AIBU to have hairy legs this summer?

[Franklyfrost]

I’m busy and don’t want to shave or wax my legs this summer but I do want to wear floaty dresses, short shorts and sparkly sandals.

My legs aren’t very hairy, just long thin patchy mangey hair from below knee an ankle. It would look better if I had a luscious thick black pelt.

Should I sod it and keep the hair or would it turn your stomach? I don’t want to scare small children or have people think I’m unkempt or dirty. But also I don’t want to act as if I’m ashamed of my leg hair (even if I am).

I don't personally like the look of hairy legs on women. But why should you give a fuck for my opinion? They're your legs so do what you want with them!

@ SchrodingersImmigrant

*I agree with many.

Your choice. If you are comfortable with it, go for it. It's your legs and you can choose.

But I also agree that "I am too busy" is just very eye rolling excuse.*

I am too busy. It takes me exactly 5 minutes to go from fully dressed to fully washed and redressed. If I added in shaving every other day, even if it did take two minutes (which it doesn’t) that’s nearly ten precious minutes a week. I could find those ten minutes but only by cutting out something more important to me than shaving my legs iyswim. Is that eye rolly? Maybe it is, I’ll tell no one in real life :)

My mum would notice and gossip. She still talks about the two German girls on holiday with hairy legs. She was also saying hairy underarms were unhygienic, I asked if she thought men’s underarms were more unhygienic than women’s in that case. My mum doesn’t really get it though as she only ever shaves her underarms, her legs have very fine blond hairs and she is really hairless in general...I got my dads genes and am yeti like!

And yeah.... people do comment.

Which is why it's good that others who might not want to shave should be able to feel reassured that they are not alone.

Why do some people care so much about what others look like/do with their bodies?? I don't get it.

Yes people will judge you if they notice so if you do care then shave them or find a way to make yourself not care.

YABU to refer to leg hair having the ability to scare small children.

It’s hair. On your body. You can do what you like with it. It’s genuinely upsetting that you’d even need to ask others whether it’s okay to not shave a part of your body.

But why do people judge??

Sounds like they're not very hairy?

I do my own waxing at home. It's quick and easy. You can prob do it once a
Month

@InMySpareTime

Do what you like, they're your legs. I occasionally shave my legs, but only because the breeze rippling through my wispy leg hair gets tickly.

I waxed mine yesterday for the first time since Xmas as I didn't like the tickliness whilst swimming on Sunday

I can't be arsed. I have lost a lot through the perimenopause and now it hardly seems bothering with. A few weeks in the sun and they go blond. I only bother with armpits when it gets too hot.

My year 6 class and I had a good chat about bodyhair during our puberty lessons last week. Universally the girls were adamant they wouldn't bother. Lots of "My mum spends ages on bleaching/waxing" and "If boys don't, why would we?" Just goes to show it's peer pressure.

My teen dd asked me to get her some hair removal stuff for her legs. Somebody had commented in PE. She did a bit then said sod it and left it. It's just another faffy thing to do.

I like the groomed look, and like smooth silky legs. I don't think this is a feminist issue. I'm not doing it for men, I'm doing it because I like it. I like wearing make up as well, and I love to spend time putting an outfit together. Everyone has their own preferences.

I'd honesty rather have less sleep and make time to shave my legs and do my nails. I find it quite satisfying, a form of self care. it's not a chore for me. I think I've accepted that shallow part of me.

I suppose you could compare that to a man wanting a clean shaven face, or a man who takes pride in his appearance. I don't think either end of the scale of "personal grooming" should be sneered at.

If I saw an exceptionally hairy pair of legs, I might wonder if they'd forgotten to shave, but it wouldn't mean i wouldn't want to be friends with the owner of the legs, or think any less of them.

It's up to you. Personally, I'd shave. It doesn't take me long, and I'm in the shower every day, anyway.

But on the other hand, I don't obsess about the state of my fingernails the way some people do, would never dream of removing all my pubic hair the way some do, cut/dye my own hair, etc. We each have our own standards for what is acceptable and what's not.

I would never say anything to someone else about their leg hair, in any case, even if I wouldn't go out and about without shaving (if I could help it).

@needtogetmyAintoG

Sounds like they're not very hairy?

I do my own waxing at home. It's quick and easy. You can prob do it once a
Month

I imagine most of those on this thread who feel confident enough to display their body hair don’t have much. Or are white and blonde or white with brown hair that isn’t particularly visible unless there’s a lot.

That’s fine but people need to stop making it a feminist issue. Even feminists who like to have their armpit hair out would look twice at me - an Indian woman with pcos who gets a huge amount of long, thick black curly hair all over my body if I don’t remove it. For me, when I don’t want to shave, I cover up. That doesn’t make me weaker than anyone else.

If the weather continues below usual temperatures for much longer it will not be an issue, as you will probably want to wear trousers or jeans.

Your choice but I’ll be really honest I could never not shave my legs or armpits. If I saw a woman wearing a dress and she had hairy legs it would freak me out a bit but that’s MY opinion. Do what makes YOU feel good.

No shaving since teens.. quite happy and it’s only women who have ever negatively commented 🤷‍♀️

And what any other gender says when I can’t hear is absolutely not my business

@Peppaismyrolemodel

No shaving since teens.. quite happy and it’s only women who have ever negatively commented 🤷‍♀️

And what any other gender says when I can’t hear is absolutely not my business

This is my experience. It's only ever been women who've felt a pressing need to comment on it.

@booksandnooks

I don't know why men are obsessed with women having hairless bodies. It makes me sick that they will reject or make fun of a woman because she doesn't look like a prepubepentescent girl barf

Bingo!

Oh look the "prepubescent" thing again re people who choose to shave.

It only took a few posts this time

I think to be honest it depends on the context. Supermarket run with scruffy shorts, I wouldn’t find it incongruous or shocking. Pretty summer dress, makeup and super hairy legs I would raise an eyebrow and wonder why you hadn’t bothered. I think that’s fair because I’d think similarly about a man’s facial hair. If he was scruffy in supermarket then no problem with unkempt facial hair, if he was dressed up - grooming required!

I have thick dark body hair.

Still don't shave.

I am definitely NOT knocking women who do shave.
I don't think it makes you "weaker" (what the hell?) or brainwashed or anything.
It's a personal choice innit?!

But women do feel pressured into it, and I don't think there is anything wrong with asking why that is.

Why do women shame other women (it's always women who have made comments to me!) for not shaving?

I literally couldn't tell you which of my friends do or don't shave, I have zero interest in what others do, but why then can't the same courtesy be extended to those of us who choose different??

I have had some nasty shit said about my choice not to shave.

Apart from visiting the hairdresser's for a haircut, I've never removed any of my body hair.
My fanny looks like a mad sporran is trying to escape when I wear a swimsuit on holiday, but I don't care. Why are you looking at my fanny anyway? is my question.
If you want to have hairy legs, pits and bits then go for it, it's sod all to do with anyone else.

This thread has really made me think. If I’m honest, I would judge. I would try not to show it outwardly but inside of be a bit grossed out. Writing that down, I can see how ridiculous that is and maybe I need a paradigm shift. I am someone who cares too much what others think, I spend a fortune and a ridiculous amount of time on the latest beauty trends and can’t really go out unless I am fully shaved (even in winter) with a full face of make-up and my hair done. I wish I had the guts to not be like this.
If you think you can handle the reactions (that will probably come from people like me - I don’t think I’m horrible, just deeply insecure and entrenched in ridiculous societal norms that I think will make me more acceptable) go for it because quite honestly, what I and people like me think really doesn’t matter.

@ Holly60

I think to be honest it depends on the context. Supermarket run with scruffy shorts, I wouldn’t find it incongruous or shocking. Pretty summer dress, makeup and super hairy legs I would raise an eyebrow and wonder why you hadn’t bothered. I think that’s fair because I’d think similarly about a man’s facial hair. If he was scruffy in supermarket then no problem with unkempt facial hair, if he was dressed up - grooming required!

So that’s the thing. Wearing something hessian from toast or dressed androgynously I’d feel more comfortable with hairy legs. But I often wear floaty/colourful dresses and somehow it seems more taboo to have hairy legs and pretty clothes. Why is that?

@ Alittlebitlostrightnow

This thread has really made me think. If I’m honest, I would judge. I would try not to show it outwardly but inside of be a bit grossed out. Writing that down, I can see how ridiculous that is and maybe I need a paradigm shift. I am someone who cares too much what others think, I spend a fortune and a ridiculous amount of time on the latest beauty trends and can’t really go out unless I am fully shaved (even in winter) with a full face of make-up and my hair done. I wish I had the guts to not be like this.
If you think you can handle the reactions (that will probably come from people like me - I don’t think I’m horrible, just deeply insecure and entrenched in ridiculous societal norms that I think will make me more acceptable) go for it because quite honestly, what I and people like me think really doesn’t matter.

But you sound lovely and I wouldn’t want to gross you out. Although, I’d totally judge someone who always had a full face of make up (until I caught myself doing it and gave myself a talking to) so it goes both ways! Women judging women for being too groomed, women judging women for being not groomed enough...

@ phlebasconsidered

I can't be arsed. I have lost a lot through the perimenopause and now it hardly seems bothering with. A few weeks in the sun and they go blond. I only bother with armpits when it gets too hot.

Oooh it would be good if they bleached in the sun.