How to look summery in leggings/tights and long sleeves ☹️

[WyrdSisterWeatherwax]

I need help

I have a psoriasis on my arms and lower legs so I live in black leggings or tights all year and have to keep my arms covered down to my wrists which usually means long sleeve cardigans (3/4 length doesn't cover it).

Summer isn't too far off now and I'm already dreading finding anything nice to wear that doesn't get spoiled by black leggings/tights and a cardigan thrown over it.

I've lost any idea of how to wear colours which aren't black or shades of grey and I'm never sure if light or bright coloured dresses look daft with black leggings/tights.

I don't think I really have the style to pull off coloured tights and tan/natural ones don't cover my skin.

I'm size 16/18, large hips/bum and tum and small chest so I don't wear anything too fitted but it still needs some shape to it.

Can anyone suggest what to wear when the weather's nice, that looks summery and isn't all black or grey?

Thanks!

Linen trousers or leggings with a kaftan beach cover up. You could wear a vest underneath and even though they're quite sheer, they're very patterned so you can't really see skin through them.

I think if you have a tropical flowy top going on then it's less noticeable if you're wearing black leggings with it.

Long sleeved t shirts in pastel or bright colours or classic Breton stripes. Skinny jeans or chinos in pastel or bright colours or denim or looser trousers in summery prints - H and M have a great selection which are pretty cheap.

You can also get those kind of tunic-y/kaftan tops from places like Accessorize (often used to put over a bikini) and wear with lightweight loose trousers.

Loads of good suggestions here. I've noticed that some people still wear a lot of black in summer and a lot of people cover up. However if money is tight just change your leggings to navy, wear sandals, sunglasses and long sleeved shirts rather than cardigans. Perhaps switch the cardigan to a lighter fabric one.
Would a tinted suncream such as Ultrasun glimmer reduced the redness if you were to have more body on show? I've not tried it but quite fancy trying it. It's not cheap and I expect there are other similar products out there.

Thanks for all the suggestions - there's a good few ideas here I'm gonna look into and I think I'll have a trip into town this weekend to try lots of things on - maybe make a rule to only try things I don't usually go for, see I can I break out of my comfort clothes.

@UpTownFuck it's rubbish isn't it. I always prefer autumn/winter as it's easier to cover up

@Ginkypig @SilverHairedCat @Flaskfan I really hate the look of my skin and it makes me uncomfortable having it visible. I've had a few nasty comments and looks over the years with it so I just prefer to keep it covered. I'm the first to tell other people things like that don't matter, don't worry what anyone thinks but somehow can't apply it to myself.

@JoyceDivision I like the idea of linen trousers and think H&M have some nice ones in just now but I've never thought of wearing them cos I'm quite hippy with a tummy so I didn't think they'd suit so I'm gonna try them on in store an see :) what sort of footwear would you wear with wide-legged linen trousers apart from sandals?

@DragonsAndCakes I like the idea of the safari/sand/olive theme, would go well with my copper hair and pale skin.

Thanks everyone! Roll on summertime

I've no advice but
My DF is covered in psoriasis and it's not as simple as just daring to bear. She gets asked if They are burn marks, when it's really bad it flakes off everywhere and people on the bus, in the cafe etc make disgusted faces and she is ashamed/embarrassed.

In the summer, I live in Sainsbury Tu chinos rolled up with light shirts worn as cardigans with vest tops underneath. Almost entirely cotton then but good coverage!

Loose fitting trousers like Hush Amie or similar

Long sleeved to from anywhere

Or a nice maxi skirt

I would suggest wearing linen trousers/long skirt with long sleeves linen shirts instead. It will look more seasonal and you will feel more comfortable.

I wear canvas shoes like Converse/Superga/Rocket Dogs with wide leg linen trousers.

How about a sheer kimono type thing? With linen/light weight trousers?

www.boohoo.com/womens/coats-jackets/kimonos

People are bastards, I'm sorry to hear anyone feels they have to cover up at all but I do understand.

Have you thought of booking in with a personal shopper at John Lewis or similar? Perhaps they could help with inspiration, especially if you explain what you want to achieve when you book.

And with copper hair (hugely jealous here 😁), white is just stunning - maybe a few white tops to offset the black bottoms you already own?

Oh, you poor love. What are you using to treat the psoriasis? Sunlight is supposed to be good for it - maybe go bare legged in your garden and see if it helps.

I have scalp psoriasis that is so frigging itchy and doing my head in. Ha. Literally. Looks like I’m covered in dandruff. It’s horrible. You have my sympathy.

I'm exactly the same except a size 18/20 at the moment. It's a catch 22 really as the sunlight helps my skin but in the past I've been to embarrassed to show it. Nowadays I don't care and wear maxi or midi dresses and skirts with a plain top. If I feel like it I might stick on a cheap boyfriend style cardi on but wouldn't if it was very warm.

Oh I also like a casual long line shirt or kimono worn with leggings and a cami.

Doesn't the sun help your psoriasis? For bottom half there are some really comfortable trousers around, I bought some from Next last week ,they would like really summery with a nice top, even a long sleeve t-shirt would work

Birkenstocks with linen trpusers op... Already got mine back out!

Skater dresses with leggings underneath (flip flops or converse for shoes) and long sleeve, long length loose cardigans. I hate my legs and arms and always cover them so I live in this kind of thing in summer

I have massive scarring on one arm, and if I want to cover up, then I use Wingz to add sleeves without being another layer. The lace ones are more of a cover than you might think, so are worth a try

OP I have the same issue - the one hot week we'll probably have and I have a flare up!
Mine is guttate - the paint drop one. For those that don't know it's like tiny patches all over (like someone has flicked paint) so I get people thinking it's contagious as it looks more like a rash than the classic big patches.
My arms are ok ish at the moment so that's something

@theeyeofthestormchaser Have you tried using T-Gel shampoo? My DH swears by it for his scalp psoriasis.

Shirt dresses are v trendy for this summer, you could wear over leggings or open with a top unserneath. There are lots of floral maxi dresses too that would avoid the need for leggings potentially? So many colour options that way.

Bright coloured / patterned leggings.

Harem pants. I was dead against them but love them now they are very, very comfortable.

Cotton trousers rolled to just above the ankle with a loose dress is my go to look for summer, with flat sandals or sling backs.

That's totally your choice wyrd, you don't have to justify anything to me my lovely

Can I just say though your skin is beautiful, I don't even need to see it to know that. Next time someone says something bad just remember that.

I hope you find something you like for summer.