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Original poster

summer clothes and varicose veins

101 replies

trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 14:22

Hi there

Reading the thread on leggings and summer dresses inspired me to start this thread.

I have really bad varicose veins on my one leg which means I am really limited to what I can wear on a hot day. The veins are below the knee so that only trousers or totally full lenght dresses would cover.

I think the comment from a poster who said that leggings with a dress hints that someone is ashamed of their legs, well yes I am!

I have a good figure and am slim but there is no way I could ever ever reveal my legs in public. Holiday abroad is fine as I have no choice and no one knows me, but walking around the shops streets at home no way!

I have had surgery twice which has improved them slightly as in they don't stick out but are stilll very visible.

I wear dresses and tights and that's is fine(thick ones) and occasionally leggings and shorter dresses but never bare legged.

To make matters worse my one foot has millions of broken veins so even shorter trousers are not an option!

Is there anyone else afflicted like me? If not, what do you think seeing a woman in trousers during a heatwave? I feel like a granny.

OP posts:
dexter73 · 26/04/2011 14:25

Maxi dress?

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 14:28

Yes love maxi dresses and might get some but not sure they look/feel any more summery than my usual linen trouser vest top combo?

OP posts:
Rassy · 26/04/2011 14:29

I don't think that if you wear dresses and leggings you are saying that you are ashamed of your legs! I think you can get away with wearing dresses that are shorter than you would normally wear Grin

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 14:31

Yes rassy, I would wear a mini dress with leggings which I would never do even with great legs!

OP posts:
Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 14:57

Think I would just like to be able to wear a knee length summer dress.
Surely I can't be the only woman affected!

I never see anyone apart from pensioners with legs like mine

OP posts:
percyfrench · 26/04/2011 16:17

I have had my varicose veins removed (stripped) three times under local anaesthetic and once under local anaesthetic. Varicose veins run in my family and I had my first op was when I was 26. It was that successful my mum and sister followed suit. The results have been really good - I have small discreet scars which don't bother me at all. I have had further work done with a vascular surgeon - sclereotherapy (injections) for broken (spider) veins and small blueish/green veins once maybe twice a year - its so worth it!! I never wanted to have slug like veins which look so painful (and some can be). I can slip into shorts, skirts, bikinis without a care - think the trick is to catch the veins early if you can, monitor them and get them touched up when necessary. I have a very positve attitude towards my legs as I know I've been proactive about a minor problem area. Hope this gives you some comfort / encouragement.

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 16:24

Thanks percy. Have had mine done twice. Yes they have improved but just reappeared somewhere else on same leg. My vascular surgeon has said that basically I have a very unusual formation and its impossible to make it look good. There is hardly any bulging veins(gone with last removal) but just a mass of 'flat' but still noticable ones. I don't think any more surgery is an option unless any more pop out. So I'm stuffed basically.

OP posts:
PonceyMcPonce · 26/04/2011 16:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 16:31

Poncey, do you ever expose them? Do you feel embarrassed always covered up?

OP posts:
Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 16:37

All the threads I've seen today about how its a no no to wear leggings and dresses to go out or in the day and how fake tanned bare legs look much better even on fat legs depresses me!

I wear fake tan all the time and do my legs too. Improves them slightly when I go on holiday, but could never go bare for work etc.

I wouldn't care if my legs were fat wobbly or not a very nice shape, but what's the the point in having slim toned legs like I do when they are a mess. I have NO CHOICE but to cover up!

OP posts:
Rassy · 26/04/2011 16:48

trouserqueen I fully feel your anguish! While I do not (yet!) have variose veins my veins are very noticeable (to me!) - they get more noticeable when my legs get hot as well. It is all a shame as my legs are in great shape but I am not comfortable to display them - Sad. I do feel better when I have had a spray tan done for special occasions but alas I can't afford a weekly one during the summer!

PonceyMcPonce · 26/04/2011 16:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fuschiapink · 26/04/2011 16:57

ok i'll out myself as a fellow veiny lady!

leggings are really my lifesaver as i'm not really a trouser person, i wear skinny jeans in the winter and leggings in the summer with summer dresses or tunic style tops. i've actually got my maxi dress on today which is nice and cool but i do feel it makes me look pregnant ! hey ho!

i also like wearing maxi skirts with camisole tops.

like poncey i cover up on beach as well with long chiffony wraps etc, i am sure i am being totally vain (no pun intended!) and no-one is looking at my legs but i just feel better with them covered really.

to be honest though in the summer when you see everyones legs out most people have got blemishs, thread veins etc so i try not to let it bother me too much Smile

fuschiapink · 26/04/2011 17:05

mine are only on one leg like yours trouserqueen, i am a size 12

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 17:23

Ok girls glad a couple of you have 'outed' yourselves!
I don't really care on the beach when abroad as its usually baking hot and I do like to get a tan. Think I'd look odd and draw attention to myself anyway.

This country the weather isn't that hot so most of the time I'm not worried. Its just the rare heatwave or going to friends bbq's etc when I feel embarrassed when everyone has their legs out and they comment on my trousers. I feel mortified.

What do u fellow veinys say when people ask "where are your shorts?", ot aren't you hot?

OP posts:
fuschiapink · 26/04/2011 17:27

tell em to mind their own business! you can wear what you like

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 17:30

Yeas I agree! Sometimes though I think it must look strange that I never ever have bare legs no matter how sweltering it is!

Even those with fat/not great shaped/celulite etc get em out occasionally.

It wouldn't be so bad if I could wear 3/4 trousers or something, but I practically need a burka!

OP posts:
upahill · 26/04/2011 17:33

What about wide leg linen trousers. They look nice and cool with floaty tops in summer. Same with long floaty deninm skirts and nice t shirts and trendy sandals may look good on you in summer.

fuschiapink · 26/04/2011 17:34

i bet other people don't notice as much as you think you know, its just that you are self conscious about it.

but thats where i think leggings come into their own because you can wear them with a lovely dress and flip flops and really look quite summery, my feet are quite veiny as well so i always wear full length leggings.

i am sure you look nice try not to worry what other people think wear what you feel comfortable in

PonceyMcPonce · 26/04/2011 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fimbo · 26/04/2011 17:38

I have popped out veins on the back of one leg and it makes me look like an old woman so never ever wear short skirts. Did you have your surgery on the NHS or privately. I would love to at least get rid of the bulges.

Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 17:45

Lol at poncey and the hotpants.

My surgery was NHS. Discussed private with my surgeon but he basically said I'm a hopeless case and paying for it wouldn't help! He was lovely btw.

I do wear linen trousers a lot and I love em. I do look nice always(sorry bit boastful) and its not about image. Its just I get pissed off covering up after a hot day in the garden in beachwear when I verge out into street.

Think the final straw seems to be the sudden spread to foot. I honestly wouldn't care if it was behind the knee as I'd have options for skirts but mine are below knee on shin area. No hiding.

OP posts:
Original poster
trouserqueen · 26/04/2011 17:51

Also, do any of you veiny folk feel self conscious in front of dh/dp?

Mine is always very complimentary but he MUST think my legs are hideous. He would be blind otherwise.

I am not even forty but my veins are seriously like a pensioners.

OP posts:
ElectricSoftParade · 26/04/2011 17:57

Trouserqueen I have a slightly different problem in that I was in an accident and lost a very large amount of one of my calves and also have lots of scarring on both legs.

My accident happened 8 years ago and, up until this hot weather we've had recently, I kept my legs completely covered as, well, they do not look that pretty. However, I was so hot and bothered last week I marched down the shops, bought shorts, put them on in the shop and wandered around IN PUBLIC showing off my mis-shapen leg and scars.

I tells you, I felt very self-aware for about 10 mins but then I actually forgot to feel self-aware as I felt so comfortable. Have worn them just about every day and bought another pair today. I think I must have thought WTF? and gone for it, although if I was dressing up I still wouldn't show my legs. I have felt peoples' eyes on my leg but I think it is just because it is not "normal" but I think now I have found the confidence to show them, I will be doing it much more.

Not sure if this helps or is completely irrelevant but hope you find something you feel happy in, ESP

PonceyMcPonce · 26/04/2011 17:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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