Mum on the Run - Keeping your legs under wraps.

Yesterday I wrote about how to deal with those oh so white legs that we tend to have at this time of the year.  Today I will give you ideas on what to wear if you don't want to show your legs at all - ever! Fortuntately, there are now plenty of options and you don't have to suffer the whole summer sweating in jeans or leggings. 

So, here are the options: Jumpsuits, maxi dresses, maxi skirts, midi skirts and palazzo pants.

Jumpsuits - these were on the periphery last year but have come into their own this season and are likely to hang around for a few more to come. This blue one is from Dorothy Perkins and I can see it being worn as an alternative to a sun dress during the day or being dressed up for the evening with some statement jewellery and wedges.  If they make you feel too much like a little girl try changing your accessories for something more contemporary or sophisticated. 

The second jumpsuit is smarter and could be worn with a blazer to work, or even over a white shirt.  Alternatively it could be styled with gold jewellery and flat jewelled sandals and worn at home. Again it is from Dorothy Perkins.

This third option is a slightly younger fun look from M&S which reflect the trend for all things floral this season.

The most obvious item of clothing to cover legs is the maxi dress.  These have been around for a few seasons now and are almost reaching their saturation point but there are some really good ones out there.  My advice is to watch the print and the volume of them.  Some are just to wide for their wearers!  The good thing about them is that many are cut with a v-neck and an empire line  both of which are flattering for those apple shaped ladies.  Ikat prints are huge this season and this dress, also from Dorothy Perkins, taps into that.  The print keeps the eye on the move, which makes it flattering.  Petite ladies may find that it is too busy for them but there are plenty of alternatives.

This next, also from Dorothy Perkins, is less busy so may suit a more petite frame. The attractive knot detail will disguise a less than flat tummy and the colour is flattering to lots of skin tones.

This Monsoon maxi is nice for those ladies who prefer to keep the tops of their arms covered.  Oasis, Wallis, Monsoon and Warehouse has a good selection of maxi dresses. 

Maxi skirts are a third option.  They allow more flexibility with what you wear on your top half and provide a solution if you have an aversion to maxi dresses!  This green one from Reiss is very pretty.

Next up for consideration is the midi skirt.  Whilst they don't offer complete coverage, they do offer some coverage.  To me, midi skirts are the hardest to get right as they can so easily look wrong if not styled well.  See them on a girl in her 20's worn with a leather or denim jacket and the right shoes and there is no doubt that she is right on trend.  Put one on a 40 plus with a slightly dodgy cardigan and the wrong type of shoes and they can just look, well, you get the picture! This one from TopShop has a very Miu Miu looking print.

The last item is the palazzo pant.  These are more difficult to come by on the High Street but if you look hard enough there are some out there.  The ones below are from Oasis - black so very understated but stylish too.  Topshop has some pleated ones and Butterfly by Matthew Williamson in Debenhams also does some navy ones.

So there you are ladies.  No excuses not to look good even if you do want your legs under wraps.  Tomorrow it is the turn of shoes that don't show your toes!