Afraid to wear a dress

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.😔

Cabbie21

I’m quite shot and dumpy so I don’t think dresses really suit me, especially with the shoes I find most comfortable, mostly Sketchers. I looked better with heels but those days are long gone.
Can one really wear a dress with trainers for a smart occasion, at our age?

I’ve been doing it for more than twenty years as I can’t walk in anything else . Merrell children’s range suit me best.

We went to a wedding reception on Saturday, the bride wore white, sparkly trainers under her dress! Comfortable

Go on Vinted and find a maxi dress or skirt in your size (frequently under £10) and give one a try before splashing out on a more considered purchase. And, on Vinted, don't worry about 'making an offer', sellers often accept £2 off. Can be posted to your home or local collection point so dead convenient.

I see young women in Paris in black tights with flowery dresses and sneakers. It sounds odd, but they make it work. Maybe try that look? I also hide my legs and usually opt for long dresses or flowing pants. I hide my arms too!

Allira

I like your boots! Snazzy.
Whst make are they?

Thank you. They were from a company called Rogue and Wolf.

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.

Boden have a lovely selection and M&S too.

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!

Try a longer style or fake tan on your legs

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!

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 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.