I'm afraid of dresses!

Andie

So, I've been an hourglass for some time, but after a breast reduction surgery, I would definitely say that I also (while still curvy with a high defined waist) lean toward a pear shape. For both, I know that dresses are ideal, but I can't bring myself to buy any. I won some skirts but don't really wear them either. My legs are very pale, you see, and I have lots of conspicuous spider veins. I know I can use hosiery, but then you have color and texture, and I don't know how to make that look polished. Any suggestions?

11 years ago

Body Type

11 replies

Latest reply was from Kim

Thistle

Veteran

I wear flat black fleece lined tights all fall and winter with my skirts and dresses combined with knee high boots. No leg showing or it would be frozen!

Not sure what I am going to do for summer yet as my legs are so pale they glow in the dark.

11 years ago

Kalli

Active Member

Wear a midi length or maxi in the summer. I love dresses. My wardrobe used to be over 100 and now down to 35. It's polished to wear hose the same color as your shoes to start. That's why they tell shorter women to wear black on black. And I do wear nude hose in the summer at times. You can't go wrong with solid opaque black, which is why it's hardly ever on clearance. I wear hose year round!

11 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

My legs glow in the dark and I figure people can just look away. As far as veins, with as many babies as I've had I think I have earned them and wear them with pride. LOL Seriously though, I don't think many people are paying that much attention to your legs. I do find it helpful to wear light colored shoes when I'm bare-legged. My nude sandals get a workout every summer. That way they blend into the legs rather than drawing more attention to my bright white skin.

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

I use some low-strength slow-acting self-tanner on my legs (Jergens for fair/medium skin). I thought I was over self-tanner after my experience in the early 70s, but a young stylish colleague convinced me to give it a try. It doesn't take away my spider veins but the appearance is so minimized that I bare my legs with confidence. I use it 2-3 times a week (after exfoliating) and the color builds up gradually to a light tan, not orange or hideous at all.

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I second the Jergens slow-acting self-tanner; it's great even for people who have a spot of natural colouring

I still have a tan from my trip in October. Oh dear.

11 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I second self tanning cream and light colored shoes! You could also try nude micro fishnets, they are airy when it is warm, but give some coverage and evens out the skin tones. I have far too many moles, spots and lines, and I find that all the above helps me look (or at least feel) better.

11 years ago

Andie

Member

Thank you so much, ladies! I guess I needed a little reinforcement. I'll have you know that today I'm wearing opaque black tights and black pumps with a cobalt pencil skirt. I'm so excited! Thistle and Kalli for the suggestion!

Adelfa and lyn*-- My problem with bronzers/self tanner is that they will inevitably rub off. Is that a problem with the Jergens, do you find?

11 years ago

Jamie

Veteran

I've never used self-tanning creams for fear of the same problem. Sounds like it might be safe to try! My skin is very fair, and I love it that way. I'm at peace with my pale legs and spider veins and wear dresses and skirts with bare legs when the weather is warm. In winter, I tend to wear tall boots, but that's mostly for warmth. And I know it's not popular, but I buy the very best nude hosiery I can afford and wear those as well. Not only do I feel polished, but I'm also warmer.

11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I don't like self tanners. They smell. Yes, I know white legs aren't considered attractive, but i always know when someone has been using one, even if it is super light. It smells really bad to me.

Maybe they have changed in the last 5 years, but it is not like a fragrance you can wash off as you are basically dyeing your skin.

11 years ago

Greek Goddess

Active Member

Unless I am in shorts and going to the beach I wear hose most of the year, even when it gets hot here. For the shorts I use self tan until my natural tan takes hold. I don't like to see women with bare white legs in nice clothes, especially business dress.... it looks awful.

11 years ago

Kim

Veteran

I do the self tanner (Jergens too) early in the summer or if I'm going away to the south in the winter, but then I get lazy about it and forget about it and people just have to deal with my whiter than white legs! LOL

I put it on at night before bed, (let it dry for about 10 minutes) then put jammies on. Get up in the morning, workout, then shower and voila, the smell is gone! (Cause it does have a distinct smell, no matter what you do.)

I do however just remember that I don't look much at others legs, so they probably don't notice mine too much either....

11 years ago

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