One of the questions I get a lot is what length of shorts is appropriate for women over 40? I don’t think there are hard rules when it comes to age and length of shorts.
Wear the length that you like (of course, if you’ve got cheek showing, then add a few inches. That doesn’t look good on any age woman).
It also depends on your height. If you’re petite, 3-inch shorts may work for you, but if you’re tall, a longer length might be better.
I like a 4 to 5-inch inseam, and I’m 5’5″. Today I’m styling different length denim shorts, 4, 5, 6, and 8-inch.
First up are these 4- inch Wrangler Cutoff Denim Shorts. These are probably my favorites, but it might be because I like the frayed hem.
Wrangler Cutoff Denim Shorts (similar option here)//V Neck Tee (I’m wearing an XS)//Earrings//Necklace//Sandal (Similar option here)
These are 5-inch inseam shorts, and this is my favorite length of shorts.
Joe’s Frayed Denim Shorts (similar option here)//V Neck Tee (I’m wearing an XS)//Earrings//Necklace//Sandal (Similar option here)
I like the feel of these 6-inch Wit and Wisdom shorts. I would size down one size because they have a lot of stretch in them.
Wit & Wisdom Ab-solution Cuffed Denim Shorts (option here)//V Neck Tee (I’m wearing an XS)//Earrings//Necklace//Sandal (Similar option here)
In fairness to these 8-inch Kut from the Kloth shorts, they are too big on me. I think they would look a little better if I sized down.
I’m not a fan of the bermuda style shorts, I see them on other women, and they look great!
Kut From The Kloth 8-inch (similar option here)//V Neck Tee (I’m wearing an XS)//Earrings//Necklace//Sandal (Similar option here)
Overall, I like the 5-inch length the best on me. I do wear shorter shorts, but it depends on where I’m going. If I’m on vacation, shorter lengths don’t bother me. If I’m going to a summer church event, I will wear the 5 -inch length.
What is your favorite length of shorts?
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Beauty For the Heart~~ “I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes.” – Bob Goff
Have a blessed day!
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I think you look best in 4-inch with frayed hem or 5 inch cuffed. Each of those lengths flatter you and your legs. I agree with you that the longer ones don’t look as attractive.
You are beautiful in any length. But my opinion is the 5&6” looks the most slimming and feminine for our age (early 50’s). And I’m not a fan of the Bermuda style on anyone. Just my thoughts. Love that sweet blouse!
Cyndi, You look spectacular in all your clothes!! If I had legs like yours I would wear any shorts I wanted!!! Thanks for all your fashion ideas!!! Love the frayed denim shorts on you!!!!
I don’t like my shorts real short or tight. I like Bermuda style or a little shorter. The question that I ask myself is am I being modest?:-)
Thank you for adding the bit of encouragement at the end. This is the first time I’ve read your blog and it was refreshing to see and so so helpful. I went through my first (and I’m 43) season of helplessness where I really felt like there was no one to turn to but God. Of course my husband was in it with me but the brunt of the situation was waiting on what God was going to do. I still don’t have all the answers but sadly I’m so glad that I kept it between me and God as I don’t know if my friends could be able to judge the situation and remain completely objective, if that makes sense. Anyhow, I really appreciate these verses more than you know! Also, I agree with everyone that you look absolutely amazing in all the shorts.
Thank you Mandy and yes I agree, sometimes it’s best to keep things between you and God. That’s a wise decision.
I am petite 5′ with more muscular legs. Shorts are an issue for me. The only shorts I love are Crown and Ivy Caroline shorts from Belk…I have them in just about every color, and they have great patterns too! (5 in inseam) I like that the legs are cut a little wider. Highly suggest!
Fantastic post Cyndi! You look amazing in all the shorts!
I think the cuff is the problem with the 8 inch short, not the length
you are right. I could not figure out what my objection was because i usually prefer longer shorts. Must be the crazy late hour i am reading my email. ha!
Cyndi you cannot imagine how much I needed to hear your sweet encouragement in the beauty for the heart section. I’m currently in a season like that, and your words are exactly what I needed to hear! Difficult and trying situations are bad enough when we do understand why God allowed it, but even more so when we don’t. These verses really made me think. God will give us the information we need, not all the hidden details we want! I guess that’s where faith comes in huh? Also I love how you stumbled on two similar verses separately within a few days. My mom always says that when that happens God is trying to tell us something! Thank you for this reminder! God bless!
Megan I’m so glad it spoke to you. It did to me too!
Great post, I think the 5 & 6 inch length looks best on you. The finger tip idea is a great. I was watching a fashion blog and then said if you are a pear shaped body type to never wear Bermuda shorts.. They emphasize your hips instead, wear shorter shorts that have looser legs to make your thighs look thinner.
Hi Cindy! You are the first ever blog I have ever followed, and I have learned so much about fashion from you. I look forward to your posts every day. I have been thinking about starting a blog (not fashion related) and wondered how you got started. Any information would be appreciated and thank you!
Julie, when I started there wasn’t any information but now you can find everything you need online to start a blog. I recommend starting here>>https://amylynnandrews.com/how-to-start-a-blog/
Hope this helps!
I think height is only part of the story. The real deal is body proportions and thigh length! My daughter and I are the same height but she has a shorter torso and legs for days. We are 5’8″ and she takes tall in her jeans but I need regular length. As a result, her shorts need to be longer and they’re still “short.”
I like the 5in the best. The 6in is nice too. The 8in I didn’t like. I do not like that cuff at all.
I love to see all the things you model for us!
I like the 4” for myself even though I am tall (5’10”). Bermuda look too frumpy on new! I like the 4 and 5 on you!
Love all the shorts. The last pair…kut from the cloth would be better in a smaller size. Yes you are correct. But , in my opinion, the cuff is too large. If it was smaller and no cuff, I would love that length on you.
Love the BFTH. For church events, I think 5 or 6 inch shorts are best, probably 6 inch. Even though 4or 5 inch look alright, perhaps we should consider as another comment pointed out, could they be distracting.
I think the 6 inch are the best for ladies over 40. I liked both the 5 and 6 inch on you. The bermudas were too big but that cuff on them made them look a little frumpy and your not a frumpy kinda girl! Also something I always consider is that if there is cellulite on the legs a little longer is usually better.
Love the BFTH. I think you look great in shorts and I agree the last one is too big, but I think if you got the right size and they weren’t so big in the lower leg, they’d look great too. I always think of bermuda shorts as right above the knee but I have a shorter pair from LOFT……not sure the length but similar to the 5″ ones you are styling and I really like them. I bought them last year when you styled them on your blog. I really don’t like shorts but some days you need them. 🙂
Hi Cindi – I love all the shorts but the last ones are a little weird to me, and I like the longer short sometimes. Those huge cuffs ruin that long short in my opinion, so I agree with you on not a fav.
I loved the BFTH and oh my, does it resound with me too. I am in such a great place today and so blessed, that 20 years ago would never have been on my radar. But God knew what was in store for me! Hallelujah!
Great Post!!
I prefer to wear 5”. I will wear 31/2 when I’m relaxing on my boat or at home but never in public. The 5” look best on you too!
You have great looking legs! I would wear shorts forever if I had those legs!!
The 4″ shorts look really cute on you! The 8″ should be on your NO list! LOL!
Thanks for this post.. I always wore shorts then I stopped and switched to skorts and dresses… then at 50 I started wearing shorts again. I am so glad as with our summers getting hotter it’s another great option. I prefer the 5 inch length and I’m 5’3 but I like to know my butts covered standing or bending over lol.. love all but the Bermuda ones I’m not a fan for me either I lose too much of my leg.
I totally agree with you!!! I love the 5″ on your frame, and the long ones are a big no!!! I look like a spotted whale in shorts, so i mostly just wear crop pants, except on vacation!! LOL!!!
You look great in shorts! I think even the bermudas would look great if you had the right size and they were tighter to your leg. I am 57 and agree that age doesn’t matter as much as body type with shorts. Thanks so much for the BFTH as it is exactly what I needed to hear today!
Hi Cyndi, I could not agree with this post more!!! I don’t think we should limit ourselves to things as we age. Have fun! Be you! And with modesty of course. I love the first 3 shorts on you the best. You look great! But you always do. Thank you for sharing and keeping it real!!!
Great post! I tend to wear the 6-7 inches because I have bigger thighs and am a little self conscious about that. 🙂 I think you look great in the 4 or 5 inch ones. I recently purchased a bunch of dresses at Old Navy that I can wear to work or on the weekend – I love clothes that do double duty!
If you aren’t comfortable wearing the shorter shorts to a summer “church event”,
then should you be wearing them at all?
Hummmm. Don’t you feel that certain types of clothing are to be worn to certain types of events tho?? I dont really think it was a religious convection, just a more of a preference to the given occasion.
I don’t think our wardrobes should be confined to what we would be comfortable wearing to church. I love distressed jeans and wear them all the time, but I wouldn’t wear them to church. (Maybe others would, and that’s fine for them, btw. ;-))
Karen, I understand that each of us differ in opinions. I wear some outfits like this one https://www.cyndispivey.com/2019/06/12/palm-print-jumpsuit-from-social-threads/ on a Saturday date night but I wouldn’t wear it to church. I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with the jumpsuit, but it’s not a church outfit for me.
The same goes with some of my shorts. But I don’t feel my shorts are inapproprite for vacation or running errands.
I think the 5 and 6 inch looks the best on you. I am a pastor’s wife and I am like you and some of the others. I wear whatever length I have around the house, but out in public I like 5 or 6 inch. I also grew up as a pastor’s daughter and my dad didn’t really want me to wear any shorts. As Christian ladies, I think one knows what makes one look modest and what makes one look trashy.
Hi Cyndi,
Thanks for styling the different lengths of shorts. I’m short and petite, so the 4-5″ definitely look better on me. this may be a silly question, but how did you fray the bottom of the shorts? I’ve seen people fray jeans, but I’m not sure of the technique.
They were already frayed. I didn’t fray them. 🙂
I used to make my own cutoff shorts all the time back in the 90s when I was a teenager.
To fray them, just cut off the finished hem, and then we’d use a fork of all things – to pull out some of the threads and create a frayed edge. That’s probably not the “proper” way to do it, but that’s how we did it back then 😊
I’ve never tried this (I buy shorts already frayed), but there are a special kind of scissors you can buy at craft stores that do this, they’re designed to make those frayed edge t-shirt quilts. Maybe check at hobby lobby or michaels?
I like the 6 inch inseam, but I also wear Bermuda shorts. I think a lot has to do with the culture of the area you are living in. I am a pastor’s wife, and anything shorter than 6 inches would probably be a distraction at a casual church event.
And I agree with you—those 8 inch cuffed shorts are a big NO!
You look great in all the lengths!
What self tanner are you using?
I use this self tanner https://shopstyle.it/l/4yE6 with this mitt https://shopstyle.it/l/4yE8
Hey Cyndi…..Does this self tanner have the smell? What does it smell like? I can’t do strong smells. Does it stain your clothes if used too soon after applying? Do you like it better than the one you were using last year. I can’t remember the name of it now.
Cute outfit! Great post! I agree with you 100% – the length of shorts depends on personal comfort. I have shorts that I wear at home or running errands that are shorter-probably 4″ – but I have shorts that I wear to church that are 5″ and 6″. I’m of the opinion NO self-respecting woman/girl should wear the Daisy Dukes – LOL. Longer shorts-7-8″ look best on tall very thin women IMO. Also, since we’re talking shorts – I’ve seen a lot of women of all ages in the short jumpers and the length is typically shorter, which is fine except when you walk and the looser leg “swishes” it can get cheeky in the back – just saying to look out for that :).
At the end of the day, we should wear what feels best comfort wise, and makes us feel the best – as in, if you’re pulling on them or feel self conscious then don’t wear them. No one rule applies.
Hi Cindy,
I don’t think the length of the Bermuda shorts is the problem but the wide cuff. I’m 5’9” tall and I wear longer shorts or Bermuda shorts all the time.
Thanks for all your fashion advice and especially BFTH!
Verna
I love the 5 inch but I will do 6 or 7 also.
For me (I am 65 with nice legs 🙂 5″ looks best, I think. The only women I have seen who look good in Bermuda length shorts are very, very thin. For staying at home and working outside I will wear shorter shorts (usually running shorts), but I don’t wear those out. The Bermuda shorts you style here – even though you say they are too big, I also don’t think the large cuff is flattering for you (and you look fantastic in most everything!)
Love…Love…Love this outfit! I was going to order the shirt for the 4th of July, but $58 was a bit steep for me. I was looking for something about half that price.