Shorts For Women Over 40

Well ladies, it’s that time of year again when we start pulling out the shorts. Today I’m sharing different lengths of shorts for women over 40.

shorts for women over 40

This is always a fun discussion and I think there are some things we can agree on.

1. If you don’t want to wear shorts, don’t wear them. This year crop pants and maxi dresses and maxi skirts are popular and they are great alternatives.

2. NO Daisy Dukes. (At least not for me.)

3. It’s important to find the length and style that is flattering on your body type.

So, if you’re wanting to wear shorts, here are some different short options. Hopefully, one or more will work for you!

If you love boyfriend jeans, why not try boyfriend shorts? They have a relaxed but streamlined fit.

Shorts For Women Over 40
This is a white pair of boyfriend shorts.

Shorts For Women Over 40Bermuda shorts are an option. A lot of women over 40 go this route but truthfully, not everyone can wear them. I can NOT wear them.

They look best on tall, slender body types. These shorts have an 11 inch inseam.

Shorts For Women Over 40 These black shorts from Nordstrom have a 13 inch inseam.

Shorts For Women Over 40Shorts that are supposed to be flattering for everyone are mid-length shorts.

The hemline should hit right at the narrowest part of your leg, and avoid a cuff which visually adds width. These shorts have an 8 inch inseam.

Shorts For Women Over 40I personally love shorts with a 6 inch inseam.

Shorts For Women Over 40I’m loving these mint shorts from Loft and they are 60% off!

Shorts For Women Over 40Loft has my favorite 6 inch inseam shorts. They have solid and patterned shorts. I also like to wear a wedge heel with shorts. They help elongate the leg.

Shorts For Women Over 40

Let’s grab our sunless tanning lotion and get ready for shorts weather!

Also check out Loft’s sale on shorts. They are having 50% off most styles.

Which of these shorts are your favorite style for spring/summer?

I’m so honored that you have taken time out of your day to stop by my blog. If you don’t want to miss a post, you can sign up to receive my daily emails and you’ll never miss a thing. I’m also on FacebookPinterest and my favorite one, Instagram.

Beauty For the Heart~~

Where my soul is filled with sorrow, strengthen me with your words.
Where my heart seeks selfish gain, turn me toward your statutes.
When I’m afflicted and discouraged, fill me with hope and comfort in your promises.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things out of your law.
Give me a love for your word. Make it my meditation all the day.
(Taken from selected verses from Psalm 119)

Have a blessed day!

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  1. Hi Cyndi. This post was filled with so much info. I hope you don’t mind that I linked to it as a great source of information on my post about shorts after 50. Patty

  2. I just started reading your Blog. I am a 54 year old Elementary School teacher and was looking for some new fashion ideas. I was inspired by so many of your spring looks. I also used your half up hair style and so many people commented about how great it looked. Thank you for helping me breathe new life into so many clothes I already had in my closet. You rock!

  3. I find shorts to be one of the trickiest things to buy and wear. I’m short and pear shaped, which makes it harder to find ones that are flattering. I have a few pair, and I mix in some light summer skirts or dresses for variety in summer weather. I haven’t tried the boyfriend shorts, but those might work for me.

  4. I really love reading your posts. Thank You
    I really love the shoes, I have been looking for a dark brown pair just like those, but no luck.

  5. I love shorts, my favorite piece of clothing. I’m in them as soon as it gets warm until cold weather. Going out I usually wear them knee length or a bit below. Around the house shorter denim. I’m over 60’s but still have my long thin legs…yay me.

  6. Concerning spider veins, I have had the procedure many years ago but it didn’t prove helpful. I really hate them and seem to have more every year in places that aren’t hideable. On top of that, I’m very fair. I do like to wear shorts in the summer because it’s hot here in La. I think I’ve decided to just keep wearing them, use sunless tanning and there is a airbrush color for legs put out by sally Hansen. It’s nice and smooths out and helps a bit with the spiders. The pain is that it washes off every night, kind of like make up. If anyone has found anything that helps besides the procedure or things that cover, please share.

  7. I bought some shorts from Loft outlet last summer, and I lived in them, except for working in the yard/garden. The length was just right for my age (62), and they are so comfortable. I am 5’6″ so with shorts I wear flats. Also bought some tops at Loft last summer to go with the shorts. I have trouble finding tops that fit since I have “girls”. Loft size large works for me on top, even though I am a 6 on the bottom. Here in New England I am itching for some warm weather! Thanks for all your advice and outfits.

  8. Hi, Cindy thank you for your post on shorts. I am 5’0 and always struggle with what style and its hard to find the right length. I finally found some Bermuda’s @jcpenney 9″ and you could fold one inch and they look and feel great. The 5″ inseam look nice but I feel they r too short for my liking.

    Have a blessed day!

  9. Thank you for this post. Surprisingly I wear the Bermuda short style.
    On another note. I have been trying for spider veins. Young living lemongrass ( I dilute with fractionated coconut oil )
    But I have to look into if it’s ok to go in the sun with that on.
    I’ve also read Apple cider vinegar works. I know those options aren’t as quick as surgery. But budget friendly.
    And cyndi. I can empathize with moving I’ve moved twice in the last two years
    God willing. I’m not doing it again!😨

  10. Hi Cyndi, I think I am not the only one who would like to completely duplicate the shorts, shirt, and wedges you have posted today. Can you give us details on where to get each item? Thanks so much.

  11. Hey Cyndi you slways look great but i disagree you have yo be tall and thin for bermudas..that all i can wear and im 5’3 i feel thinner woman look better in the 6 in inseam but then again i have tree stumps for legs ..im trying to learn to wear wedges but have worn flats for so long i feel clunky in them i struggle alot with self image

    1. I too have heavy legs/knees and am only 5’3 but don’t feel comfortable wearing anything but a longer Bermuda. 🙂

    2. Its my thighs and i have some broken veines..im overly critical of myself..
      Wish i had Cyndis legs..lol

  12. YAY SHORTS! You all know by now I hate being tall, BUT the one perk to my height is I do have long, slender legs. And since legs aren’t something that draw attention, I feel comfortable wearing shorts. And while I don’t wear Daisy Dukes, I do wear shorter shorts since it is the one thing I feel I can pull off.
    I love the boyfriend shorts in this post. They are so cute!!
    Funny, though, I would never, ever wear heels with shorts. Then again, I don’t wear heels. :o) I go barefoot most of the summer anyway (I was raised at the shore). If I do need shoes, it’s either ballet flats or cute flip flops, but never a heel or a wedge. Sorry! It looks cute on you but I just think it’s too “fancy” for shorts. Keep in mind though, I am no fashionista by any means! :o) Happy summer!!

  13. I am absolutely loving your outfit with those olive khaki shorts!! Everything is perfect. I am going to try to duplicate this outfit for myself 🙂 I’m glad you did a post on shorts, I have been struggling with what type of shorts are appropriate for a modest Christian woman. The long shorts do not flatter my body type at all sadly, but I do not think shorter shorts are very appropriate. I was happy to see the 6″ inseam option on you, I do think that those may work on me too! They look perfect on you and I would be comfortable in that length. It gets to be 120 degrees in AZ and my jeans get so HOT. Have a beautifully blessed day in the Lord today!

  14. Oh yay! I was waiting on this post. lol I HATE SHORT SEASON. LOL. but sometimes it’s soooo hot and I’m doing something where a dress isn’t appropriate (the zoo, park etc) So I have to wear them. Thanks for the info. I love loft too so I’m gonna try them. Ok have a good week and good luck with the move, moving can be stressful but think how much fun all that land will be this summer! 🙂

    1. Yes we are excited about the land. I don’t love short season either especially since I have to use self tanner. It’s one more step. There are perks to fall and winter. 🙂
      Cyndi

  15. So funny I have to share. I have short legs that the Bermuda shorts make me look terrible. I grabbed all my shorts out of the closet and started cutting and hemming to a comfortable (not too short-around 5 1/2 “). My husband was getting nervous and kept walking into the room (where I was working on the shorts) saying “not too short, right?” ha. Anyway, thanks for sharing the facts about shorts. I don’t feel that at our age we should be limited. We are just as beautiful as young!

  16. Great post. I like your things we can agree on. Bermudas for me – my thighs have gotten like hello over the last few years. Exercise doesn’t really help so I just cover them up!

  17. Cyndi—you are so right about the fact, if you don’t want to wear shorts—there are certainly many other options for women!
    I just hope older women don’t resign themselves to not wearing shorts just because of a birthday (or two–ha ha).
    I actually feel more comfortable wearing shorts now that I’m retired than I did while I was working!
    It’s so wonderful that many stores have such different lengths to fit all of our different bodies!!
    I will add that a flare skirt is sometimes my preference over shorts for the fact that when I sit on a hot car seat—it tends to cover more of my skin—ha ha!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  18. Did you hear that Joanna from “Fixer Upper” has a new line of paints out… Magnolia Home Paint…. Amazing colors…. Thank you for your great advice on shorts, as my body changes since I am in my 60’s now I am leaning this summer to wearing cute summer dresses… Thank you for all your help in how to style clothes.

  19. Ok, while on the subject of shorts, I wonder if anyone has had treatment for the little spider veins we get as we older?
    I have just a few in one spot and am thinking of having them “zapped”. Would love to hear of others experience with this.

    1. Hi Julie, I am 61 yrs old and 5 years ago I tried this procedure but I didn’t continue the procedure to keep the spider veins from showing up again on my legs. It is a little painful and sometimes may leave a very small dark spot left from where the needle poke in your skin. At the time it was so worth it! Would I do it again, YES!
      WebMD explains sclerotherapy, a tried-and-true treatment for spider veins and … Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein.

    2. I got my spider veins done a few years ago and still love the results. You have to wear compression hose for about 3 days afterward, but it was really successful. They do a series of injections into the ‘veins’ that dissolves them and I did have some minor bruising a few spots that didn’t ‘take’ but over all it was great. Lot’s of little ‘pinches’ but it didn’t hurt too bad. I got a ‘deal’ from a Living Social deal so it wasn’t too pricey. Good luck!

    3. My mom has had it done. It sounds like a pain – you have to wear those support tights for a certain amount of hours a day after the procedure. She has to go in a few times to get it all. And then a few years later, she goes back again b/c they come back or new ones form. It does work though. She gets it done in wintertime b/c summer is too hot for those support tights.

  20. Love your posts and have gotten many outfit ideas…I bookmark my favorites. Being a bit on the “heavier” side I have found that skorts are my bestfriend when it comes to shorts. Shorts tend to ride up on the inner thigh and a skort just looks more polished while still giving me the freedom that shorts do.

  21. It is certainly true that one short does not look the same on each person! I remember being a teenager and my sister and I would share clothes. I came out in a pair of shorts she’d worn numerous times and I was told to go change!:) My sister is 5’2″ and I am just 5’5″, but I have long legs so those shorts looked much shorter on me! Also, just a couple of years ago I bought a cute pair of 6″ inseam to wear to my son’s baseball game-when I came out my husband (who never much comments on what I wear) said, “Woah”! I never wore those shorts in public again!:)

    BTW, I just wanted to let you know of another beautiful color my sister used on her walls and my friend used on her kitchen cabinets…SW Silver Mist! The paint samples do not do it justice. You may want to take a look-it’s stunning!

  22. Good morning Cyndi. I also love the 6 inch long shorts. Funny you chose alabaster. I just bought that very color over the weekend AND I’m putting up #shiplap!! Good luck with your move.

  23. I’m 5’1 and have a hard time finding shorts that I like. I tried on the Loft shorts this week and I like the 4′ and 6′ . I thought the 4′ would be to short but the sales girl talked me into trying them on. I really like the colors they have too.

    1. Jill, I should have said that, if I were 5’1″, I would go with the 4 inch. I’m 5’6″ so the 6 inch work the best for me.
      Blessings,
      Cyndi

    2. I am 5′ 2″ –Loft shorts are the best! I agree that the 4″ is best for shorter gals.

  24. We had all of the trim inside and out of our house painted Alabaster, as well as our huge front porch. It is the perfect soft white paint color by SW!

    Love your posts!

    A new blog follower

  25. Good morning!! Thank you so much for this informative post on shorts. I’m 5’1″ and have always struggled finding the ‘right style’ – your insight has really helped steer me in the right direction. Plus the tip on wearing wedges with them to elongate the leg, wonderful!! Thanks!

    Hope your painter has a ‘hubby pleasing’ quote for you 😉

    Have a blessed day!

  26. Good morning Cyndi! I don’t wear shorts a lot, but when I do, there are a couple of styles I like – boyfriend and Bermuda. I only have one pair of colored shorts, a bright coral. My denim shorts are in several lengths and I can wear so many of my tops with them.

    Good luck selecting the paint and have a blessed day!