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By

Lois Joy Johnson, AARP

So you haven't worn shorts since 1992? Me neither, though our reasons may differ. Some women age 50+ blame flabby, dimpled thighs, weight gain, leg veins and brown spots. Others secretly

love shorts but reject them as age inappropriate. Lately I've been challenging myself to get over it or find a feel-good solution for those everyone-else-is-in-shorts situations. Here are

five ways to shake a leg.

1. Give Bermudas another chance

Listen, if you bare-leg it all summer in dresses, clearly your lower legs are still in show-off shape. Tapered Bermudas — that lean in toward the hem like a good pencil skirt, are one or two

inches above the knees (a 9- to 11-inch inseam, depending your leg length) with a mid- or high-rise waist, flat front (no pleats) in a woven fabric with 2 percent spandex — may help change

your mind. Sleekly tailored versions at Lands' End, Talbots and the So Slimming Brigitte Collection at Chico's dress up fast with ballet flats or loafers, and dress down with sandals or

slip-on sneakers.

2. Skorts make multitasking sense

These style hybrids — an outer A-line-ish skirt with attached shorts hidden beneath — are not so different from wearing Spanx biker shorts under a skirt, except if they show ... it's OK.

Feel free to squat, bend over and hike with that extra coverage topcoat. Length varies, but midthigh to a couple of inches above the knees is flattering. (Skip the mini-length.) Light

performance stretch fabrics in nylon or rayon spandex blends make those by Eddie Bauer, Charter Club at Macy's and Croft & Barrow at Kohl's durable and washable.

3. White cropped wide-leg pants feel shorts-y

Choose a loose cut in a breathable lightweight woven fabric such as linen, rayon or cotton poplin so perspiration can evaporate quickly. Then pair your airy crops — like those from Eileen

Fisher, Banana Republic and J. Jill — with equally breezy white tunics or popover tops. The combo of breezy full proportions and head-to-toe white makes city, suburban or urban days feel

like a resort vacation ... with no more leg showing than slim ankles.