BLOUSE

Having more volume on top will give the illusion of your lower half looking slimmer. This helps create balance in your look by not having everything on your body form fitting. I love styling shorts with a blazer and especially love a crisp white blazer with denim shorts in the summer for date night or GNO. I also think a white linen shirt looks super cool with denim shorts.

4. CHECK THE RISE

The shorts I’m wearing have an 12” rise, so they’re very high waisted and make your legs look longer, which is quite flattering. Anywhere from 9” to 12” inches is considered high rise.

5. WEAR A SLIGHT HEEL, WEDGE OR MULE

Of course I’m going to throw my sandals on when styling shorts on very casual days, but if I’m really wanting to look my best, I will always wear a wedge (espadrille) or slight heel with my shorts. Not only does this look more polished, but again, you will elongate the leg creating a leaner, slimmer look. By the way, the Paris Texas mules I’m wearing below have been marked down over 65% off!!!

6. USE CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S SUPERMODEL SLIMMER SHIMMER

I don’t like to look super tan but I do like to have a nice, healthy glow in the summer. I DO NOT lay out and I rarely get spray tans because I just don’t love the smell. This bronzing and slimming shimmer by Charlotte Tilbury is the super model’s trick to create an optical illusion of longer, leaner limbs and firmer contours!!! All the Victoria Secret models use it. Try it…you will thank me! A glowing body looks gorgeous in shorts.