Where do you draw the line at showing imperfections?

[justallovertheplace]

I know this is an issue of confidence more than anything, but where do you draw the line at showing bits of skin that are not pretty?
I have terrible stretch marks all over my tummy and obviously I wouldn't venture out in something that showed them. But I also got them in puberty on the backs of my knees as I grew so fast. They've turned white/silver now so they're not purple or red but they are still visible. I've always covered up, worn tights or skirts that come well beneath them but now Summer is (hopefully) coming I have a dress that I want to wear but it comes above the knee. The thought of showing those stretch marks makes me really anxious. But at the same time, I think, they are just scars, I can't help them. But they are so ugly
So should I just accept that I will never be able to wear above the knee things? Or be brave and just go for it? I really really want you to be truthful, so if the answer is 'god no, put them away' do tell me anyway, I can take it And if anyone knows any way to disguise them, all the better

[Chandon]

just do it. I have spider veins all over my legs, and hammer toes (corns yuk )but still wear skirts and even open shoes.

You´ll find out nobody will notice or care

[arsesandoldlace]

Objectively speaking, I have noticed stretchmarks on people's legs but never thought they looked awful or ugly in the slightest.

It all depends on how you're going to feel wearing a short skirt, it'll look fine I'm sure but if you feel self-conscious then would that detract from the pleasure of wearing it?

[justallovertheplace]

The thing is arsesandoldlace(love the name) I would never wear a short skirt anyway. Not without tights at least. I just want to be able to wear a dress in the summer that comes to just above my knees. I'm only 26 fgs but this has been an issue my whole life- it kind of depresses me that I may never be able to actually dress for the summer in a way that I would want to because I am so damn self conscious. I have noticed it on other people too, I just don't know if that's because I am similarly afflicted (wink)> I have to admit that when I have seen it on other people I don't think it looks nice. But maybe that is just me projecting my problem onto them
WIll deffo try the fake tan though

[arsesandoldlace]

HTH.
I have the same problem but it's with my boobs - after bf they are pretty much all stretchmarks now, so I can't do low tops at all ever. I'm 28 and can't show cleavage! So I can totally see where you're coming from.

Fake tan might help - johnson's holiday skin gives quite a strong colour if you're white?

[tapas]

Yes rubysreturn - just assume she's white..

[Poledra]

I'm with the fake tanners - get one of those moisturisers and gradually build up some colour. TBH, I cannot remember the last time I looked at the back of a stranger's knees whilst out and about.......

[justallovertheplace]

err tapas... I am white This is hardly a race issue. This is a stretch mark issue. Much more serious.

[overmydeadbody]

The backs of your knees are not very noticable places tbh, and silvery white stretch marks are not easily noticable by others either, and if noticed are hardly ugly things are they?

You need to just not care what others tihnk and wear the shorter dress.

[justallovertheplace]

Can noone honestly say they have seen this and recoiled then?? I may just have to brave it one day when the sun actually makes an appearance.

[PlumSykes]

I honestly don't think I could identify my nearest and dearest by the backs of their knees if my life depended on it. I really don't think it's something that should worry you. People will be too busy looking at your lovely face to notice a thing.

[GeneHuntsMistress]

n0t getting into the whole accept your body thang, but if you thinking of going the fake tan route go no further - what you actually need is something by Pretty Polly (yes, he tights people) called Make Up For Legs. Yes it does give a bit of colour but it's more like FOUNDATION for legs, yes in fact that is really what it is. Revolutionised my summer wardrobe last year as it meant i could wear skirts and dress all the time. It just washes off at end of day, jut like make up on your face! brill stuff.

[justallovertheplace]

OOo really?? Is it not really obvious? And does it not, err, run in the heat? It could be the solution I'm after

[GeneHuntsMistress]

no really it's amazing! you only use the tiniest bit ad then just really rub it in until it almost disappears but it doesn't, it just looks all airbrushed. i only used it lower legs and knees and also right down to feet so didnt look odd with sandals - really it looked so natural, much better than fake tan, and one tube lasted me the entire summer! go for it