To accept I will never look good in a pair of shorts

[Crazyladee]

I'm 5ft 5 and size 10 top and size 12 bottom. Typical pear shape.
However I have absolutely awful legs. Throughout the autumn/winter is great as my legs are covered but come summer I have the same issue. I cannot show my legs. I have been blessed with horrible chunky flabby elephant style knees and chunky calves and thighs. They are also covered in cellulite.
I have tried everything to make me feel less self conscious. I've had sessions with a personal trainer last year, I've had lipo fat freezing on them (which did nothing) and I've tried dry body brushing. Nothing has worked. I had lunch today with my best mate who has legs to die for. She was wearing a gorgeous pair of tiny khaki shorts and looked fab. I sat sweltering in jeans. I think I am going to have to accept that I will never have the legs I long for.
Anyone else in the same boat?

@firemanking

Which fake tan do you recommend? I've had many fake tan disasters over the years so I'm very wary of them!

I hate my thighs and also feel naked if a lot of my thigh is exposed. I’m a
Size 12-14 so not huge but I just feel naked, I’m a much more covered up person. However I can and do wear shorts. My favourite are paper bag high waisted ones from cos (Online now) the high waist makes my legs look longer and my waist look smaller. The legs of the shorts are wider as they go down so look just like an a line skirt really when on. The length is only a bit above my knee which I know some people find unflattering but they really work for me. If you can wear a skirt just above the knee then you can find shorts that work. Nipped in at the waist and wider in the leg makes you look thinner

I can use most brands of fake tan but St Tropez is an easy one to start with

www.amazon.co.uk/St-Tropez-Gradual-Tinted-Everyday-Lotion/dp/B01B7JORB0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?linkCode=sl1&linkId=c5dca163c52561bdb8653e79d1a24dd5&language=en_GB&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

You can even just add a blob of it to your normal moisturiser and build it up even slower.

I’ve just reviewed on here a brand called sunkissed and their mousse was excellent in shade dark but maybe not for a novice.

I wore shorts for the first time ever while on holiday last year. they were high waisted quite short from Zara and I am 5ft 4, sixe 10-12 also with chunkier legs. However, I felt great! Some pre-holiday lunges and a bit of a tan and i felt amazing!

You need something like this. Note : that's not me

It's only 18 degrees in London today anyway.... I'd still have my roll neck on tbh

Unless I wear them shorter than I'd feel comfortable, I'm the same. Short stubby legs with me and only short. I look like Don Estelle/ Lofty.

"why do you whisper Green Grass"

There are so many different styles of shorts you just have to try on loads of different styles and colours.

Sailor or nautical shorts suit me best now I’m knocking on in either navy or white. They’re high waisted and the buttons are flattering.

Avoid khaki or stone colour and longer length or you will look like Don Estelle.

I'm the same OP! My legs are truly hideous. I don't even like looking at them myself never mind inflicting them on the general public! They're basically very short, very wobbly and now have thread veins and cellulite too. I hate summer because of them! Went abroad last year and I did wear shorts and swimwear but I was very much out of my comfort zone. Cropped trousers are as close to shorts as I get. Don't do fake tan either because I'm very pale and crap at anything glamorous. Any I've tried just goes streaky or I look like an oompa loompa!

I live in Switzerland. The women here do not wear shorts. They all wear dresses or skirts, usually past the knee and floaty with nice trainers or pretty sandals. So much nicer and way more forgiving

Can I join the “I look shit in shorts” club? Size 10, 5’8” and long legs, but cellulite, LOTS of thread veins, a few stretch marks, and really sticky out fat knees! 😂 My calves just don’t get bigger and shapely regardless of how much exercise I do. No shorts or short skirts for me!

I have pretty decent legs and (as a runner) am quite muscly. If I wear knee shorts I look like I'm joining the army or the little Krankie school boy.

Either cropped trousers or little shorts for me.

My legs aren’t bad and I’m tall, not overweight, but something happens when I wear shorts-I look dreadful and dumpy. I look much better in skirts. I think it’s because I’m kind off hour glass with a big arse and thighs/small waste/big boobs. I’d love to have more ‘athletic’ looking legs and be more evenly spread.

I have cankles, poor calf definition and fat knees. I do wear shorts, but ‘long’ shorts, so knee length or as close as I can get. Still Doesn’t look great but I’m giving less shits the older I get.

I've got cankles, thick calves, fat knees and terrible thighs - I wear knee length denim Bermuda type shorts. I look ok in them and feel comfortable, that's the main thing.

You are all so hard on yourselves! I'm much older than most of you at 63, size 10 bottom half with sturdy calves. And I do wear shorts, mostly for walking the dog and gardening, but occasionally to shop in a small town, long enough to cover my thread veins. My legs wouldn't win any prizes in a model contest, but they are okay enough that I wouldn't apologise for showing them.

I have chicken legs with larger thighs, no calf muscle and skinny ankles. Shorts are a massive no no unless I’m in a country where I will never go again.

Not worn this style in years but I remember clam digger shorts being in fashion.

They would cover a multitude of sins I think?

Slimming silhouette, high waisted to keep stomach in check, cover knees and look feminine.

I used to hate my thighs. Then I got a tattoos on them now when people look at them they aren't looking at my thighs they're looking at the art. And I love them. Still don't wear shorts but short skirts are my favourite things.

I've never ever seen anyone look good in shorts.

They are always horrendous

How about these?

Pic didn't attach...

Loads of people look good in shorts Golde