The fashion police haven’t arrested me so far...
By author and broadcaster Rowan Pelling, 53
WHEn I was 13, my mother told me I had ‘funny knees’ like her and probably shouldn’t wear short skirts. Her words haunted me until my early 20s, when along came Kate Moss with her bandy legs and slight knock-knees.
I looked at my own pins anew and saw them as assets, suddenly my wonky Pelling knees were borderline fashionable.
From 1991, when I started my first job in London, I wore mini skirts with near-religious zeal — and have done ever since.
My husband, whom I met while working on GQ magazine, says my legs were the first thing he noticed about me.
I still wear a lime green silk mini from Whistles that he bought me after seeing it in Vogue circa 1993. Little did he know that an annual ritual of our 26-year marriage would be the moment I’d appear, round about October, in a mini kilt, or gold gym skirt, and ask him, ‘Can I still get away with this?’
Only one answer is accepted: an enthusiastic yes. The fashion police have not arrested me yet. This week, when I wore my shortest skirt, I was secretly thrilled to hear a discerning gay male friend say: ‘I like that outfit.’ If Sharon Stone and Madonna can look great in minis into their 60s it’s a green light for the rest of us.
And just look at Dame Vivienne Westwood, designer of all my favourite mini skirts, who wears whatever she darn well pleases — long, short, corseted, kilted or nothing at all — even though she turned 80 this year.
Where I would advise some caution is in styling. We 50something mere mortals can’t style them in the way Hollywood goddesses, punk designers and young women can.
Bare legs are usually unwise. Ditto any form of high-heeled pump, stiletto or strappy sandal. You might get away (and I like to think I do) with a boot with Cuban heels for party purposes. But generally it’s best to go for trainers or flattish boots. Biker, army, cowboy or riding boots are all chic options and practical, too.
The key thing all mini wearers know is that a good pair of legs won’t let you down.
Breasts and bottoms droop, stomachs recline into soft folds, arms get bingo wings, but pins keep their shape (true for men, too: just think of Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage). My grandmother was wearing fishnets when she was 80.
Having gone through massive body insecurities when young, nothing’s going to stand between me and a little late-life flaunting of the parts I do like.
Self-approval is hard-earned for most women and you should ruddy well get to enjoy it until you totter into your bath chair. More than that, mini skirts are practical. I had to sprint for my train this week. You can’t do that in a maxi.