To bare or not to bare?

On sunny bank holiday Monday I gave this dress its first outing of 2013:

Outfit #47 May Bank Joliday
Headscarf - Charity Shop
Dress - Topshop
Sandals - Topshop 

Spring/Summer 2013 is all about the LWD, don't you know? 

I've had this one for two or three years. I'm surprised it's still even remotely white looking considering how regularly I miss my mouth! But then I suppose it hasn't really been worn that often...Same. Old. Story. 

Anyway, I was putting the outfit together - pretty head scarf, dainty sandals and thinking that it all looked quite nice when I found myself reaching for for my usual black leggings. All over sunny London women of all shapes and sizes were getting out their pins and there I was ready to cloak mine in the same old pair of black leggings. Why? 

Would they add anything? No, if anything, they'd completely kill the summeriness of the look and the daintiness of the white lace.

Was the day ahead going to involve rolling around on the floor in front of a bunch of students? No, I was freeeee! 

Was it cool enough to make them a necessity for warmth? No, it was glorious! 

Then why the hell did I find myself drawn to those stupid black leggings?!* 

I tried to think back to the last time I had actually let my legs be free... and I just couldn't (except, perhaps, for the odd night out at home in Northern Ireland - EVERYONE gets them out there, despite the awful weather. I'd feel like a prude if I didn't!) Even last summer, on the (few) hot days, the leggings made an appearance and my legs did not. 

I don't know what it is. I think somewhere along the way I must have lost my leggy confidence. Which is a shame. It's not like I have very bad legs. They are by no means amazing, the cellulite is creeping in, there's the odd little vein appearing behind the knees and I have PLENTY of scars and usually a bruise or two (I'm quite possibly the clumsiest person you will ever encounter. Just walking from A to B without falling over or bumping into something is a bigger challenge than The Challenge. Of course, throw in a pair of heels and a couple of gins and, hey presto, you've got a walking catastrophe...), but as far as legs go they are grand (especially from a distance) and do me fine. 

Why then the reluctance to get them out? I suppose it's got a lot to do with the fact that I think they need to look PERFECT before they see the light of day (I think we've got magazines and Hollywood to blame for that). I remember going through a phase in my late teens when I felt the need to paint my leg with spray on leg make up when I got them out. Even at music festivals(!) when the denim shorts came out so too would the Sally Hanson Air Brush Legs. Seriously!? Make up. On my legs. In a tent. With wellies. 

Admittedly just basic maintenance is a pain in the ass. You've got the shaving or waxing, the exfoliating, the moisturising and, certainly at this time of year, the tanning (I'm Irish. They are practically blue without a bit of Garnier Summer Body to help them out. It's gotta be done). But the thing is I do all that anyway (except maybe the exfoliating, I'm pretty lax about that...) and then cover it up with leggings... 

So on Monday morning, as my hand was reaching for those trusty black leg hiders, all of the above flashed through my mind. I looked in the mirror at my 'they'll do me rightly' pair and thought "**** it! These pins are one item in my wardrobe that can't be replaced when they start to look worn out, shopping ban or no shopping ban. I might as well get some wear out of them now!" 

Maybe it's getting older and wiser, or just that I've been too busy to have the time to care, but 'perfection' is no longer something I strive for. Now it's something along the lines of being happy in my own skin that I'm going for, I think.  And, on Monday, as wandered up the high street (don't worry I only bought a bag of avocados and some milk) wearing my free legs, I think I felt a little bit closer to achieving that. 

Somewhat inevitably, Summer only graced us with his presence for a couple of days. The wind and the rain are back again and so too are the leggings (my rear is one item I would rather keep safely in the closet, thanks very much) but, I have to say, I rather enjoyed my leggy fling. Here's to many more! 

Over and out 

M x 

 * Sorry, leggings. I was a bit harsh there. It's not you it's me. I love you really. We have been through a lot together and our relationship is really pretty great but I think it is healthy to have some space every so often, you know?