/fa/ - Fashion

I've never been to /fa/ before so I apologize if this whole thing seems kind of dumb.

I can honestly say I've never enjoyed wearing shorts. In the summer I usually sweat it out (In ~100 degree weather) in jeans. I used to wear jeans and a t-shirt year round, but I've recently realized that I'm really tired of this.
I'm tired of being mistaken for a 12 year old at the supermarket.

So I want to start dressing more feminine and my age (I turned 20 this year). Finding clothes for Fall and Winter I like is easy, but taking a note from that I wore jeans all summer, I'm completely stumped this time of year.

I really don't like showing my legs. I don't want to wear shorts, but I have found some really nice dresses that I actually like. They're shorter than I'm comfortable with thought.

So: To get at the end of this long ramble:
What can I do during the summer, so I can wear the clothes that I find cute(and make them more "modest") but not overheat or look like an idiot.

Is wearing tights, or pantyhose, or whatever acceptable in the summer?
Any other tips to keep cool?
Any other tips for someone who's never had their own sense of style before?