Is it acceptable to wear leggings under a dress?

[Fireballfriends]

Mainly in the summer under short shift dresses. I'm late 30s. I don't want to look mumsy. Also don't want to look like I'm trying to be 19.

Altho tbh they are so comfy (and my legs are SO pasty) that I don't care THAT much but I'd like to be aware of the fashion sitch re this important issue.

TIA!

I also don't think the women in the pics look frumpy.

A 90s look but of you feel more comfortable that way, go for it.

Had another look - my fave look is the one on the right.

Agree with Violetblue
Depends on the dress and the rest of the look. I am a fan with loose, tunic, sacky, lagenlook dresses

"Acceptable" to whom? If you like 'em, you wear 'em!

Why not? I wear leggings and boots all winter under dresses, in the summer I wear leggings and sandals or cycling shorts and sandals depending on temperature ... I don't think exposing the knickers is a good look!

I think fine under short dresses. The closer the dress gets to knee length, the more mumsy imo

It's a very dated look that says 'I'm hiding the fat round my midriff but am not very keen on my legs either'. It's on a par with the swim dress.

If you want to be fashionable wear a maxi or midi skirt/dress or trousers. The trend now is for such boxy and baggy clothes that you can cover your body without resorting to dated looks.

I never wear jeans or trousers, so it is stockings if a skirt is of a good length, tights or leggings for short dresses or skirts, unless it is warm enough to go bare legged.

I love the chunky wool jumper, mini skirt, leggings, sheepskin cossack hat and knee high boots look.

Leggings are great for tunics, fencing shirt with billowy sleaves and a waistcoat, teamed with a nice pair of new rock boots, very new romantic

Or a hand embroidered midi lenth indian dress, leggings, ankle bells, leather strappy sandels and a floaty mirrored pashmina.

I find leggings to be very versatile and have been wearing them for 30 odd years, they really do not have to be frumpy at all.

I am so fed up with the adverts for snag tights, does anyone ever think they sound like an actual recommendation? Go away, I am never buying any now!

It's a very dated look that says 'I'm hiding the fat round my midriff but am not very keen on my legs either'.
Hahaha. This is funny for me, there's not much way to say why without it sounding like a stealth boast but I am a size 8 so I'm really not concerned about the above, but still choose this 'look' on the regular.

I wear 200 denier tights. I sometimes wear thick tights with boots and sometimes leggings. Nobody would know which I'm wearing.

I wear leggings with tunics for long haul flights :)

It's fine. Tights under shorts is a big no though.

It's the accessories not the leggings that determine the mumsy factor imo

But think they only work with above knee dresses

And the quality of the leggings makes a difference too (saggy knees etc)

Acceptability is sooooo overrated. You’ll never get everyone’s approval, so please yourself.

Count I'm also a size 8 (literally, no lie) and I wear leggings with dresses though Mainly because I don't always want to wear a midi or maxi dress when running round after toddlers with swishy dresses getting in the way. Try wearing a maxi dress whilst crawling up the structure chasing after a 2yo at soft play! I don't have fat round my midriff and I like my legs. I also wear swim dresses or at least a swim suit with a small skirt frill. Not for cultural reasons either, just because that's what I like.

As for the 'trend' for boxy and baggy clothes, I think that for me I would be hiding behind those (if I wore them) whereas leggings and a short-ish tunic dress show off my figure whilst not flashing my bum. (No, I don't hate my bum either but I don't expect everyone else to love seeing it )

No never

count i am another that is a small size, i am a old school size 10 and nearly 6ft tall, defo not fat hiding here!

Leggings with dress is Mumsy and orang fashionable AT ALLL
When I see it it does make me cringe a bit
But if u like it go ahead for comfort

I've not worn leggings in years but plan for leggings and tunics with loafers to be my summer wardrobe.

I’ve been wearing dresses and leggings since the 80s, they’re always either slightly out of date or alternatively just coming “in” again so who cares? They look naff if the dress is very short, then slim trousers are better.

Fashion and style wise, it is a big no.

Comfort and 'I can wear what the hell I want' - it is obviously your call.

It doesn't look good (the woman in the pictures that looked best was wearing skinny jeans and a tunic) so it depends how much that matters to you.

OP, all that matters is that you like them and are comfy wearing them. Who gives a shiny shit about trying to please the fashion police?
Most of the stuff seen on models going down catwalks gives me hysterics - most normal women wouldn’t be seen dead in it!
Stop being complicit in the patriarchal judging of women on their appearance, and focus on something more important than what your body is wrapped in. Clothes are for warmth and decency, beyond that it’s just personal preference anyway.

Stop being complicit in the patriarchal judging of women on their appearance, and focus on something more important than what your body is wrapped in. Clothes are for warmth and decency, beyond that it’s just personal preference anyway.

You are aware you are on the Style & Beauty board?