Legs of doom - what to do? Need fast help.

[Gentleness]

I'm 5'3", have put on a load of weight so am size 20-22 and have legs of doom. By which I mean they are rugby players legs and proportionally even shorter between the knee and the ankle. Stubby in fact.

I want to feel confident at an event coming up and would normally hide under a maxi dress. If I look like a tent, so be it and I just won't look at any photos. Especially as I really hate this weight I've put on, mostly round my belly. 3 kids followed by Cerazette has pretty much killed my self-esteem, temporarily.

But I've been trawling through old S&B threads for ideas and seen so many anti-maxi dress comments that I've come up with the idea I might need to break my usual cover-up rule to look a bit more stylish.

But showing my legs brings on feelings of doom. They're not great. They also have that weird kink above the knee so there are SO many reasons to keep them under drapery.

What would you compromise on then? Legs hidden in a maxi-dress, looking like a tent? Or showing the legs of doom?

Bump - WWYD?

Hopefully the style experts will be along soon. I have the same problem of big legs and big bum but have a big event coming up and need to look a million dollars. I feel that maxi dresses make you look bigger if you are not slender, but a shorter dress fills me with dread

It's the reason I avoid thinking about clothes. Seems like there is no way to win. Even if I lost half my body weight, my legs would still be best hidden.

I'm sure that the legs are not as doomy as you think!

If you're self-conscious about your legs, you could keep your knees covered by wearing a skirt that kicks out, rather than clings to your thighs, and falls just below your knees. Legs normally look slimmer below the knee.

I think it's a shame to always wear maxi dresses. You could get some lovely shoes, which will also help your legs look slimmer if they have a bit of a heel.

www.theagoraphobicfashionista.com/ what about something like this?

Just WHY do bloggers all do that pigeon toed thing? Unbelievably annoying! But good dress shape though (without the coat).

I f I were you I'd go for the maxi. but if you don't then try black (or any other dark, plain colour) dress or skirt with opaque tights and shoes all in the same colour. That way people's eyes will not be drawn to your legs by the very obvious contrasts at the skirt hem, and ankle where the colour changes are most accentuated.

Hope that makes sense.

I would also match shoes to tights. Wear shoes that show off some 'toe cleavage' to carry on the lengthening line. Do not wear ankle strap shoes.

I would also suggest getting measured and fitted for a new bra, it is amazing what a difference this can make to an outfit.

You are five foot three, if I were you I would avoid maxi dresses they wil swap you and there will be too much material. I would go for a skirt that ends just below the knee, pencil buy one and get it altered if you need to. It should end just under the knee where you're thinnest. Wear tights - matt rather than sheer and heels but the same colour as tights and that will lengthen your legs. If I were you I'd go for a good structured top that isn't tight and has sleeves draw attention to your face snd top half.

Does it have to be a dress? How about some swooshy dressy trousers? And fab top

my legs look best in just below the knee pencil skirts/dresses or just a bit longer prom style skirt. there's only a bit if keg on show then so I can easily manage some light self tan and or some sally Hansen leg stuff. plenty of exfoliation and moisturiser before hand too. hides a multitude of sins and then I don't feel like I'm trying to hide myself

I'm also 5'3 with legs of doom!

My best length is mid calf, in a floaty style. I always wears heels with a dress or skirt and I think it looks quite flattering.

Maxi dresses look awful on me, I look completely swamped.

You can show a bit of leg, but keep your knees under wraps, if you like.

What sort of event is it? What colours do you look best in? What is your budget?

Black opaques hide a multitude.

Thanks all. I'm beginning to wonder about the maxi dresses, being short and stout. I love them - so comfy and easy to wear. But I did accidentally catch sight of a photo which was far from flattering. I do love knowing there are other people who understand about the legs of doom. How can knees be SO unattractive?

I've tried on a couple of dresses that look ok and hit just below the knee. More are on order for comparison, maxi, knee length and skirt/top combos.

Not very weddingy?
Very green indeed.

I reckon I could live with showing my legs in dresses like this but I do feel like a stately galleon with all this weight between my bust and waist. I'm too young for this.

I totally take on board the shoe advice, but heels are going to be a practical challenge. I'm so unused to them and I've got plantar fascitis at the moment. AND as I'm doing a bit of catering at this event, I need to be sure on my feet and last all day. Including chasing 3 kids 4 and under! It's a wedding by the way - not trying to be mysterious, just started off wanting more general style advice!

I think that both of the dresses you've linked to are lovely, and more modern than a maxi. I like the red/grey one the best. They both have a bit of interest around the neckline to draw the eye up, too.

I hear you re the heels, and I'm sure you can find some pretty flats. Don't feel like a stately galleon. You can change your weight when you have time to do it. Don't not enjoy the wedding because of it.

Hate to say it, but I'd avoid the second dress you linked to because of the frilly hem - they will draw the eye to the area of the dreaded knees (and I am another sufferer from chunky ankle-less legs with baggy knees).

If you can find one, a skirt with a slightly longer top layer in a sort of netty type fabric works quite well if you've got shit legs - kind of gives the impression that you're not hoovering around in some kind of tent (I am a shortie, so maxis make me look like I'm dressing up in mummy's clothes) but the netty top layer sort of continues to hide the horror of the Legs. This is kind of what I mean, tho not necessarily this specific one... (and I don't have an option to convert links, for some reason?)

www.polyvore.com/boohoo_mimi_tutu_midi_skirt/thing?id=89443555

I like that skirt MrsSteptoe!

I'm all conflicted about floaty hems - the movement could be distracting, but (like you say) could draw attention...

Thanks for your wise reminder too finance princess - the day is not for me! Getting a bit self-absorbed methinks!

Also in terms of shoes how about wedges - even high healed espadrilles? Next have some good ones for £24.

I think some maxi dresses hang nicer than others, I'm short too and usually find that most swamp me and are quite unflattering but sometimes you find a real gem. I think well made ones that are more fitted at the top and hang well could do. Some places do them in a petite range for women 5'3 and under.

So if you can find the right maxi dress and that's what makes you feel most comfortable, I'd say go for it.

Have you considered a jumpsuit with nice cardi or jacket or a flattering ballerina type dress though? Some links below for ideas.

green jumpsuit

black peg leg jumpsuit

printed wrap maxi dress

printed ballerina wrap dress

Um, the idea of a jumpsuit seems utterly alien to my experience! I love the Pink Clove range though - especially that last blue dress. Thanks!

For shoes, I've just found the Alegria brand and I'm hoping that they'll be smart enough to see me through. But I do hanker after heels, probably wedges would be better though.

Can you not wear a nice pair of trousers and a lovely floaty top?