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How to Wear Leggings if You’re Over 40, 50 or 60

what to wear with jeggings

By Tina Boomerina (Christina Gregoire)

Teens know how to wear leggings, but adult women over 40, 50 or 60 have stricter fashion rules than teens do. And, I'll tell you all about what to wear with leggings so that you'll look trendy... but not silly.

Read about wearing leggings if you’re over 40 50 60

Can You Wear Leggings When You’re Over 40?

Leggings are still a big hit, no matter what fashion designers and style magazines say (or fail to say).

I was in Paris last summer and I saw women of all ages wearing leggings under miniskirts. And, in the states, where everyone is extremely casual... almost embarrasingly casual... leggings are perfect.

Can You Wear Leggings as Pants?

Yes. You will love wearing leggings as pants, as long as you wear them the right way.

Leggings are a great style for apple shapes, because leggings and jeggings are stretchy. So, leggings will fit you... even on days when nothing else does.

And, most of us will become apple shapes eventually due to the natural decrease in estrogen... something which happens to us as we get older.

Actually, I have been an apple shape all of my life, so I know quite a bit about wearing leggings without looking absurd or embarrassing... well... I'm good with leggings most of the time.

Tunic Tops Over Leggings

If you are over 18 and you don’t live in the Playboy Mansion, you must wear your leggings with a top or tee that's long enough to cover your hoo-ha and your booty. No exceptions, ladies.

What to wear with leggings:

  • Long tunics: Your tunic tops should reach mid-thigh... if you plan on sitting down.
  • Flirty dresses and skirts: Wear your leggings as tights.
  • Big shirts: Your top must be long enough to fulfill the requirements.
  • Big shirts with belts: See above.
  • Long, roomy sweaters: Ditto.
  • Long, T-shirt tunic dresses: This may become your go-to casual look.

NOT Clothes to Wear With Leggings

The legging trend uses the silhouette of big over narrow. (Big top, narrow legs.) If you are wearing your leggings as pants, you cannot wear them with:

  • Any short top.
  • Any tight-fitting top.
  • I don't flipping care what J-Lo wears... No excuses. If I catch you, I'll send you to the back of the line.

How to Wear Jeggings Over 40, 50, 60

You will love jeggings.

If you are over 40, you will love wearing jeggings instead of jeans. Jeggings are like denim tights or very skinny jeans. And, any apple-shaped woman (of any age) who has had children will find that jeggings are more comfortable than jeans.

When you hit 40 or 50, you will notice that most jeans suck... and jeggings are a chic alternative to the dreaded “mom jeans”.

(Update: As soon as I tell women not to wear something, it seems like it becomes hip with young chicks in London. Please ignore the new "mom" jeans. It's not hip to wear the mom-jean trend if you actually are a mom. It's just embarrassing... and no one will think you're cool... which is the whole reason for wearing something like that.)

Read how to wear leggings if you’re older

How to Wear Leggings for Older Women

Apple Shaped Women

In fall and winter, apple shapes should take advantage of their shapely legs by wearing their leggings under a long T-shirt or T-shirt dress and covering the whole outfit with a sweater coat or belted trench coat.

If your trench is cute enough, you can wear that same outfit anywhere, from the malls of North America to the streets of Paris. However, you must wear leggings (or jeggings) that are heavy enough not to be confused with tights.

(Article continues.)

Keep reading about how to wear leggings if you're an older woman on page two.

[continue to page 2]

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Tina Boomerina (AKA Christina Gregoire) is a Baby Boomer born at the end of 1952. Her mission is to make the internet a kinder and gentler place for Baby Boomer women around the world. Tina's specialty is fashion for women over 50.

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95 Comments

  1. Chortle

    HILARIOUS article! This is a serious "I need a good pick-me-up" laugh. Keep up the fab writing. Or, better yet, be a comedienne.

    • Tina

      Chortle,

      I'm glad my dry sense of humor (as my hateful mother used to say, "What do you think... you're going to be a comedian?") has made your day. Come back often and cheer me up by letting me know that my mother was wrong and there is at least one person who thinks my snarky attitude has some merit.

      Cheers,
      Tina Boomerina

      • sharon green

        Tina, I know just how you feel. I had a mother that I thought really hated me and I felt the same way about her. I didn't want my mother to die with me not loving her at least a little so, I went to a good therapist. I told her why I was there and it took a few months to say the least....but I get along pretty well with my mother now and I do not hate her at all. I am so happy about that....and I know you didn't ask but this I will say. My mother treats me a lot better now that I "have changed". In return its not hard to treat her better. It has to start somewhere and why not with me? When I learned to think about where my mother "was coming from" when she spoke to me, it was easier to "let it go". The more I "let it go" the less that I had to let it go......get it??.....My therapist told me to find out about mom's childhood(without letting her know why)and just kinda find out about her life before she had me. I did and now when mom gets "snarkey"(not very often now)I know why and I just remember where she is coming from and I let it go .....and she loves me for it and shows it. Good luck and I hope I have been of some help and if not, just let it go......

  2. Alex and Jacomine

    I Jacomine wears always leggings as pants because the legging is a spandex pant!
    Most peopl are thinkin in boxes like the answers we see at the moment such as people who are 40 or 50 years must wearing it with a long vest or with skirt.

    But I asked these short seeing people, some woman looked like 30 years and are 50 and vice versa.
    Will you asked the woman first how old they are?

    Some people are so simple and do thinkin about it but, i have weared in the past skinny Levi jeans, then you also see my cameltoe and nobody make a problem about that.

    The Legging is not the real problem but the cheap manufacturing of it, the jeans is much expensiver and that is better...

    But I wearing with my 50 years old body and i looked like a 35 years old lady and i am doing what i want and whats fitting me good.

    Also here in Holland they think in boxes when you are have money you must buy a audi but i do not like this car i like an toyota iq, nobody say to me what i should to buy.

    Yes I am a individualist and these sort of people dies out, everyone is listen to others but that is not original.

    • Tina

      Jacomine,

      Yes, there are some women your age (our age) who look good in leggings worn as pants. Personally, I think those women are few and far between, but I DO know one woman who is my age and she looks great in anything.

      As long as your leggings are thick enough that they don't look like tights (dark hosiery), and as long as your "camel toe" hooha isn't extraordinarily, obviously, visible to the entire world, and as long as you look good, not slutty, you should wear whatever makes you look great.

      Most women over 50 look like idiots when they wear leggings without a longer (tunic-length) top. Really. You might be one of those few women who look good with a shorter top, but most of us look like we got dressed without the benefit of a full-length mirror when we wear leggings as pants.

      I am happy that you are an individualist. I am one too! I don't wear what everyone else wears. I don't buy a car because everyone else does. (I'm a former hippie and I do what I want!)

      On the other hand, most women want to be individuals, but they don't want to look like skanks. So, go ahead and do whatever you want. Wear whatever you want. But, Jacomine, if your leggings are so thin and so tight that I can tell what kind of piercings you have in your nether regions... I would tell you to change your clothes... unless (of course) you live in the red light district and you are looking for "a good time."

      Just be careful that you don't wear something skanky just because guys like it. Make sure that you're wearing clothing that honestly looks good on you. When in doubt, ask your daughter or your mother for her opinion.

      • Lilly

        Hi there!

        I have to say that I am 48 years old and can rock any outfit a 20 year old can, but that doesn't mean I do that. I agree that after a certain age elegance is more important. I do wear leggins (dark/pants) with sweaters that conform to my hourglass body when it's chilly. I look fantastic, I must say. My 37 year old husband does not look at any other woman.

        I do not wear leggins as pants because I do have the Latin curvy hourglass figure and I feel it makes me look slutty. I prefer to look chic, gorgeous and elegant!

        I think it's up to each and everyone of us to feel comfy in our clothes. I love your articles.

        Tootles!

        • Tina-Boomerina

          Lilly,

          You sound like you can rock anything - and I'm not limiting that to the fashion arena.

          As for leggings...

          No one over 40 (of any body type) looks good in leggings worn as pants. Actually, I should say that almost no one over 18 looks good in leggings worn as pants. (I have seen exceptions to this... but why take a chance? Who wants to come home and find a viral video of their own wallymart-style, legging-covered ass jiggling up and down the aisles on you-tube? These days, everyone has a hidden camera. Try to look halfway covered before going out in public.)

    • Michelle

      Right efffing on Dude!!!! You took the words right out of my mouth!!!! I am 56......look 36""""""5'6 long redish blonde hair...never dyed...no gray.....120 lbs... Big boobs...real......tiny waist....small hips...no kids........just sayin... Not flirtin....but i bartend....and my man's ex...told me i dress wrong........bull....i can pull it off........i set trends...not follow.....i been wearin black tights/ now leggings with jean shorts or skirts since 1972 at my first ROLLING STONES CONCERT in San Francisco, Ca......s....WTFEVERRRRRR........i will ALWAYS BE ME.....STAY TRUE.....EfffffU to all them HATERS!!!!!

      • Tina

        Michelle,

        More women should dress in whatever looks good on them. You sound like a San Francisco version of Betsey Johnson. Ms. Johnson still wears the same cool stuff and I think she looks great.

  3. Marjon

    The mother of my husbands said last week, some people in the media make the problem bigger than it is because it is a money problem and not a fashion problem, jeans manufacturers are selling not o good anymore....but tue good fitting and sitting Levi jeans is very thin jeans skinny or not you see if you good looking aleays the cameltoe, that was in 60,70,80 and 90's but nobody felt about it.

    Most woman do not like their big butt wear an old slip and your butt looked much bigger, the butt are to half ones , a pant, a jeans or legging can make the different to see the split...the eyes seeing a nice butt when you wearing a string, hipster thong.

    Do you know that we wearing underwear because the producers wanted it, it is not good to wear several clothes on each other a big slip and then a pant...from research from the 1950's japanese research, but the western people does no want in the publicity.

    I am a woman not a men!
    In some religie like muslim, you may not wearing pants and also not legging, because is it is pant.

    Legging is the same as a levi jeans with or without bags on it.

    A tight o panty is thinner and see through that is the different.

    Breast cancer who want to have it, wear a bh and there is big chance to get it.

    Greetings Marjon

    • Tina

      Marjon,

      Yes, I agree with most of that. Almost everything we wear is because some idiot somewhere wants us to buy it so they can make money. I don't wear jeans. I only wear skirts and leggings. But I wear tops that come down enough to cover my butt and my tummy when I wear leggings.

      If I were skinny or if I had a better body, I might wear leggings with a shorter top. I wear jeggings (which are like jeans but more like leggings) and they look a lot like skinny jeans. I like them with knee-high high-heel boots. It's a nice look.

      I'm not sure the translation is coming through. Are you saying that breast cancer is connected to wearing a bra? I will have to look into that. That may be true. I have heard that wearing panties can be a problem. But, I can't remember why.

  4. Benie

    I am 62 and have been wearing leggings since the early 80's and I refuse to stop wearing them. They are so much more comfortable then jeans and I can get 3 pairs for $10 at Ardene's on sale. Not a bad price for 3 pairs of pants. I wear only opaque tights underneath to avoid VPL and camel toe and that keeps me warm in our frigit winters.

    • Tina

      Benie,

      Now THAT'S a really good idea. Not only are you saving money, but you have found a way to make your leggings look more like pants! I wonder what other great tips you might have.

      Tina Boomerina

      • Benie

        Thanks Tina,

        Living in a town that must be the "wear leggings as pants" capital of the world it is easy for us people over 40 to wear leggings as pants. The big secret is if you feel good and if your confident in how you look wearing your leggings then go for it. I wore leggings casually back in the early 80's when you mostly seen them in the gym, so I believe I was part of the fad of wearing them as pants. I own at least 40 pairs of leggings and 1 pair of jeans so I hope to still be wearing them when I turn 70.

  5. theresa

    I really love leggins and my "yoga" wear. As for jeans sucking I find express jeans work well for me and they have all sorts of different styles and sizing options: tall, curvy, short etc ...

    • Tina

      Theresa,

      I will have to try them... maybe. I like jeggings because I like to breathe and most waistbands on jeans are too tight... IMO.

  6. Katherine

    I just purchased two pairs of fleece-lined leggings and was trying to figure out exactly how / what to wear them with. Googling how to wear leggings has made my night! These are some of the funniest posts I have read in a long time! Still not sure if I have anything in my closet I can make work, but I no what not to try!!! lol!

    • Tina

      Katherine,

      I hope it's not too late to answer your question.

      In general, I wear leggings with a long tunic-length top of any kind. It sounds like you are trying to stay warm, so a tunic-length cashmere sweater would be my top pick. Cashmere is warm even when it's lightweight. Of course, cashmere can be insanely expensive, so a lightweight wool or polyester tunic or cardigan would be my second choice.

      Personally, I love sweaters that can be worn like coats. For example, look at the awful photo my husband took of me in Prague - It's in this article:

      http://boomerinas.com/2012/11/what-to-wear-in-eastern-europe-in-fall-germany-austria-prague-budapest/

      See the pic of me wearing a blue sweater from Nordstroms which matches my blue hat.

      This sweater has one button and I wore it over a black tank top. (Really, the sweater and I look goofy in the photo, but my husband has camera dyslexia... the sweater looks like it doesn't come together, but there's a black box hanging around my neck... it real life the sweater is slimming and beautiful.) Any long sweater that wraps or ties (or can be left open) is my favorite thing to wear with leggings. Then, if I start to roast, I can take the sweater off and I've still got the long tee-shirt or tank top to wear. To me, the trick is to have all lightweight pieces. Look for "featherweight" tees. They don't add bulk.

  7. Arleta

    I love this article; it had great information and gave me a good chuckle! I recently bought my first pair of leggings since the mid-90s and hadn't decided if it was a good idea or not. I really like the idea of a tunic top or mid-thigh length dress and I'm going to go for it!

    I just discovered your website today, but I will be back!
    Arleta

    • Tina

      Arleta,

      Thanks for letting me know you like the site. I wear leggings all the time and all you have to know is that it's all about balance (and covering your tush).

      Cheers,
      Tina Boomerina

  8. Tina

    Hey Awkward Camel Toe,

    Very funny.

  9. Rita

    Good information for boomer women. I know from my blogs that boomer women are concerned about dressing appropriately for their age.

    Rita

    • Tina

      Rita,
      You are absolutely right. We do our best with what we can find - the stuff that fits us and fits our budgets. I wish I had learned to sew when my grandmother tried to teach me. I was too impatient!

  10. Annie B

    You shine lady !!!
    you made me laugh out loud, as well as being so informative,
    please keep writing,
    I'll definatly keep reading.
    Thank you and Kind Regards.
    Annie UK

  11. Linda

    Glad to find your site and info. The leggings subject drew me in as the subject has been up and alas not a apple shape, more like a pear. Mini skirts didn't do it back in the day - even though I tried - and my one pass at some jeggings recently sure didn't either. Would have to wear something to the knees - not.
    Ah well, thank goodness bootcut, straight leg and relaxed/flowy fit pants work!

    Do enjoy your writing style and the fact that you're in the Seattle area - Redmond and 62 here. Will continue to check out more of your info as it's timely.

    Thanks for the service you're providing! :-)

    • Tina

      Hi Linda,

      You're a neighbor. Happy to hear from you.

      Sorry you can't wear leggings, the right leggings are as comfy as PJs. But, I can't wear regular denim jeans because I can't breathe in them. Maybe if I had some bootcut jeans made for me...

      So, I'm getting feedback from a few pear-shaped women. If you want to email me (I'll send my address to you) that would be great because I can only rehash what I've read online .... boring.... or I can get info from you cutie pears.

      I can only GUESS what looks good on you pear shapes - from an artistic point of view.

      Cheers,

      Tina Boomerina

  12. lisa

    love your site

  13. Tina

    Irvingia,

    Wow, that's an interesting name. Is it Eastern European or a blend of your mom's and your dad's names or something like that?

    Anyway, I'm glad you like my article. It means a lot to me when people read my articles... and if they like them (or hate them) enough to leave a comment, I dance on the table. Well, not really... too freaking old for that, but I do a little jig.

    Cheers,

    Tina Boomerina

  14. Michelle

    Howdy

  15. Michelle

    ,,,,

  16. Lenora Young

    I read your "what to wear in Prague and Budapest" with great interest since I'm visiting those countries in mid-October. Great advice and I must say, you look extremely stylish despite your husband's "camera dyslexia."

    Thanks for publishing such a well-thought out website.

    Yet another female boomer...

  17. Bobbie Little

    Your article on leggings was very good! I'm 66 and find it hard to know how to dress. Don't want to look like a 20 something year-old, but also don't want to to look like 60-something either. Designers ignore older women. Boomers are plentiful and have money. Seems like they would cater to us!

    • Tina

      Bobbie,

      ALL of us over the age of 50 have a bit of a hard time knowing how to dress. We don't want to look like our grannies... ugh. We don't want to look like our 15-year-old children or grandchildren... silly.

      I do think that some designers are trying to give us better options, but even these designers often have no clue. The rest of them find it "beneath their dignity" to design for anyone other than flat-chested, fair-faced, long-legged beauties born in 2000.

      You WOULD think they would want to make money. I just don't get it. In aggregate, Boomer women (and older) have WAY more money to spend on fashion. We also NEED to buy better clothing because we're not teenagers anymore. Wouldn't it be possible for intelligent designers to make a name for themselves by creating cool catwalk "art" AND be able to create another line for women who want to buy flattering off-the-rack clothing. Some of them try, but most of them fail.

      I am not a fashion writer. I am not a fashion designer. I am an artist. Artists can paint abstract, expressionistic art to satisfy their souls, but a good artist can also paint generic landscapes with mountains and flowers to satisfy their bank accounts. I consider REAL fashion designers to be artists. It's the same.

      You fashion designers (and store buyers) - listen to Bobbie. She's spot on!

  18. Alison Burns

    Hi Tina,
    you are just up my street. At last a sensible, funny, practical guide to how to look decent at 60. I live a split life (in South Africa) of being a professional in the city and a farmer in a very hot place. Needless to say I do not have much time to shop and almost no money to spend. I love your stuff, will have to do some adapting for above conditions as well as being in the opposite season to you but with an array of beautiful daughters reminding me of my age, I am not quite ready to roll over and die to fashion.

  19. Lori

    Just discovered you!!!! Great day for me!!! loved the article...good info....keep it up (we need it!!)

  20. ~Julia/bleu

    Tina, ... I luv'd it! Wonderful writing! I too, am an artist, my fingers constantly 'itch' to be doing something! ~winks n' grinz~

    I learned to sew when I was 9 yrs old and as i got into my teens and 20's - never cared for "trendy" fashion. So i Sew! I scan the internet looking for fashion-forward 50+ styles and they be slim pickins! When i DO find something, becuz of the remote hamelt i live in, it is never available to me so i must look elsewhere. It is nothing for me to second-hand shop for the fabric's alone and remake them into something worthy. I have been blessed with slender legs, hips. thighs and derriere so keeping myself balanced requires less heavy on top and more down below. Have never been one to want to let alone 'do' the "hoo-ha" come and get it routine so personally i find your advice common sense! Perhaps there are those who needs a dish of this every now and then. (Btw - love your hair! especially when you have paired it with the vibrant colors of your hats!)

    This was a bright spark in my day and i 'pinned' it on my "growing older & wiser" board which will hopefully send some more traffic your way with your great advice and being a do'er of the eleventh commandment: "Thou SHALT HAVE a sense of Humour!"

  21. Shirley

    Hi Tina,

    I'm 53, 5'3" tall, size 4/6. Found a great looking pair of just below the knee, low heel boots. I'd like to wear them with jeans tucked in, but not sure it's appropriate for my age. What do think about older women wearing this style of boot?

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Shirley,

      I think it will look fabulous. I'm 61 (just turned 61 today) and I wear my jeans tucked in all the time. Everyone loves the look. Just do it. It's a fun look. You're about my height and a little thinner, so you'll look fab!

      Cheers,

      Tina Boomerina

  22. Cindog

    Tina Boomerinas, just found you today and so glad I did! Love, love, love this article. As a shorter gal over 50 who loves an on trend look, I've shied away from leggings. Seen to many other 40-50 somethings doing it all wrong (you know, like the Walmart pictures). I had a good idea of the rules you laid out but the fear of the dreaded "short middle aged lady trying to look young label" kept me from it. Thanks for the confidence!

    So funny too, actually caught my self giggling at work. :)

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Cindog,

      Thanks for the vote of confidence. Sometimes I wonder if people get my jokes or if my references are too obscure. I'm sure that non-boomers don't get any of what I say.
      Best,

      Tina

  23. T

    I've haven't seen the site yet to be able to comment; "Leave a Comment" popped up right after the site loaded.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      T,

      My webgirl was changing some things on the site. I hope you can see the article now. If you ever saw the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, you'll know that computer problems are always caused by HUMAN ERROR" lol

      Tina Boomerina

  24. Samantha

    What about us pears? Huge hips, big thighs and lower belly, small waist and boobs. I wear 3 sizes bigger in pants than I do in tops. What a drag to find suits (separates only) or skirts (A-line or full only) and then there's no jacket or sweater to match in both sizes I need. As a professor, I cannot wear denim - no "dress down " days on our campus for faculty ever. I can usually sneak into class wearing dark knit jeans from Cold Water Creek and a sweater/blazer and long blouse to cover the pockets and belt straps. Very hard to find slacks for pears. I notice you write for apples, but not pears. Don't forget your pear sisters, please.

  25. Pat

    One question! If this site is for women 50 and up how come most of the photos are young girls in their 20s?? I am looking for good looking clothes ideas for women my age (64) in pictures of women my own age. Could that be accomplished?? I love your advise and writings, but would seriously love to see photos of women my age.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Pat,

      I would love to post photos of women who are in their 50s or 60s... or even in their 30s. I'm 61, so I feel exactly the same way you do. And, every now and then I find good pics of "older" women wearing the clothing I want to write about... and, every now and then, I post pictures of myself. However, I mostly use free photos from a fashion PR website.

      My husband doesn't like to take more than a few pictures at a time and it takes about 10 photos to get ONE halfway decent one of myself. Also, I can't run out and buy new clothes everytime I write an article.

      In addition, I refuse to steal photos - to cut and paste - on my website without permission. It is a breech of copyright. (That's what most bloggers do.) I'm a former painter and I respect copyright laws. If you would like to read more about why I use younger models, I have a swimsuit article dedicated to just that subject: http://boomerinas.com/2013/10/21/why-use-young-swimsuit-models-for-baby-boomer-articles/

      best,
      Tina Boomerina

      • Pat

        Thanks for your response and I really understand. Pretty sad that the PR sites can't even produce stuff for the 50-70 range either. Maybe we should start a campaign. Seriously!! Would you believe they cancelled Kathy Bates' last show Harry's Law because most of her viewers were "old"? I nearly had a stroke on that one!! We are considered a burden and the young and beautiful would prefer we were gone. To bad they don't realize it will happen to them all to soon too. I probably sound a tad bitter. I don't mean to. I am just sad that we are the first generation descendents from the greatest generation and we are considered at best a burden. I think we need to start a NOTICE US SENIORS campaign!! hahahaa I think there are more of us than the young beauties. :)

        • Tina-Boomerina

          Pat,

          We are old beauties. Not only are those young chicks and dudes going to be old someday (if they are lucky), but I can't understand why television stations wouldn't want to cater to the generation that has all the money (collectively, boomers are the wealthiest generation). I'm with you on the Notice Us Seniors campaign. I'm going to email you about that.
          Tina Boomerina

          • Pat

            Yes, we are old beauties!! The young today don't think far enough ahead to realize they will be our age one day. They are living life now much as we did at their age. We had more respect for those older than us. The younger generation have no respect for themselves let alone the elders. TV stations are basically run by those younger ones who see us as a burden. It never dawns on them the money is with our generation. The dreaded 1% is in our generation for the most part. I do think we need to get our generation to open their eyes and remind them we are still vital and valuable.

  26. Tina-Boomerina

    Hi Pat,

    I'm sorry I didn't post this comment earlier. I had a family emergency and had to fly to California for a few weeks. I totally agree with you.

    Tina

  27. Pat

    Oh dear Tina. I hope things are ok now. We don't have long and we seriously need to get the seniors to realize they are in big trouble with this government we have and it has to be us to keep it from going downhill any further. Many think Obamacare is great for them. Once they get really sick they are going to find out that it wont be there for them.

  28. Kathy Gabbard

    Looking for fasjion for women over 50

  29. Birthe

    Love your article!
    Finally a serious (and still not too serious - I had a laugh or four;-) article for me (53), who hate when pants get too tight - and they eventually do ;-(, and still feel like me (read 25 years young chick) but realize when looking in the mirror that I'm quite mature and perhaps should find a more mature style? BUT i love leggings! Wore them in the 80s and so happy they're back! My belly likes it.
    Our generation can't look back - digging into our memories - at our moms and kind of get the picture of the right style for a woman in her 50s (don't know if someone ever could).
    So I'll definitely have a look at your other articles about the subject - and when I'm in doubt: ask my daughter - 20, beautiful - with incredible long legs.... ;-)

  30. Karen

    What kind (brand) of leggings do you like best???

    Thanks,
    K

  31. Judy

    Thank you for a wonderful article. It was informative and reassuring. Keep it coming.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Judy,

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I wear leggings all the time... so much that I need to find new ones. Anyone have any fave brands?

      Cheers,
      Tina Boomerina

  32. maria

    I always seem to feel like I'm missing something when I wear leggings.if I do wear them its like stockings under a skirt. I don't understand how some women wear them and you can see everything butt crack and all.lol its really not attractive on anyone.no matter what age or shape.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Maria,

      I agree. Even extremely young children often look silly when they wear pants as leggings. You can see their diapers.

      The same is true for extremely old ladies who wear diapers. lol

      Tina

  33. dolores

    Very simple to understand lots of information for short fat

    Older women we need to face facts not looking like a fool.

  34. nancy

    What do you say about leg warmers & boot socks? I'm size 2, over 50, in shape and am careful to keep a classy look; however, I'm also tired of being cold when a/c is running in restaurants while 40 degrees outside. I have done skinny jeans with boots and knit boot socks. In Texas, everyone wears all kinds of boots all year in many ways. I would like to know your opinion and would love to wear them with flats...but is that pushing it? :) thank you-

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Nancy,

      Leg warmers and boot socks are very hip right now, so you can wear them whenever you want.

      As for your specific case:

      A) You're a size 2. You can wear almost anything that doesn't involve showing your underwear.

      B) You're not very old. You say you're over 50, but you sound like a young fifty. You're not a teenager, but you're not an old biddy.

      C) You're in shape. A lot of women in their 30s can't say that. I certainly can't say that about myself.

      D) We don't want your tootsies to get cold when those silly people crank up their air conditioners.

      I don't live in Texas, but I wear boots year round (in Seattle). I like boots. They're fun and they're easy to walk in. You can certainly wear boot socks and leg warmers with any kind of boots. Personally, I love printed socks that peek out above knee boots or ankle boots.

      As for wearing socks with flats, I'm seeing a lot of fashion photos from London where the model is wearing brogues with ankle socks. They even show brogues and socks with dressy skirts and party dresses. I think it's a hipster look. Anyway, it's super trendy. You're ahead of your time. (Brogues are like menswear lace-up shoes.)

      I'm not very familiar with leg warmers, except for scenes in Flashdance, and I'm trying to picture them with flat shoes. I think you could wear leg warmers with ballet flats and tights if you're wearing a flared or long skirt, but I'm not sure how leg warmers would look over jeans if you're wearing flat shoes. All you can do is try different combinations and trust your own judgment.

      Experiment with different things. Try putting socks under leg warmers. Try pulling socks over leg warmers and scrunching the socks and/or the leg warmers down. Try leg warmers that blend with the jeans. Try leg warmers or boot socks that contrast with the jeans. Play with this and have a little fun.

      If you're talking about wearing leg warmers or socks with flat boots (ankle boots or knee boots or cowboy boots), that's a very chic look right now. Even if it wasn't trendy, I think you can tell what looks good on your own body. If you want to try wearing something new that no one else wears, you might end up starting a new street style.

      Just don't wear leg warmers with shorts. Actually, I go by French rules. Adults don't wear shorts unless they're at the beach or on the farm or playing tennis.

      Other than obvious things like that, it's your body, and you know what looks good on it. If one of your fashion experiments goes all wrong, you'll be able to tell you've gone too far when people start treating you a bit differently. But, even if that happens, all you have to do is take off your leg warmers. It's not like removing a tattoo.

      So, go ahead and experiment with fun ways to keep your legs warm and make a new fashion statement.

      Tina Boomerina

      • Ali Browning

        I love wearing leg warmers as they add bulk to my legs, I have very muscular calves but skinny ankles so when I wear skirts with tights or leggings my legs look funny, leg warmers hide the fact my calves are like those on paintings of Henry 8th but with thin ankles, either leg warmers or boots. Summer I live in lagen look

  35. tsarina

    No matter what.. If it's too teenager you will only look ridiculous. As an older woman you must make yourself look comfortable and effortlessly put together. It's called style and your style should be polished and classy,not clubby or trashy. To me nothing looks worse than seeing older women in their 50s and up ,trying to look 30. It only makes you look desperate.
    Leggings tucked in high heel boots looks cheap on an older woman. A better classy look is leggings with low heel boots.
    And when everyone from a tyke to an older woman is wearing it,it's time to ditch it. It no longer looks fresh and modern.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Tsarina,

      I'm sure you're right, but I really DO look better in heels. I have a square, stocky build... thanks to my peasant ancestors. I wear flat boots when I'm walking long distances or on vacay in Europe (most of the time).

      The high-heeled boots I wear are not stilettos or skinny heels. That would be trashy. I wear thick, block, chunky heels.

      I'm sure I'm not very good at aging gracefully, but I don't think I'm trying to look like a teenager. I'm trying to balance my body.

      Most women MIGHT look best in flat boots. I agree with that. However, there is a segment of the population (outliers) that need to alter the rules. I have both flat and high-heeled boots. I wear whatever looks best with the outfit.

      I'm sure if you saw me you'd be so busy looking at my hat du jour that you'd never even notice my boots.

      Tina

      • Tina-Boomerina

        T, I would much rather wear flats. They are more comfortable. However, I feel more confident in heels. It's because people treat me better when I'm taller. It's a visceral thing, but it's real... at least in my mind.

        I would never tell women not to wear boots with heels. It's a little different in Europe. Flats are expected there.

        T

  36. Linda Taylor

    Im 56 in shape and I still ware high heel, But I'm getting confused, like you said I don't want to look like a teen ager but I want to look great., so Im going to keep reading your site, I really agree with what you say. I don't like the flat boots or shoes ,,,love the hats. Best Regards Linda

  37. margie

    Hi there, i am a 70 year old grandma and like to dress moderately casual but not like i am trying to look like a teenage wanna be. Lol!! My daughter gave me ugg boots as a gift. I only see them worn with tights or jeans. I need ideas how to wear them at my age.

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Margie,

      Anyone can wear uggs with leggings. You just need to make sure you wear a top or jacket that's long enough to cover your tush... and a little longer than that. Just make sure the leggings are thick enough not to look like tights.

      It would look a little weird to wear uggs with tailored slacks... you don't wear jeans? I don't wear jeans (I'm 62 and I find them uncomfortable), but I wear jeggings... which are leggings made of stretch denim. They look like jeans.

      If you don't want to tuck leggings or jeggings into your boots, you might be able to roll up your pants to make them like crops. When done right, it's very trendy. I would not wear tailored slacks (like the kind with the crease) with uggs. You must use casual pants.

      Okay, you could try tailored pants but I think it would look weird.

      You can roll up any casual pants or jeans (they don't have to be skinny jeans) but you should roll the pants up above the boot tops so people know it's intentional. Wear printed socks under your pants. Or wear printed socks and scrunch your pants into the somewhat-scrunched socks to hold everything in place. It's supposed to look a little sloppy and that's the fashion look of the day. If you want everything all folded and neat and perfect looking, it won't work.

      Women wear uggs with short skirts but it's a little trickier and I wouldn't do it without tights.

      OH !!! I just realized you could wear your uggs with sweatpants. You can tuck your sweats into the boots or roll them up above your boots. That might be something you'd wear.

      Other than that, the only thing left is longer, maxi or midi skirts. it might work but it could be tricky. I think you can wear uggs with almost anything that's casual if you play with proportions. I've worn chunky snow boots with long, flowing, winter skirts. But, I'm artsy. If everything in your closet is tailored, it won't be as easy.... unless you go hipster.

      This is the easiest top to wear with leggings or jeggings and it might be your best bet other than sweats (which are very trendy too) http://www.boomerinas.com/2013/09/09/the-year-of-the-tunic-fashion-for-women-over-50/

      I'll find some photos and email them to you if you're on pinterest. 70 year olds can wear leggings if done right.

  38. Caz - circa 1963

    Hi Tina,

    I have just discovered your wonderful site after feeling so bad because I'm nearly 52 but I like to still look good and fashionable but felt that as a grandmother now that it wouldn't look appropriate for me to wear things like my usual back leggings etc which I love anymore and/or Long and short boots etc. ad infinitum.

    I am also an apple shape as well. My daughter's, and my friends and my husband say that I look great and when people meet me they think I'm only in my early 40s too. I used to think they just said that to be kind. LOL Maybe they really mean it as both my parents whom are in their late 70s now only look like their in their 60s. So I'm not trying to sound vain but I think it's my genetics. Sometimes I worry that I dress a bit too young at times but my 2 adult daughter's are always very honest and tell me so when I have occasionally done so and I do take their advice and never wear whatever it is again. LOL

    One could say that my style is quite eclectic as its a mixture of boho/hipster/goth and occasionally a bit of a "rock chick" look, or should I say "chicken look", LOL, at my age because I love my collection of leather jackets and old concert shirts and very eclectic jewellery and accessories. I also have recently died my hair too to nearly black with underlying deep purple highlights (as its gone an awful mousy brown with greys) and my hair can grow longer now than it ever could when I was young and a natural blonde back then. Strange but true!

    I also got my first two and only two small tattoos on my ankles back in 2011 when we were in Thailand. Some might say that I'm having a "midlife crisis"? LOL But I feel at my age that I should be able to express myself without worrying about the Fashion Police 24/7. LOL

    Thanks to reading quite a few of your posts today I am no longer feeling depressed about being my age, menopausal and growing older etc. As like many women our age Ive always had a fear of either ending up dressing like a frump because thats what society expects of women that are older or that maybe I could end up looking like "mutton dressed as lamb"? LOL However now I feel ok about getting older and that I can still have my own unique style and that I can still have fun with fashion as Ive done all my life. I agree with all your comments about leggings too as what you've written about them is exactly how I wear them too.

    Thank you so much Tina-Boomarina for creating such a wonderful site about fashion for all of us baby boomers whom like to grow old with style. Finding your site has stopped me feeling so down and so depressed about myself, menopause and other Major health issues that I am facing atm. I can't thank you enough and I'm looking forward to reading so much more of your writing on here where you give great practical advice with a wonderful warm sense of humour as well :)

    I love fashion and would rather age "disgracefully rather than boringly conservative and gracefully". LOL
    You've probably guessed by now that I love writing too. LOL

    Keep up your great fashion tips. I love your blog <3

    Take care,

    Caz - circa 1963 from AUSTRALIA

    • Tina-Boomerina

      Caz,

      Well done. You sound like you're doing it exactly right.

      No woman wants to look like a GrannyFrump. And, no woman wants to look like she's lost her mind and reverted to her childhood/teenagehood. Boy oh boy, do I understand that. It's a balancing act, for sure.

      Fortunately, you have your daughters to tell you if you go too far. Until then, feel free to push the limits, while using your own good taste.

      And, your hair sounds amazing. If my husband weren't around to freak out, I would make my hair bright pink. (It's my best color with clothing... so it might be good for hair.) I'm afraid of tattoos, but the idea keeps popping back into my dreams, so who knows.

      Hey, why age gracefully when you can age disgracefully? That should be our motto! I'm sure you look fabulous and, I hate to break it to you, but the fashion police are all so old they have cataracts and can no longer drive around to hand out citations.

      You know you look good. I want you to rock it as long as you can!

      hugs and send me a photo if you feel like it,
      Tina

  39. Sylvana Meli

    Do not promote leggings they are vulgar and disgusting.

  40. Helga Schneider

    Tina, your humour always gets me. I really enjoy your sartorial contribution to making our world a comfortable place to live. Here in South Africa, women (often very large) are totally comfortable with their bodies, and leggings abound. Africans do not understand our insecurity about our bodies, and confidently wear all fashions, whether they "suit' their body shape or size or not. It is quite freeing living in such a society.

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  43. Ali Browning

    I hate my skinny legs I just can't get that leggings and jeggings look as they make me look like a wine glass or Gru or Henry the 8th, I have old man legs! I have leggings to wear under dresses that fall below the calf, I have skinny legs with muscular calves hence the Henry 8th resemblance when I wear them as I have very wide shoulders and by wide I mean wide. I discovered the delights of lagen look tulip skirts and very full pants giving more balance to my lower half and giving me the look as if I might have some curve to the legs when in fact i havn't. I think my shape bothers me so much as I love symetry and I am like a big person glued to some skinny legs.

  44. Tina-Boomerina

    Jacque, as far as I'm concerned, leggings are in this winter. As long as you wear a longer top that covers your butt, you'll look fine.
    T
    ps I don't care what's "in". If something looks good on me (or you or anyone), it's "in".

    • Tina-Boomerina

      pps If something is not "in" and it looks good, make it "in". It's called "street style" and no woman of any age has to follow fashion trends unless she finds them comfortable and flattering.