# Ladies: dress/skirt vs pants/shorts ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 10, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805 "2000-04-10T22:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/1 "2000-04-10T22:47:00Z")
I wear almost exclusively dresses and skirts, myself. I have a pair of sweatpants, a pair of blue pants from India, and a pair of shorts that I wear while exercising. Everything else is skirts and dresses. And of my skirts and dresses, two are shorter than mid-calf. I just don’t like pants and I don’t look good in them. Dresses are so much more comfortable… Oh, and I don’t own pantyhose and wouldn’t wear them if I did. Horrid things! What about everyone else? * * * – I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect. [http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg](http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg) O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/2 "2000-04-10T22:50:00Z")
Shorts when the weather allows, pants when it doesn’t. Skirts and dresses for dressing up and being pretty. And while pantyhose is evil, it is a necessary evil. At least in my case. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/3 "2000-04-10T22:56:00Z")
I used to wear pants, mainly, because I hated having to wear pantyhose. Now that I’m back in sunny CA, I wear skirts (longish) with sandals and pants about equally. I almost never wear dresses because if they fit the rest of my body they are too tight across the front. Dress makers seem to assume everyone is a 34 B. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/4 "2000-04-10T23:02:00Z")
I wear lots of pants/jeans. No shorts. (I don’t look at all good in shorts.) I have a job that is not always pretty, or tidy. I sure as hell am not going to wear something “nice” and get it messed up. I do have a jeans skirt I like to wear to work, though. I need to get more demin skirts for work. I like to sew, and have lots of hand-sewn skirts and dresses. The only way I can get dresses to fit me properly (around the bust, particularly) is to sew them myself. I love to wear my skirts and dresses, but don’t have as much opportunity anymore. And I loathe pantyhose, but will force myself to wear them if I must. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/5 "2000-04-10T23:03:00Z")
Jeans and more jeans. In almost all the jobs I have ever had, pants are the only way to go. As a “techchick” wearing a skirt is impractical if I have to crawl under a desk. As a little girl I wouldn’t wear anything but dresses and skirts, as I got older it was pants. As for shorts, I only wear those around the house, like today. I don’t get sun so I look pretty funky if I go out in public. ---
**Author:** ![saucy\_potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/edb3f5/32.png) [@saucy\_potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucy_potato)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/6 "2000-04-10T23:05:00Z")
Winter: pants+boots Spring: pants+sneakers Summer: pants+sandals Fall: pants+runners The occasional skirt of dress if I was going somewhere nice, but almost never pantyhose. Far too uncomfortable. * * * _That was a well-plotted piece of non-claptrap that never made me want to retch._ ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/7 "2000-04-10T23:08:00Z")
I wear all. To work I wear dresses, skirts, pantsuits. On dress down Fridays I wear jeans. At home I wear shorts. I love the outdoors but I hate the sun and what it does to the skin, so as far as just lying out in the sun I don’t do it. Does not matter how many body lotions you use, it ages your skin and anyone that tells you it does not make you look older is not being truthful. I get my tan from a bottle. It’s good enough. I do wear pantyhose in winter, simply beause I am blonde and fair skinned. * * * \*\* _Sigh_. So many men, so few who can afford me \*\* _Original by Wally_ _I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it._ ---
**Author:** ![sorrel554](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@sorrel554](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sorrel554)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/8 "2000-04-10T23:14:00Z")
Since I’m still in school, and my job is fairly casual, I usually wear jeans and casual slacks. This is because, otherwise, people ask why I’m all dressed up, which is annoying. However, I would rather wear skirts and dresses, because I am not very tall and I think they look better on me. The job I hope to get when I graduate in August will require slightly dressier attire than I wear now. Shorts are absolutely necessary in the summer because it is so hot here. A nice pair of khaki shorts can look more presentable than jeans, depending what I wear with them. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/9 "2000-04-10T23:28:00Z")
I prefer a dress or skirt, because I can get to 3rd base more quickly that way. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2000, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/10 "2000-04-10T23:32:00Z")
I wear mostly skirts and dresses. And, like Opal, only a few are above the knee. I own one pair of jeans which I actually just bought, and have worn once or twice. If I’m not in a skirt or a dress, then its running pants or sweats. Comfort is key. * * * Madness takes it’s toll… So does New Jersey. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/11 "2000-04-11T00:18:00Z")
Most of my dresses aren’t “dress up” dresses, they are casual and comfortable, and I crawl under desks all the time in them 😉 Since most of my dresses come to my ankles, it’d be pretty hard to look up my skirt! I just find pants too constricting. 😛 Also, the pantyhose thing… you can’t see my legs so who cares? 😃 PS I wear Birkenstocks with my dresses and I don’t care what anyone says. 😛 * * * – I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect. [http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg](http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg) O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/12 "2000-04-11T04:22:00Z")
Winter - definitely pants, nice stretch leggings or sweatpants. Got a couple pairs “nice” pants, khakis, for outside the house. I never had the figure for jeans, even when young(er) and sllim(-mer), sure don’t now. Summer - dresses, definitely, sundresses, sleeveless dresses, mostly blue denim or Indian cotton or silky rayon, just below the knee or ankle length. Can’t stand shorts, I think they are as hot as jeans and I have bad scars all over my legs anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/13 "2000-04-11T13:29:00Z")
I don’t even own a pair of trousers (oh, OK, I have one pair of linen deck pants, for when the Kennedys invite me out sailing). I just prefer skirts—they’re more comfortable, flattering and fun. I wear all lengths, from knee to ankle. I love the c1912 skirts J. Peterman was doing till they went out of business last year, and always get compliments from the Fashion Dept. at work on them. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/14 "2000-04-11T13:35:00Z")
I have always hated dresses and skirts! Its too annoying trying to cover up in case you move the wrong way. When I was in 6th grade, it was the rule you Had to wear a dress or skirt(if a girl). I was so glad when it was changed. I never wore a dress or skirt to school again. I would only wear one if I were going somewhere fancy. I love pants, no shorts. ---
**Author:** ![SmoothOperator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SmoothOperator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmoothOperator)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/15 "2000-04-11T13:50:00Z")
I wear jeans, twills, shorts and sweats. I used to be heavily into horses and riding and lived in jeans when I came home from school. Also, I think that because I’m overweight I don’t dress as nicely as I used to. I don’t like the way I look in dresses and it’s too damn hard to find something I like and fits. In North Carolina, if you wear panty hose when it’s hot, you feel like you have a layer of fur on your legs. Too hot! Just bought my first pair of jean shorts in twenty years. Very self-conscious about what I look like and what I wear. (Had a very critical relative who made scathing remarks about everything. Took me years to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts.) ---
**Author:** ![Ayesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Ayesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ayesha)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/16 "2000-04-11T14:33:00Z")
Hmmm, interesting topic Opal. I almost always wear pants or shorts. I have a hard time remembering to _sit like a lady_. But lately I have been giving a lot of thought to wearing dresses and / or skirts more often. Think I’ll start today. It’s time to get dressed anyhow. * * * “Ayesha, Who can bend minds with her spoon” WallyM7 Voted SDMB Biggest Flirt (Female) and Least Shy (No Mom, I have no idea why they think that) ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/17 "2000-04-11T14:51:00Z")
In the summer, nothing is more comfortable than an ankle length sundress. Panty hose are the work of the devil and I am thankful my job doesn’t require me to wear them! ---
**Author:** ![Edlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8797f3/32.png) [@Edlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edlyn)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-dress-skirt-vs-pants-shorts/15805/18 "2000-04-11T18:59:00Z")
For work it’s dresses, skirt sets, suits, or dress pants with blouse except on Fridays, which is casual day. Slacks, jeans, or a sundress for casual wear. On weekends it’s jeans, shorts or sundresses. If it’s cold on the weekend and am just relaxing around the house, I might throw on some sweats. Pantyhose? Uh huh, but thigh highs are sexier and I prefer them over pantyhose. The only time I go barelegged and barefooted is when I’m wearing a sundress and sandals or shorts/jeans and slip-ons.