Shorts virgin - how do I sort my legs?

[CatsForLife]

I’ve decided this summer (only on holiday!) to wear the damn shorts. I feel like this is a mental hurdle as I really don’t like my legs. I’m not overweight though legs are a bit chunky and I want to make them look better. What works? I’m really pale so even gradual tan can look patchy. Think I’ve got some This Works perfect legs somewhere so interested to know if anyone rates that. The skin is smooth on my calves and I wax so no prickles. But knees look rough. I’ve enough time before holiday to put the work in but need some tips. I exercise regularly including weights - it’s more the appearance I want to improve.

I like the Sally Hansen airbrush legs stuff. It’s pretty natural and you don’t have to worry about build up or it going patchy. I love shorts in hot weather and don’t have the greatest of legs but I think the more you see them, the less you worry.

Yes I agree with you on the more-you-see-them point. I’m wearing long dresses to work up to it! I’ll look up the airbrush stuff. Thank you.

Sally hensen stuff only works of you're not very pale. If you're very pale it looks like you've painted yourself with ronseal.

Mac do a face and body foundation that can help sort out uneven blotches on pale skin.

Personally I just wear them but only where people don't know me!

Get the Gatineau gradual tan. I’m fair and it’s so easy!
Also, try on a few styles of shorts too

I work somewhere that everyone wears shorts. You definitely get used to bare legs over time. Knees sort themselves once the air hits them - keep moisturising obviously.

I think it would be just picking the right shorts. Pale and interesting legs look good in bright luminous colours I think . Us olive skinned people potentially look a bit “overdone” in them.

Good luck.

try on lots of styles, lengths, colours and fabrics until you find a flattering pair. I live by the sea and it’s shorts weather from April to October!

Never look down at yourself to decide how you look (worst angle). Always look across into a mirror.

Lots of moisturiser for dry skin.

Embrace the pale. It's who you are. (Says a fellow pale person - blue in winter, off white in summer.)

I always had deep insecurities wearing shorts but for different reasons (my legs are too skinny looks awkward, knees too bony, skin gets too dark in sun)

I know it’s scary at first but trust me you get more used to wearing them, and now I think it’s not my problem if my legs/skin aren’t ‘xyz’ enough - a man wouldn’t feel guilty for wearing shorts

I agree with the poster who said just wear the shorts and get used to seeing your legs.

The problem with the idea of 'preparing' your legs for an outing with fake tan and this and that is that you'll end up not wearing the shorts if you feel like they're not sufficiently prepped.

I had an epiphany last year. I was in the gym during one of the hotter parts of summer and I looked round and all the men were in shorts while the vast majority of women (including me) were sweating away in leggings. I just thought, what the hell am I doing?? So I got some decent gym shorts and got used to seeing my legs. They were gateway shorts because then I got some for normal wear.

Funnily enough, nobody cares about my legs. I have gone from thinking they are pale, chubby monstrosities that must be hidden from sight to realising they're actually just legs.

Shorts are my go-to in summer. I realised years ago that - although my legs aren't perfect - they're a decent shape. Shorts suit me better than skirts, I think. Also, shorter styles can be more flattering than longer ones as they avoid the boy-scout look! Just not so short they show bum cheeks!

Try the looser legged ones that look almost like you are wearing a skirt. I have a pair like this from Fat Face and they are cool and comfy in a small print rather than plain.
Fat face appear to call them "flippy"
www.fatface.com/style/su498574/ak4782
Agree though avoid just above the knee length, or too fitted a leg as both of these give that scout leader look.

Apologies I have realised you weren't asking for shorts recs but leg care! Just moisturise a lot and start getting them out, just in your own garden or whatever as much as you can, so you feel more comfortable and they loose some of that "always kept in the dark" look, even if you don't tan.

I like a tinted body oil on mine. Nuxe do one, and the Body Shop have a cheaper version - both have a bit of a shimmer in them which I like, and they seem to just put the right amount of colour on my pale skin with no streaks, as well slightly disguising my spider veins. They smell nice too.

My legs aren't the slimmest and I'm also pale, but I actually feel pretty good in shorts. I use ambre solaire tanning mist (medium shade) every few days until I start to tan. It's very subtle but it's quick and easy to apply, doesn't streak and stops me resembling a milk bottle.

If you're feeling self conscious you may be tempted to go for longer shorts but honestly I find mid-thigh far more flattering than knee length. I've got a couple of cotton pairs similar to the Fatface ones someone has linked above, and a denim pair.

I don't tan at all and don't use fake tan. I am as white as a sheet in general, but I wear the shorts! I've got leg tattoos so I use a lot of sunscreen.
I 'prep' by exfoliating my legs. The Inkey List do a glycolic acid body exfoliator which gets rid of all your rough elbow/heel/knee skin. You will feel like a dolphin 🐬 It doesn't have a scent.

Embrace the paleness, the veins, the knobbly and wobbly bits. It's so liberating. Look at everyone else's legs in shorts and see how imperfect they are.

Sometimes I think women are their own worst enemies...

Just put on the shorts and enjoy!

You don't need perfect legs or tanned skin.

Wax your legs , exfoliate, moisturise and sally hansen

I went on the same quest before my holiday last month. I was body brushing, using a scrub in the bath and moisturising them every night before bed. I used the inkey list body exfoliater linked above on my knees and ankles. I waxed a few days before which I always finds makes a massive difference to the texture of my legs (I don't actually care much about being hairless but I just love the way it looks and feels). Then used a light gradual tan so they weren't so blindingly pale. I was, and still am really pleased! I was looking at them thinking I can't believe they are my legs 🤣

Do you use the normal Nuxe or the Gold one, please? Sounds like it would be what I want for evenings where I want to look a bit fancy!

Otherwise, OP, I managed to get over wearing shorts a couple of years ago and it's very liberating. I don't bother to do anything special beyond my usual hair removal and moisturising. Also, I used to wear really long shorts, still trying to hide a bit - but they just made me look huge.

I'd exfoliate... shave or wax ... body oil to moisturise, then later (so maybe that evening) use a good fake tan, with a mitt, apply liberally. I like the St Tropez express mousse. (I have tried a lot of tans). I am very pale but this just takes the edge off them to not have to worry about showing them out and about! :-)

@Baxdream is Gatineau worth the money? I tempted but its so expensive compared to others

I think so. QVC often do deals on it

I wear short shorts. I didn’t used to, but I’ve recently thought ‘fuck it’. My legs are slim, I’ve got no cellulite or veins. My knees look like potatoes - but a scrub, St Tropez and lots of moisturiser and I look pretty good.

@PomeloOud that's how i would describe myself 😂 - You've convinced me I am going to give it a go !!