Is it a complete style no-no to wear cropped leggings under a dress?

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I am a classic pear shape and really dislike my knees/legs. However at 5"3 I look better in shorter style A-line skater type summer dresses. Ideally I love a dress which sits under the knee but can't always find these. I look terrible in maxi/long dresses as they swamp me and I look frumpy. Anyway long story short. My go to solution to this always used to be to wear a pair of cropped legging underneath but that now feels dated. Can I still get away with this? Or any recommendations for something just below the knee (on someone 5"3). Bonus points for sleeves/pockets and fitted waist!

I get where you are coming from, but won't you ultimately feel less self-conscious if you just wear the clothes you like, regardless of what is in season?

I mean, trends come and go and these days you have 52 seasons in a year with fast fashion. Clothes will typically last longer than that. Also, life is too short to bother dressing for other people's approval.

Could chat gpt help with ideas? You might find some nice surprises there. Good luck

I wear my denim just above the knee dress with Snag footless solid colour tights the same colour, so navy and toe post sandals.
I don't feel I can wear mini dresses without in my 60s.
I think footless tights look better than leggings on the whole and they come in lots of colours.

Why bother answering style questions in the style section if style is of no interest to you? OP would like some input from a style perspective.

It's like responding to posts in the Doghouse asking about dog behaviour with 'why do you even have a dog? Pet ownership is irresponsible anyway'

I am not answering a style question. I am responding to OP's comments about feeling self-conscious. I don't know why Mumsnet put this thread on my feed. I started reading it and when I saw the comment about feeling insecure, I wanted to respond and help OP out.

How about wearing linen crops (lots have elasticated waist)? They are very fashionable and though it’s recommended to wear a tighter top with the wide ones, if you can find some straighter ones they could look lovely under a less fitted dress. I have the same issue as you. Claire Lopez on instagram is 5ft 2 and has some really good advice for us shorties. Personally I’m still committing the fashion sin of wearing denim jeggings (sorry I know they’re banned on here but I buy them from Next and reckon they’re acceptable if you can still purchase them). I wear with t shirts and hoodies plus docs or trainers. They are very practical as I work in a wildlife rescue centre and the current trouser styles would be hopeless!

I put my toddler in this look to protect her knees but wouldn't wear it myself! I'm an inch shorter than you and can only really wear maxi/midi dresses from a petite range, or sometimes regular with adjustable shoulder straps. The "frumpy" thing is often just about fit rather than your actual body, wearing clothes cut for a much taller person tends to look unflattering. I would try some longer petite dresses as an alternative.

I have horrid legs, I look quite tall & slim in trousers but my calves are like trunks & ankles are really solid. I will wear a mid calf dress or skirt no problem. But some short dresses are too lovely not to buy. In summer I tend to wear it like:

wrap dresses over a wide leg trouser with a wide heel, like a wedge or espadrille style

Short blazer style dresses can look really good over again either a wide leg trouser with chunky trainers or straight trousers or jeans with a nice heel or flat sandal. It also works really nice with long floaty skirts & sandals.

what I’ve found best is to try & stay similar colour wise, so with a dusky rose dress I’m wearing cream trousers & gold sandals & handbag in similar tones

black with black, navy with navy, these are my easy days

brighter or patterned dresses work well with denim

Snag do amazing nude tights in lots of different skin shades that look like you’re not wearing tights but give you coverage. I’d recommend those. A dress and leggings either makes me think of a kids outfit or a very dated one.

Thank you everyone. I really don't want to cause any arguments..Essentially I usually live in jeans (or knee length shorts over the summer) but would like a few nice dresses for the evening when I go on holiday. I understand and admire the "dress in what you feel good in" message and appreciate these replies but the reality is I won't feel good if I feel frumpy and dated. I know I look and feel good in A-line fit and flare type dresses so think I just need to search for some which are a better length. Not too short not too long! Thank you again for everyone's input x

I think petite ranges are the way to go. Will have a better look x

Yeah agree it's not a good look sorry

I see some people have suggested trying petite versions of midi dresses but have you thought of the opposite and trying the tall versions of the a-line style you like? It sounds counter intuitive if youre shorter but if the "regular" versions are slightly too short for you maybe the tall versions will sit just where you want them?

Or try wearing more skirts with tops because they are much easier to adjust the length of. You can get skirt and top co-ords of the same pattern that are pretty much like wearing a dress and very on trend.

Either that or just whack on some fake tan and fake confidence - I bet your legs are absolutely fine.

If a you have some great shoes, I think it can update the leggings.

I love this style to wear. I always take a really thin pair of leggings in my handbag in the summer evenings, in case it gets cold (my fear!).

But it does depend on how dressy I want to be. Shopping - no worries. In the pub with mates - not so sure or need the great footwear.

Good for you but not very helpful - the OP clearly does care or she wouldn’t have posted?
You have a point @Justsomethoughts23 but I ,and I doubt I'm unique ,often open threads like these because we are interested in the overall subject and are interested in comments even if they don't adhere strictly to the question raised by the OP.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I've invested in 3 new midi dresses from the Roman Petite line and they are so much better. No leggings required!

I wouldn't. And cropped will make your legs look shorter. Tights are better I'd say. Or the trend now is posh socks pulled up.

I'm 5'3 and I find mini dresses come just below the knee on me in quite a few stores. I have very chunky legs due to lymphedema and I wear full length leggings under my dresses with trainers for work and it's super comfy. I'm almost 45 and I've given up caring what anyone else thinks about what I wear. I dress to make myself happy. I have some capri leggings and will wear these in summer with trainers as well.

It does help that I work in a male dominated industry but I do still get compliments about my outfits from women at work every now and again.