Afraid to wear a dress

I love wearing dresses although don't often do so. My legs are awful so no knee length ones for me! It's all very well to say that no one will notice, but sometimes photos get taken at events and then it's a shock to see how dreadful you look. Years ago, in the days of short skirts, someone took a photo of my mother and me with our identical tree trunk legs on show and it had a permanent traumatic effect on me I'm afraid!

I agree with the posters on here who use fake tan/tinted moisturisers. I use them all the time in summer. Wear your dresses and enjoy them.

I have dreadful looking feet and search all over for sandals that cover the worst bits. Now I have also developed thread veins on my legs but I still wear dresses although always longer ones - my knees aren't up to much either! Go for it, put on a dress and be comfortable.

Whiff

Smintie love the dress and you are an inspiration for anyone of any age who has a false limb. Hope you feel proud as you should be .

I know even in this day and age people face discrimination if they are different. I was born disabled I have all my limbs they just don't work like they should but it doesn't stop me doing what I want. I have a dress but trousers are easier for me to deal with plus I fall over and no one wants to see my knickers 🤣

Thank you. I agree, no one should be made to feel discriminated against. We should all be able to wear whatever we want, without feeling judged.

I was waiting for a train at Berwick Station a few years ago and there was a very beautiful young girl wearing a jersey maxi dress with trainers. She had a photographer with her so I assumed they were doing a photo shoot. I remember thinking how great it was that it was now acceptable to wear trainers with dresses given that I can only wear Crocs, Ugg boots and trainers. Word of warning about Snag tight. Much as I love them and so wish they’d been around years ago given that I’m such a weird shape that I was never able to find tights that fitted me, their delivery service is very very slow at the moment and I’ve just had an email apologising first the fact that my order is taking much longer than usual to get to me.

Musicgirl

I have lipoedema, which distorts my lower body, especially my legs, which are enormous and totally out of proportion with the rest of my body. It has also affected my arms. I find dresses are the most comfortable form of clothing on a hot day. If others are offended by my arms and legs, too bad. I try not to expose too much of my body and generally wear an empire style, knee-length dress over leggings. However, if it gets too hot, l have been known to remove the leggings. I sometimes wear maxi dresses and skirts.

firstly i apologise for writing, but i'm worried that my 22 year old granddaughter has lipodoema. I cant broach the subject as she hasnt realised it herself. But time is going by - three years now -I realised and spoke to her mother- who told me to shut up and not mention it again. when she isnt getting any GPs advice. I'm sure she will question her shape one day - i know there's no actual remedy but she should be getting some profesional advice i feel so worried about her and helpless everytime it see her. i apologise again for writing .

I have 3 lovely jersey or cotton dresses from Seasalt. Their prints are lovely this year. Very comfy, and loose. I wear them with Snag builders tea tights, which hide a multitude of problems.

Travelsafar I have never liked my legs either but still go to the pool for exercises in just below knee length swimming leggings and a rash top with short sleeves.
I'm staying with some friends at a thermal place and I'll be able to walk among the hot pools without feeling self concious. Just freezing as theres snow about in mid winter nz!

I know there's a book with the title "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway." That's a good piece of advice.

I had very severe cellulitis in my right leg, which now swells up if I'm tired. The right foot is much broader than my left foot, which makes it hard to buy a pair of shoes which fit both feet. I've bought no end of 'wide fitting' shoes online, but my right foot usually looks swollen. I've bought some knee length boots for a wide leg fitting early this year, for when I want to look smart. They sell out very quickly. I've taken to the trend of wearing trainers with skirts, I doubt anyone is going to look at me and think 'what misshapen legs that woman has!' But, if they do, so what.

Mine are not brilliant, but I go for maxi dresses; they are so comfy, and you can get a nice breeze blowing up them too! Very refreshing! nice to know when you are sat out in a deckchair or whatever, you are not showing your knickers like a lot do

travelsafar

I really want to go to aqua exercise class at our open air lido, literally right behind where I live but like the lady with the dresses I feel self conscious about my legs and all the veins I have, plus the scar on both leg from HR. My swimsuit is lovely with a little skirt but it doesn't hide my lower legs!!! We are all so self conscious about our appearance especially as we age and it prevents us doing things we'd like too.😔

Travelsafar
All in ones look very good.

www.amazon.co.uk/YEESAM%C2%AE-Modesty-Jumpsuit-Swimming-Costume/dp/B00VV5PGVG/ref=sr_1_6?psc=1&keywords=full%2Bbody%2Bswimsuit&th=1&dib_tag=se&tag=gransnetforum-21&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.faYNGXntZhs37yZdzDf2k2A0ysksExu6eHbN-ikp44QMv5bRIgm_dI-eao6HvubwnzEQ7FibQNyIdiA-G-dgvrNJbNaEasyrYav2rR3TIlsEJe1IW1DcRpXh8fiS5ATKDErbX8OCtock_3wc8IScHbYYrOnLpQMnoimCZA5SdrTroiacnAWN7BUJ4RzZ4Z8d1eFVZ1_Rc7cpA-UMMU5ZS0Ffy7R3vNLlikBefnwRofewHMOxz88-DI4NXjHqREjyfjEOYhfVtdTBfk8WoNfk_TRJX6PdW8Ad60ItU85W8ZI.QrvYIwOHsBYBXtoKY2Wwn7A1kZFPbXv2SUekzjpgA2c&qid=1749478066&sr=8-6

Nannafiz, Wear a dress that you really like and feel good in. People are far too busy worrying about themselves to notice veins and blemishes on you. I know what you mean, my legs are decorated with veins too!

But if you are still worried, you could try a little bit of body make up like Dermacol from Amazon for the marks you are most conscious of. You can buy a packet of tube samples in different colours to match against your skin.

I often wear white converse with midi dresses and have also bought some ballet pumps from Hotter which look good with dresses but probably better with tights. The converse I can wear trainer socks with and they look fine.

I feel the same but have taken inspiration from all the comments!

My lower legs have developed a lot of problems: very easily bruised, scars from injuries to friable skin, swelling etc but maxi and midaxi dresses (I'm short) cover a multitude of sins. There are some lovely dresses around so go for it!

Let's face it, once we approach 70 people don't notice us much anyway! And if they do they are much more likely to notice what we are wearing rather than the state of our legs.

Long frocks and skirts are always in fashion, give them a go.

Sally Hansen Leg Make Up is great - excellent coverage and doesn't come off on clothes.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-f022sc-4354510d-49b3-418d-abc7-f71eb8e192d4.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-cg51zk-e90427c5-c2d1-4f1b-a453-7e7f607460c3.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-amseic-ebebd974-1063-46ba-bb21-ab8fb0f65b6d.jpeg

Maxi dress of the right weight to suit you and a nice pair of funky trainers or flat casual shoe . Some liner socks if you want extra comfort . These come in thick and thin too.
What about a bit of tinted leg moisturiser. Bodyworks do a great one it’s just rub in very lightweight so lovely for the legs easily absorbed gives nice natural glow .

That’s it . Off you go .
Can I recommend white stuff and joules for nice dress that hang in a lovely way . They fit all sizes . I’d get something with stretch in it too .
Also new look and other stores do lovely maxis . Of course when in your garden you can pull your dress onto your knees and let your legs get the air .
Trying to upload a few pics

Can I suggest a professional pedicure along with all the other ideas? Get brightish polish. You’ll be amazed. I can’t be bothered with any other beauty treatments but a pedi is a game changer. Just get vinylux ordinary polish not gel. It’ll last for 2-3 months. I’ve horrible VV but a pedi is fab at distracting from them and my ugly feet!

Try a longer style or fake tan on your legs

I understand all the comments in this thread. But OMG, how sad! As a teen in 70s and feminism etc. yet still, in 2025 we STILL feel our legs are too big, too thin, too many veins, our feet are too flappy or wide ...
Please, be inspirational! Just wear what you like. Inspire others.
Lovely colourful summer dreses, comfy shoes. Please don't be inhibited by these crazy rules that are put there by vulture advertisers who just want to make us insecure to sell more clothes or magazines!
Remember Jenny Joseph!

Boden have a lovely selection and M&S too.

keepingquiet

I am putting my summer shorts in a bag for the charity shop as it is unlikely I will wear them again. I haven't worn them since Covid.
I used to have great legs but the past few years my ankles have caved in and are now so think my feet look like little flippers and I struggle to find proper footwear.
I do have some long skirts and dresses but mostly wear trousers and have several pairs of hareem pants that hide my ankles really well and are colourful and cool for the summer.
I only wear footwear with a small heel now too, never flats as they have ruined my feet and especially my ankles.
I agree this is a great thread and glad it isn't only me that has this problem!

I’ve never worn shorts because of my fat legs but today I had an x ray on my knees and for once could have done with some. Thankfully I had my big bloomers that look a bit like cycling shorts.