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!

[Hismumhermum]

Interesting, thanks folks. I do think I need it to be really hot in order for it to feel ok/less exposed. Am going to try the gradual tanning stuff (might not work) and brazen the white look if not (if it is warm enough). I don't have any of those knee length leggings, might try some on in the shops. Not bothered about a pedicure-brown feet are all I want!

[SevTSnape]

I've never really enjoyed wearing dresses, even when I was a skinny size 8, I never felt comfortable. Unfortunately, every so often I ended up with people in my life you encouraged me to wear more dresses. I never once felt 100% comfortable in them. Now if I go anywhere smart I've decided I'll do shirt and tie (don't like blouses - or how women's clothes fit in general)

Leggings or 3/4 lengths all the way. Hareem pants are also good for keeping cool.

[Ladymoods]

Fake tan always looks like fake tan, horrible stuff, people look streaky and ridiculous.

Embrace your paleness!

[SuperFlyHigh]

generally dresses unless tunic (wear with leggings or footless tights) I tend to either bare my white legs to the world (am thinking of buying that St Tropez new self tanning stuff), shaved of course and then when been out in sun and got some colour bare them some more...

I agree that there is a good length for dresses on most people - some suit maxi dresses more than others some suit a couple of inches above the knee.

Do a pedicure with sandals, or wear peeptoes. some dresses look best with a heel - wedge or otherwise. I personally don't think it's professional to wear a lot of dresses where you can see bare legs to work... so wear tights then.

[hellsbellsmelons]

Garnier summer body is the way to go.
As your legs are very white you will need the lighter version (light sunkissed look)
Use every other or every 3 days throughout spring and summer.
Sorted! It's a good moisturiser as well.
I wear dresses or skirts 95% of the time.
I'd say 90% of the time dresses.
More forgiving IMHO.

[OnlyLovers]

If it's hot enough for bare legs, it's hot enough that I don't care about my glow-in-the-dark vampire legs.

But otherwise, leggings if it's not too warm (although cotton leggings are quite cool anyway IME). Or what about a longer-length one? Covering up more can keep you cooler in hot weather.

[wigglylines]

Ah, sorry I missed it was for a holiday not every day wear! Perhaps making the extra effort is worth it for a special occasion?!

But this is the kind of thing I meant anyway

[Hismumhermum]

Thanks frosty, am definitely too short plus knee length is all I'm thinking of anyway. Will get one of those gradual tanning things today and hope for the best!

[Frostycake]

Surely a maxi-dress is the answer if you don't like your legs. Then, just apply a gradual tan to your arms and legs every day when you get out of the shower (takes off the pasty glow). If you're too short for a maxi-dress, try a skimming midi-length or a length that's just on the knee. Go for darker colours if you feel self-conscious.

[fieldfare]

I've just had a trying on session with all my holiday dresses, most are knee length and nipped in slightly at the waist. Started exfoliating, shaving and using cocoa butter with a light tanning effect on my legs so they're not too horrifically white now.

[Hismumhermum]

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.

[wigglylines]

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!

[BabyGanoush]

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.

[lavenderhoney]

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:)

[perfectlybroken]

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

[TheHappinessTrap]

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!

[toffeeboffin]

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.

[toffeeboffin]

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!

[cromwell44]

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

[toffeeboffin]

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!

[mewkins]

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.

[Iforgottotellyou]

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.

[Runningupthathill82]

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.

[Hismumhermum]

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

[Stillwishihadabs]

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