When environment conspires against fashion (for Angie).

ironkurtin

I like to wear lightweight pants at the ankle or rolled there. And Angie, very sweetly, always asks to see me in clams. When makes me realize I don't own any. And I finally figured out why.

It's BUGS, Angie. They are voracious here. The more skin I show down below when I go outside, the more they bite. And the more I scratch, the more I bleed and scab, and the less I can wear pants that show skin. I have been bitten by bugs biking to work, and running in the park. Even an eau-d'bug-spray does not always work.

So basically, I show what I can... which is my ankle. For some reason I can deal with any bites there better. It heals faster or something.

Anyone else prevented from ideal fashion by factors outside of their control?

13 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Kirti

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Yes! I'd love to try the faded, cropped denim jacket with dresses and skirts - but I'd hardly have a chance to wear it. It's too hot where I am for that kind of formula. There'd really only be a few weeks in late fall, early spring where I could make use of it. Otherwise it's too cold or too hot.

I'm still going to try it, though I think it's already too late for this year in terms of spring/summer. It's been hitting 95.5F already a few times and we're not even through May yet.

I might try it for fall. Always wanted a nice denim jacket

I think one other environmental problem is with ballet flats - in summer, they are too hot, and again - it doesn't seem like there's much time in the fall/spring to wear them.

I'm sure people in the PNW area have their own concerns - like not being able to wear much summer stuff for very long etc.

Interesting post!

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dana, insect bites are so annoying. You have my sympathy! I grew up in tropical countries and I get the bug situation - although - it never prevented me from showing more leg. Perhaps my blood is not as sweet as yours

So here's a question: how are clams different skin abstracters to skirts and dresses? You wear those to work too.

VC, the denim jacket formula will work for you in a/c.

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Angie, when I wear skirts and dresses I don't bike to work or spend a lot of time outside. I am in the car, going straight into a building, and bugs have limited exposure to my sweet flesh. I also tend to not wear skrts or dresses when it's really hot outside (100+), because if I'm outside for long my legs sweat and then my thighs chafe. It is so, so unpleasant! (Note to all you woman-shaped women: thigh chafage is not because you are heavy, we ALL get it.) When I wear longer pants I am prepared for the elements.

(Side note: Since i cut out processed carbs, I am being bit WAY less than I was. So maybe clams are in my future? If I can wrap my bug-fearing eye around the look!)

13 years ago

Irene

Veteran

wow, I guess I'm glad I don't have that kind of problem!
about the thighs rubbing, I used to suffer from that too when I was heavier (my thighs are too skinny for that now...). It even happened to me with pants if they were the boyfriend kind and thus a bit baggy. Once I even got bleeding... really bad. I solved that issue wearing short shorts underneath my skirts -the kind you wear at the gym-. Not very sexy, I know, but oh so practical...

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Then you can wear clams when you don't bike to work! No chaffing

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

But then when will I wear my pants and skirts?

: )

13 years ago

teeandcee

Active Member

Between living in a hot climate (summer anyway) and being very, very hot-natured I miss out on a lot of fashionable things such as those denim jackets, layers, scarves, etc. Even in the AC I'd burn up in any type of layer. I've tried.

Not only do I chafe in dresss/skirts, but I sweat more. I find them much hotter than even capris. So, I'm wearing them like crazy until the real summer heat hits then it's shorts and tanks or loose tees for me. Jewelry has to be minimal too. ZZZZzzzzzz.

I can't talk my hubs into moving to Canada where I could indulge in gorgeous layering.

13 years ago

Anonymous

Try to rub in tea tree oil where the skin is exposed. It helped me and my daughter so far. Good luck !

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You'll have to split up the time evenly between all the silhouettes

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Hear you on the bugs, IK! Even though my insect repellent spray works well, I never seem to remember to apply it by day.

And I've got bugs even in the car, which is another reason to prefer a closed shoe --- they love to go for toes and the arch!

I wish my hot, humid hometown allowed for toppers --- but it's a struggle to even find a comfy shirt in summer. I often feel rather unfinished. Work HQs is better in that respect.

13 years ago

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried an insect repellant cream/spray? I get bitten a lot when I am in India and those work well for me

13 years ago

Category