Skirts and dresses are cute to wear but sometimes they're not very practical, or you might feel exposed and uncomfortable in them. Wearing spandex shorts under your skirts and dresses can help you feel less exposed and more comfortable while still feeling cute in a skirt or dress. They are very useful for keeping anything from showing under the skirt or dress that is not meant to be seen (underwear). Spandex shorts are a savior from embarrassment and can provide protection from certain people that may try looking under skirts and dresses!

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Choosing Spandex Shorts

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  1. You will want to be wearing a skirt or dress so you can try on the spandex shorts underneath while shopping. Then you can head out to a sports store or chain store to try some shorts on.
  2. You do not want to bright colours that attract attention under your skirt or dress. Also underwear will not be able to show through black, grey or navy.
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  3. You want them to be tight enough so you can't tell you are wearing them under your skirt or dress. Also make sure they are short enough to not stick out from any of your skirts and dresses, including your short ones, but that they provide enough coverage and should cover a little bit of leg. [2]
    • Be careful the spandex shorts do not ride up easily; try walking around the store in them to make sure they don't.
  4. If you don't wear many skirts and dresses then you will only need 1 or 2 pairs but if you wear skirts and dresses nearly everyday then get 5 or 6 pairs to ensure you always a clean pair spandex shorts to slip on under your skirt or dress.
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Part 2
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Wearing Spandex Shorts Underneath

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  1. Basically put your whole outfit for the day minus the spandex shorts first.
  2. Make sure the spandex shorts are a bit shorter than the skirt or dress so they don't stick out.
    • Still wear underwear under your spandex shorts as the spandex shorts are not underwear themselves.
  3. Use a mirror to help aid you in checking your outfit is good. Do a full 360 degree rotation in the mirror.
    • Ideally, you should not be able to tell you are wearing spandex shorts under your skirt or dress when standing or sitting normally. To achieve this affect, the spandex shorts should not show below the hemline of the skirt or dress.
  4. If you need to adjust your spandex shorts anytime during the day such pulling them back down or up then do this somewhere private such as a bathroom. You don't want to seen adjusting your spandex shorts in public as that would be awkward.
    • Bathrooms will have mirrors you can use to help check your outfit.
  5. Be sure to still be careful no one can see up your skirt or dress even though your are wearing spandex shorts underneath as you are still wearing a skirt or dress. Cross your legs when you sit, hold your skirt or dress down when the wind blows and smooth your skirt or dress behind you when walking up stairs. You spandex shorts are just a backup.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you wear regular underwear under a dress that is knee length?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you aren't wearing spandex shorts under your dress, you should definitely wear underwear. If you are wearing spandex shorts under your dress, wearing underwear is up to you and whatever you think is more comfortable.
  • Question
    Is Spandex hot during summer heat?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is, especially if the Spandex is dark in colour. If it's mainly white, it is not very hot.
  • Question
    Can I just wear regular bike shorts under a dress? I feel like these Spandex shorts ride up a bit sometimes.
    Kindness Ibe
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. It is your personal choice. Some want to wear Spandex shorts under a dress. but some want to wear bike shorts under a dress or skirt.
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      Tips

      • Make sure the spandex shorts are shorter than the skirt or dress and also don't show through.
      • Still make sure no one can see up your skirt or dress as the spandex shorts are just a backstop and shouldn't be easily seen. Don't forget you still are wearing a skirt or dress.
      • Make sure you wear spandex shorts under your school uniform skirt if you have to wear one as no one at school needs to see anything else.
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      Warnings

      • Never wear long spandex shorts under a short skirt! It will show and people will stare.
      • Don't pull your spandex shorts down if they slide up because that's just awkward and people will realize.
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      References

      1. Sahra Brandt. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.
      2. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/shapewear-tips#1

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 142,332 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Lola

        Feb 25, 2022

        "I think it is a good idea to wear shorts underneath your skirt and dress because you don't want to see undies."
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