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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not really get why people don’t like clothes?

489 replies

keeponwishing · 21/11/2025 18:04

I’m not talking about specifically liking fashion or following certain trends.

I mean in general, clothes are a personal choice. They can express who you are, there’s do much choice out there. Why people say they don’t care what they wear?

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AceKitten · 11/03/2026 00:09

Just rather go on holidays and days out more

captainoctopus · 10/03/2026 22:27

Peridoteage · 09/03/2026 06:39

If you think people wearing "boring clothes" must be boring, remember that other people don't all make the same judgement as you. I've always worn pretty boring clothes but it hasn't stopped me finding a fantastic husband and having a great career.

Men by and large all dress pretty "boringly". Why must women be held to a different bar?

My husband and son wouldn't dress boringly if they had a decent choice. They both bemoan the lack of bright clothes and imaginative styles for men.
DH used to wear bright colours back in the 70s and 80s and still would if such things were available (nope- neither of us are skilled enough to make them).
If he spots something interesting that's not a stupid price he'll have it. He has a lovely gold coloured velvet jacket with a butterfly pattern for instance and several striking shirts. We managed to get him a scarlet suit to wear to DD's wedding (DS wore bright blue that he'd covered in embroidered designs).

StrawberrySquash · 09/03/2026 10:45

I guess because it's another thing to care about. I'm in the middle. Currently enjoying my new jumper, but sometimes you just aren't that bothered. I'll just shove on what's clean from yesterday.I guess it's like people who aren't into food; I love food, but sometimes it's just eat to live, and find whatever in the fridge. Like clothes the decisions involved with cooking get wearing.

The other part is if you don't feel you are particularly attractive it's psychologically easier to opt out and not be that bothered.

Verv · 09/03/2026 10:41

keeponwishing · 22/11/2025 01:52

Again clearly the concept has been too difficult for you to understand. I never said it’s about spending hours working out what to wear, or spending ££££ a year.

People use clothes to express who they are.
What you wear shows your personality, mood, identity, confidence and how you want the world to see you. It’s basically a form of non-verbal communication and self-expression.

This is where you're going wrong OP.

SOME people use clothes to express who they are. Others do not.
My clothes don't show my personality, or my mood, or my identity - and they do not do that because of my confidence, which is secure enough that i dont feel the need to express myself or communicate with others via an outfit.

You sound like you spend a lot of time following influencers.

gannett · 09/03/2026 10:39

Because being really, properly into clothes and knowledgeable about fashion is a time-consuming (and expensive) hobby. I already have hobbies (and work and relationships) that consume all my time (and money).

I'd actually quite like to be more into fashion and I admire those who are, but I tend to be either wholly in or wholly out and I just don't have the time to make it a big part of my life. So it's boring staples for formal occasions and an athleisure-adjacent sporty look for casual occasions and I don't have to think about it.

I also really dislike shops - being in them, traipsing round them, finding that 90% of clothes are either not to my taste or not in my size or not flattering to me or not in a comfortable fabric.

WalkDontWalk · 09/03/2026 10:33

keeponwishing · 21/11/2025 18:04

I’m not talking about specifically liking fashion or following certain trends.

I mean in general, clothes are a personal choice. They can express who you are, there’s do much choice out there. Why people say they don’t care what they wear?

They say it because - are you ready for this? You might want to sit down - they say it because they're trying to get over the idea - bizarre as it may seem to you - that they don't care what they wear.

Me, I do care what I wear. I care very much that I never wear anything that looks like I might care what I wear.

Whoinvented · 09/03/2026 07:08

Hmm I dress beautifully 90% of the time. I wear classic clothes , nothing whacky and do my hair and make up and always have my nails done. But it takes a lot of thought and effort and some days when I’m not leaving the house I make zero effort, to counteract this! I do it not to express myself but to looked groomed for life and work and I’m slightly larger (size 16) so I need to counteract this by well thought out outfits as I can’t just wear anything.

But I don’t question others or even think what they’re wearing - I don’t think I’ve ever been chatting with someone and thought about their clothes or appearance as I’m interested in them and what they’re saying.

in terms of saying it’s how you express yourself- for some it is and for some it isn’t. I wouldn’t say what I wear expresses myself, bar the days I make zero effort and wear joggers etc/ that’s definitely expressing myself and what I’d love to wear normally 😂 comfy easy snuggly clothes

MermaidMummy06 · 09/03/2026 06:56

I'm short, so all those lovely, expressive clothes don't fit. I look like I'm playing dress ups. I also have huge hips, small shoulders & tiny boobs, so nothing fits. Designers think petite means short and thin as.a bean pole.

I just don't enjoy it and have given up. I would LOVE to feel nice in clothes, but I'm stuck with whatever I can find. I see the nice clothes & want to cry.

GottaCatchSomeOfEm · 09/03/2026 06:44

Do you really think people are paying close attention to what you're wearing? They're not.

It's nice that you have something you enjoy in your life, but I promise you nobody is analysing your outfit as closely as you think they are.

Peridoteage · 09/03/2026 06:39

If you think people wearing "boring clothes" must be boring, remember that other people don't all make the same judgement as you. I've always worn pretty boring clothes but it hasn't stopped me finding a fantastic husband and having a great career.

Men by and large all dress pretty "boringly". Why must women be held to a different bar?

Peridoteage · 09/03/2026 06:37

I think too much focus on appearance can often be hiding a lack of substance beyond. As a pp said, in terms of the signals it sends about you, few people are truly creative and most people are just copying styles they've seen elsewhere.

For me clothing is about function, practical considerations like temperature, and about being comfortable & tidy.

I also detest the way that to a high degree, what is available for me to buy is heavily dictated by what clothing manufacturers choose to make, and that the vast majority of commercially available styles are designed & tailored for slim young women. I'm 40, I've had two kids, my shape has changed.

ItsameLuigi · 24/11/2025 14:14

Because I don't care

itsthetea · 24/11/2025 13:54

LittleCapybara · 24/11/2025 10:21

Did you read the part where she said ‘I assume people who wear boring clothes are boring themselves’?

Yip missed that bit - skimming

kind of reinforced the idea that people in silly clothes can be shallow

OverheardInAldi · 24/11/2025 11:50

Why do you care?

butterycroissants · 24/11/2025 11:23

Waitingfordoggo · 24/11/2025 11:13

Why continue to wonder why people dress in boring clothes when it has been explained countless times on this thread? You don’t need to wonder any more because you know the answer.

For some of us, putting on clothes in the morning is just a part of meeting our basic needs. Brush teeth, wash face, put on clothes that are appropriate fabric and fit for whatever we are doing that day. That is literally the only thought that goes into it. We are not thinking about expressing ourselves or giving a particular impression or creating a vibe or any of that. If I’m expressing anything through my choices it is: ‘I’m not interested in clothes’.

Because it’s easier to carry on judging than it is to actually use your experience to change your thought process.

Waitingfordoggo · 24/11/2025 11:13

Todayismyfavouriteday · 23/11/2025 22:50

Yes, I look at them and invariably think 'Why would anyone choose to wear such boring clothes?' Then of course, if I talk to them and discover a vibrant, interesting personality under the boring clothes, that's great (I will still wonder why they dress that way though). I am sorry that my inner thoughts disturb you so.

Why continue to wonder why people dress in boring clothes when it has been explained countless times on this thread? You don’t need to wonder any more because you know the answer.

For some of us, putting on clothes in the morning is just a part of meeting our basic needs. Brush teeth, wash face, put on clothes that are appropriate fabric and fit for whatever we are doing that day. That is literally the only thought that goes into it. We are not thinking about expressing ourselves or giving a particular impression or creating a vibe or any of that. If I’m expressing anything through my choices it is: ‘I’m not interested in clothes’.

butterycroissants · 24/11/2025 10:46

LittleCapybara · 24/11/2025 10:21

Did you read the part where she said ‘I assume people who wear boring clothes are boring themselves’?

Apparently not 😬

LittleCapybara · 24/11/2025 10:21

itsthetea · 24/11/2025 08:44

An inner thought isn’t automatically judgemental

juts because someone thinks someone else’s clothes are really boring doesn’t mean they assume they are a boring person - just that they wear boring clothes

people can like different things without letting that interfere with their judgement of character

Did you read the part where she said ‘I assume people who wear boring clothes are boring themselves’?

Letthemeatgateau · 24/11/2025 09:09

keeponwishing · 22/11/2025 01:52

Again clearly the concept has been too difficult for you to understand. I never said it’s about spending hours working out what to wear, or spending ££££ a year.

People use clothes to express who they are.
What you wear shows your personality, mood, identity, confidence and how you want the world to see you. It’s basically a form of non-verbal communication and self-expression.

I think it's you with the comprehension issue. Some of us don't want, or feel the need, to express ourselves with clothes. What I wear doesn't say anything about my personality, mood, identity or confidence. To me, and many others, they are just clothes.

Papyrophile · 24/11/2025 09:02

@HJC88 I'm almost 70 and the comfort imperative has yet to take hold here, although I do consider it. It's not quite as important as aesthetics, but ideally garments are both comfortable and stylish.

butterycroissants · 24/11/2025 08:55

itsthetea · 24/11/2025 08:44

An inner thought isn’t automatically judgemental

juts because someone thinks someone else’s clothes are really boring doesn’t mean they assume they are a boring person - just that they wear boring clothes

people can like different things without letting that interfere with their judgement of character

Except this particular poster actually said she assumed that people who wore boring clothes were boring. It’s right there on the thread.

kerstina · 24/11/2025 08:50

Someone mentioned practical clothes that farmers may wear and it made me think of Amanda Owen. I know she started off as a model but I wonder if she gets sent clothes by companies. Either way I love her style . Windswept hair , silver jewellery and olive wool jumpers that sort of attire.

itsthetea · 24/11/2025 08:44

An inner thought isn’t automatically judgemental

juts because someone thinks someone else’s clothes are really boring doesn’t mean they assume they are a boring person - just that they wear boring clothes

people can like different things without letting that interfere with their judgement of character

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 24/11/2025 08:41

I have a uniform that I’m completely comfortable in, which I wear every single day of the year.
I wear a Superdry t-shirt and a hoody, Fat Face jeans, and trainers

I must have about 30 Superdry t-shirts!

butterycroissants · 24/11/2025 07:25

Todayismyfavouriteday · 23/11/2025 22:50

Yes, I look at them and invariably think 'Why would anyone choose to wear such boring clothes?' Then of course, if I talk to them and discover a vibrant, interesting personality under the boring clothes, that's great (I will still wonder why they dress that way though). I am sorry that my inner thoughts disturb you so.

I’m not disturbed at all 🫣

I just find it interesting that your judgements have been regularly proved wrong yet you still persist with them.