Wedding, sun and a horrible body - are leggings acceptable under a dress?

[veryworriedme]

oh dear, I was rather relying on the weather remaining rubbish so I could wear tights. Since 2 pregnancies I have yucky yuck legs covered in varicose veins. They were about the only bit of my I could show before so now I am really stuck. I am short, size 14/16, big boobs, arms like raw sausages and a baggy tummy. What on earth do I wear to a summer wedding? I used to always wear fitted shift dress type things with some sort of arm coverage but is this acceptable with leggings if you are the wrong side of 39? I was hoping to wear shop.wild-swans.com/item/99058180-3/naja-lauf-bianca-dress but would it just be too scruffy with leggings? Oh, and I fall over in heels so have to wear flat shoes. Any opinions gratefully received!

hmm, do you have that dress in white? Firstly, that's a no no to someone else's wedding.

No to leggings too, just wear tights. If you think you'll be too hot, go for hold up stockings.

Darn my cut and pasting - meant to show the black one. Do you think ok ( with a non black hat)? I have not worn hold ups for a decade or so because they always used to fall down but perhaps I should start practicing. I know you are right on the leggings front, I think i have been in denial on this for a while now. Bit worried that skin coloured tights (nude?) will show the veins though - I normally wear 800 denier or something!

what about a maxi dress? I love this: shop.wild-swans.com/item/99064624-1/day-striped-dress

i might buy one

I have heard that Sally Hansen airbrush legs raved about for these situations.

I wear 'natural' micronets over sheer tights and that breaks things up (my problem is stretch marks all down my calves).

Oooh no get it in the blue; the blue is beeeeotiful
How about some brightly coloured or patterned tights? Smarter than leggings but less see-through than neutral tights? I absolutely love We Love Colours although it's US-ian. i'm sure there are similar UK ones but haven't bothered to look.

How did I miss that maxi dress interregnum?! Bit worried about the racer back and bra straps altho I suppose I will never let my arms show anyway...
Ooh might try the airbrushing but what are micronets morecowbell?
The blue is lovely and by far most appropriate for a wedding but may just feel like a big blue blob, bit nervous of colour ( although the coloured tights is an idea to explore, thanks ecuse).
Well, I think the answer is no to leggings. I do need to sort out an alternative at my age so thank you for all the suggestions which I will try out.

Micronets are really fine fishnets - promise not horrible. Look like sheer tights from a distance but break up the contours of anything undesirable on the leg a bit.

Micronets are An excellent solution to dodgy legs - oh yes - non-shiney nudes under and they're perfect.

Hows about a floatly maxi with sleeves???

this is sleeveless but forgiving on the legs - beautiful print

Do you actually want to wear a dress? would This sort of top with navy or white linen trews and flats would be acceptable, or not your thing?

These sort of trousers, maybe? here. A sort of bodicy top would be nice with them - this is probably way too girly, specially by the time you've added a pashmina. I've seen plain ones about - navy I'm sure. Can't remember where.

In other words: Bump, I'm crpa at this

Been having a nightmare with dc all eve, so great to come to this. Thanks so much! I am going to try out micronets ( the trick is to wear a nude pair underneath so 2 pairs of tights?) but as a back up I am going to get that monsoon top. I spotted it weeks ago and then forgot about it as I got fixated on the dress thing. I think the dress ( though gorgeous) would drown me as would the trousers but I reckon a skinny pair with the top would be fine for a wedding but also for those rare nights out. I really am so grateful for all the thought put in. Thank you, thank you x

Ah, glad to have reminded you then!

Spotted these excellent (imo) flats earlier. Maybe interesting? Love this little bag with it too...

But yeah, I love to shop and have so cash, that's why

Yay! Perfect shoes Procrastination - do you reckon skinny grey trousers? Or if micronets work perhaps a short skirt. Last question promise!

skinny grey trousers sound good! V slim but straight (cigarette pants??) might be even more flattering, maybe like these in the white?

Skirt wise, mmm not sure depends how long the hem is at the sides - think it needs to be a bit longer than that - at least 3 inches or so - or you might end up looking really short. Maybe a navy pencil skirt?

It's daft they don't show it on a mannequin - makes it hard to say. Bloody love it in any case.

Goddamit , they only have that top in small. Have ordered anyway along with White capri and various sizes and colours of micronets and "nudes".