To think 'not conventionally attractive' means ugly?

It doesn’t mean ugly at all. It means striking, attractive, worth a second glance but not the traditional blonde hair blue eyes type of prettiness.

No. 'Not conventionally attractive' to me means 'Attractive, albeit not conforming to usual standards of attractiveness'.

So in today's society someone 'conventionally attractive' might be tall, long hair, slim, delicate features, dress in a traditionally attractive way etc etc etc. But there are plenty of women who are shorter, larger, or have a skinhead or tattoos and wear pvc and bovver boots and large features who are also attractive-just not in a ballpark sort of way.

Ugly means ugly.

That’s exactly who I was thinking of. Or Tilda Swinton or Gwendolen Christie. I agree with app that ‘not conventionally attractive’ carries with it an implicit ‘but is nonetheless attractive’.

It’s definitely a compliment. Imo it means that you are attractive but there is no anything stereotypical (say Barbie like ) about your features. It also implies personality and originality for me.

I would be extremely offended if someone said I was not conventionally attractive. Who the fuck says that to their partner or daughter in law? Why does anyone need to say this? Nasty and rude. They ARE saying you're not attractive. Maybe not 'ugly' but not attractive. I'd love to see what THEY look like!

Was the mother in law who said it, the mother of the partner who said it @Teapotters ?

Watch an interview of him. He has an incredible back story and is a startlingly intelligent guy. I saw one with Ali Plumb. Plus he is incredible shape. A great example of not conventionally attractive - far more than a pretty face.

Yeah I wouldn't see that as a negative at all. To me it means someone is very attractive but not in the stereotypical way you might expect.

I don't think it means ugly. However, I'm not convinced it is exactly a compliment either eventhough the person saying it might have intended it as that.

No, it doesn't mean ugly at all ! Not conventionally attractive means someone who IS attractive but not in a conventional way. Take Audrey Tautou, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker or Aimee Lou Wood who are attractive but not in a conventional way.

Benedict Cumberbatch. In no way conventionally attractive - his eyes are too close together for one thing.... But I think he's GORGEOUS! It's not a bad thing at all.

No, it doesn't mean you are ugly. I think not conventionally attractive people can be more attractive and striking than conventionally attractive people.

Well I would say :

Conventionally attractive : Most if not all people would find them attractive.
Non conventionally attractive : Some people find them attractive but some don't.
Ugly. Most people will find them unattractive with only a small few finding them attractive.

I certainly have a thing where I see someone occassionally, I know a lot of other people wouldn't find them that attractive but to me they look amazing and I suspect that is the same for most people and what does it for them varies from person to person.

It doesn't mean ugly, it means recognisable. Something which can be very attractive for some and too off the mainstream for others.

I understand why you'd feel funny being told that, but I do use this term for beautiful people who are not the BORING beautiful type. Think how high fashion houses choose models who look unique and interestingly beautiful, rather than picking a boringly Hollywood type pretty person. Think Anya Taylor-Joy, instead of Farrah Fawcett! 😊

My friend at school could have been described that way - the fellas were attracted like a magnet, she had a sort of French/Italian allure and always tanned well so looked exotic rather than blonde and bubbly or pin-up girl pretty, she wasn't even busty but was very slim, not tall and willowy just average and slim framed (she was adopted, so no idea of actual heritage). We lesser, more conventional girls, hung about with her in the hope of getting to know her rejects 😜

No I wouldn’t say so. I think it means for example someone who’s quite striking but not in a “film star” way, so maybe their facial features aren’t classically beautiful but they have lovely eyes or hair something. Like I would describe Tilda Swinton as not conventionally attractive, because she’s striking but not Disney princess kind of pretty

Yes I’ve heard that quite a few women fancy him but it doesn’t negate the fact that he’s very ugly. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him acting in anything, maybe that’s when he has appeal.

For me, someone like Aime Lou Wood is unconventionally attractive, she has a quirky face, but overall, she IS pretty.

Yes i definitely agree. At first glance I didn't think she was pretty but she has the sort of distinctive and liveliness that grows on me and now I think she's gorgeous!

It means attractive in a striking way not a stereotypical "pretty" way. It often means the person has prominent features or something quirky about them is evident in their demeanor or personal style.

I am considered generally attractive (by others) but I have quite a wonky face and big nose so I would never have won any beauty contests. I can look pretty at some angles and like a witchy hag at others. Oh well, I am happy with my "interesting" face haha. It hasn't held me back.

I'm as french as a it gets and I have never heard that!

Although, I agree with the fact that being unconventionally attractive doesn't equal ugly at all.

For me, someone like Aime Lou Wood is unconventionally attractive, she has a quirky face, but overall, she IS pretty.
Same with Charlotte Gainsbourg, or her step sister Lou Doillon. Or, if we stay in France, someone like Juliette Armanet. A face with strong features, not necessarily features which are universally seen as beautiful, but with a lot of charm.

For me this is the best kind of attractive.

Agree with this - I’m unusual-looking (not unattractive but with large, striking features) and find it sorts the wheat from the chaff where men are concerned. Embrace it, OP!

I agree with this! In fact, I think it’s a compliment!

@Teapotters Sometimes people will call a woman ‘handsome’ and it means striking and beautiful but in an unconventional manner so I doesn’t necessarily think someone calling you not conventionally attractive means ugly. To me it means a face structure or combination of features not frequently seen on the average woman. Eg there’s many women that look very similar to each other they almost become invisible and then occasionally someone will catch your eye because they are much more interesting to look at and sometimes quite mesmerising because they’re are so unique! You see the modelling world much more so now appreciating and capitalising on these differences also ♥️

I think Adam Driver has a certain something😃

There’s a lot of rubbish on this thread.

Adam driver is repulsively ugly. Yes some women may fancy him but that certainly doesn’t put him in the category of not conventionally attractive unless you are saying that the phrase is a synonym for ugly which people have agreed it is not.

I know someone has covered this already but no Marilyn Monroe was not big - she was tiny.

No, plain Jane and girl next door are not the same at all. A plain Jane is nondescript and bordering on unattractive, a girl next door is pretty but the sort of girl you might see any day walking down the street. Young Kirsten Dunst was the epitome of girl next door (as contrasted with someone like Elisha Dushku in Bring it On).

however I don’t think ‘not conventionally attractive’ is a phrase I would say to anyone as it can very obviously be seen as insulting even if that’s not how it’s meant.