New minis that don’t reveal too much
...and SANDRA HOWARD, who hated baring her legs in the 60s, is a convert
For better or worse, the mini skirt is in my style DNA — when I was modelling in the Sixties, it was simply the only look anyone cared about.
Everyone under 30 had one; Mary Quant became an international star overnight, and I was photographed in minis on fashion shoots almost daily.
If you hadn’t turned up your skirt by at least 6 in, you risked looking an oldfashioned frump.
I went along with it but, to be honest, I was never very happy about showing such an expanse of leg. It was fine for all the girls with legs to die for, but I never considered myself one of them.
I fretted constantly about my chunky knees and what would have been kindly called ‘a slight thickness of the thigh’ that I was embarrassed about showing.
Looking back, of course I wasn’t as ungainly as I feared, but I was always horribly self-conscious.
And skirts kept getting shorter and shorter all through the Sixties. It was a relief when hot-pants came in alongside the fashion for full-length cardigans, which conveniently hid the rear view and could be used to disguise other unsightly areas. Bottoms back then were nowhere near as trim and well-exercised as those of today’s stars.
Luckily, today we have so much more fashion freedom — and stylish labels really think about how older women can wear trends well, which is a huge change for the better.
For example, I’m delighted with the new trend this autumn for ‘modest minis’. They are right up my fashion street, combining a mini skirt with a transparent overlay panel — in a soft, flattering gauzy fabric — that gives you just a little extra coverage. The idea is to reveal a hint of your shape, yet conceal any details you would rather hide.
They have the sex appeal of a short shift, but the lace, gauze, chiffon — or whatever the fine fabric of the top panel — acts like a soft-focus lens.
The form of the leg is there, but any veins, lumps, bumps and brown spots are concealed from view. It is a lovely look for
parties, dinners and events that run from day into evening and, thinking ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing plenty of modest minis out and about this Christmas.
There is a good range of skirt-lengths available and, knowing my leg limitations, I’m careful about going too short.
Stylish Brigitte Macron, wife of the French president, might still be able to get away with a true mini-skirt in her 60s — and good for her — but for most of us of a certain age, especially those with chunky legs like mine, I think there are prettier sights than thickening knees and cellulite thighs.
I’m all for a discreet, clever slit, an elegant wrap-over skirt that allows a flash of leg to peep through, or a veil of chiffon for a flattering silhouette. These have an element of surprise and subtlety, and that little bit of tease that has never lost its appeal.