My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

For beauty and fashion style advice, join in our Style forum chat.

Style & Beauty

How do people wear dresses?

35 replies

Hismumhermum · 21/05/2015 18:33

How? I have just tried on the few I have (never wear them) for potential use on holiday. I feel so exposed, my legs are a funny shape and they are white as the driven snow. My top half is alright (covered) but I don't think I will ever come to terms with my legs!

OP posts:
Report
senrensareta · 21/05/2015 18:39

I can't help you as I'm buggered if I know. Just thought I'd let you know you are not alone.

I am large but presentable in lots of clothes but dresses? I look like a barrel on legs

Report
iwantgin · 21/05/2015 18:39

Depends on the length of the dress ?

I suppose for summer dresses your legs will get a little bit tanned - so won't look so pasty white? Use some fake tan?

But some people just aren't 'dress' people - so if you don't like them, you don't have to wear them.

Report
Bombinate · 21/05/2015 18:41

Knowing that I'm not going to see anyone I know and wanting to be cool. Same as with my bikini.

Report
RaisingSteam · 21/05/2015 18:45

Leggings. It has to be scorching for me to expose legs.

Report
Oly4 · 21/05/2015 18:47

I'm lucky that my legs are reasonably toned below knee. I wear loads of dresses in summer, mostly jersey. Have you tried all styles and fabrics,

Report
dexter73 · 21/05/2015 18:47

I think you have to remember that no-one else will be paying your legs any attention!

Report
UmiSays · 21/05/2015 18:48

I wear proper knee-length or midi-length dresses in the summer, with a bit of fake tan on my legs. After a while of wearing them, with sandals, you get over the 'OMG my legs and feet are exposed' horror, I find Grin.

I can't do short dresses or skirts, though. I have decent legs, but I stopped having the bottle to expose my thighs at about 25 yrs old. I just feel naked.

Report
YesThisIsMe · 21/05/2015 18:49

100 denier opaques.

Report
Hismumhermum · 21/05/2015 18:50

Thanks for replies! I don't get to the shops much so could maybe do with trying more on. I think you are right dexter-but it is the glowing whiteness I fear draws attention the most-time to try fake tan?

OP posts:
Report
Hismumhermum · 21/05/2015 18:52

Ps I am not ever revealing my thighs!!

OP posts:
Report
Stillwishihadabs · 21/05/2015 18:53

I wear flesh coloured tights, but that's probably a crime against style on here.

Report
Hismumhermum · 21/05/2015 18:56

Tights or tan then. I wish it was okay to glow!

OP posts:
Report
Runningupthathill82 · 21/05/2015 19:03

Just with bare legs - no fake tan here. And usually flats, if I'm working.
Am living in knee-length skirts and dresses at the mo, or else 7/8 trousers. Definitely not leggings, and it's the wrong season for thick black tights.

Report
Iforgottotellyou · 21/05/2015 19:08

I love dresses as I am not very good at co - ordinating tops and bottoms Grin
But my legs are as white as snow, so at the moment they are shrouded in black leggings, which luckily seems to be the thing round here but a major fashion faux pas on mumsnet
When I do finally get my legs out I will have been building up a fake tan with Dove summer glow which builds up a gradual tan.

Report
mewkins · 21/05/2015 20:01

Start off with decent natural tan tights. Then fake tan as it gets warmer and wear sandals. Tan coloured sandals are a flattering colour and go with most things. I wear knee length dresses in the summer.

Report
toffeeboffin · 21/05/2015 20:05

I think if you find the right length and cut they can be very flattering.

For me this means knee-length, or just below, short/elbow length sleeves and either wrap or nipped in at the waist. Make sure the fabric is flattering too, not too tight in my case!

Report
cromwell44 · 21/05/2015 23:29

Toffee boffin, you describe the perfect type of dress. Where do you buy such sensible length, sleeved, shapely styled dresses?

Report
toffeeboffin · 22/05/2015 02:43

Ha, with great difficulty! I find it's a good idea to look in shops you might not necessarily think of, even if a shop seems dowdy there can be some great finds. And remember stuff looks different once on, and maybe cinched in with a belt.

I know someone mentioned on the M&S thread that's what they wanted too - short sleeved cotton dresses. Sleeves are always too short, batwings are so unflattering!
My ideal dress would be like something out of the Darling Buds Of May!

Report
toffeeboffin · 22/05/2015 02:48

Sorry, Cromwell, I've bought some great dresses at M &Co, Primark ( you have to hunt though) and Matalan. M&S used to have some good stuff but I do feel they have lost the plot a bit.

Report
TheHappinessTrap · 22/05/2015 07:24

I could never wear a swimming costume. I was ok up until about 27. Then I just didn't for several years and now it feels out of the question, too exposing. I'm biggish, a 14, but have an ok body shape. Last month I bought some shorts and they feel so tiny I will probably never wear them out of the house. I say all this to say I understand your struggle op! However i can wear a dress. Look at different lengths and shapes, think about leggings and tights. They are v comfortable things to wear!

Report
perfectlybroken · 22/05/2015 07:26

Wear with leggings or linen trousers depending on style of dress.

Report
lavenderhoney · 22/05/2015 07:32

Make sure your legs are waxed, well moisturised, feet lovely and toes painted:) bit of fake tan or a spray and you're good to go.

I wear dresses all the time with ballet flats, little high boots, heels, and dresses - places to buy are hof, debenhams, JL, sea salt, hush, look at the sale stuff, any boutique shop in the sale.. Plenty of knee length, cap sleeve dresses - buy the best quality you can, they last forever:)

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

BabyGanoush · 22/05/2015 07:36

the key is really to wear them often.

I find mine are tanned now, as I have my legs out a lot. A bit of a tan hides a multitude of sins.

I put self tan on legs in April/May, easy-peasy, any old brand will do (though Lancome Flashbronzer gives the most amazing effect, IMO).

I also don't feel self-conscious if I avoid mirrors Grin

And then after a while you think nothing of it.

Report
wigglylines · 22/05/2015 07:43

I wear short dresses with leggings. There was a long thread on dresses with leggings the other week. Some posters were dismayed that people would commit this apparent fashion crime and tried to save us dresses and leggings people from ourselves!

It was an educational thread. I learnt that those people who are against dresses with leggings are aiming for a level of sophistication in their daily wear that I am simply not interested in aiming for. My mates would think i'd had a personality change for a start. And all that faffing making sure your legs (and bikini line) are shaved, tanned etc every day? What a waste of time and brain space IMO! And a pain also IMO to always have to watch out for wind blowing yous skirt up / not being able to freely run / sit as you like so people can't see your underwear!

So back to your question, if you mean short dresses, the answer depends on whether you are aiming for sophistication or comfort? A mainstream idea of what feminine means, or the freedom to move freely? A hassle-free morning or a regular beauty regime?

If you'd rather go for an easy life, go short dresses and leggings!

Report
Hismumhermum · 22/05/2015 08:32

Wiggly, I like what you describe but this is for a holiday where (hopefully) it will be warmish.
I don't suppose you could link to an image with the dress/legging combination? I did buy some leggings once but I think they are too long as I still looked wrong!
I am meantime going to look up the tanning stuff mentioned.

OP posts:
Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.