While you may greet the arrival of summer with outstretched arms and happy smiles, some of us enter a stage of somber reflection as we try to figure out what we can and should wear: Should those outstretched upper arms always be covered? Is it okay to let those knee caps (or more) see the light of day? And don’t even get us started on bathing suits…

Of course, the reigning mantra is that there are no more fashion rules for older women. As fashion blogger Alyson Walsh says, “Wear what you like rather than following prescriptive rules.” And while that sounds like sensible advice, many of us (including Walsh herself) still seem to find comfort in some strategic summer advice- such as dresses with sleeves rather than going sleeveless. And for some, there is the summer quandary of what to do about shorts: For comfort and coolness, there’s no doubt that shorts are a good choice, though for many women of a certain age, wearing shorts seems preposterous. Yet take a look at this recent post in Man Repeller that suggests freedom from fashion tyranny includes shorts no matter your age! And for an accessory to your summer outfit, the website Style At A Certain Age suggests a short kimono over your outfit as a cool coverup in case you’re self-conscious about those arms (and they also have a post on wearing linen shorts).

If these seem like silly concerns given the state of the world, you’re right- and the only way to respond is with a sense of humor about yourself and what you should wear. So for a few chuckles, read the recent Lustre piece by writer Alice Henry Whitmore who humorously relays her thought process as an older woman switching between her winter and summer wardrobes.