Anyone else have trouble wearing skirts/dresses?

by DJ
(Brookings, SD)

I can wear shorts, jeans, dress pants (if made of cotton), but I absolutely CANNOT wear a skirt or dress. For one thing, if they're slim cut, a person can't take a full stride so I feel hog-tied, and for another, if they're fuller, they move about with those frilly/ticklish feelings on your legs.




Not to mention that I can't wear the pantyhose or dress shoes that go with such clothes. Plus, I have this mortal fear that the wind will catch the skirt and show the world my underwear!

I was wondering if anyone else had this trouble too. I am a JW, and they require women to wear skirts at the Kingdom Hall. I've tried... just can't do it. I have had SPD and this trouble all my life...



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Oct 12, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Just go with confidence
by: Kyler A.

I've thought about this a lot before I decided to comment. Different ways of how to help people get over their fear of wearing a skirt in public. This is it..... First off I'm a guy who wears (womens) skirts in public. I wear them because I'm comfortable with myself/sexuality who I am and the skirts are also comfortable. I also shave my legs and do physical exercise. If that's not enough, I also wear hipster, bikini, and cheekies underwear for comfort and I feel more sexy. I can tell my confidence level has risen and feel more determined. Yes, accidents can and will occur. The amount of people, exposure, and realization depends on the situation. I've had situations, and I've overcome them.

Look at it like this, choose what you want them to see under your skirt. ALWAYS keep in mind that your flashing either someone or something, even if it's a full length skirt. Our imagination is always worse than what really happens. People are always more concerned about their appearance and modesty. I appreciate it if I am revealing anything for someone either be discreet or don't say anything at all. Some people may see your underwear, but even more will notice your confidence decreasing. Tugging, adjusting, fiddling with your skirt says it all. Crossing or closing legs will more than likely ensure your covered and your confidence stays with you. Although testing at home with a mirror or friend will show your limitations.

Try it once or couple times before you decide. Being young you only get to experience that once in a lifetime. YOU KNOW look sexy, YOU KNOW have confidence, and YOU KNOW you can overcome anything.

Hope this helps. :)
Jun 15, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Scared of what people will think
by: Anonymous

For me it is more of what others think as I am not known as much of a so called "girly girl" and I scared if I start wearing dresses and skirts it will change the way people see me. I am not so much scared of wearing the item itself but what people will think and if they will judge me.

Today I was shopping online, a thing I do very rarely as I said I was more of a Tom boy and prefer not to shop at all even though I think that might be slightly changing, and I had finished and saw the heading skirt and had a quick look. I found one and added it to cart but are still hesitating about buying it.

I feel this could be unhealthy for my confidence and by wearing it, my confidence might improved and it doesn’t matter what others think but I still am too scared and even if I do end up buying it, will I ever even where it.
Jun 26, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Leggings or cycle shorts underneath
by: Anonymous

On the few occasions when I have no choice about wearing skirts or dresses, I've found that I can do it is I wear a looser skirt but wear cycle shorts or leggings (which I am comfortable with) underneath. I find that generally they're thick enough to avoid that floaty, fluttery feeling as well as removing that fear of embarrassment!
Jun 18, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		The fear of them
by: Anonymous

I swear those things are too revealing. When ever I think of wearing clothes like that I start to hyperventilate, they should seriously make the fear of THEM a thing. And those skirts and dresses are way to uncomfortable, how can anyone walk those so casually and freely, how can they just WEAR THAT!!! UGHHH...
Apr 01, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		I have a phobia of wearing dresses
by: Anonymous

I just can't wear them, the thought of it sickens me and makes me frightened, when i wear one if i wear one i have a panic attack and freak out can't do it, I am a woman that has always dressed really masculine and likes wearing jeans, shorts, boxers etc, even at my own wedding can't wear dresses no way.
May 06, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		I have that too.
by: Anonymous

I just want to know the name of this phobia!
Really I sometimes get scared. If I'm forced to wear a skirt I wear thick winter tights even in Summer. I just can.
:P Anonymously Elise :P
Jan 16, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		under your dress
by: Lisa

I have the same problem. How I deal with it is I wear shorts under my dresses, or tights. I still have a hard time because as you know you have to wear a dress a lot being a JW. It doesn't told ally fix it by I am a lot more at ease then with out sometime under my skirt or dress ! Hope this helps you.
Dec 31, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		Trouble wearing skirts/dresses
by: Jane

I don't like tight fitting skirts. I hate the feel on my legs when I walk. Fuller skirts don't bother me, so I tend to wear them more often. I usually don't wear hose, they feel strange on my legs. I understand the "mortal fear" of having your skirt fly up. A huge gust of wind blew my skirt up a few years ago in front of the mall. It was quite embarrassing, but I can still wear skirts without being too worried about it.
Dec 27, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		I,as well, cannot wear skirts/dresses
by: Anonymous

"Thicker stockings"? The post stated she couldn't stand to wear pantyhose or the shoes that went along with dresses.

I am in exactly the same spot as the questioner, and cannot wear 1) skirts 2) stockings 3) shoes that go with stockings.

This problem has gotten worse with age, since at 24 I could still take a dance class if I stripped the stockings off the moment the class ended (and put them on just before class). The heavy stockings for dance are seamed, and thus a big problem, not a solution. It is the synthetic fabric that is so cumbersome with all stockings. A non-lace undershirt at the waistband ("camisole?" helps only if all-cotton, and also seamless (mine come from Austria, Switzerland, or Germany, since US ones are all inferior or synthetic).

My additional problem with skirts is that I cannot endure having my legs "exposed" -- for this reason, I almost never wear shorts or short sleeves.

My SPD diagnosis is two weeks old. I am 55, and having been seeking help for 50 years for this problem with clothing!
Dec 25, 2008
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starstarstarstarstar 		accommodating skirts/dresses
by: Renee

Hello:
I am a therapist who has worked with people who have sensory processing issues for many, many years, and I also appreciate the need for dressing for church. Here are a two suggestions that come to mind.

If the waistband is an issue, you might try using different closures, or using a thicker camisole, tucked in sweater, or scarf between your skin and the waistband.

If the touch of the hemline along your legs is a problem, you might try wearing thicker stockings.

These are short term "fixes", but it sounds as if a longer term solution might also be needed.

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