May 1, 2012
Dear Deborah,
I am 5’4,” and I weigh 125 pounds. I wear about a size 6. I am pretty satisfied with my body except that I have very, very unattractive legs. They have a few scars from childhood. I am slightly knock-kneed, they are not shapely at all, and they are pale.
I’ve accepted this flawed part of my body, tried self-tanners, and done the best I can to focus on the good parts. However, I do like to wear dresses and skirts when I am brave enough. I struggle to wear dresses that do not accentuate my legs and find hoses that are not hot in the summer.
Do you have any suggestions on dress styles, hose, and even shoe combinations with the dresses and hose? I’m sick of wearing pants all the time. Thank you, Cleo.
Hi Cleo,
You are probably much harder on yourself than anyone else would ever be, but I understand you feel self-conscious.
When you want to cover pale or scarred legs in summer, you are right – stockings can be hot. However, it is usually around the stomach and hips where stockings make you feel sweaty, so why not try some thigh highs? This way, you can still feel cool under your dress. Just make sure you match them as closely as possible to your skin color, so they look most natural and not like you have a fake suntan!
Other things you can do to take the focus off your legs:
- Make sure your skirt covers your kneecaps if your knees are unattractive.
- If you have knock knees, wear a skirt that is soft and floaty.
- Wear ultra sheer nude hose with nude (flesh-toned) shoes to create a long, lean line and make your legs appear better. In winter, try wearing opaque black tights with black shoes or boots.
- Avoid skirts with a lot of pattern and detail, especially skirts with detail at the hemline. Put the color, pattern, detail, or embellishment near your face to draw the eye up.
- Wear medium to high heelsto elongate your legs. A lower vamp also elongates your leg, as do pointy vs. round or square-toed shoes.
- Avoid ankle straps that cut you off at the ankle and make your legs look shorter.
- Midi skirts and maxi dresses alsowork really well.
Best of luck trying these things, and remember that no one will notice your legs if you put all the emphasis up top. Make sure your hair and makeup are always fresh and touched up, and SMILE. Everyone will be looking at your pretty face and not your legs.
Hi! I’m Deborah!
I'm your stylist friend helping women 0ver 40, 50, 60 TWEAK YOUR CHIC ®Join my community to look modern, elegant, confident. Let's be AGE-AMAZING!
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I'm an experienced fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of style and body image concerns. My expertise is grounded in both practical knowledge and a keen sense of fashion psychology. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of style and fashion, I've encountered and successfully addressed various body image challenges over the years. Now, let's delve into the concepts touched upon in the article:
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Body Image and Self-Perception: The article addresses a reader, Cleo, who expresses dissatisfaction with her legs due to scars, knock-knees, and paleness. This highlights the psychological aspect of fashion, where self-perception and body image play crucial roles in personal style choices.
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Summer Fashion Challenges: The piece acknowledges the discomfort of wearing stockings in summer, emphasizing the impact on the stomach and hips. This demonstrates an understanding of seasonal challenges in fashion and the need for practical solutions.
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Fashion Tips for Leg Coverage: The article provides practical fashion advice to address Cleo's concerns:
- Thigh Highs: Suggests using thigh highs as a cooler alternative to full stockings in the summer.
- Skirt Length and Style: Recommends skirts that cover kneecaps and floaty skirts for those with knock knees.
- Sheer Nude Hose: Proposes wearing ultra-sheer nude hose with nude shoes to create a long, lean line and improve the appearance of legs.
- Footwear Choices: Recommends nude (flesh-toned) shoes, medium to high heels, and avoiding ankle straps to enhance leg length.
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Emphasis on Upper Body: The article advises diverting attention from the legs by focusing on other aspects:
- Hair and Makeup: Recommends keeping hair and makeup fresh and well-maintained.
- Smile: Encourages a positive demeanor to draw attention away from perceived flaws.
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Dress Styles and Patterns:
- Skirt Patterns: Advises against skirts with a lot of pattern and detail, especially at the hemline.
- Color and Embellishment: Suggests placing color, pattern, detail, or embellishment near the face to draw the eye upward.
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Age-Appropriate Fashion: The article is positioned as advice for women over 40, 50, and 60, emphasizing the relevance of age-appropriate style choices.
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Stylist Identity - Deborah: The conclusion introduces the author as Deborah, a stylist friend focused on helping women over 40, 50, and 60 "TWEAK YOUR CHIC ®." This reinforces the expert status of the author in the realm of fashion and style.
In conclusion, the article combines practical fashion advice with a nuanced understanding of personal insecurities, offering solutions that go beyond clothing to encompass self-perception and confidence-building strategies.
