are dresses with black leggings unfashionable?

[Kittyrobin]

I'm tall and don't like my legs from the knee up, searched the Internet and can't find any dresses that are long enough, I don't suit skirts or maxi dresses so planning on getting through the summer wearing dresses with black leggings underneath. Is this terrible? Or ok? I wore this style throughout my pregnancy but could defiantly get away with it then.

these items are very popular amongst all manner of age groups
They're not around here (major city) - you would never, for example, see students or women in their 20s rocking the leggings and tunic/summer dress look.

It's very much a 30 or 40-something "mum" way of dressing, not a trend. There's nothing wrong with that in itself - I'm just pointing out that if a certain group of people tend to wear something because it's comfortable and practical, that doesn't make it fashionable. Which was the point of the OP.

Not fashionable, no, but that only matters if it matters to you. I remember this look being on trend 4 or 5 years ago. But it's so easy to wear that it's stuck around.

I wouldn't wear leggings and a dress - I'd feel frumpy, and I'm not especially fashion conscious! However, the look would undoubtedly look better on a person with longer legs! I'll wear leggings with an oversized fine knit men's jumper that drapes nicely (eg a cotton/cashmere blend), and ankle boots. Or to the gym with a long loose t-shirt.

For covering up - midi dresses and skirts seem to be in right now. They're in lots of the high-street shops: h&m, miss selfridge, warehouse, Zara etc. Even if they aren't strictly midi length on the op they might still hit below the knee unless very tall. Or 3/4 length trousers are a thing again now and I think they're usually worn best by someone taller.

I am tall, I find most dresses and skirts that describe themselves as midi are actually knee length, for the first time in years I can buy dresses and skirts. Also next and Boden do a tall version of their dresses.

What sort of dresses do you like?

I am 5'10 and this oasis dress is on the knee. Oasis have loads of this type of dress

I personally think it's a perfectly OK way of dressing but that for a wedding a dress would look nicer and you'd feel more comfortable in. I'm tall (and big too) but have found some good dresses from Boden . Their site has useful details on lengths for all their items.

PS yes, I've also found like a PP that going for a 'midi' dress ensures an over the knee length.

I've just got out leggings and a dress to wear for work tomorrow. The leggings are black ankle length and the dress is a short sleeved short black dress with a black crochet trim. I'm going to wear it with some bright coloured ballet pumps, a beautifully cut grey jersey blazer and a silver tote. I've just blow dried my hair and I'll accessorise with an armful of silver bracelets and an oversized mans watch. I think it will look nice and not at all frumpy.

It's a frumpy look and loved by overweight women. I'm overweight myself and dislike my legs so tend to stick to jeans.

Sorry, for some bizarre reason confused this thread with another and thought it was one of those on what to wear to a wedding! Must be more careful.

That said, for me it will always be a casual 'going to the supermarket ' type look but I have seen one or two women put it together stylishly ( mostly in France, I think, but not in Paris).
Not mad about an 'armful of silver bracelets' either - prefer something more understated - but each to their own.

I might wear leggings today but with a knee length dress which always gets me a telling off on here.

I like them sometimes instead of tights, either because it's not warm enough to go bare legged but I can at least flash a bit of ankle. Or to tone down a smart outfit if I need to look reasonably professional but not too corporate. Rarely black, normally grey and I prefer the 'footless tights' variety to the woven ones with seams.

I don't wear them with short dresses because I don't suit that length any more and leggings don't hide it.

I work with kids and this works for me, and I look good, not frumpy. Frumpy is such a nasty misogynistic little word, no one ever calls a man frumpy because he chooses to wear clothes that work for him.

Well said lsp

love legging s and as they come in different thicknesses , textures, colors , lengths etc so they are useful all year round. Currently seeking net leggings as they are amazing on really hot days. Yesterday had on medium weight capri length coral leggings from H&M with an orange and white stripe Joe Fresh dirt cheap t shirt knee length dress ,toned down by an H&M dark grey maternity pinafore , inherited from my dd and then went over the top with orange suede wedges. I felt good tho i know my dd wd not like it! Maybe wear grey sneakers next time?

It's a No from me.

I wear shorter dresses with capri length leggings all the time. I'm 5ft 10 so it's either that or flashing my arse every time I bend over. I'm not overweight, or 'frumpy' and thank god am grown up enough to not give a shit if other people want to be sneery about what I'm wearing (although I can't believe anybody would give a toss).

I'm tall too and find shops that sell 'long' fit are quite good - can buy a knee length dress which actually reaches my knees in 'long'. I've got some from top shop and boden! Good luck.

I hate that look sorry, I just think it's too mumsy

ok we know what you hate, but what do you suggest instead?

Not unfashionable as they're more of a staple now - the skirt equivalent to classic jeans.
Bit boring but fine. Im wearing mine under a short tunic/dress tomorrow for work/errands.

Ugh deleted my post.

Agree with PP about frumpy and mums being stupid misogynistic terms. Also fat shaming is vile.

Being size 8 and noticing lots of younger women wearing this look, I'm afraid those who make those comments ate looking through some kind of insecurity.

Like I say it's not going to rock anyone's world but there's nothing actually wrong with being comfortable, a mum or indeed fat if you're happy in your skin.

Someone in punk rave leggings or a fitted dress might well look anything but mainstream in this look, too.

Well I wore it today and had a lot of compliments from non frumpy people so like anything it's generally not what you wear but how you wear it

On what to suggest instead, several posters have suggested places to buy longer dresses.

I also like playsuits, jumpsuits and harem pants (as well as basic shorts or crops) for that whole "crawling round a climbing frame and not wanting to flash my arse" look.

I'm not bothered about looking trendy, I just personally don't like the leggings look at all. I think it usually looks clashing when you put a summery dress with thick black leggings - and summer dresses were specifically what the OP was talking about, right?

Completely agree with posters saying people should be happy in their own skin etc, but I have no idea how we've gone from a simple discussion on the merits or otherwise of leggings to misogyny and fat-shaming.

Lots if people probably hate what I wear but does it matter? No. But if I started a MN thread on a certain style, asking for honest opinions, that's what I'd want to get.

I wear them. Tights are no good in hot weather, they make my feet all sweaty. Bare legs mean I need to keep on top of hair removal, plus I am not fond of the veins on my lower left leg, and also I get awful thigh rub ( whatever size I am am- get it when a size 16, got it when a size 8 as I have stupid legs) with bare legs under a dress or skirt. I see people of all ages and backgrounds wearing that here (Manchester).