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?

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.

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!

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.

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?

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

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

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

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?? >_

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.

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.

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

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

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)

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

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.

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

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?'

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

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.

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.

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

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.

"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!

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!

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