It’s bare leg weather—or more, specifically bare thighs! I spent a long time thinking I had the kind of legs that should be hidden. I know there’s a lot of girls and women out there who spend an entire season never feeling the breeze on their legs. We might feel self-conscious about our thighs, dimpled skin, veins, or scars. Some of that insecurity is instilled in us by others when we’re young and it’s something we eventually have to face and overcome.
My advice is to take a risk in the context of something you love. For instance, I wanted to wear a thigh-baring dress on a date with my husband (who took these photos like the sweet instagram husband that he is.) I’ve been wanting to wear it on a warm evening out ever since I found it and I finally did!
Dress: Free People, Heels: Joie, Bag: River Island
But even if you get to a place where you think: “I’m gonna wear the dress!” you still need to be able to do so comfortably. When your thighs touch, you have to take extra care of your skin. Chafing, redness, soreness: ugh, I know it well. The potential for discomfort is enough that some of us skip shorts or dresses altogether. But… spring and summer dresses are some of the prettiest you can wear. So, what to do?
When Smoovall reached out to me to see if I’d like to test their anti-chafing product, I was intrigued. The brand is based in The Netherlands and is launching in the U.S. in early May 2017. First, it’s a spray! This was my first time seeing this kind of product in a spray form. When I tried it myself I was looking for a few things: undetectable, non-staining, and effective. It covered all my bases.
You can find it online here.
To apply you spray along the inner thighs and allow to dry for 30 seconds. The effect is legs that feel much silkier. Overall, it’s supposed to last about 4 hours—just enough for an evening out in my case. The next day I went for my usual walk, no issues. I’ll see how this hold up in the summer months, but for now it’s staying within reach on my bathroom counter.
Verdict: worth trying!
If you’re feeling inspired to ditch pants for a while, here are a few more dresses to step out in confidently this spring:
This post was brought to you by Smoovall
Yesssssssss I love this! The other alternative I’ve heard (and used today) is men’s gel deodorant? Like the Gilette kind? Apparently once it dries it leaves something of a barrier that can hold up for a bit.
So far it’s been ok – though in all fairness I have a sedentary office job and don’t do a ton of walking from 9-5.
Also, this is kind of an odd question since they sponsored the post, but do you know how much it’ll be marketing for? I’m definitely interested in Smoovall.
Price is $14 but if you sign up for the discount you get 20% off! xo
Yes! I’ve tried deodorant too and an anti-chafing gel but the texture of Smoovall is pretty different (and a big part of why I liked it after I tested it.) It’s a dry smooth feel. You spray it and it dries in about 30 seconds. By contrast, I think gel feels slick when it’s on my thighs, which I find more noticeable as I wear it.
Hi Jay,
I stumbled upon your blog this evening and feel the need to express my new found love for you. 😊 ‘Bare thighs’ is such a great post. If I’m brave enough to bare this season then I hope to give Smoovall a try, but i am not writing to you regarding this product. I am more attracted to your story here, specifically at the beginning. I have those same self esteem issues with my legs, I always did. Even at my best weight I barely let them see the sun. Every spring and summer I cringe at the thought of dresses and shorts, and as you know it’s May 3rd so the cringing has begun. I have struggled with the question ‘am I blessed or cursed with being bottom heavy’? I have found that the answer depends on who you ask. I used to blame my mom for giving me my shape but now I can only blame my son (kidding but not kidding). His name is Mikko and he is my world. Like all first time moms I was looking forward to the beauty of motherhood but what surprised me was the new added fear of looking in the mirror. At times I don’t even know what I look like from the waist down. I choose not to look so I can save a few F bombs and a panicked wardrobe change. Ignorance is bliss.
I have been in such a rut when it comes to my body and how I see my physical self. This post, however, has totally inspired me. When I first saw your picture here I immediately thought to myself, “I wish I could wear that” and “I wish I could be that comfortable in it”. I didn’t see your size, I just saw your beauty, and your confidence, it’s contagious. May is such a beautiful month, being a mother is such a beautiful title and being a woman with a little extra to show is beautiful just the same. Thank you for writing this post and thank you for inspiring me to bare my thighs, and maybe a bit more. Much love.
Kendra
Love the dresses! & as a plus size gal, lover Old Navy too! Great post! I haven’t tried to spray you mentioned in your post – however I have used coconut oil & that has worked well for me. … Keep on blogging!
-Cheers!
Marian
Sorry – forgot to proof read before I sent :O …. *I am a lover of Old Navy & *haven’t tried THE spray you mentioned
Love the color of your dress! <3
http://www.bigdreamerblog.com
Try also Bandelettes, for me it has been game changing for summer dresses and avoiding red sore inner thights.
Most beautiful dress for summer.