Holiday parties and bare legs - YouLookFab Forum

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Holiday parties and bare legs

Preppy Pear

Veteran

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I've got a dilemma and I'd really appreciate any input. Related to today's post about holiday dressing, I've got a cocktail party coming up in a couple of weeks. It won't be ball gown dressy, but I've been wearing nothing but skinny jeans lately and I'd like to wear a dress.

I bought this dress a couple of days ago, in a pretty rosy red: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=228446002 (don't know why they only have it black online)

I love the dress on me and I got it for 40% off, but I realize that I haven't been wearing skirts or dresses for months, because I'm so self-conscious about my lower legs. Aside from having large calves, they aren't very toned and don't have much shape. My usual strategy is to wear black opaque tights and black shoes, which feel far too casual and would make me feel like Minnie Mouse with this dress. Is there a way I can make this dress work with the right shoes and hose? I was thinking maybe nude hose and a nude heel, 3 inches max.

Should I:

Get over how my lower legs look and rock the dress in bare legs anyway?
Wear sheer tights of some color?
Wear (gulp) pantyhose? If so, what kind?
Buy some dressy trousers and forget the dress?

Any solutions, perspective or inspirations would be greatly appreciated - as I write this, I'm realizing that this whole self-consciousness over my legs is really inhibiting my style in general, not just about this one dress.

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Emily

Lisa

Veteran

Nude hose and heels sound lovely. Or maybe a suede shoe and some patterend hose?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I saw that dress in the store - it's really pretty. I am sure it will look great on you.

For the party, especially if you are self-conscious, how about sheer nude hose and either nude pumps, as you say, or leopard print?

If you feel your lower legs are thicker, it can be helpful to balance them with a thicker heel or even a wedge. I have these shoes: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/vi.....sultback=0 (they also come in black) and I think they'd work really well to create a streamlined look. Bonus: they are super comfortable.

If you prefer nude, maybe a similar style would be balancing.

Other possibilities for hose: sheer charcoal or black with a tiny pattern....but if you are like me you might feel that any pattern increases the perceived size of your legs and decreases their perceived length. So for the first dress outing you might feel more comfortable with plain.

I think the lovely colour of this dress and its festive beauty will far overshadow the possibility (remote) that anyone will be clucking in dismay at your legs (which look great despite what you think!)

So, yes, ROCK it!

Glory

Veteran

Love the dress - it must be fab in red.. My vote is go bare legs and ROCK that dress. Shoes could be nude or perhaps a black if you have a pair.

Anonymous

What's your location? I live in Wisconsin and if I showed up to a holiday party with bare legs I'd clearly be putting fashion ahead of function and look silly.

I'm also wearing red to a holiday party and doing black tights with black booties. It's kind of mod look, but I don't think it screams "Minnie Mouse." How about black tights with leopard booties like these? http://www.zappos.com/calvin-k.....-calf-calf

Nude hose would work, too, with nude heels or animal print heels of some kind. I just don't think you should go bare-legged if you live in an area that's cold in December.

Isis

Veteran

black patterned hose can hide a multitude of sins, and look more balanced than opaque

How about polka dots or lace? Here is one:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hu.....07-0-0-1-1

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I did a quick search and found there are so many patterned hose designs - I never realized! I think I'd try a couple of options just to see and then make a choice. I guess it also depends on if it will be cold where you are.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am bravely going bare legged to my event. Nude hose are not in at least in my neck of the woods. I always wear black, but going to be daring this year.

I think you could go bare,but patterned tights could really add something special, since your dress is a classic simple cut(love it by the way!). Mine is totally sequined and that wouldn't work...

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I would be freezing in bare legs this time of year! What about layering some sheer nude hose with nude micro fishnets or something similar?

Diana

Veteran

I think I would go with nude or sheer patterned tights. Depending on where you live, you might need the warmth anyway and it sounds like you'd be more comfortable with a bit of leg coverage anyway. While I am normally a proponent of trying new things, embracing your shape, etc, as an introvert who finds big social events like parties really stressful and discomfiting, I do think you should wear something that you feel comfortable and confident in.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes...where I live, bare legs would not be an option, and even sheer hose with shoes is "pushing" it and if I were doing more than going from car to event (i.e. if I were walking there) I would need to wear tall boots TO the venue and then change into my shoes.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Wow, wow - thanks so much for all the encouragement and support, ladies! You made my day.

Suz, I love the idea of a leopard shoe and I may look into the one you posted, thanks! I love wedges and chunkier heels. I have to buy shoes no matter what.

Anne, I also live in Wisconsin (I'm in Madison, how about you?) and though I won't be outside for more than a few seconds, I do tend to run cold, so you're right, bare legs might not be the best idea.

I think I need to create some kind of long line with my hose/footwear combination, though. I think I'm going to see what I can find for a nude or vertical pattern hose, nude, leopard or black shoes with some chunkiness as well as some height.

And I'm going to try not to worry so much about my legs and get excited to wear my dress!

unfrumped

Veteran

I would wear some type of hose in December in Wisconsin! I guess the fashion police would want you to have closed-toe shoes for that, so I really aim for those so I can wear any type of hose that fits the dress.

It can get expensive to experiment, but there are now so many choices that surely there is the right pattern, or sheerness/opaqueness, out there for you and your dress.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I vote nude sheer hose layered under nude micro fishnets, and a round toe pump with a thicker heel. I think it would add an adorable retro vibe.

Also, something to think about for cocktail parties is that you'll likely need to stand most of the evening if you plan to socialize...I've learned that wearing heel heights that are more than a couple inches relegate me to wallflower position after about 30 mins.

cciele

Veteran

Another vote for nude microfishnets. Or sheer black patterned (or not) hose. Whatever matches your footwear for that long line!

ClaraT

Veteran

I vote for sheer black striped stockings like the ones below and a black shoe (something like this, anyhow). I know that isn't your dress but it might help you visualize what I mean. The stockings/shoes may be dark grey, I can't really tell, and you might want a more feminine shoe, but I think the color combo works and would slim your legs if you don't feel confident about them.

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morethanbeige

Veteran

Preppy Pear, I'm glad you asked this as I have been wondering the same thing. I am planning to wear nude micro fishnets and might layer them over nude sheer hose.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Nice dress! I bet you'll look fabulous in it.

Onto your question. I agree that black hose, while a great option most of the time, are not the best choice with a red dress. Opaque or patterned are, as you say, a little Minnie Mouse with a red dress. Mind you, very sheer black tights *might* work, and will certainly not make your legs look bigger. If anything, they make a woman's legs appear slimmer and more shapely.

I don't understand all the hate for nude hose. I mean, I do see why people don't like the ones that make your legs look like you got overly enthusiastic with a bottle of fake tanning cream, but nice, very sheer, truly nude-to-you hose are great. They simply add polish, and a little insulation. I like the sheer, glossy ones by DIM -- they're cheap and surprisingly resistant to runs, and make your legs look their normal colour, but a little shinier. They come in a bunch of "nude" colours, and the lightest one ("natural") works for me.

I'm also a big fan of nude microfishnets or normal fishnets, but again, you have to be careful that the colour blends with your natural skin tone. The normal fishnets don't do much for insulation, but add a nice bit of subtle texture to your legs. As people have suggested, you could layer hose for warmth (although I personally hate the feeling -- I tried it once, and felt like I was being suffocated!).

I'd stay away from boldly patterned hose. A bright red dress is bold enough on its own; you don't want your legs competing for attention with your bod. A subtle pattern -- either fishnet or maybe tiny dots -- would be fine, though.

That's my two cents.

Emily

Veteran

I wear sheer nude hose pretty often without hesitation. There are lots of options both in terms of sheerness and shine. I am loving patterned sheer hose this season, but agree that black would be too much. I like the idea of either nude or light looking patterned hose.... maybe something like these?

1. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ka.....wordsearch
2. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ho.....wordsearch
3. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/co.....wordsearch

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