summer clothes and varicose veins

[trouserqueen]

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.

Mine don't bulge (yet) but they get darker in this warm weather and when I'm on my feet at work. After I put tan on, I put Rimmel hide the blemish over the veins, then brush bronzer over that and blend it in a little bit with my fingers. It covers them up well enough

This thread is making me teary! I am also covered in thread veins (very bad on my right leg) that I look like a roadmap. I've struggled to just accept the way I look and I have to tell you that reading this thread is the first time I've realised other people have legs like mine. I'm not a freak!!

I've spent a fortune on Vitamin K creams (don't work), diosmin supplements (work a little bit but expensive and you have to keep taking them or the veins go back to they way they were) and camouflage make up. I have wished for surgery, but it's actually good to know that it's not always completely successful as I'm broke and unlikely to be able to afford it before I retire!

I wear leggings with dresses, linen trousers and maxi skirts/dresses. I cannot imagine ever being able to bare my legs in a knee length skirt, but I am ok with showing my little blue foot in sandals. I just paint my toenails to divert attention.

It's such a little talked about thing, spider veins and vv, and it's such a relief to find this thread. I have spent so long feeling ashamed of my legs and I can't waste anymore energy on worrying about them any more.

I'm going to try the sally hansen spray again this week and see if it helps me feel a little more confident.

Thanks for starting this thread OP and good to know about the dermablend, Thirsty.

Anyone else get swollen legs too? I could really live without that and the aching.

OP thank you so much for starting this thread. I have had VV in one leg since DD was born when I was 21, she is now in her mid thirties, so it is a long time to have had VV. I had had 3 surgeries, but they all break down and the veins reappear. I am another one who doesn't wear skirts or knee length dresses all summer. VV are just the pits. It is so reassuring to know that I am not alone. I can only discuss it with DD and DH. DH swears he never notices them, but I think he is just being kind, as he knows how much it upsets me. I just feel very self conscious and aware of them all the time. I never, ever wear shorts at exercise class.

Bit late to this thread but was googling nude coloured tights to cover my one leg of veins and found you all!. I too dread the summer months and wear leggings with dresses!! I have recently come across dermablend, haven't bought any yet but think I will after reading your comments. Nice to know you're not alone x

I have leg issues too. I really don't think anyone else could care less how your legs look or what you wear. Its just how you feel that matters and I can understand you not wanting to show your legs.

In summer I wear long, wide floaty trousers or a maxi skirt/dress. Have recently bought some flat strappy gladiator type sandals that cover my veiny feet a treat.

I also paint my toenails in a gorgeous red to divert attention.

I have the flat kind on one leg also as well as a few bugly ones, dates from being pg with DD1 who is now 12. I do have a couple of maxi dresses but want to wear some of the lovely knee length dresses around now. I saw a friend last year wearing these lovely brightly coloured opaque tights, maybe they were the Wolford ones? They looked lovely. But would't work for a hot day. I am just going to go the fake tan/moisturised route and to hell with it. I also have bad psoriasis on my elbows and one knee, there is not much I can do about that either but I am damned if I'm going to wear a burka.

I'm 20 and I have very visible and a bit bulky veins on both of my legs. Like many of you, I just wear leggings with short skirts or dresses. I actually prefer that to jeans/pants.

For formal occasions, I just put on very sheer tights. For more security, I bought the "leg and body cover-up", like for face but this one's waterproof and stays on longer. The cover-up covers the discoloration and the tights make legs smooth!!! It's simply amazing. Now, without the tights (at least for me) you can see the cover-up, it looks fake.

As for holidays (beach), it's still hard and embarrassing.

Just wanted to find out if that worked for you. I recently started using that, and it only works for me with sheer tights. There wasn't a perfect match for my skin tone so w/out tights, it looks very very fake 0_0

I have had my veins stripped but they are back. I have thread veins and one almost purple ankle from an accident.
I use Sally Hansen leg make up Airbrush . I put it on with a tanning mitt and remove it with a face wipe and showering. It lasts very well and means I can at least wear a skirt.

Hi, I have had varicose veins on both legs, and have discolouration on my ankles, so I usually end up wearing trousers and socks, even in the summer, which is really scorching but I tell people I have cold feet!
I have been told the veins are merely a cosmetic issue-not medical.
I am now fed and am considering having tattoos done to cover up.

I have had my various vein done 4 times as I suffered with thrombosis after I had my son 8 years ago. they are still there just gone to different parts of my legs. I hate them I just wish there was some sort of camouflage make up, has anyone got any suggestions for this make up. I know Mac do one. Could anyone recommend any. I would be most grateful

Hi, I have just seen this thread about vv and it has given me a boost. I know the thread started a while ago but do you think it is acceptable for a fit and slim (ish) 40 year old to wear dresses/tunics and leggings and not look frumpy? I have horrid veins on one leg and they are discoloured and bulgy from lower calf right down to my foot and now spreading onto my foot. I can't wear cropped trousers and feel scruffy 90% of time when wearing jeans, I like the jeans and converse look on others but not when I am wearing it so much, Jeans also seem to crease up behind my knee and cause me alot of pain in my leg too.I had an operation last year in theory to sort them out but it didn't go to plan and the veins are still very unsightly and not lower down?! Any tips or advice gratefully received. Thanks

Well my lastest up date on my vv is had 4 th procedure in March, only done half surgery. Went for another ultra sound and apparently the stripping I had done 6 years ago has reformed. As for make up no good as comes off on clothes. I think a over leg tattoo would be good but is not advisable as veins close to surface. I have also look into permanent make up, still looking for answers. As for holidays I where a plaster over my worse vein so people just think I have cut myself.
Really need an answer doing my head in

I have fat/wobbly or untoned legs at the moment. I don't have view problems. What about Dermablend or a specialist camouflage cream? Just a thought.

I'd rather have vein issues than my legs tbh!

Is dermablend make up ??
I wouldn't recommend vein issues lol.
There doesn't seem an answer for our problem

"Even those with fat/not great shaped/cellulite etc get them out occasionally". Even those people?! Unthinkable!

Interesting discussion. If you read the 'am I too old for a bikini' thread here which has caused quite a lot of strong feelings, the consensus would be you wear what you like and bugger what anyone things, regardless of your shape, size, imperfections.

Personally, I'd just get your legs out. VV aren't pretty but so what- it's just a VV. I have a small one and admit I don't like it, but then I think if that's 'all' I have to worry about just get on with life.

I really don't think it's a good idea to wear leggings in summer - they are hot and sweaty and tbh a breeding ground for thrush. If people glance at your legs, so what?

Just realised this was an old thread but - Me too ! < waves >

My worst one finishes about half way down one calf so I tend to stick to cropped trousers. A bit of it shows but as it is not all of it then I think I can get away with it.

If I were on a hot beach I wouldn't worry about wearing a swimsuit/bikini and exposing my veins. You see all sorts on a beach, don't you?

Commiserations OP.

I have had three lots of varicose vein surgery (heat ablation and stripping all under local) a couple of years ago for long standing "monster" (to quote the vascular surgeon) veins mostly in the left leg although some were starting to appear in the right thigh. They started to appear even before I'd had my DC and sadly do run in the family. As they were mostly at the back and as a young woman I had shapely legs, I played the "out of sight out of mind game."
Mine now don't stick out but there are still lots of dark smudges and scars from where the probe went in. One ankle had a real knot of veins which have been stripped and are a bit better. I like leggings and dresses/skirts…also, I like ankle strap or cross over ankle strap sandals which help to hide veiny ankles and feet. I sometimes use a This Works leg makeup product which is quite good and keeping the skin moisturised sounds simple but really helps. I do wear longish shorts in high summer and on holiday but also feel that floaty trousers but a more revealing top (if your top half is good!) is great and shouldn't attract comment about why you're not getting your legs out. to you OP…I know how you feel.

I have been to my doctors begging pleading in tears to get treatment on the NHS several times but get refused every time as I'm told vascular treatment is not allowed anymore on the procedure list.
I go at least 2/3 times a year to my surgery, I've even written complaint letters to the surgery manager.
I'm in my 30's, I've always been slim, healthy, and work out. I don't smoke and drink occasionally. I have 3 children. It started after my last child was born, a few broken thread veins, literally over a year period my legs were covered thigh to ankle with thread veins and several varicose veins. It's worse down my shins, back of calves and around ankle area. I don't want to dress half naked just wear skirts, knee high dresses and pretty things girls do.
I don't feel like a women any more ! I never undress infront of my husband, I refuse to swimming with my own kids and holidays are a nightmare causing arguments between my husband and I.
My legs are restless at night, itch, skins dry no matter how much I cream. Now in summer I wear trousers to my ankle and a full shoe to disguise the thread veins.

My husband and I it's driven us apart, at a BBQ with friends last summer all the women had on short shorts and dressed, they even had a paddling pool and some of the girls stripped of to bikinis, there was me in trousers, old fashioned shoes and I said I had a head ache and left. It didn't help when I saw the doctor she was wearing a skirt. Having 3 kids, breast fed them, a few stretch marks on my stomach and now this. It's taken away all body confidence. If things don't change my marriage will crumble. Amazing if you want a sex change the NHS roll out the treatments, I've begged and begged but I was offered support stockings and told to expect abscesses and skin problems early on in my later years. Fucking great ! 😭💔

Is there any way you can afford to go private? My mum got her veins stripped privately on my dads work health insurance.

I'm concerned that I'll take after her so have some money stashed away just in case.

One of my colleagues is 60 she's always loved wearing shorts in the summer but now has bad veins & doesn't know what to do...

It's wrong that the nhs does bariatric surgery & breast reductions but not vein surgery.

Unfortunately private treatment is not an option, we can't afford that. We could but my husband has said that a couple of thousand (which I was quoted when looking into private care) could be a holiday or money for our family. I'm adopted so I presume it's hereditary. I know it's still January but I'm already getting anxiety about spring, summer.

You're right it's wrong they provide certain surgical procedures not others. Although I understand the stress NHS is under.

I see women 50/60+ walking around with great legs it's not fair. Some people might think I'm being dramatic but when you can't dress a certain way and lose body confidence it has devastating effect on a relationship. I push my husband away and it's no surprise I'm always catching him looking st other women. My doctor surgery did a Doppler test several times and it showed as poor circulation but they said I still don't qualify, I live in Essex and I've tried several GP surgeries. I feel old before my time.
None of my gf have this problem, their legs out soon as the suns here. Nice to come here and see I'm not alone. Tnx

Shucks! I found this thread nine years later, and would love to get back into the conversation. I also inherited severe varicose veins, in spite of being fit and trim. I feel shame about it and dressing in warm weather is always a challenge. I've had lots of treatment and finally, been told there's nothing more they can do for me. I'd love to have more conversation about how to dress for this coming summer! Thank you!