Afraid to wear a dress

Sorry, I seem to have repeated myself in that paragraph, but I’m sure you all get the gist o& what I’m saying 😁. (I do wish there was an option here for amending after posting as there is on other sites).

This has been a really helpful thread, so thank you nannafizz for starting it. I’m self conscious about my legs because in the last couple of years my shins have developed very flaky skin (due I think, to medication for cholesterol and High BP, as I never had the problem before). I suspect that we all probably think that people notice our imperfections more than they actually do (they’re probably too busy worrying about their own and what others might think, perhaps?🤔). Anyway, it’s giving me food for thought, and thinking that some fresh air and sunlight might improve matters, so I might just dig those dresses out of the cupboard. I hope that you, too, nannafizz now have the confidence to go for it, as I’m sure we convince ourselves that others see/notice more about our perceived imperfections than they actually do.

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.

I’m a slim person but I have always had huge legs totally out of proportion with the rest of my body. I weighed 7 stone at one time but still had big legs. I bought a long cotton dress from Next but unfortunately it has a slit which shows my legs (along with their varicose veins). So I’ve bought some 3/4 length footless tights from Snag and some Mary Jane Crocs ( I live in Crocs). Because Crocs are quite chunky I like to think they balance my legs a bit. Whether I actually wear it or go anywhere in it all is a different matter!

Dresses don't suit me either!

Many people are wearing trainers with dresses, as I can't wear sandals or pretty shoes I wondered whether to by a dress and wear with trainers? Or does it look dorky?

I've always had skinny ankles , they have got thinner as I've got older. I wear a maxi dress or a jumpsuit in the summer

nannafizz I have similar problems with my feet and lower legs, both feet are puffy, lower legs are swollen and so is one ankle which has arthritis. I’m going to a large lunch party this week, in a marquee in a mown field. I’m wearing a dress and trainers and hoping no one notices my feet and legs or, if they do, I hope they won’t be rude enough to comment on them!
However, since a lot of the other guests are elderly, they probably will do! I’ll try not to care.

I wish I could wear dresses too, they just don't suit me, whatever style it is they make me look much bigger than I am and they are very ageing on me and make me look frumpy, so I tend to always stick to separates.

As someone else mentioned nice floaty trousers are another option - there are some beautiful lightweight, colourful trousers around at the moment in all sorts of lengths.

The dress is from Bonmarche.

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.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-ba7a6l-20250608-195128.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-1y5lpf-screenshot-20250608-194937-chrome.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202506/medium-f3o8fw-screenshot-20250608-194612-chrome.jpg

Hi, merlotgran, I agree about the white trainers, trendy and comfy with summer dresses.
Nanafizz, here are some photos, hope they help.

Seasalt have a sale on dresses at the moment. Their clothes are lovely . I have 12 of there tunics brought in the sales and 2 winter waterproof coats and 2 summer waterproof coats.
Plus there sizes are true . Have a look I am sure you will find something you like.

I am in my 80s but I've still got a fairly nice petite figure, but legs and feet a gorilla would be ashamed of. I wear long summer dresses with flat sandals and make sure that my legs are well hidden and that only my pink painted toes show.

Thank you all you really are giving me the confidence to just go for it !

I wear dresses from Finery of London or Monsoon. I'm only 5' 2" and their midi dresses are almost ankle length on me. They are well made and wash well. Also, they are reasonably priced.

I have to be more careful about what I wear on my feet than the length of a dress.

I went to a wedding two years ago wearing a navy and white mid calf length dress which drew quite a few compliments….Phew!

But…I hadn’t given enough thought to my shoes. Navy sandals looked good with my tanned legs and dusky pink toenails but they were too flat and my calves ached like mad making me stagger. To make matters worse, the hotel flooring was a kind of spongy matting. I’d have been better off following the trend of wearing trainers or loafers.

Lesson learned!

Hello 👋 Nanafizz, there are some nice floaty dresses in the supermarkets, also Peacocks and Bonmarche, very reasonable.
I use Ambre Solaire aftersun on my legs, it has tan enhancer and gives my legs a nice colour, very easy to apply, just like body lotion. Sometimes, like Poppy red, I wear crop leggings with knee length dresses. My feet aren't my best features so I wear nice comfy Skechers Bobs espadrilles style sandals, sling backs, covered toe. I'll try to post some photos, sorry I can't do links.

When I wore a smart dress and jacket recently ( for DH's funeral) I wore Snag tights, they come in various deniers and sizes, and really hide varicose veins and blemishes. I recommend a wee look at their website.

Wishing you well whatever you decide.

M0nica

I doubt very few people go around studying the legs of everyone they meet, or even any of them. Your legs are probably fairly normal, as legs go, across the whole female population, so just go out and buy that dress, doesn't have to be long, mid length would be fine.

I agree, mid length and some fake tan on your legs and sandals.

My legs get very swollen during the day so, during the summer, I wear jersey maxi dresses. Mostly Joe Brown's and very colourful, so I hope people are distracted by the colours and don't notice my swollen feet underneath them.

Thank you for all your suggestions , I’m so self conscious about my feet, but you’ve all inspired me to go for it. Im sure you’re all correct no one else will be looking at my feet and ankles !

Havent owned a dress since about the sixties but I do love my floaty wide leg pants

Whitewavemark2

This year dresses are maxi - so no excuses😊😊

I agree. Wear sandals or loafers that are easy to walk in, paint your toe nails and use a tanning moisturiser. Nivea do a good one.

Ignore anyone who tells you to wear what you like because nobody will be looking or take any notice of your legs because you will still feel self conscious whether they are looking or not.

I live in dresses most of the Summer, they are so much cooler than shorts or jeans. Always midaxi so no tripping over hems on stairs but not a lot of leg on show. I've bought some beautiful dresses this year in M&S, New Look, Primark and even Sainsbury. I don't think any cost over £30.

I’ve started wearing leggings with my dresses. Started when I had blotchy legs due to an allergic reaction to something I’d eaten and then carried on as it’s not that warm at the moment. Looks trendy I think anyway.

How about a beautiful, floaty dress in a deeper colour, as opposed to a lighter colour, nannafiz? A lot of us have less than perfect feet and legs and I don't think it really matters. You could use a tanning moisturiser for your legs to add a bit of colour, as Casdon suggests, and paint your toenails too. A nice necklace with your dress would draw the eye upwards. I hope you find a nice dress and feel amazing in it.