For many of us, especially when we’re tentatively daring to bear in summertime, there’s always a certain part of our body we call our “trouble spot”. You know the one we mean – that much-cursed part we wouldn’t put on display for love nor money. It could be a wobbly arm, a wrinkly knee, or a tummy that never pinged back like the images in women’s magazines promised it would.
And one area that particularly gets women reaching for the safety of long skirts and baggy trousers are our legs. We’re bombarded with images in the media of long, lithe tanned legs – and the smoothness! How on earth are the legs in ads for razors and the like so smooth and poreless when our legs are white, bumpy after shaving and rocking a nice line in cellulite and varicose veins.
Oh yes, airbrushing.
So you know what? Even if our legs aren’t up to our armpits à la those Pretty Polly ads, why should we cover them up? We’re tired of feeling ashamed of our bodies, of apologising for ourselves because we don’t have pins like Jennifer Aniston.
Here’s why we’re baring our legs this summer, and to hell with the begrudgers!
1. Because we should appreciate our legs
No matter what they look like, legs have an important purpose. They support us, they help us get from A to B, and without them we couldn’t dance around to Whitney’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody when the occasion arises.
2. Who are we offending?
Often we cover our legs because we’re worried people will look at them and think, “Oh God, she should NOT be wearing a skirt/shorts/dress that short!” And why not we say? Are we offending people’s sensibilities just because our legs aren’t tanned, toned and thin? If so, that’s pretty sad on their part, and certainly not a reason why WE should be hot and sticky on a warm day!
3. Because we should wear what we want
If you see a cute summer dress or a smart pair of city shorts, why not wear them? People who aren’t confident about their pins often look at pretty clothes and immediately put them in the ‘oh no, not for me, for slim people’ category. Life’s too ‘short’ so wear whatever the hell you want we say!
4. Because cellulite – so what
Who doesn’t have cellulite? And why is it such a big deal anyway? We’ve tried it all – creams, alkalising our diets, nuts and seeds. The truth is, it’s a just a part of a woman’s makeup, and we shouldn’t punish ourselves by covering it up in shame.
5. Because the first time is the hardest
The first time we emerge from our winter cocoon and attempt to wear shorts is pretty scary. We’re convinced people are looking at us (they aren’t) and all we want to do is run home and change. But if you stick with it, the next time you don those shorts will be a LOT easier. And the next. And the next.
6. Because it’s empowering
Confidence is sexy, as the saying goes. And it’s a bit of a clichéd term for a reason. There really is nothing more attractive than a woman confident in her own skin, even if she isn’t ‘perfect’. So strut your stuff like the fabulous creature you are.
7. Because it’s a step towards self-acceptance
You know, is it any wonder why we women sometimes hate our bodies? Women’s representation in the likes of underwear ads can often make us feel fat and ugly (hey again airbrushing!), totally obscuring how beautiful we really are. Showing off those legs is a powerful statement that you accept yourself and your body, no matter what the Victoria Secrets’ models look like.
8. Because we want our kids to love their legs too
Kids are perceptive. If we always cover up, they’ll know it’s because we’re ashamed of our bodies. Teach them that there’s nothing to be ashamed of by facing your fears getting those legs out!
