How do people wear dresses?

[Hismumhermum]

How? I have just tried on the few I have (never wear them) for potential use on holiday. I feel so exposed, my legs are a funny shape and they are white as the driven snow. My top half is alright (covered) but I don't think I will ever come to terms with my legs!

I can't help you as I'm buggered if I know. Just thought I'd let you know you are not alone.

I am large but presentable in lots of clothes but dresses? I look like a barrel on legs

Depends on the length of the dress ?

I suppose for summer dresses your legs will get a little bit tanned - so won't look so pasty white? Use some fake tan?

But some people just aren't 'dress' people - so if you don't like them, you don't have to wear them.

Knowing that I'm not going to see anyone I know and wanting to be cool. Same as with my bikini.

Leggings. It has to be scorching for me to expose legs.

I'm lucky that my legs are reasonably toned below knee. I wear loads of dresses in summer, mostly jersey. Have you tried all styles and fabrics,

I think you have to remember that no-one else will be paying your legs any attention!

I wear proper knee-length or midi-length dresses in the summer, with a bit of fake tan on my legs. After a while of wearing them, with sandals, you get over the 'OMG my legs and feet are exposed' horror, I find .

I can't do short dresses or skirts, though. I have decent legs, but I stopped having the bottle to expose my thighs at about 25 yrs old. I just feel naked.

100 denier opaques.

Thanks for replies! I don't get to the shops much so could maybe do with trying more on. I think you are right dexter-but it is the glowing whiteness I fear draws attention the most-time to try fake tan?

Ps I am not ever revealing my thighs!!

I wear flesh coloured tights, but that's probably a crime against style on here.

Tights or tan then. I wish it was okay to glow!

Just with bare legs - no fake tan here. And usually flats, if I'm working.
Am living in knee-length skirts and dresses at the mo, or else 7/8 trousers. Definitely not leggings, and it's the wrong season for thick black tights.

I love dresses as I am not very good at co - ordinating tops and bottoms
But my legs are as white as snow, so at the moment they are shrouded in black leggings, which luckily seems to be the thing round here but a major fashion faux pas on mumsnet
When I do finally get my legs out I will have been building up a fake tan with Dove summer glow which builds up a gradual tan.

Start off with decent natural tan tights. Then fake tan as it gets warmer and wear sandals. Tan coloured sandals are a flattering colour and go with most things. I wear knee length dresses in the summer.

I think if you find the right length and cut they can be very flattering.

For me this means knee-length, or just below, short/elbow length sleeves and either wrap or nipped in at the waist. Make sure the fabric is flattering too, not too tight in my case!

Toffee boffin, you describe the perfect type of dress. Where do you buy such sensible length, sleeved, shapely styled dresses?

Ha, with great difficulty! I find it's a good idea to look in shops you might not necessarily think of, even if a shop seems dowdy there can be some great finds. And remember stuff looks different once on, and maybe cinched in with a belt.

I know someone mentioned on the M&S thread that's what they wanted too - short sleeved cotton dresses. Sleeves are always too short, batwings are so unflattering!
My ideal dress would be like something out of the Darling Buds Of May!

Sorry, Cromwell, I've bought some great dresses at M &Co, Primark ( you have to hunt though) and Matalan. M&S used to have some good stuff but I do feel they have lost the plot a bit.

I could never wear a swimming costume. I was ok up until about 27. Then I just didn't for several years and now it feels out of the question, too exposing. I'm biggish, a 14, but have an ok body shape. Last month I bought some shorts and they feel so tiny I will probably never wear them out of the house. I say all this to say I understand your struggle op! However i can wear a dress. Look at different lengths and shapes, think about leggings and tights. They are v comfortable things to wear!

Wear with leggings or linen trousers depending on style of dress.

Make sure your legs are waxed, well moisturised, feet lovely and toes painted:) bit of fake tan or a spray and you're good to go.

I wear dresses all the time with ballet flats, little high boots, heels, and dresses - places to buy are hof, debenhams, JL, sea salt, hush, look at the sale stuff, any boutique shop in the sale.. Plenty of knee length, cap sleeve dresses - buy the best quality you can, they last forever:)

the key is really to wear them often.

I find mine are tanned now, as I have my legs out a lot. A bit of a tan hides a multitude of sins.

I put self tan on legs in April/May, easy-peasy, any old brand will do (though Lancome Flashbronzer gives the most amazing effect, IMO).

I also don't feel self-conscious if I avoid mirrors

And then after a while you think nothing of it.

I wear short dresses with leggings. There was a long thread on dresses with leggings the other week. Some posters were dismayed that people would commit this apparent fashion crime and tried to save us dresses and leggings people from ourselves!

It was an educational thread. I learnt that those people who are against dresses with leggings are aiming for a level of sophistication in their daily wear that I am simply not interested in aiming for. My mates would think i'd had a personality change for a start. And all that faffing making sure your legs (and bikini line) are shaved, tanned etc every day? What a waste of time and brain space IMO! And a pain also IMO to always have to watch out for wind blowing yous skirt up / not being able to freely run / sit as you like so people can't see your underwear!

So back to your question, if you mean short dresses, the answer depends on whether you are aiming for sophistication or comfort? A mainstream idea of what feminine means, or the freedom to move freely? A hassle-free morning or a regular beauty regime?

If you'd rather go for an easy life, go short dresses and leggings!

Wiggly, I like what you describe but this is for a holiday where (hopefully) it will be warmish.
I don't suppose you could link to an image with the dress/legging combination? I did buy some leggings once but I think they are too long as I still looked wrong!
I am meantime going to look up the tanning stuff mentioned.