Dress And Skirt Styles To Avoid If You Have Older Legs

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In an ideal world, we'd become more confident as we get older and wiser. That said, while self-love can certainly take many years to cultivate, it's true that we can also develop new insecurities as we age. Accepting our perceived flaws and letting the world know we don't care what it thinks is always a good solution, but sometimes, it takes less mental energy to simply conceal what we're concerned about. For many older women, legs can be a difficult area to embrace and show off. If you're worried about your legs looking a little older, there are a few strategic wardrobe swaps you can make to help you dress with confidence. 

"If you're not comfortable showing your legs, the skirts and dresses to avoid are ones that fall at or above the knee, as the shorter length reveals majority of the leg," personal stylist Jordan explains in an exclusive chat with Glam. Jordan notes that you'll also want to steer clear of longer dresses where your legs are still exposed through a slit or cutouts. "If your thigh and upper leg is the cause of concern, avoid fitted styles like pencil skirts and sheath dresses, which skim to the body and highlight the natural curvature," she adds. 

If it seems like the world just got a lot smaller, the good news is that there are plenty of dress and skirt styles you can still rock while keeping your legs covered. And if you can't say goodbye to your minis, there are a few tricks that will allow you to wear them with confidence.

Okay, so minidresses, skirts with splits, and body-hugging styles may be off the cards if your goal is to hide your legs, but there are plenty of other dress and skirt silhouettes to choose from. Speaking exclusively to Glam, Jordan recommends longer midi and maxi hemlines (and thankfully, there are endless refreshing ways to pull off a spring maxi skirt). If you lean toward a more feminine style, these pieces will help you to curate a wardrobe rotation that is especially refined and delicate. "Flowy A-line or wrap skirts/dresses, that fall away from the body, are a great option when you aren't as comfortable showing your lower half," Jordan adds. "They provide more forgiveness than their body-hugging counterparts, and look amazing on all shapes and sizes."

You're in luck if you're ready to embrace flowy maxis — they're a classic style trend that's staging a comeback in 2025. A key part of the revamped boho aesthetic, long dresses and skirts with excess material are now being worn with balancing pieces, including blazers and crop tops, to combine vintage and modern feels. Pleated skirts are also on the rise in 2025 if you're looking to spruce up your midi and maxi options, while the incoming double-layering trend also bodes well for those who want to avoid skin-tight silhouettes. 

Avoiding miniskirts and high slits in your dresses is common sense if you're not feeling great about showing off your legs, but it's not imperative. With a little creativity, you can wear these more revealing pieces just as you always have, only with a few adjustments. Personal stylist Jordan vouches for the classic sheer black tights. "They provide more coverage and look inherently chic," she shares exclusively with Glam. "Pair them with black shoes or booties to elongate the leg line." 

Of course, you can always stylishly pair your tights with open-toe shoes, but sticking with a similar color regardless of the shoe style will be the most flattering. Black is the classic choice when it comes to tights, but don't limit yourself; colorful tights came back in style in fall 2023, and we just might see another resurgence in the future. The EVERSWE Women's 80 Den Soft Opaque Tights come in 23 shades to give you some variety. For a sheerer option, try the DUCMODA Unbelievable Durability Sheer Tights.

The final tip that Jordan suggests for providing extra coverage to your legs? Knee-high boots. Contrary to what you might have heard, these aren't just a winter staple. Higher boots can be a surprising complement to shorts and minidresses in the summer, and they're also great for spring when worn with warmer go-to pieces like denim jackets and florals. If you really want to cover your legs, you could wear knee-high boots over your black tights, but one or the other will be more than enough to help you love the outfit you're in.