to want to meet some fellow scruffs?

[IntergalacticHussy]

Maybe I'm just having a bad day, but lately i've started to feel like i'm the only person in the world who doesn't look like they've just stepped out of a catalogue

I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that, if it's what you want, but didn't there used to be other ways of looking?

I was going to this meetup, (i'm new round here) organised by the Other Place, and i'm afraid I just bottled it. Probably says more about my judgypants than anything else, but my heart sank when I saw everyone else turning up, perfectly groomed in brand-new looking clothes, immaculate and pushing buggies that looked like they'd been purchased yesterday. I just suddenly felt like i'd spend the whole time feeling apologetic and uncomfortable so i sort of skulked away feeling crap.

It's not that i look terrible (i hope), i just don't mind if my jeans are a bit faded, or i'm wearing a top I bought two years ago, or if dd's going around in a pushchair that's seen better days. I quite like having things with a bit of history to them; second hand stuff/ the odd vintage thing. I avoid ironing if i possibly can and think dd2 looks perfectly ok in dd1's slightly worn hand-me-downs, unless we're off to a wedding or something.

And please dont' think i'm just having a go at other mothers, it's bloody everyone; all dads under 45 seem to dress the same way, all teenagers have the same floppy, assymetric haircut... when i were a lass we had actual subcultures; grungers, skater-punks, indie-kids, goths, trendies...

i know it's ironic to be a non-conformist wishing she knew some other non-conformists, but i can't help wondering if anyone else feels the same?

[giyadas]

I'm a scruff, and I agree with Noyouhave, it is very liberating.
Was strong-armed into scrubbing up for bridesmaid duty recently, but now I've got that out of the way I only have happy scruffy years ahead of me.

[diddl]

Hello!

Me, me!!

I walk the dog/bike a lot so am generally in jeans/tshirts/jumpers or shorts/tshirts!

I am clean & tidy but I do like to be comfortable!

[RoyalWelsh]

I'm a scruff too, I basically live in old jeans, scuffed shoes and a work t shirt. I did go out and buy make up in the vain hope that it might encourage me to put it on...but no.

[pyjamasinbananas]

I really tried to de scruff the other day. Straightened hair, nice outfit, full make up. Took hour and a half!! To flaming get ready!!! I don't think so somehow, how do people do that everyday?

[MrsKarbonara]

Scruffy, me? Yup. CBA. Life is for living, not grooming. Sometimes I remember to brush my hair though.

[DecapitatedLegoman]

Ah, my friends, I feel at home. Today I am dressed smartly. I'm wearing Asda jeans, and an unironed Matalan tunic. Which doesn't really fit. Today's undies are the ones I bought nearly 5 years ago for postnatal purposes ... what can I say, they turned out to be comfortable

[BakeliteBelle]

Terrible scruff here. Young women are so well-groomed, it's not possible to keep up. So I don't. I'm well-dressed if I put lipstick on

[ScarletLady01]

I suppose I'm a bit of a scruff. I do make-up etc if I'm going out and I have my own personal sense of style that probably doesn't appeal to most, but I'm far from typical. I didn't even know what Boden was until I joined here.

I do love clothes and make-up though...and it can take a bit of effort to look like you've made no effort sometimes.

Or is that more scruffy chic?? >_

[Terpsichore]

I too hate, hate, hate 'dressing up' and secretly like the idea of some sort of uniform so I wouldn't have to decide what to wear . Like diddl I am always clean and tidy, and I do give some thought to clothes, but it's just a massive pain having to do so. Jeans and a top for me almost 100% of the time.

In fact, I often feel like some sort of alien and not a 'proper' woman, especially when I silently compare myself to other people. I don't use perfume, have never paid for a manicure let alone had one regularly, wear the barest amount of tinted moisturiser and rarely any other make-up at all, loathe clothes shopping and can't cope with high heels. Am reassured to discover from this thread that actually I'm not a total freak.

[ZonkedOut]

Another "natural look" scruff here. I wear jeans and baggy t-shirts most of the time, often with baby sick stains, no make-up and let my curly hair air dry in a free for all style.

In my case, I was always a bit of a tom boy at school with few friends and missed the stage where girls tend to learn about fashion and make-up. So I just go with what's comfortable most of the time.

[HidingInTheUndergrowth]

I'm a scruff and so is my DP!
In fact I had to spend about 6 months counselling him and having gentle heartfelt discussions before he could be pursuaded to throw out a few of his t-shirts that were more holes then cloth.

Bless him, he's 40 but still dresses like a skint student. But then he does work at a university so I suppose it's to be expected :o

[HidingInTheUndergrowth]

Oh.. and I don't even own any make up nor a single high heel.

[GingerWrath]

Scruff here too. I live in jeans, t shirts, hoodies and my old hiking boots, which feel like slippers. CBA with the faff of make up (although I to try and hide the suitcases under my eyes)

[bigbadbarry]

Just heading out on school run in toddler-snot-covered T-shirt...I have found my spiritual home here :)

[wigglesrock]

bigbadbarry I love your name , me too, just thankful that I can park up at the bus stop and dd1 can run to the car.

[pyjamasinbananas]

Ooooh would this mean we're in a quiche?!!! Still trying to figure out mumsnet some people appear to be on some strange planet where everything is perfect and they never get stressed with their kids

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

Perhaps we should ask MN for an Anti-Style-And-Beauty topic.

We could address such thorny issues as; 'If I'm putting my hair in a ponytail, I don't need to brush it as well, right?', 'The art of wearing Weetabix' and, 'How ball-y can a jumper get before you should chuck it?'

[festiemum]

Hello scruffs!

A fellow scruffer here. Always have been and always will be I think. I loved your post pearlym, about your "scruffy little face"! I think I'm the same!! :o

[bigbadbarry]

Having said that I actually love clothes and have a wardrobe full of nice stuff. I am like a dragon with its horde as I never put it on, it is jeans and t shirts all the way.

[bigbadbarry]

Having said that I actually love clothes and have a wardrobe full of nice stuff. I am like a dragon with its horde as I never put it on, it is jeans and t shirts all the way.

[crazynanna]

I just hope Tethers still speaks to me after seeing I am a scruffy cow

[TheBride]

I am not a scruff, but DH is a Jedi Scruff*, so to all you scruffs out there, being scruffy is lovable! Embrace it!

*definition of Jedi scruff- goes mad if I throw out holey socks/pants, all jeans have those torn bits on the back where you've trodden them into the ground, all t-shirts a bit misshapen, goes at least 1 general electionbetween shopping trips.

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

"jeans have those torn bits on the back where you've trodden them into the ground"



Having a bit of difficulty with this at the minute, I seem to have developed an allergy to the metal of the only belt I own that fits me so am suffering from trailing jeans in the mud, and the unexpected popping out of belly flab on occasion. It's a minefield!

[ItsTimeToBurnThisDiscoDown]

I am a scruff too, mainly live in jeans and vest tops/T-shirts. I do dress smartly and wear make up for work but never look a well groomed as the other girls, and now I'm on maternity leave I'm doing well if my hair gets brushed. When I go back to work I will have to wear uniform (I'm quite glad, makes it easy dressing for work!) but suspect I will still look scruffy next to everyone else!

[pyjamasinbananas]

I'm eagerly awaiting the thread entitled 'AIBU to be disgusted that some people are proud of being scruffy'