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Style & beauty

Bare legged

(74 Posts)
lindiann Sat 15-May-21 13:44:22

Hi is it taboo to go bare legged at a wedding (guest) or should it be tights/stockings? I am short plump (fat) and they tend to sag after a while?

Paperbackwriter Thu 20-May-21 11:30:57

I rarely wear tights any more but I do wear dresses with just-below-knee or ankle length leggings. You can get some in great colours (and some quite whacky patterned ones as well). That might work for you?

Btw, for those of a Larger Disposition, Snag tights are supposed to be wonderful. They also have sort-of shorts things for those whose thighs chafe.

Clevedon Thu 20-May-21 11:31:02

I would always be bare legged, no tights for me

HannahLoisLuke Thu 20-May-21 11:32:09

Three years ago on the hottest day of the year I went to my granddaughter’s wedding in an ankle length pale grey linen shift style dress with cream flatform shoes and a big fancy hat. No tights. Felt great, and told I looked it too.
If your legs are on show make sure they’re fuzz free and tanned, fake or real.

foxie48 Thu 20-May-21 11:40:01

If I need to be dressy I wear Hold ups rather than tights, much cooler and a lot more comfortable.

Calendargirl Thu 20-May-21 11:43:17

Shapely, tanned, bare legs look great, whatever the occasion.

If you go tightless and your legs don’t match that criteria, I think it depends on the length and style of your outfit and shoes.

Witzend Thu 20-May-21 11:43:23

There were plenty of non-stockinged legs at my dd’s summer wedding, but they were mostly young, slim, and at least a little bit tanned.

Mine were non-stockinged but I was wearing a very long dress. Except when I’m in a swimsuit I stopped doing bare legs several years ago.

As long as they’re not going to put other guests off their canapés I don’t see a problem.

Urmstongran Thu 20-May-21 11:47:21

Lacy hold up stockings felt cool but dressy the last summer wedding we went to in 2019. Other than that I never wear tights, pop socks or such.

PinkCosmos Thu 20-May-21 11:48:43

It's a dilemma. Longer mid or maxi dress would show less leg so not so much of a problem.

Personally, I think the no tights look is fine on younger toned women but not so good on older women (sorry). I think it makes you look ungroomed - if that is the right word?

I would go for natural coloured light support tights which should not sag. If they are a finer denier you would not look like you were wearing tights. Don't get the shiny tights though.

If you did decide to go bare legged you could build up a subtle tan using one of the tanning moisturisers (Johnsons used to do one) which will build up a light tan over a few days with no streaks.

I have bought Sloggi's long leg knickers to wear with dresses (no tights) to avoid chub rub. Would recommend them (or similar)

At the end of the day, the guest will be looking at the bride and probably would not even notice if you had tights on or not. However, it is about what you would feel comfortable with on the day.

aonk Thu 20-May-21 12:06:56

Another vote for hold ups if you decide to cover your legs. M and S Autograph do very good ones but you can’t apply body lotion just before wearing them. The other option would be to shave your legs beforehand and use a leg make up. Very easy to apply and won’t come off on your clothes. Beware of tights or hold ups with sandal type shoes though.

Yammy Thu 20-May-21 12:08:06

Go Bare legged as everyone else says as long as your dress is below the knee and invest in some good gradual tan for a few weeks before, rub the residual down your arms just to give them a hint of colour as well.
I went to a wedding two years ago in tights and high heels I had not worn for a while. I could not walk and ended up in the loos taking the tights off with a few other ladies if the bin in the loo was anything to go by. Or wear a jumpsuit which sounds lovely.

Cp43 Thu 20-May-21 12:13:14

I hate tights as well but they do flatter legs and cover multitude of sins. Get stronger support tights with f necessary.
Or
Get some Dove moisturiser with light tanning element its fantastic and doesn’t streak.

sandelf Thu 20-May-21 12:29:53

I have chubby friends who swear by these. snagtights.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkZiFBhD9ARIsAGxFX8AXqKrXB7TObi8XwJK4josnOnuga6bilfjSHOpiMMmH0_g6vuy70ZcaAoFvEALw_wcB

Soozikinzi Thu 20-May-21 12:51:52

Just put some skinny tan on your legs and wear some of the lovely jewelled flats you can get now - I wouldn’t risk heels if you’ve not worn them for ages . As long as you’re comfortable and presentable all eyes will be on the bride anyway.

Treetops05 Thu 20-May-21 13:02:35

lindiann - Look online at SNAG tights. Slightly expensive but don't damage easily and meant for us plumper people...otherwise I would go barelegged

Stilton Thu 20-May-21 13:11:00

Why is there an overwhelming concensus that it's okay for tanned, slim, hairless legs to be on display but not anything else?

If you don't want to wear tights, don't wear them whatever 'state' hmm your legs are in. It's not going to be on the Order of Service that 5:13pm is denier check time. Be happy, be comfortable.

annodomini Thu 20-May-21 13:13:59

It's so long since I've been to a wedding that I can't remember what I wore on my legs, though my instinct would be to wear tights. When I last wore hold-ups, one of them persisted in falling down and I was wobbling around Waverley Station trying to haul my stocking up. So If you are thinking of hold-ups, do make sure that they are secure before wearing them to a wedding. Whether tights or stockings, do carry a spare pair in your handbag.

GrammaH Thu 20-May-21 13:23:31

If I'm dressed up for a wedding, I always feel properly finished if I've got tights on but each to their own. If you're happier without them, why bother?

GagaJo Thu 20-May-21 13:26:42

It's never occurred to me whether I should wear tights to weddings.

I'm sure no one ever looks at my legs. Now, if I was a tall, lithe 25 year old, maybe. But that was a lifetime ago!

Puzzler61 Thu 20-May-21 13:28:59

I’d make sure legs are hair-free on the day, and use a light tan beforehand.

Aldom Thu 20-May-21 13:34:42

If you wear pop socks rather than tights or bare legs, do make sure not to wear a skirt /dress with a split at the back. I was a guest at a wedding where the groom's mother looked wonderful from the front, but from the back she was showing white legs above pop socks, all visible through the split in the back of her long dress.

Quizzer Thu 20-May-21 13:38:42

No need to pay for expensive spray tan. Fake tans work pretty well, especially the gradual ones. Try on somewhere that doesn’t show first!

Witzend Thu 20-May-21 14:24:54

Stilton, because they look a lot nicer than fat/veiny/hairy/deathly white ones, and it’s a traditional matter of courtesy at weddings to try to look nice. For the same reason most people wouldn’t go in the scruffy old jeans or shorts they might wear for gardening.

Grandma70s Thu 20-May-21 14:35:23

I’d never have bare legs if formally dressed, such as at a wedding. However tanned and hairless, it looks ‘common’.

Blinko Thu 20-May-21 14:39:31

henetha

If you are wearing a longish dress then pop socks would do.
I hate tights.

Pop socks might do until you sit down. Then they become very visible...

GrauntyHelen Thu 20-May-21 14:54:43

I'd never go barelegged on formal occasion I have discovered Snag tights though no more rolling down or going Nora Batty Treat yourselves ladies you won't regret it