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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have hairy legs this summer?

212 replies

Franklyfrost · 27/04/2021 14:37

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).

OP posts:
womaninatightspot · 27/04/2021 22:04

Up to you if you want to have hairy legs or not.

I would say another option is an epilator lasts as long as a wax but easy to do on yourself. Once a fortnight roughly in nice weather I have a big glass of wine and watch some telly whilst epilating. I think mines was 20 quid on amazon.

toconclude · 27/04/2021 22:04

Of course not. Your legs, your choice. And people who think any woman's natural body hair is gross or dirty need to work on their hang-ups.

ScotsBaby2 · 27/04/2021 22:11

Embrace whatever you fancy!

Fespital · 27/04/2021 22:14

IPL. Game changer. Wish I'd done it 20 years ago.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 27/04/2021 23:41

I trim my underarm hair short, as it is painful when long strands get twisted, but everything else is left to be as feral as it wishes. I can’t stand the feel of shaven skin, it makes me shudder for some reason.

Nobody has ever said anything, but my friends are nice people and I’m too autistic to gauge the reactions of randoms.

HeadFullofRandom · 28/04/2021 02:11

Haven't shaved in about two years but haven't had the confidence to wear a skirt yet, I'm working up to it.

I totally get why you asked, people can be vocally judgy and nasty sometimes and that would really upset me.

I stopped shaving because of shaving rash and convenience and my exH pulled faces and told me he'd shave if I preferred it. I doubt it!
The judging of my body and him putting his preferences above my comfort are part of the reason he's an exH. I plan to stay single but it's something that would make me self concious if I were planning on dating because of the nasty and judgy element.

I'm impressed at those who can shave so quickly! It takes me ages!

I've given myself some really nasty cuts a couple of times when I've been going at a normal rate, maybe I'm just clumsy but I go slooowly if I ever do shave for fear of skinning myself Blush

MarcelinesMa · 28/04/2021 02:13

Your body hair it’s completely up to you how you manage it no one else’s business.

LaBellina · 28/04/2021 02:27

If you don’t want to shave, you don’t shave.
Nobody judges men for not shaving.
I wouldn’t judge you for it, rather I’d admire you for standing up against this ridiculous beauty ideal that women should be as smooth and hairless as a baby at all times whilst the men get away with having hair everywhere and on top of that, often unkempt toenails and feet in sandals, ‘because they are men’. Away with the double standards.

MinnieMountain · 28/04/2021 07:04

Do people actually comment?!

I swim regularly and can’t say I’ve ever looked for hair on another woman’s legs.

HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst · 28/04/2021 14:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn on request of the poster.

likeamillpond · 28/04/2021 14:31

I think hairy legs with dresses and skirts looks horrible and unfeminine.

Well you wanted different opinions.

booksandnooks · 28/04/2021 14:49

@SmileyClare

Men don't have any of these hang ups

Well my very hairy husband doesn't Grin but I'd say younger men do feel pressure to wax or shave back and chest hair these days.

oh dear. I've been with my dh since we were teens and I got quote excited when he started getting chest hair. I think its lovely. and that line from a man's belly button to his trousers. mmmhmmm Wink
CounsellorTroi · 28/04/2021 15:13

oh dear. I've been with my dh since we were teens and I got quote excited when he started getting chest hair. I think its lovely. and that line from a man's belly button to his trousers. mmmhmmm wink

I agree an open necked shirt and a hint of chest hair is very sexy.

Branleuse · 28/04/2021 15:40

i dont think theres anything wrong with having hairy legs, and if you dont want to shave them and feel perfectly confident about having them hairy in public then thats great. it normalises it more, and most people probably wouldnt even notice.
If however, it means you spend all summer feeling self conscious, then it defeats the object a bit.

mumjustmum · 28/04/2021 17:24

I think you should shave your legs, underarms too if wearing a T-shirt or smaller.
Please please also shave your bikini line if you're going to the beach.

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 28/04/2021 17:42

@mumjustmum

I think you should shave your legs, underarms too if wearing a T-shirt or smaller. Please please also shave your bikini line if you're going to the beach.
Why?
TheQueef · 28/04/2021 17:43

@mumjustmum

I think you should shave your legs, underarms too if wearing a T-shirt or smaller. Please please also shave your bikini line if you're going to the beach.
I think you should stop looking at fannies.
Maggiesfarm · 28/04/2021 17:52

Does it really take that long to run the razor over your legs while you are lathered up in the shower or bath? I don't think so.

Don't be lazy! It's nice to feel smooth.

LimeCoconut · 28/04/2021 18:05

@Maggiesfarm

Does it really take that long to run the razor over your legs while you are lathered up in the shower or bath? I don't think so.

Don't be lazy! It's nice to feel smooth.

0/10 bait, bit too obvious. Next time try and be a little more subtle!
Branleuse · 28/04/2021 18:28

Honestly if you feel like hairy legs wouldnt look right with the outfit, then you dont need to make a statement about it.
I think its more odd that is that people seem to make a decision that they always shave, or never do.
Ive had hairy armpits for months now, and tbh, I quite like the way it looks, although I dont particularly like hairy legs. If I start feeling self conscious, then i'll shave rather than try and hide it

countrypunk · 28/04/2021 18:57

@RozHuntleysLeftHand

I haven't shaved legs or underarms for years.

I don't give a tiny shite what other people think.

I'm clean (not shaving seems to make people think you don't wash or are unclean for some bizarre reason...never applies to men though!) and I resent the implication that women must use more of their time grooming than men, and I think it's ridiculous we impose random beauty standards that take time, effort and money.

If you don't want to shave, just don't and fuck what other people think, if they're shallow enough to judge on perfectly normal body hair then they are not worth giving head space to imo.

I know I'm late to the party but I love this response and I love your username.
countrypunk · 28/04/2021 18:59

@mumjustmum

I think you should shave your legs, underarms too if wearing a T-shirt or smaller. Please please also shave your bikini line if you're going to the beach.
Do you ever wonder what life could be like without that deep well of internalised misogyny?
countrypunk · 28/04/2021 19:02

[quote HopeForTheBestExpectTheWorst]@RozHuntleysLeftHand
@MrsJackSpratt
@AbsentmindedWoman

I don't think it's unhygenic, I think it looks really unpleasant and ungroomed on women. I think similar of unkempt beards on men, if that helps?[/quote]
I think it's really sad that you've absorbed society's message that body hair on women is disgusting. It's completely and utterly natural.

No wonder we all hate our bodies so much.

LST · 28/04/2021 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

LST · 28/04/2021 19:06

@likeamillpond

I think hairy legs with dresses and skirts looks horrible and unfeminine.

Well you wanted different opinions.

What a shame that you've been conditioned the think that