Why do some women hate wearing skirts/dresses? (cut, curls, pale)

[JustJulia]

I frequently wear dresses because I can put on one thing and be dressed. I am wearing a lightweight denim dress with very pretty embroidery around the neck and cleavage. It takes me 20 seconds to get dressed and I get compliments on this dress all the time. It's funny, when you wear a dress, people often think you are getting fancy or going somewhere. "Ooh, what are you getting dressed up for?" I believe Jade had noted this too in another thread.

I have long legs, but my lower legs are kind of short. My mother is 5'7" and our knees are the same height off the ground (I am five inches taller). Skirts that hit me at the knee make me look shorter, and skirts that are much above the knee make me extremely nervous in a breeze. And when you're as tall as I am, most skirts hit me above the knee. A sedate little A-line on someone 5'4" looks very different on me. I prefer long skirts. The dress I am wearing now hits me at the ankle; I don't know how short girls are supposed to wear it at all. I also got two spider bites on my right shin while camping this summer, and they are still fading. Knowing my skin, I will have the scars probably for the next several months, and I already have a purple scar there from a few years ago. Mosquitoes love me too. So I like long skirts and dresses.

Originally Posted by JL

Not all women will look good in something like this

A dress that is short enough to show our crotch, worn with no bra? Alas, yes, most of us cannot wear that and do not desire to either.

[AhRainess]

From what I've seen around here, many women do not wear skirts and/or dresses, even the ones who are in shape. I've been slim and overweight. I still preferred to wear skirts/dresses when I was heavier for a few reasons:

1) I feel most feminine and more beautiful in them. They are daytime dressy and appropriate for work. Pants makes me feel different. It's usually a "I don't care how I look today" kind of difference.
2) I had gotten so big that I got chafing in my inner thighs, which caused my pants to tear. That's when I knew I needed to change because that's never happened to me before.
3) 99% of the time, I would need to get pants hemmed as I am barely 5 ft.

Now that I am in better shape, I can wear almost anything. (Anything that covers my least favorite body parts, so bikinis are still out.)

[Gabbythecat]

A kitten heel. Uh huh. Sounds like it would be great for sloshing through puddles or carrying/splitting firewood./sarcasm

Seriously, I only wear athletic style shoes - running shoes or hiking shoes. Thats all. Ever. Nothing else works for my country life.

[veuvegirl]

Everyone has their own taste. Just like you may not like the color blue. Why? It's your preference. Our uniqueness is what makes the world go round.

[Sundaydrive00]

Originally Posted by Tinawina

5. Heels are a pain, and finding comfortable ones that also look good take time and effort. Yes you can wear flats with a dress or skirt but not all dresses or skirts look good with flats.

I never wear heels. All the dresses I wear look perfectly fine with flats or sandals.

Originally Posted by ss20ts

Can't stand dresses or skirts! I live in a region of the country where we get weather. Nothing like wearing a dress in a blizzard and cleaning your car off....nothing like having to run through a parking lot when it's pouring rain out and rain is splashing up your skirt! Yeah no thanks

In the winter I wear fleece lined tights that are much warmer then any of the pants I own. On raining days, I much prefer wearing a dress or skirt since pants are more likely to get wet on the bottom and stay wet all day.

[HappyFarm34]

I've always been a bit of a tomboy although was never into sports. Like others mentioned, skirts/dresses make me feel exposed. I don't want to deal with having to sitting a certain way to avoid showing off my underwear or having to worry about my boobs flashing to others. And in the cold, wintry months of Michigan, wearing a dress/skirt isn't practical in keeping warm.

I only wear them if the social obligation calls for formal wear.

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by Gabbythecat

I find it ironic that women, who are often (but not always) less physical than men, have been expected to wear clothes that increases their vulnerability. High heels make them less able to run, purses are easy for thieves to grab, skirts make it easier for rapists...By wearing "active" clothes and by not carrying a purse, I feel like I have leveled the playing field a bit!

Great post!

[faeryedark]

Originally Posted by johnnybgood12

While they seem to be in the minority I have heard from a number of women they can't stand wearing a skirt or a dress at all. Just curious what some reasons may be? I do remember a friend awhile back tried on a dress after many years of not wearing one and she said she felt weird and uncomfortable.

I hate them. I don't like all the fabric, the way they move and brush my legs. Or, having to sit certain ways, or remember to get longer ones out of the way of my car doors etc.
Pants, shorts and even skorts are more practical for me.

[Faith2187]

I like dresses but only certain ones. I do better with bodycon dresses and mini dresses since im short-they tend to emphasize my hip to waist ratio, show off my legs and give me an overall feminine look. But in the work place they are too short to wear. I don't like the dress that jade posted. I've tried that style and it isn't flattering for me, I have very wide hips and small waist but for some reason perhaps because I'm short the way those dresses flounce out often cause me to look wider and frumpy. They also don't match my style and personality-I've never been into fit and flare dresses or flouncy dresses my personality is more edgey and perhaps more similar to Rihanna(but mildly more conservative) or a dressy posh type of look. Heels are a must. I hate flats. I don't like my calves very much so I avoid knee length dresses that call attention to them. All in all I like long form fitting dresses, or mini long fitting dresses. Skirts don't look right on me ever. So I don't wear skirts. I prefer pants at the work place or a form fitting casual dress that is a couple of inches above my knee. I do find dresses to make me feel vulnerable more often than not. But I don't mind them in the right environment.

[Annie53]

Originally Posted by Kings Gambit

I think the biggest reason is due to being self conscious of their body, you know, have body/image issues.

I believe the ones who say they "arent comfortable" are saying that because they dont want to come out and say the real reason which is "I am too self conscious of my body to wear skirts/dresses".

My wife rarely wears skirts/dresses. Her reasoning is because she thinks certain ones make her look really, really short. She's a "curvy" 5' 2" tall and 123 lbs. Because she has a bubble booty and rather strong/muscular legs from years of fitness, she thinks her legs look stocky in certain skirts/dresses. She'll wear pencil skirts without issue because she feels she doesnt look as short in them. And she'll wear ballroom dresses/gowns but usually when doing ballroom dancing.

She really just prefers the ease, comfort, fit and look of her yoga pants (Lululemon, Lorna Jane, etc.) which she looks FANTASTIC wearing.

This.....coming from a man, who, I will assume, has never worn a skirt and high heals.

I think you should buy a skirt and a pair of high heals, wear them around the house, practice sitting, walking and bending, all the while making sure your undies are never exposed.

After trying this for a few days, get back to us......I am betting you will then understand why so many women prefer the comfort of wearing slacks/jeans instead of dresses and skirts.

I look just fine in dresses and heals, but I reserve them for special occasions because they are not practical and not as comfortable as jeans and shorts.