What makes a women look frumpy

[Wherecanitbe]

I am considering an overhaul of what I wear and my hairstyle. I am feeling a bit down and frumpy at the moment so thought this would be a positive change.

My overhaul is not going to be a drastic change , I cannot afford to purchase a whole new wardrobe of clothes,shoes and accessories. So please could you give me your items of clothing and / or hairstyles that in your opinion makes a women look frumpy.

This post is not meant to be offensive in anyway, I believe a person should wear whatever they wish regardless of whether another person thinks it's frumpy.

No, I'm not missing any point at all.

Well I'm going to put on my frumpy linen trousers, my frumpy top, frumpy cardigan and frumpy walking sandals. I might straighten my naturally wavy hair to try and achieve a little balance. 36 face and hair, 63 from the shoulders down. Shoot me now.

OP pick what you like and just omph it up. If you like a pared back look then really pare it back but get some beautiful shoes or a lovely jacket. If you like colour then get some strong pieces. If you like short hair then go a bit shorter with a stronger style. If you look confident in the things you wear then everyone will think you look great.

Do males ever get described as frumpy?

Omg the one coat. You got that so right ✅ 👏

The point you are missing, @Wouldloveanother is that it is nothing to do with the colour whatsoever. Your example of Miriam Margolyes for example - you'd consider her "frumpy" whatever her hair colour.

63 from the shoulders down?
Do you think women in their 60s are all frumpy?

I'm reading that you cut out Joy!

🙌🏼

Bad posture, fat back and lank hair make me 100% frumpy.

Creased linen wide leg pants.... anything creased actually.
Dry skin.

Not judging anyone, just my opinion!

Ignoring the word frumpy, there are definitely styles of clothes that are very difficult to make look fresh and stylish, not on everybody. But I know on me there are some that don't suit me and don't match how I personally like to present myself.

Things like an untucked plain t-shirt, especially one that reaches just below the hip.

Round necked plain t-shirts- make my boobs and shoulders look out of proportion.

The same fabric for all clothes at once like a t-shirt and the same fabric leggings.

A line mid knee skirts and dresses

Generally most things exepting classic styles that were worn by average people between 2002 and 2006. The colour of the jeans, the long tops that cover the bum, the hairstyles, the colour combinations (mid green, brown, cream and teal) and the jewelery/accessories. Mostly because when I see TV from back then, normal shows and soaps etc, everyone looks badly dressed.

@hahappygertie I'm male and 50 and can certainly look frumpy, in a stressed parent Heathrow Airport kind of way:)

Embrace the frump I say! It's far less effort 😎

Great. I'm sitting here in bootcut jeans (and am neither 18 or whippet-like), a patterned top and a cardi (oh, and grey hair just to top it off). Had no idea until now that I was frumpy.......🤔

@Maireas not at all. I just feel like personally I look older in the body than I do the face. I embrace comfort rather than style but threads like this make me reconsider. I'm short and slightly overweight I will never be willowy and elegant.

I think a really good haircut and colour. Obviously you have to be careful that it suits your colouring and face shape ...but whenever I feel down about my looks I go and get a haircut ....the rest then seems to fall into place, as I feel better about myself, more confident and want to wear clothes to suit my new uplifted mood.

Do males ever get described as frumpy? Hmm

I would say men can definitely be described as looking frumpy too. Sloppy is probably more commonly used. As mentioned by a pp above that can involve baggy, ill fitting t-shirts, tatty trainers, sometimes wearing a cap that they’ve owned for about 20 years rather than going anywhere near a comb. Socks and sandals if you’re on holiday! Some people might call it the ‘lazy dad’ look. ‘Dad bod’ is a widely used term too for the more portly father. I really don’t think men are exempt from being judged on how they look - but they do maybe care less.

The age thing is interesting. I was literally just yesterday thinking how older people seem to take much more pride in their appearance than comparatively younger generations. I was in a farm shop frequented by many elderly couples and shirts, ties, nice hats, polished shoes are all the rage for men in their 80s - ‘dapper’ is how I’d describe them! For the ladies, cardis (yes, the poor frowned upon cardigan) in an array of beautiful bright colours, stand out floral tops, perfectly permed hair (grey and white!) and fancy jewellery is the order of the day. I challenge anyone to describe these pensioners, who put so much effort into going to a simple cafe lunch, as frumpy - despite their age, hair colour and love of cardigans 😂

I don’t know what it is about the word ‘frumpy’ that offends so much? Some clothes simply just serve the purpose of covering your body rather than being in any way stylish and yes, they make you not look your best. What word would you use for that instead?

Good point. I often think wrong occasion/wrong season clothes can look frumpy, while practical, suitable weather appropriate outfits look perfect.

Worn with confidence, jeans & trainers look better for a Saturday in town than say wedding guest attire with a cardie.

So what clothes are not frumpy then?
Sa you are grey haired, wide of foot, wide of middle and with a Bob.
What would I wear then ???

Women are criticised for the natural ageing process, greying hair, thickening waistline, loss of muscle tone. Women are worn down by the mental and physical load, we were told we could have it all, but instead we just do it all. Child bearing takes its toll.

We are criticised, and then told we are frumpy because we lack fucking self esteem.

A fig leaf might be your safest bet @grayhairdontcare

I am going to be rocking my fig leaf in winter now I’m not allowed a cardigan or wide leg trousers 😁

I bloody hope you are allowed wide leg trousers or else I’ll have nowt to put my wide legs in.

Fine, go for what suits you and makes you feel good. Just don't dismiss the over 60s as frumpy.
Some of us as Fab.U.Lous!