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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should i shave my legs to be Mum of the Bride?

97 replies

Boardiegirl · 04/01/2013 14:26

I have never shaved any part of my body except my bikini line but my dd id getting married in 71 days and my legs will be out! This is rare as i do not own a dress or skirt.
I know ladies legs are expected to be smooth and hairless. Will the hair grow back thicker? Can i get away with bleaching and how easy/ safe is it?
Or should i just leave it and hope all eyes will be solely on the Happy Couple??

OP posts:

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 04/01/2013 14:27

Leave them as they are or will you feel uncomfortable and judged?

BigGiantCowWithAKnockKnockTail · 04/01/2013 14:29

I'm aware that this is a really unhelpful question, but why do you do your bikini line but never your legs?

I would say to go with what you're comfortable with.

PartyFops · 04/01/2013 14:29

Just wear well coloured flesh coloured rights

MaxPepsi · 04/01/2013 14:30

All depends on how comfortable you will be?

I have blonde hair. The hairs on my legs are sometimes so light they are hardly noticeable so I have been known to not bother shaving my legs in the summerbecasue i can't be arsed. However, for me a wedding is an excuse to pamper myself and make an effort for me.

I would always shave my legs for a wedding even if I was wearing tights.

IDrankAllTheGravy · 04/01/2013 14:30

Depends how hairy they are. If its just a soft fuzz I'd be inclined to leave them. Some people might notice and judge but that'd be their problem, not yours.

BluelightsAndSirens · 04/01/2013 14:30

How hairy are they? Do you think you will embarrass your DD if people notice your hairy legs?

HeathRobinson · 04/01/2013 14:31

Go with trousers or a long skirt instead?

CloudsAndTrees · 04/01/2013 14:32

If your kegs are going to be out, I'd say you should shave them.

I know it's not a popular opinion on MN, and whether my opinion is as it is because of social conditioning or now, I don't care. Hairy legs on women look horrible.

Eyes will be on the bride, obviously, but people can look at more than one person in a day, and as mother of the bride, people will like to see how you have dressed for such a special occasion in your life.

The hair won't grow back thicker, but it may look like it. Hairs naturally have a tapered end, and if you shave you are basically cutting off the tapered end to leave the thicker part of the hair as the end. Waxing will avoid that if you don't plan on being hairless after the wedding, but if you already don't mind having hairy legs, one shave really won't make much difference. The shaved hairs will grow out eventually and new ones, with tapered ends, will regrow.

Thisisaeuphemism · 04/01/2013 14:32

How could one person be embarrassed by another person's legs?

JustAHolyFool · 04/01/2013 14:33

Will you feel uncomfortable? If you wouldn't, please just go for it. If anyone doesn't like it, that's their problem.

MaxPepsi · 04/01/2013 14:33

Oh and no, hair does not grow back thicker, it just looks like it does because it's a blunt end.

If you are happy to bleach, you must also feel that you might be uncomfortable?

Does your daughter expect you to shave your legs??

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 04/01/2013 14:33

why are you wearing a skirt/dress when you wouldn't normally? Am sure you can get some lovely dress trousers and then you can enjoy the day, comfortably , without worrying about your shaved/unshaved legs AND wearing an item of clothing that you wouldn't normally.

You should enjoy the day, being uncomfortable may spoil some of it for you.

JustAHolyFool · 04/01/2013 14:34

And OP, prepare for this to turn into a huge bunfight.

marquesas · 04/01/2013 14:38

71 days is in March isn't it? Where are you that having bare legs in March is likely, won't you be wearing tights or stockings?

Anyway, you are way overthinking things - shave them or don't, it's hardly a major concern.

BreconBeBuggered · 04/01/2013 14:40

My leg hairs are very fair and I rarely shave them - don't even own a razor, and only do it if I feel there might be negative comments I can't be arsed dealing with. This might be one of those occasions for you, OP. They'll still be visible from close up even if you bleach them, but not noticeable from across the room or anything. Less hassle to just shave them off for the day, I'd have thought.

FundusCrispyPancake · 04/01/2013 14:41

If you don't normally wear short skirts, why do so for the wedding? Trousers or a long skirt are fine.

If you really want to wear a short skirt but have never shaved or bleached your legs before, don't do it just before the big day, if your skin reacts badly it will look far worse than a bit of hair.

LulaPalooza · 04/01/2013 14:41

I can honestly say that I have never, ever gone to a wedding and noticed the MotB or MotG's legs. Ever.

Don't do something to conform or because you think it is expected of you. Do what you feel comfortable with. I also agree with BrianCox - why wear a skirt or dress if you never normally would? A smart trouser suit could look far more elegant and stylish than a skirt or dress on you because you may look as uncomfortable as you feel if you are wearing something unfamiliar.

I hope you wear what you feel gorgeous in and that you have a wonderful day at your DD's wedding.

Original poster

Boardiegirl · 04/01/2013 14:42

Thanks fir all your helpful posts. I already have my outfit n its a dress. I have become aware that ppl expect hairless legs n i dnt wna look lazy, old fashioned or old on my dd s big day. I havent asked her yet wot she thinks, thought id het a concensus of mn opinion first tbh!
My hairs are palish brown but quite long.
In answer to why i shave my bikini line its wen i go abroad n wear a bikini, i just feel cleaner! German women also on hol hav hairy legs so i dnt feel noticeable about them.
Still deciding wot to do.....

OP posts:

YouOldSlag · 04/01/2013 14:44

I must say I don't like the idea of hairs poking through tights (boak). However, if you're a non shaver, just wear a beautifully cut trouser suit and still be yourself. If you want to wear a skirt, then shave, wax or Nair them.

I only shave my legs if I am going to wear tights, most of the time I wear trousers so don't bother.

ThunderInMyHeart · 04/01/2013 14:44

No brainer.

SHAVE

If only because the virgin silky smooth will have you rubbing your legs together all day. It's kind of like fresh white cotton sheets on a bed...

LuluMai · 04/01/2013 14:49

The thing about shaved hairs growing back thicker is nonsense. I'm 32 and I've been shaving my dark haired legs since I was 11. If they always grew back thicker, I'd look like a gorilla by now!

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 04/01/2013 14:49

If you already have your outfit and are concerned about hairy legs, then I personally would shave them.

I shave my legs so it is a no-brainer to me.

I agree though with whoever said it upthread - don't do it the day before, you may get a shaving rash/cut yourself etc.

Why don't you have a go this weekend, see if you feel comfortable. If not, then you could look at another option - I had no idea you could bleach leg hair, but if you can then give that a go in a couple of weeks. Get some tights, try them with the outfit and your normal hair growth.

Basically, have a go at everything and see what you feel comfortable with.

I doubt anybody would care if you had shaved or not, if they are that shallow to care they really aren't worthy of your time

GilmoursPillow · 04/01/2013 14:49

I am wondering if both of OP's posts have been typed by the same person.

LulaPalooza · 04/01/2013 14:52

Agreed, Gilmours

ChaoticintheNewYear · 04/01/2013 14:53

OP I highly doubt that my mum has ever shaved her legs in her life. If I was getting married it wouldn't even occur to me to think about whether she had or not for my wedding. All that would matter to me was that she was there on the day.

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