Are my legs too skinny for a dress? Need help ASAP. Buying dress.

If you read my introduction you'll see I have muscular dystrophy. My legs have always been a concern of mine. Anyway my friend wants us to have a black dress this Saturday for her bday. I usually wear long dresses but we are going to the club so a long dress doesn't really suit the scene. I have thigh high boots but I only wear them in the fall. Yesterday I saw a dress in a store I was thinking about getting but am apprehensive because of my legs.My calves are 12 inches and it gradually goes down by 1 inch until it gets to my ankle which is 8 inches. ie 12-11-10-9-8. Although to me it looks pretty much straight from my calf to ankle...

My friend, store clerk and ex said I look fine but well I think they may be biased. My boss says I'm too skinny. I have been teased for my legs my whole life.

I'm am planning on going to buy that dress today or tomorrow so help ASAP would be nice.

Also what kind of shoes would look nice IF I did buy it. I only have flats. I can't walk in heels because of my muscles. Maybe very low heels but it need to be sturdy. I think the flats make my legs look worse since there is no curve/shape. IT just goes straight from my skinny legs to my big feet. If my feet were smaller you wouldn't notice the difference as much.... I've read that a very thick ankle strap, cuff or the cage style works. Anything to add bulk to the ankles. But not too much bulk around the foot. That represents some challenge too since 5 of the toes on my left foot are curled so I don't wear open toed shoes or sandals.

http://s292.photobucket.com/us.....rary/Dress

Password: Skinnylegs

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Jess, if you have the body for that dress, I think it will work. I too have always had skinny legs ( 12.5 inch calves and 8.5 inch ankles now but smaller when I was younger). I find that the fuller the skirt, the skinnier my legs look, so a narrow skirted dress like the one you show is good. Also, the dress puts the attention on your figure and chest rather than your legs. A dress that will draw the eye up or a scarf or jewellery will be a good style. As for shoes, I like your idea of a wide ankle strap. I have some favorite flats like that. (see Finds below. These are Eileen Fisher and pricey and no longer available but a similar style is.) I have a hard time finding ankle straps that will fit my ankles. HThe wide chunky low heel that is in style could work or a small wedge heel. I also have found that stockings can give skinny legs some shape visually, especially sheer darker colors. Micro fish nets can do this too...nude or black. You would have to experiment because they may bring more attention to your legs. If you are young and also have slim thighs, a short dress might look great on you.
Best of luck to you and let us know how it works out.

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Eileen Fisher 'Allot' Flat

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ClaraT

I couldn't get to the photobucket pic (I'm on Safari--enabled cookies but still no go). Joy has good tips (esp: fuller skirts making thin legs look thinner). I wonder if a patterned tight could help decrease contrast (if you have light skin that contrasts with the black dress, a tight could de-emphasize your legs, but might make them look slimmer). Agree that cage-style shoes would help visually bulk up the lower leg. I hope you find a look you like and that you have a fun night out!

Janet

(website)

Sigh. Take it from someone with thick legs. You look fine. Anyone who says otherwise is rude and misguided. Wear the dress!

My mom was teased for her skinny legs when she was young. I didn't inherit that aspect of her appearance, and it's really no more fun to have thighs that never fit into jeans properly. Truly, you look perfectly fine. Pay no mind to the critics.

krishnidoux

You look great. Your legs don't look too skinny to me, but lithe and elegant.
I wouldn't wear the dress with ballerinas nor flip flop though. Even me, who has muscular legs, would not look the best with such footwear that stump the legs in a way. The dress is so lovely and wow, you need something wow on the feet too.

If you decided to wear ballerinas anyway (for, say, reasons of fussy feet issues for example), then I would suggest shortening the hem.

I see you have a kitten heel sandal in mind: it looks pretty and dainty. I encourage you to explore even more heel options. For example, how about a heeled bootie?

cindysmith

OMG WTH is wrong with people? You have thin limbs, yes; but not skinny legs. The dress.looks great on you!

Bijou

I couldn't open the photo - but I agree with the advice given above. It sounds as though you look fantastic in the dress. None of us have perfect figures, so feeling self conscious about some part of your body is normal. The great thing about getting older, is now I don't care anymore and am just appreciative about being healthy and focus on what I do like about my figure.

I love Joy's advice and the shoes she has recommended. I hope you have a brilliant time!

Anonymous

I am offended that you are teased about this issue. Please ignore them and perhaps cross those people off your association list. You are healthy. You are strong. You look great. Buy and wear the dress with much happiness.

Jenava

To me, your legs look proportional to your body and the dress looks perfect for a night out. I don't mind it with the ballet flats, as a night out can be painful in heels even for people without health concerns! Half the girls end up in flats or barefoot by 2am anyway!

Wear the dress, your boss is nuts and inappropriate. Listen to your friends (and us! LOL)

Jess

Active Member

Well I went to like 5 different shoe store and unfortunately wouldn't find anything that would work with the dress or my feet. Some were cute but either they were too flat, too high heel, or too wide for my feet. So I'm stuck in flats I guess.

I've added the dress to the album if anyone wants to take a look.

rachylou

I like the plainer, second dress with your flats. They seem the same level of 'dressed up.' I'd be tempted with the fancier first dress to wear sneakers or something, go 'high-lo.' But either way I should think would be fine.

Agree with rachylou 100%.

Jenni NZ

Well actually I prefer the first dress shown with the ballet flats. I like your legs and the dress looks good with the black ballet flats. I think it will be comfy for clubbing. I assume I am too late and you have already gone, hope you had fun!

shopaholic77

I think it will work.

Stagiaire Fash

I can't see the picture on photobucket. From your description, the shoes Joy linked to seem appropriate. You could also wear booties with a longish sheath or body-con dress.

I'm not sure if the party was last night or if it's a week from now. Either way, I hope you didn't have time to worry about how you looked because you were too busy having fun. I'm sure your friend was excited to have you there, and appreciates you going outside your comfort zone to meet her birthday wish.

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