You don’t really think I’m going to answer that in the first sentence do you? What better place to find out the answer than the utmost authority on fashion…the show “What Not to Wear.” So little OLD me decided to upload a photo to the section of their Facebook page called “Keep it or Toss it”.

Unfortunately, I screwed the whole thing up by saying that I was over 35…like WAY over. In case you don’t watch the show, which just ended it’s 10 year run on TLC, Stacy and Clinton say that the cut off age for miniskirts is age 35. Needless to say HUNDREDS of people said” Toss it” and less than 50 said” Keep it.”

 

Well Thrift Town shoppers…I wanted an answer for all of us over the age of 50…SO…I uploaded ANOTHER photo of me to the WNTW Keep it or Toss it page. I’m such an overachiever. How much of an overachiever you ask? In my Theory of Oral Discourse class in college…also known as Speech class…we had to pick a topic, choose a side and defend it. I chose to be FOR legalizing prostitution… I’m just sayin’… and to get some “inside scoop” I actually applied online with “The Chicken Ranch” in Pahrump, Nevada. Needless to say I got an A in the class from a Professor who never gave them out. But I digress…

Here is the second photo that I submitted…but THIS time I got smart and didn’t mention my age…I just asked…Keep it or Toss it?

Well, you will never guess what happened next. On Friday September 27th “What Not to Wear” selected THIS photo of me to feature on their Facebook page!!! OH…MG! I was sooo excited! They said…and I quote…”Lots of “keeps” for Darlene’s casual and cute look!” But what happened next was not so good…people started commenting on this photo…and it wasn’t pretty, people… NOT AT ALL.

 

There are a lot of haters in the world and they were bashing everything from my outfit, to my hair and makeup. I’m telling you, it’s a good thing I have thick skin. Even my friends at work were coming up to me and saying how upset they were about some of the comments. Don’t get me wrong, there were people who liked this look too. If you want to read the comments go to What Not to Wear’s Facebook page. I realized when I started blogging that I would have to take the good with the bad and that’s exactly what I ended up doing with this whole experience. But you know, I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

Now, I also went to my good friend Google for some advice too. You know, Google knows EVERYTHING, right?! The results? Well, depending on who you ask…it went from NOBODY should wear a miniskirt to ANY AGE is fine! Now, I’m not so sure that ANY AGE is fine. I saw a woman in her 70′s in a miniskirt once, and well, once was one time too many.

Other indicators that you should NOT wear a miniskirt…wrinkly knees, flabby calves, varicose veins and my favorite…cottage cheese thighs…because cottage cheese should stay in the refrigerator. Hey! This is Google talking, not me.

Basically, I learned that 35-40 years old is the limit to wearing a miniskirt. HOWEVER, if you are in your early 50′s there are some things you can do to still wear a miniskirt. First, it should not be shorter than 4 inches above your knee. In fact, according to Google, for every year OVER 50 the length should be longer. Also, adding tights makes a miniskirt more age appropriate.

 

Armed with all this information, WHEW! I headed on over to my Albuquerque New Mexico Thrift Town thrift store to find me a miniskirt! I found a really cute black and white mini windowpane one from Gap for $7.99. By the way, the windowpane print is right on trend. Of course the first thing I did was measure it to see if it fell into the “age appropriate” range.

Three inches above the knee…so far so good. I decided to style this skirt two ways for you.

 

Here is look #1: Here is look #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look #1 also features this “Stevie Nicks” inspired Jones New York Signature three quarter length…also known as bracelet length, ruffle front black blouse. My husband really liked this blouse because I have never worn anything like it before. The cost? Only $5.00, because it was 50% off! The black bangle bracelet was a mere$1.99. The black necklace I’m wearing? It’s the “shell” necklace from my daytime look featuring my black maxi skirt, with the shell removed. Hello…two looks for the price of one…and that price was only $7.99! I also used the black evening bag ( $4.99 ) from my evening black maxi skirt look and made it more casual by tying a small square, red, black, and white print scarf ( 99 cents ) on the handle. Cute idea, huh! It also adds a “pop” of color to this look. Now, for this first look I went lazy and put socks ( my own) with these really cute black suede Newport News knee high boots that I got at Thrift Town for…are you ready?…only $5.99!

 

Look#2 features a brand new, with tags, Eddie Bauer dark red sweater. Here’s a picture to prove it:

I know, I couldn’t believe it myself when I found it! As you can see the cost was only $7.99! Now the neckline was a little too low to wear to work as is , so I added an Italian Made….it said so right on the scarf…large square, black and white abstract floral scarf that I found in the bin department for $1.99.

The addition of a black stone chunky bracelet ( $3.99 ) and black tights ( my own ) complete look#2.

Look#1 total cost? $34.94 -30%=$24.46

Look#2 total cost? $27.95-30%=$19.57

Remember? Seniors age 60+ get 30% off clothing EVERY Monday at Thrift Town.

What have I learned from all this? That MAYBE I am too old to wear a miniskirt now. I am going to look into investing in more pencil or maxi skirts. I also learned that if I am wearing a skirt above my knee, that it looks better with tights…(look#2). But now the question becomes…What Length Shorts Should You Wear Over Age 50? But I’m not going to worry about that until summer gets here.

Sound off in the comment section below….At what age do YOU think a women is too old to wear a miniskirt?

*SALE ALERT* All clothing is 50% off today at Thrift Town 12/06/13!!!

Darlene Fadem is a wife and mother with two sons in college. She’s OBVIOUSLY over 50, hence the name Thrifty Over 50. She admits to being a label hunter when thrifting, but pleads the fifth to everything else. When she’s not thrifting she is teaching five year olds how to read, write and be fashionable! You can also find her styling looks on her fashion blog for older women http://whosaprettygirl.wordpress.com