Where do you wear skirts and dresses? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Where do you wear skirts and dresses?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Liz V. posted recently about being “intimidated” by a dress and that work colleagues might wonder what was up if she showed up in one, because she doesn’t usually wear one for work. Janet commented on Brooklyn’s dye project post that she doesn’t wear skirts at home. Now I’m wondering where & how people wear skirts & dresses.

I’d rather not have to wear clothes at all, particularly at home, but that can get chilly. I often put on a sarong/kanga tied behind my neck or caftan if I’m just floating around the house. If I’m not going out, I might wear pjs all day long (I don’t sleep in them). Other times, I want to feel a little more finished. A dress has a bit more structure, so I slip one on. Other times I start out in a T-shirt, might add a sarong, or maybe a skirt. However I get there, wearing skirts and dresses at home is just easier for me than having to put both legs into pants legs and pull the pants up. And then fastening, ugh. I’m laughing at myself, but it really is true that I will slip a dress over my head because I’m too lazy to do more. When I am just running to the grocery store or going for a walk, a real dress also feels easy, even with accoutrement.

What about you? Do you wear skirts and dresses at home? Where else do you wear them? Why?

Dressing

40 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Sal

Veteran

I wear skirts and dresses all year. But in winter only when I am getting dressed up and not when I am going to dinner at someone’s house if I have to take my shoes off. Trousers and socks are fine, a dress with socks looks a bit silly. At home I wouldn’t wear tights or hosiery so jeans, joggers or leggings are better.

In summer I find dresses very easy both practically and psychologically. But I can relate to the feeling of discomfort when trying a new style or something that I haven’t pursued for a few years. Tucking tops in was one thing I felt strange about, as was midi skirts and sneakers. I love both now.

Anonymous

I'm with Sal!
When I'm out and about for any reason at all (work, errands, hanging w friends, etc), and the temperature is over 70 (sometimes even 60) I wear skirts and dresses. They're Much more comfortable in warm weather, easier to fit, and I feel much more polished than in shorts or pants. I don't wear them that much when it's cold enough to need hosiery, but I will for holiday parties and when I do presentations for work.
At home in warm weather, or for hiking and paddleboarding, I wear skorts.

Vildy

Veteran

The only place I wouldn't wear a dress is as a nightgown to sleep in. Couldn't stand the fabric wrapped around my knees and therefore tugging at the neckline.

Anonymous

Yes Vildy! Bike shorts or joggers for sleep all the way for me.
Plus nightgowns often look too twee (light colors, little flowers) or lingerieish (short, sheer, spaghetti strap) for me.

RobinF

Veteran

I don't wear dresses much at all, mostly because I have to wear bike shorts underneath (hate my thighs rubbing) and the shorts constrict my waist as much as panty hose would. I am always puzzled by everyone saying how cool and comfortable they are because of this. Must be my own fit issues. I do find myself wanting some casual dresses for this summer so maybe I will change my tune...

Vildy

Veteran

Robin have you tried Monistat chafing gel, which turns to a light powder, for chafing? Works for me.

Star

Veteran

In summer I wear dresses more often, at home and out and about.

Kathie

Veteran

I'm more like Sal. In warm weather, I wear dresses and skirts all the time- at home, work, vacations- pretty much everywhere. I only wear shorts for exercise, yard work, and riding a bike. I find dresses to be easy to throw on, cool, comfortable, more polished, and easier to fit- all the reasons you and everyone else have given.

In cold weather, I'll wear dresses and skirts if I'm leaving the house, but not as much around the house, since I find tights to be too much trouble if I'm doing housework or running errands, leggings aren't a large part of my wardrobe, and I don't like cold legs. I have a pair of leggings and don't hate them, but also don't love them enough to add more.

I also have dresses and skirts in a range of formality levels, and people are used to seeing me in them, so I don't have any psychological discomfort with them. Interestingly, I was once talking with some women who are 10-15 years older than I am, about skirts vs. pants for suits. They had all started careers (decades ago) at companies that required skirted suits, and as a result, rarely wore skirts in professional settings now, since they felt like they had to fight for the right to wear pants. I'm definitely grateful to have started working at a point where I could be free from that baggage, and wear skirts or pants depending on my mood and the weather.

always trying

Veteran

Never wear them anymore. I ore a midi dress to a Christmas party-was the only person there wearing a dress. My skirts are in storage. Haven't worn any in about 5 years.

The Cat

Veteran

Everywhere, provided they are comfortable.

cat2

Veteran

+ 1 to what Kathie said. Love my skirts and dresses.

nemosmom

Veteran

I don't wear skirts or dresses at home. I like the idea of them, but struggle to feel comfortable in them. I might grab a maxi if I'm heading to the beach. I prefer dresses and skirts in cold weather so I can wear boots with them - but only for dressy events which never really happen anymore.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I wear skirts and dresses to work, around the house, running errands and out to social events. The only time/place I don't wear them is if I am doing some physical labor like cleaning.

MsMaven

Veteran

I rarely wear skirts or dresses anymore. It’s harder to find skirts that fit. Since we got solar panels a couple of years ago, and mostly staying home, we can keep the house cool enough so I’m not tempted to put on a dress.

Nowadays I have no occasions that require a dress. And then there’s the pale legs with purple veins issue. And I wore pantyhose for so many years that I never want to put on a pair again ever.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm firmly in Sal's camp. I wear skirts and dresses all year, but almost never in winter at home (only if I am out for a meeting, presentation, teaching, etc.) . I wear them far more often in summer (or when the weather is over 22C or so). That's because if temps are cool, so are my legs, and wearing tights at home is impractical (i have a cat who likes to stretch up on my legs) and I am not a jeans-or-leggings under dress kind of person. (Just don't like how they look or feel on me).

I like casual skirts and dresses in summer and will wear them at home. I do wear shorts more often, though because I'm often gardening, hiking, or on my bike.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE wearing skirts and dresses all year - waving to Sal and Suz!- but seldom in Winter because I run very cold, and sheer hosiery is not warm enough. I don't wear tights.

And what Chewy said - waving too! - although I've gardened, packed up our home, and painted doorways in dresses and pearls. I also do errands and walk our doggies in whatever I am wearing that day. As long as I can walk fast, and the feet are happy - it's all good.

It helps that my dresses and skirts are not tight. They are VERY comfy, and move when I move thanks to A-lines, fit & flares and voluminous sack silhouettes.

Anonymous

Only when it’s warm enough to wear them. I prefer to wear dresses to church, to special dinners, etc.

RobinF

Veteran

Vildy, I haven't tried that one. I did try the Body Glide and it didn't help at all.

Kathie, I was one who had to wear skirted suits in the earlier days of my career. I am an accountant and worked in CPA firms and banks. I don't think that is why I don't wear dresses but it definitely makes me appreciate being able to wear pants!

kkards

Veteran

I wore dresses more in the last 2 years than in the prior decade, because WFH allowed me to keep my environment at a temperature that allowed me to be comfortable in dress! In general I wear dresses only when it’s really hot and skirts on such rare occasions, I can count them on one hand

rachylou

Veteran

I wear dresses and skirts everywhere, even and especially camping. In winter, i add thermal leggings and top, but do avoid them at work. I guess the only time I avoid them is rain and snow… but I used to have a fantastic pair of knee length rainboots which I wore with mini dresses and tights.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Only really in the summer when it’s hot.l hate tights so if l wear a skirt or dress in the winter it’s usually with leggings but l normally wear trousers most of the time as they are so much more practical.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I wear them all year around but in cold weather mostly only to go out. Because of the tights issue (as others have said).

For everyday wear I’m more a skirt person than a dress person because you can wear skirts in the same way as shorts or jeans. Several times (switching tops) before you need to wash. In Summer I find anything worn on my upper body has to be washed after one wear, and that’s a bit of a hassle if it’s a dress. Plus I can’t foresee ever being able to find enough dresses that suit me to avoid laundry bottlenecks. I think I’d need about 7. Tops are easier to find, and once you have a 2 or 3 skirts, you are set.

SarahD8

Veteran

Like many others, I wear skirts and (especially) dresses often in the summer, but rarely in the winter. And for the same reason -- my legs need to stay warm and I don't really care to wear tights around the house. SO comfy and practical in the summer! I'll do pretty much anything in a dress -- would much rather hike in a dress than in pants.

Funny thing is, although my environmental norm is very casual I wear dresses all summer long without even giving it a second thought. But I do feel a bit self-conscious wearing dresses/skirts in winter. So maybe it is more about what we are accustomed to than what other people are really thinking about our outfits?

Echo

Veteran

I routinely wear dresses all year 'round. I wear them with tights in the winter, and I do spend a reasonable amount of time outdoors, too (recess duty). But I don't find pants to be significantly warmer than tights - in other words, my legs are cold no matter what, so why not wear dresses? I tend to wear midi dresses in the summer, as it's too hot to wear hose, but my legs aren't my best feature. Additionally, I want to be able to move comfortably without any worries about exposure if I bend over or reach, etc.

The one time/place I never wear dresses is at home. I have lounge wear for home, and dresses just aren't practical for picking up, cleaning or cooking.

Kate

Veteran

I wear skirts, skorts, and the occasional dress in summer. In winter, knit skirts and dresses, primarily sweater dresses, I wear for going out... when we used to go out. I never wear dresses at home.

Vildy

Veteran

I loved this 5 minute video about the perfect dress and what it's supposed to do for us. Might have to register, dunno, but it's free.

https://www.bbc.com/culture/ar.....ress-exist

Sally

Veteran

I am very casual at home, just shorts in summer and sweatpants in winter. I sleep in a slip summer and winter. I wear dresses to work or if I’m going out to meet friends etc. I change as soon as I get home. I have been caught by colleagues etc running around the supermarket in short shorts as I have very defined work and home stuff. I am wearing more and more dresses as I get older but still like jeans. I’ll wear dresses/skirts with sandals in summer and with tights and boots in winter.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question, because it also sheds light on which clothing silhouettes people consider to be formal VS casual.

For me, skirts & dresses can be casual (& I do wear them as such) when they aren't restrictive - e.g. I wear maxi kaftans during the dog days of summer, when the thought of any fabric tightly binding any part of me sounds like torture. But then again, I'm not someone who wears jeans casually because I don't like the feeling of rivets/ buttons/ zips/ studs etc digging in.

If I'm doing something where excess fabric can be a hazard though (cooking/ cleaning) then I generally stick to trousers (my loungewear = t-shirts with drawstring joggers/ linen pants).

I've noticed that my knee-length skirts are generally formal, but that might just be because I don't like wearing them with bare legs - the thought of pulling on leggings or tights for casualwear does not compute, lol...

bella

(website)

Veteran

Out of the apartment, I like wearing dresses and skirts with either bare legs or with thick and opaque pantyhose (preferably in wool). Both of these are ok for my comfort level so that I feel breezy enough in the summer or toasty warm in the winter. I hate to wear dresses and skirts with nylon, transparent pantyhose. For me, that means that the weather is neither warm enough to go bare-legged, nor cold enough to wear pantyhose but somewhere in between. It also means that the weather, as it usually does around here, can quickly change, and I will end up either sweltering in the heat or getting chilly to the bones. I detest either of these options, so rather than risk it, I will be wearing pants in transitional weather.
At home, dresses and skirts are mostly a summer option for me, and I do prefer them over shorts, as well.

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