When I wrote about how to wear dresses when you don’t love your legs, one reader wrote to me with a great follow-up question: “What if I don’t like showing my legs at all?”
Maybe you’re self-conscious about heavy calves, chunky ankles, scars, spider veins, or pale, blotchy skin. Or perhaps you simply feel more comfortable with your legs covered. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to spend all summer in jeans. There are plenty of stylish ways to stay cool while keeping your legs covered. These are the pieces I reach for most often.
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Style Snapshot
- Skip the shorts. Linen pants, flowy culottes, and maxi dresses keep you cool while giving you more coverage.
- Choose cropped pants carefully. The most flattering styles hit slightly above the ankle or below the widest part of your calf.
- Draw the eye upward with colorful tops, statement earrings, scarves, or a pretty neckline.
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1. Slip Into Flowy Culottes or Palazzo Pants
Flowy palazzo pants and modern culottes are two of my favorite ways to cover my legs in summer. They’re lightweight, breezy, and much cooler than jeans because they don’t cling to your body.
I especially love today’s cropped culottes. Many come as matching sets, and when paired with the coordinating top, they create a polished outfit that’s incredibly easy to wear. My silky orange set is one of my favorites because the culottes fall like a tea-length skirt, giving me plenty of coverage while still feeling cool and modern.
Style Tip: Don’t be afraid of the matching crop top. It’s designed to meet the waistband of the pants, so it doesn’t show your midriff. The loose shape skims over your tummy, creating the illusion of a smaller waist while still feeling comfortable.
2. Linen Wide-Leg Pants Are a Summer Staple
white linen pants | striped shirt | tee | sandals | bag
If palazzo pants feel a little too flowy for you, a pair of linen wide-leg pants is a wonderful alternative. They’re cool, breathable, and one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable while keeping your legs covered on hot summer days.
I never regret packing a pair of linen pants for vacation. They look relaxed but still feel polished, and they go with just about everything—from a simple tee and sandals to a pretty blouse for dinner. A white drawstring pair is always a classic, but I also love fun stripes or soft summer colors to add a little personality.
striped linen pants | rust tee | snake print sandals | faux leather bag
Style Tip: Choose linen pants with a relaxed straight or wide leg that skims your body instead of clinging to it. They feel cooler, look more modern, and create a lovely long line.
3. Slip Into a Maxi Dress
orange maxi | bag | sandals
If you love wearing dresses but prefer to keep your legs covered, a maxi dress is one of the easiest summer solutions. It’s cool, comfortable, and gives you full coverage without feeling hot or restrictive.
I tend to reach for soft, flowy maxis in lightweight fabrics because they move beautifully and feel effortless. Flat metallic sandals, woven slides, or simple sneakers are all perfect partners for a casual maxi. I usually skip sky-high heels, which can make a relaxed summer maxi feel too dressy.
Lately, I’ve also been loving crochet maxi dresses. They have a light, airy feel, and many are designed with a half-slip underneath, so you get just a subtle peek of leg without revealing too much. It’s a pretty, modern way to feel covered while still keeping your outfit light for summer.
maxi | bag |sandals | earrings
Style Tip: Throw a white denim jacket or lightweight cardigan over your maxi when the air conditioning is blasting or the evening cools down. It adds another layer of coverage while finishing off your outfit beautifully.
Related: Love maxi dresses? Be sure to check out my roundup of the best summer maxi dresses for
4. Experiment with Summer Leggings
If you love leggings, you can wear them in summer too, but you’ll probably want to switch to the cotton type, which is lighter and more breathable. Wear them under flowy tunics, big shirts, and soft summer t-shirt dresses as an alternative to tights.
You can opt for a 7/8 ankle length, which is slightly shorter than the regular ankle length and more summery, or an apron-style—experiment and see which works best for you.
Style Tip – If you do go with capri leggings, make sure to exfoliate your legs. A slight shimmer of tan helps to reflect away from the leg’s look. I use Jeurgens, which gives my skin a light, golden, sun-kissed look compared to a tan.
5. Wear Cropped Ankle Pants
If you prefer a little more coverage than shorts but don’t want full-length pants, capris or cropped ankle pants are a great middle ground. Today’s styles are much more modern than the capris we wore years ago. Look for clean, streamlined silhouettes rather than overly baggy or cargo styles.
If your calves are the area you’re most self-conscious about, pay attention to where your pants end. A cropped pant that hits just above the ankle bone or slightly below the widest part of your calf is usually the most flattering.
Style Tip: Skip capris that end at the widest part of your calf. That small change in length can make a big difference in creating a longer, leaner look.
6. Pull on Light, White Jeans
striped top | white jeans | white sandals |earrings | denim jacket
Crisp white jeans are always a classy way to cover your legs in summer. They look fresh, brighten every outfit, and make colorful tops really pop. White denim also reflects the sun better than darker washes, so it often feels cooler on warm days.
I especially love slim-straight white jeans because they look modern while still giving you plenty of coverage. If you prefer blue denim, look for lightweight summer-weight jeans that feel softer and cooler than traditional denim.
Style Tip: Pair white jeans with colorful tops, metallic sandals, or woven accessories for an easy summer look that never goes out of style.
7. Throw on a Breezy Kaftan
A kaftan may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s one of the easiest ways to stay cool while covering your legs. Whether you’re relaxing at a beach resort, heading on a cruise, lounging by the pool, or enjoying dinner on the patio, a flowing kaftan feels effortless and elegant.
Choose one in a colorful print or vibrant solid and keep the accessories simple. Flat sandals, a woven bag, and oversized sunglasses are all you need for an easy vacation look.
8. Draw Attention Upward
One styling trick I use over and over is drawing attention toward my face instead of my legs. It doesn’t mean you’re trying to hide anything—you’re simply creating a focal point higher up in your outfit.
A colorful top, a beautiful neckline, statement earrings, a pretty scarf, or even a bright lipstick naturally draws the eye upward. When your outfit has an interesting focal point near your face, your whole look feels more balanced.
My Take
Not everyone feels comfortable showing their legs in summer, and that’s perfectly okay. The good news is there are more stylish options than ever. Linen pants, flowy culottes, maxi dresses, cropped ankle pants, and lightweight white jeans all let you stay cool without automatically reaching for shorts.
Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. When you feel good in your clothes, it shows—and that’s always the most flattering thing you can wear.
FAQ
What can I wear in summer if I don’t like showing my legs?
Linen pants, wide-leg pants, maxi dresses, cropped ankle pants, and lightweight white jeans are all stylish alternatives to shorts. They’re breathable, comfortable, and keep your legs covered without feeling too warm.
Are linen pants cooler than jeans?
Yes. Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics you can wear in hot weather. It allows air to circulate, making it much cooler than traditional denim.
What are the best summer pants for covering your legs?
Wide-leg linen pants, relaxed straight-leg pants, and lightweight drawstring styles are all excellent choices. They give you coverage while still feeling cool and comfortable.
Can I wear black pants in summer?
You can, but lighter colors like white, cream, tan, and soft neutrals usually feel cooler in the sun and create a fresher summer look.
What can I wear instead of shorts in hot weather?
If shorts aren’t your thing, try flowy culottes, linen pants, maxi dresses, cropped ankle pants, or a breezy kaftan. All of these options provide more coverage while keeping you comfortable on hot summer days.
P.S. Don’t like showing your arms either? Here is a great solution – pretty maxi dresses with long sleeves.
Oh boy… not here if this will get answered in time, but Deborah, I love the first pic of the culotte set you modeled and want it for my trip next week to DC. Orange is my 3-yr-old Granddaughter’s favorite color, and I wonder if you sported the ‘orange’ or the ‘bright orange’? I’m leaning toward bright, but I can always buy both and return one (like I’ve never done that before…hah)!
Looking forward to more of your posts!!!
Hi Patty, Yes, this is a great outfit for a trip. I’m taking it with me when I leave at the end of the week. The outfit I am wearing is orange. The bright orange is a little more neon. I find orange is so cheery in summer, and it always makes me look a bit tanned even when I’m not, which is a bonus. Have fun!
I wouldn’t say I like pantyhose. So I wear thigh-highs that come up to my legs and have narrow welts. They almost stay up, but not quite. So I also wear a four-strap garter belt with wide clasps and the rear straps well to the side. I remove the front straps. Then I fasten the side garters to my stockings by gathering the welts high in the clasps and attaching the clips to my socks.
Harem pants and loose linen tunics, Turkish women rock them, and it’s boho, so go for it.
Looking for something to wear on the boat or pool. Have severe psoriasis on legs
How about some light, flowy cotton beach pants?
Tights or hoses look better, feel better, and treat your legs better. Legs stay moisturized for when you remove them, for instance, and aren’t as tired at the end of the day. In the summer in LA, I prefer nude fishnets, which get a lot of compliments. I think they’ll be more cooling than bare because when I move, the threading pattern creates a slight air movement on my legs to keep me calm. In cooler weather, nude, black, or colored tights are great. I also adore navy blue and chocolate brown. A friend wears burgundy a lot, and I need to find where she buys them because they are professional and cute at the same time. Since curing myself of the bare leg fever, I’ve also said goodbye to goosebumped legs in chilly offices and sticking to the backs of chairs. Not to mention that the baby-oiled empty leg look that celebs love wrecks havoc with cleaning clothes and furniture in real life. Hello hose, welcome back.
I am attending daytime high school graduation in May in Orlando, FL. Is it okay to wear black dress shoes and hose in May? My outfit is a pink top with a black chiffon skirt.
Hi Maureen, If you need a hose, wear them. I’d suggest a nude Ultra Sheer. And yes, black shoes are good year-round.
Best Wishes.
Thanks for the advice! I love to wear tights because I have to wear knee support at all times, but I wasn’t sure about wearing socks with summer skirts. Must I try different denier values to be confident? Thank you. Ps, I have skinny ankles! Mmm! What do you reckon?
Cheers,
Em
Bare legs solution? I live in Florida, so believe me, tights and jeans are not an option – I’d melt!
Try Sally Hansen leg spray…it works, doesn’t stain clothes, and looks great.
P.s. I’m 59 and quite pale, with a few very blue spots from spider veins.
Hi Marlene,
Yes, Florida is another story! It’s unbearable down there in summer. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m going to try that leg spray. Cheers, Deborah
I also use leg make-up. I was cursed with Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin). Sally Hansen’s is like an airbrush, and it helps a lot. Most of the time, though, a trusty maxi skirt, a tunic with leggings, or light-weight wide-legged pants work for me when it’s blazing hot out.
I love that I found this article! I’ve been stressed over whether to wear opaque asphalt tights with a short black dress (sailor neckline) and strappy closed-toe stilettos tomorrow night for a press event. It’s smack dab in the middle of July in Los Angeles. I’ll arrive at 7:30 pm. What do you think????
My legs look good in the nude hose, but w/o the pantyhose, my cellulite is pretty bad. I would look okay in a swimsuit if I could wear a hose, but I don’t want to look like an idiot. What do you think?
Hi Liz,
No pantyhose with a swimsuit. Here’s what I’d suggest. Get a massive scarf-like cover-up and tie it at your waist so it falls on an angle over your legs with a nice big slit up the side. Or, go for a long sheer caftan to wear on top of your swimsuit for when you want to walk around.
I hope that helps! Cheers, Deborah
Hi, I just stumbled across this great website over the weekend. I have found this article at the perfect time too. As I am waiting on an operation to remove many varicose veins from my leg (many the result of an accident 20 years ago), I am 42 years old. I have been driving myself mad with what to wear. I like the idea of wearing jeans, and then I wish I was in something more intelligent when I am wearing them. With the weather now turning to Spring here, hopefully getting warmer, I am struggling as the Surgeon has insisted I wear support tights constantly. These are pretty uncomfortable under jeans and jeggings, and I have been wondering whether I could make the pantyhose part of my outfit. Reading that socks are ok to have on the show has opened a wardrobe of skirts and dresses for me. Do you think 20-30 denier tights would be ok in natural, blue or black with skirts and dresses, etc.? I am thinking of short boots at the moment and then maybe with brogues or ballet pumps later. I haven’t been given a date for the operation yet, but it is possibly about July. Any advice or tips, and suggestions would be so welcome. I am an hourglass with broader shoulders, 5ft 7, and a size 12-14 on top and 10-12 on the button. Thank you!
Are stockings/pantyhose back in vogue? I am very pale and do not like my bare legs. I will attend a wedding in October and would prefer to wear a dress… I do not want to be a fashion don’t!
Michelle, you can wear pantyhose. Just make them super sheer. I like Donna Karan’s nudes. Have fun. Cheers, Deborah!
Question: What should I wear while visiting New York City in June? I want to be relaxed and chic but comfortable while walking.
Hi Gwen, Stay away from shorts, capris, or long, hot blue jeans, and try a pair of casual cropped pants that narrow at your ankles or even a cute sundress. Leggings and a tunic would also work well. You want to be comfortable, so choose an excellent walking shoe. Have fun!
Maxi skirts and cargo pants are my staples. I might try cotton leggings under a denim skirt this summer. Long shirts and tanks with leggings and sandals will be my go-to uniform.
Where do you live? I’m guessing not somewhere warm! Tights, leggings, pantyhose, and boots? Making me sweat just thinking about that. And the pants suggestions are great for women who want to look shorter! (Not me.) I guess I’ll stick with letting my veiny legs show. When it’s hot or cold enough, vanity goes by the wayside.
I, too, struggle with the bare leg look. I have some cute sandals with summer dresses, but I cannot wear hose. I look best with dresses just above my knees, but my legs are freckled, pale, and scarred. I tried tanners, but I didn’t have good luck. (scars don’t absorb the lotion)
Hi Deb, I need your help! I wear a BCBG long knit, crouched sweater over my Jeggings. You can see thru it, so I added a white
L/S Danskin! The Danskin makes this beautiful
Sweater Blah! I like to stand out in a crowd!
Do you have any ideas? Thank You
Karen W, Indy
Hi Karen, I like the idea that you have a monochromatic look (I am assuming the sweater is white too). Just add a pretty long colorful scarf or a sizeable colorful handbag, and you are good to go!
Lady’s, this is the BEST, hands down. I have many issues with being over 50 and wondering what to do with hair, makeup, dressing, t-shirts, and jeans. This is what I live in (should say, used to!) Thanks to you, lady. I have been brave and dressed up somewhat, still love the jeans. Keep up the excellent work. By the way, trying to get the nerve up for a new hairstyle!!
I hate wearing sleeveless anything. I also do not wear bathing suits or shorts, but what do you wear when you live in Florida, get hot, and everyone else hardly wears anything?
I am 5’7″, 124lbs, which means I should be able to wear almost anything, but my skin looks like I am melting; I am 63. My husband and I will be traveling to Hawaii in September; I am already panicking about what I will wear. I appreciate your help.
Hi Jeannette,
When you are in a tropical location and don’t want to show your arms, find lightweight gauze tops and pretty sarongs to wrap around your waist to keep you cool and covered. A large hat and cute sandals will draw attention from your arms to your face.
However, when you have to wear a bathing suit, go for it! You will be more critical of yourself than anyone, so try not to worry and enjoy your trip!!!
I don’t think Kate Middleton wears nude pantyhose by choice! It seems ludicrous to me that people would copy her in what appears to me to be purely an act of submission to te royal family. The people I think we should be copying are the young girls ( like Kate) who decided to rebel against wearing the horrible nude hose. Now we are free to go hose free in summer, wear heels without our feet sliding around in our shoes, and to free ourselves from the ridiculous expense of hosiery designed to wear once only before being ruined with snags. Finally at age 60, I dared today to attend an afternoon event without feeling obligated to wear pantyhose – and I felt younger exercising that option.
I was going to comment, that other ethnic groups do suffer from the “pale leg” syndrome LOL. Tanning salons and leg makeup are excellent ideas. I do plan on having my veins removed, but the thought that they may come back in multitudes is heartbreaking, so it ain’t so.
Don’t bother getting your veins removed…I did it on one leg to see, and my leg seems worse than the one I didn’t get done…such a huge disappointment :(
Hi Janet,
Perhaps it depends on your injector? I had some tiny red spider veins removed from my legs with saline solution injections, and the gal did an excellent job.
Some great ideas for day to day, but I have severe lymphedema, basically the fluid doesn’t leave my legs, so no matter what they look awful!
Why don’t you wear a long skirt or dress?
What an interesting post. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to wear colored tights but I do enjoy wearing leggings. I have also used leg makeup to cover my imperfections. I’ve gone the laser route but they just come back but in multiples.
Leslie
My legs have been ugly for years before I reached 40. I was cursed with Keratosis Pilaris, a.k.a. “chicken skin” disease. It’s ugly and rashy and I typically have worn jeans or long dresses. I am happy to see leggings come back I do wear with a tunic. I just bought a few maxi dresses. Another option aside from tanning, is to wear leg make-up. Last year I mixed my foundation with a lotion and slathered it on my legs. They looked great and didn’t transfer onto anything.
Yes to stockings in the higher denier! I wear 60 and 70 denier with seams and love it! They work with everything and add a vintage touch. Great post!
Great post Sue~
I must share with you that you don’t have to be over 40 to dislike your legs! I’ll forward this to my daughter who is in her 20’s and currently loving dresses and donning her black tights.
She’ll appreciate the creativity and suggestions and maybe move into a brighter color for summer!
Cheers!