Is it frumpy to wear leggings under a dress..?

[MHA65]

I have a couple of nice summer shift dresses that I bought last year and then didnt really wear...they are slightly too short (Im in my early 50s and dont want to show too much lily white leg!) Can I wear them with leggings? This would get me around the blue white legs and being too short issues in one go! But no idea if this is considered acceptable! If not, what do older/larger women wear in the summer??

Jeez. There's some absolute tripe on this thread.

It's not frumpy.
it's not old fashioned.

I wear leggings underneath dresses if the outfit calls for it. One of my favourite outfits is an animal print dress, denim jacket, leggings and converse. I'm almost 50, but look and dress nearer to 40. On trend and often complimented on my style.

Mumsnet is not the place to ask this question. It seems to be full of opinionated, frumpys, lacking in confidence and who are far too quick to jump on anyone who dares to have their own style.

Try it on, look in the mirror.....and if you like it, wear it.

Yes but go for it if you like it 🤷‍♀️

@Doghead

Jeez. There's some absolute tripe on this thread.

It's not frumpy.
it's not old fashioned.

I wear leggings underneath dresses if the outfit calls for it. One of my favourite outfits is an animal print dress, denim jacket, leggings and converse. I'm almost 50, but look and dress nearer to 40. On trend and often complimented on my style.

Mumsnet is not the place to ask this question. It seems to be full of opinionated, frumpys, lacking in confidence and who are far too quick to jump on anyone who dares to have their own style.

Try it on, look in the mirror.....and if you like it, wear it.

Soooo... YOU’RE allowed to call others frumpy, but anyone who dares call a leggings-and-dress combo frumpy is wrong and talking tripe. Cool.

People are taking this very personally - nearly everyone defending leggings under a dress goes onto say they wear it themselves and look great while doing so. I’m glad so many people are confident and happy in what they wear; OP asked a question and a difference of opinion is to be expected.

I always assume someone wearing leggings either under a dress or with a shorter top has chosen comfort over style and it’s not a look that appeals to me. A bit too maternity wear. Agree also with the PP who said it makes me think of early middle aged women who shop at white stuff (I am a former white stuff employee and we sold a LOT of tunic tops and leggings).

Funky woollen tights and DMs works for me and I'm 60 😃

I've just been looking on Shein site at dresses that finish just above the knee, mainly tea or wrap dresses, none cost more than £20, I'm going to team them with Seasalt cropped leggings in either navy or charcoal & either ballet pumps or trainers. I have mobility issues so need things that are comfortable.

If not, what do older/larger women wear in the summer??

The same as younger, thinner women of course. You wear a dress, you show your legs, simple.

@Doghead

Jeez. There's some absolute tripe on this thread.

It's not frumpy.
it's not old fashioned.

I wear leggings underneath dresses if the outfit calls for it. One of my favourite outfits is an animal print dress, denim jacket, leggings and converse. I'm almost 50, but look and dress nearer to 40. On trend and often complimented on my style.

Mumsnet is not the place to ask this question. It seems to be full of opinionated, frumpys, lacking in confidence and who are far too quick to jump on anyone who dares to have their own style.

Try it on, look in the mirror.....and if you like it, wear it.

On trend for a middle aged woman anyway. Of course dressing nearer to forty when you are fifty would be mutton dressed as lamb according to some

Wearing leggings under a dress can look ok, if the leggings are quite thin,and not the thicker winter ones,,and you can buy leggings in all different colours now, so can match them to dress colours..

Adjust the hem of the dress a few inches above the knee & wear cotton mid length capri trousers instead of leggings. For summer, leggings will keep the heat close too your skin.

Asian selwar kameezes are essentially a dress & trouser combo & they always look elegant.

I didn't know people wore leggings under dresses!

I do this when pregnant just because my bump usually makes my dresses short enough to be called tunics. Sometimes too when in the 'on the floor in public' stage of baby/toddler raising.

Honestly though, wear what you like, life's too short. If it makes you feel comfortable wearing the dresses you love i think its a great idea.

I wear this all the time with converse. I love it. I don't do it because I hate my legs I wear it because I feel comfortable and happy like this. I wear much brighter clothes than I ever used to Used to wear jeans and a sweater all the time. I'm 50 recently single. I tend to wear quite short dresses with collars and a denim jacket or cardigan. I get compliments about what I wear.

Agree also with the PP who said it makes me think of early middle aged women who shop at white stuff (I am a former white stuff employee and we sold a LOT of tunic tops and leggings).

The op is early middle aged. As am I. There's a reason you sold a lot of these clothes and that's because middle aged women want to wear clothes that fit them well and White Sruff does just that. What's wrong with looking middle aged ?

I’m neither old nor overweight, but I prefer wearing tights or leggings with a dress. Have since teen years. I’ve worked in fashion and it was never seen as an issue.

What about cropped leggings ,so finish just under the knee ,does that look ok with a dress ,that’s how I’ve always worn my dresses..but now I’m nearer 50 I’m not so sure ,feels to girly .

@welliesarefuntowear

Agree also with the PP who said it makes me think of early middle aged women who shop at white stuff (I am a former white stuff employee and we sold a LOT of tunic tops and leggings).

The op is early middle aged. As am I. There's a reason you sold a lot of these clothes and that's because middle aged women want to wear clothes that fit them well and White Sruff does just that. What's wrong with looking middle aged ?

@welliesarefuntowear Absolutely nothing, I was responding to the PP who was offended by someone else who said they reminded her of middle aged White Stuff shoppers. I was agreeing and confirming that there was a reason they made her think of that! Lots of people on this thread saying “well I’m not middle aged and I wear them” but to me it’s a middle-aged (or maternity) style. I didn’t say that was a bad thing.

I wear cropped ones from Next with dresses all the time. The dresses are always a couple of inches above the knee or mid-thigh length tunics.

I look great and feel appropriate and comfortable

Today I am wearing an Masai tulip shaped tunic dress in black and white, with leggings -it suits my shape and looks stylish.

As a “post menopausal woman who occasionally shops at White Stuff” (thanks pp), I’m out of here.

Is there such a thing as leggings that hold you in that are not shiny, sporty looking leggings?

I am wobbly of thigh but love leggings and a long top/short dress but eeel my thighs look awful and mainly just wear them around the house as they are so comfy.

I would be very self conscious wearing them out and it is great in winter when you can wear a big coat and long boots, then I look and feel fine but with summer coming and legs that are wobbly.veiny etc. I need to think about something else maybe. I think three quarter ones would look ok in summer with long top etc. if I could find some that hold my thighs in a bit. I hate to feel that `i am trying to cover something up, which obviously I am.

I didn't realise dresses/leggings was such a fashion faux pas 😂 if I'm wearing boots or trainers then I'll opt for leggings, otherwise tights with flats, although it does depend on the style of dress as well - I tend to stick to midi/maxis for the coverage for religious reasons.

To adjust an old saying to make it apropriate here, leggings are not tights. They are outerwear.

@StarlightLady

To adjust an old saying to make it apropriate here, leggings are not tights. They are outerwear.

So are tights, they go over your underwear and therefore are outerwear.

But you can wear leggings without a dress or a skirt, wearing tights without would be, lets say, “unusual”.