Sheer tights in summer?

[GraceMarks]

I want to wear some nice summer dresses and skirts that are around at the moment, but I can't stand the idea of going bare-legged. My legs are just too fat, too pale, too prone to chafing - so usually I'm in trousers until the temperature drops again. I was thinking that one solution might be to wear really sheer flesh-toned tights but I've been hesitating because... well, they're sheer flesh-toned tights, aren't they? Are they ever acceptable legwear really?

What do people think - would this be an ok thing to do, or do I just have to embrace the trouser for the next few months?

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If you've found this page in search of tights that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best tights useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

I have done but it does negate the point of the cool summer dress as they are sweaty and hot! I favour a maxi dress or 3/4 length capris, loose summer trousers etc myself

I can't really do maxi dresses because I'm short and fat, and they make me look like a pepper pot! There's also the chub rub issue to think of. I do wear loose trousers and chinos but I just fancied wafting about in a nice frock for a change. Never mind!

What about a wide leg jumpsuit. There are plenty about that are midi or maxi length. I found them much cooler to wear than dresses in Spain last year so stocked up in the sales.
New look and even Asda have some inexpensive styles to try out.

Sorry, missed off my question mark in my haste to recommend!

There are various creams and potions around to help prevent thigh rub, someone sells liquid talc- Tesco, or Adlimaybe. Or things called bandelettes that look like hold-up stocking tops.

I'm milky and wobbly of skin and live in Spain, my northern European legs are out already and i don't give a stuff if someone wants to think they should be hidden.

¡Vamos Skirts!

I've got some thigh bands for chaffing . Although I'm a size 12 my thighs are big 🙄... I've also bought a few wide leg jumpsuits and find them comfy and quite flattering .

Jumpsuits and me don't really mix - see previous short and fat comments... on the whole, I would prefer to do separates if I'm going to go down the trouser route.

I'll look into the liquid talc idea. I know I shouldn't care about how my legs look, but it's impossible not to when slim, tanned pins are seen as the ideal. I also have an ugly blue vein that's just put in an appearance on my left leg and I'm really self-conscious about having it on display.

I'm short and fat too but th current style are flattering .. worth a try .. maybe wide leg trousers would work better .?
I did find a lovely pair of tights in m and s the other day for a dress I was wearing , I too have horrid legs and they were thin but made my legs look better with a hidden panel .

These

I'm happy to wear flesh toned tights until summer is properly here.if you get good ones that are slightly glossy I find most people don't even notice. I have pale legs and slight varicose veins.
Stockings for best though :)

Fashions in general are so much more comfortable now than they used to be, I don't understand why women are expected to freeze!

I can’t think of much worse clothing wise than wearing tights on a hot day, no matter what type of tights.
I get that summer dressing can be difficult but what about some cool cotton trousers or a midi length dress? I don’t love my legs either but I get them out in summer, life’s too short to swelter in tights on a hot day, no one will care about your legs and it does become v liberating to not give a fig and get legs out

Tight wearers unite! Personally I don’t give a shiny shit about the opinion of others on the rights and wrongs of tight wearing. I find it far more comfortable to wear tights than not, so that is what I do. I always default to M&S, usually the 10 denier ones that come in single packs, rather than the multipacks which are pretty rubbish.

I've just bought some Vita Liberata Body Blur, for the same reason. It's supposed to be the business. Basically wash-off fake tan and skin perfector for your body.

I do wear loose trousers, but I wanted to have the option of dresses and skirts too, without having to feel self-conscious about the size and colour of my legs. I know I should be better at this sort of thing at my age but - and I am sorry to have to say this - I simply don't believe that "nobody cares" or "nobody is looking"! I certainly notice what other people are wearing when I'm out and about, and I think it's a rare person who doesn't look at all!

I'm going to do a bit of shopping tomorrow so I'll look for the M&S 10 denier tights pp have suggested. I did look up thigh bands too and will bear them in mind if tights prove too hot.

It was roasting here last summer and I got down with those cycling short style pants which were brilliant. I thought I might boil in them But actually they were fine and made me feel a bit more secure. Other half however is not a fan!

Wear the tights. Why aren't they acceptable? I wear tights in summer.

Perhaps have a dedicated effort at loosing weight this coming autumn and winter so you can enjoy bare legs next summer!

Also go in those stand up sunbeds for 6 mins every day for a week or two. Tanned legs tada!

I don’t mind them on others but I am yet to find any that work for me. Either air stewardess orange or deathly pale. I usually stick with black opaques then just put on instant fake tan when it’s warm. The one that washes off. So I don’t end up with streaks when it develops.

Also go in those stand up sunbeds for 6 mins every day for a week or two. Tanned legs tada!

Please don't use sunbeds OP. Tights are fine.

No no don't wear tights. I'm sorry but theyook ridiculous with a summer dress, I fact just with any dress they look awful.
Try the gradual tan moisturisers or just a fake tan. Last year I had a leg perfector cream or spray thing (can't remember now) hat was quite good. No matter what size your legs are they will look better without tights. Tights will just look bizzar.

Wow, PurpleGlitter1983 that's really fucking mean. Not sure what I did to deserve that.

Mean? Or factual? Wasn't even directed at you ffs. Snowflake ahoy.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go on a sunbed - far too moley for that to be safe. I haven't tried fake tan for a long time but perhaps they've improved since I last gave them a go. Might experiments with some next week while it's too cold to ditch the tights, then it doesn't matter if it goes wrong.

Fake tan!