Dresses and Skirts

Updated on July 08, 2011
J.S. asks from Green Cove Springs, FL
20 answers

Am I the only one that can't put on a dress or skirt without feeling "dressed up"? It doesn't matter how casual the skirt/dress I still feel that way. Recently I was shopping with my husband and I found a very casual dress that was also very pretty. I told him that I liked it but where would I wear it to, we aren't church goers, we really don't anywhere that requires more than jeans and tennis shoes. He just looked at me kinda funny and said, "You can wear it anywhere." But when I do, I feel silly. Like I am dressing up to go to the grocery store or Walmart of something. Am I the only one to feel that way?

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So What Happened?

I think I got to the root of my problem. My sister and I were basically raised like boys. We were just talking and my sister feels the same way. As we were talking about it I remembered that a when I was still living at home I put on a skirt to go somewhere and my dad looked at me and said, "Why are you all dressed up? Why the skirt?" My sister said he had said something like that to her before too. She also feels funny in skirts. So I guess I get to blame my dad. In his eyes dresses and skirts meant "dressing up". :)

Oh, there's nothing wrong with people wearing dresses and skirts to Walmart or the grocery store, I just personally feel funny about it. Everyone is right, if I did it more often I probably wouldn't feel that way, and it would thrill my husband. The problem is doing it. I think I have a dress phobia, maybe I can cure it with beer.

Featured Answers

J.S.

answers from Chicago on

What's wrong with wearing a dress to the grocery store or Walmart? Have you seen what some shoppers at Walmart wear?

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Buy the dress, wear it. That "funny" feeling you get will go away as you get used to it.

2 moms found this helpful

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

I wear dresses and skirts almost everyday and I am a SAHM and just going to the store or park or cleaning the house. They are comfy and great for the hot weather.

I get knee length cotton skirts (Old Navy has a great selection) which a wear with a blinged out flip flop and either a T or a tank. Sun dresses are also super comfy in the summer.

2 moms found this helpful

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S.Y.

answers from Chicago on

take the casual dress pair it with flip flops and see if your attitude changes about being dressed up.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.E.

answers from Denver on

I wear dresses and skirts every single day in the summer. It's a matter of personal comfort I think - to me - no big deal. I have friends though that are purely shorts/pants kinda people...so it might seem weird to them.

2 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

If I'm wearing a denim skirt and a tank top with a bathing suit underneath, NO WAY do I feel dresses up! I feel like (dare I say it), white trash... but there's no sense in ruining good clothes at the river. I call it my 'river wear'. Ditto with cheap sundresses.

Now I do have a few longer skirts and dresses I call my 'soccer mom attire' (which is almost like an oxymoron, since I'm covered in tattoos)... but these clothes, yes, I feel dressed up in and pretty much only wear to family functions (especially around the in-laws), weddings, and funerals.

It's funny, now that you mention it, because I go to the same grocery store multiple times a week. If I go in looking disheveled like I normally look, I get nothing by way of comments. If I happen to be on my way somewhere and dress decent, I get bombarded with comments 'my! what a beautiful family!' and such... attempting to dress nice makes a huge difference! Like I'm suddenly not invisible ;)

2 moms found this helpful

S.J.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't think you are the only one, but it is an easy fix. Just put on a casual skirt like the one you found, dress it down with some casual flip flops or sandals and a casual top and wear it. Once you do this a few times, you will feel more comfortable. You just have an idea of what a skirt "should be" not what it really is. You will love them once you get used to them! Such a great summer choice. I wear skirts of all lengths (a little above knee, knee and full length) all summer and it is easy to dress them up or down.

Try Old Navy and Ann Taylor Loft as well as some department stores for some casual selections.

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H.P.

answers from St. Louis on

You're not alone! :) I don't own a skirt that fits me since I had my son 5 yrs ago! I have one summer dress that I will put on when I don't have anything else to wear. LOL, right now it's hard to find something that fits at all since I am 7mos pregnant! :) I'm a SAHM, so I feel more comfy in my shorts, jeans and tees! Even MORE comfy in my sweats!!! Not to mention the Footwear... tennis shoes or flip flops! If it's got a heal... FORGET IT! My dress shoes don't leave the depths of my closet much!

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm a total jeans and T shirt girl! I will not wear a dress or a skirt unless I have to. I even wear flip flops with jeans and a tank top or T shirt to church!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.E.

answers from Chicago on

I love wearing dresses in the summer. I have a couple of jersey/lycra dresses that are completely wash and wear. They are so much cooler than jeans or capris and I never feel overdressed.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Now a days anything goes. You will not look out of place at all! Keep it dressed down with a cute tank top, or casual v-neck T and as the other post said...flip flops. skirts are awesome during the summer. I feel feminine and a lot cooler :)

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

It depends...phases of life, I think. When my work office was "dressier" I wore skirts, dresses and (gasp!) suits EVERY day. Now, it's more casual and those clothes are long gone...
I bought a skirt last fall and have still NEVER worn it. Why? Not sure....

1 mom found this helpful

C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I get what you're saying because I have friends like that. I love to wear dresses though. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Fort Myers on

I feel the same way. It is funny how it goes.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

No I feel the same way. I am a stay at home mom and wearing anything other than jeans and a nice shirt or shorts I feel somewhat over dressed. Especially if I were to wear heels and a dress to go to the grocery store or the mall with my two small children. Or just heels in general, with anything that looks styled. Do I wanna look nice yes, but I also feel silly doing so. Your not alone.

1 mom found this helpful

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

Hey mama! If you asked me this question 5 yrs ago I would have said absolutely! But I worked in the corporate world and all I had were dress up clothes with maybe one pair of jeans and I was comfortable that way. I always had a heel on no matter where I was! Fast forward to today. Im a sahm and the highest heel I get are my nike shocz! I too wear capris or jeans everyday and if we just happen to actually go somewhere im in my flip flops! So yes, I would wear the dress to the store with a cute pair of gladiators or wedges. Just as long as your comfy!

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T.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

Nope i am the same way. I feel really girlie and dressy if i am also wearing nail polish. Its just that we arent used to wearing skirts/dress an jeans are more comfortable. No having to sit or bend a certain way to avoid showing the undrwear. I only have a couple of dresses and wear them ocassionally.

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A.B.

answers from Naples on

I feel the same way. But I am trying to wear more dresses and skirts because i feel like they are more feminine and flattering. In fact just the other week i vowed to myself that I would ONLY buy dresses and skirts for a while until I have a nice stash.

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K.H.

answers from Tampa on

I'm sure you are not the only one to feel that way but I think it's nice to have variety in our looks. The main thing is for you to feel comfortable and let yourself be pretty. Who cares what others think or say? The most they would say is, what a pretty dress... your thoughts as well. As long as you are not wearing a prom dress or wedding gown to go to Publix, have at it. Sometimes we dress our children up so nicely, it's ok for us to do the same. In the end, clothes are clothes, it's how they make you feel that counts.
Also, it is not against the law to "dress up" from time to time. I wear my dresses because they are more comfortable and easier to put on when outside in the heat....more ventilation. LOL :)

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D.H.

answers from Miami on

I'm with you. There are so many things that I think are pretty but just aren't really me. Dresses, skirts, watches, jewelry of all kind really. Even trying to look a little "sexy" when I go out with my hubby makes me feel weird and like I'm wearing a costume.

I'm totally with you. I would wear jeans all the time if I could. My hubby recently made fun of me because we live in Florida and it's about 100 degrees and he's like "why don't you wear shorts". I make an effort, but nothing feels as comfy as jeans.

You're not alone sister!

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S.B.

answers from Fort Myers on

I have some casual dresses that I would wear at home or going out to dinner/ shopping and I have work dresses that i would not. Its fun to wear something other than pants or shorts. it seems like your husband likes the idea. You can buy it for date nights!! Its good for a variety, you might like it and do it more :)

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