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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu about boyfriends appearance ?

190 replies

WhosDavid · 13/11/2016 11:13

I joined to post this because it's not something i feel I can bring up in real life without sounding like a bitch .
The background is I've been with my boyfriend for almost two years now , we're both in our late twenties . I've been married and divorced and have kids , he hasn't had a relationship since high school and still lives with his parents . He's pretty great , but doesn't really live in the real world when it comes to bills and how people in general behave . His biggest flaw is that he's quite immature but seeing as he's had no real reason to need to act like an adult I let him get on with it . He does have a full time job . He is amazing with my kids and they really adore him .
The problem is , and I really dislike myself for even thinking it , he looks like a tramp all the time . I'm talking tshirts ripped wide open,dirty clothes , he does a dirty physical job and will wear the same thing to work then again at the weekend . I've stopped asking him to join me and the kids at soft play because when he takes his shoes off he's wearing socks that all five toes are sticking out of . I'm not exaggerating. We've gone to spend nights in nice hotels and he's turned up wearing suit pants , trainers and ripped dirty tshirts. He has a suit that I've seen him wear for weddings and christenings (with his work boots)and he thinks he looks great and that I should credit him for making the effort but the white shirt has yellow stains around the collar and cuffs , he is totally oblivious. He will admit himself that he hasn't bought new clothes since being a teenager . Even his dressing gown is threadbare with holes in . I've tried to subtly buy him tshirts , jeans , even shoes and he says he loves them but they go to his mums never to be seen again . I really enjoy being with him and think he's amazing apart from this . But it's starting to get me down , I never want to go anywhere with him anymore . I should add , I've never been particularly shallow and don't care what his dress sense is , so long as things are clean ,unholy and match . Aibu in feeling like this ? And if I'm not , can someone please help me broach the subject without making him feel bad?

OP posts:
pklme · 14/11/2016 21:30

He might be overwhelmed by what he perceives as your expectations- that you want him to look fashionable or trendy. Start small- no holes tonight, please! Just aiming for tidy.

My DH is inclined to buy and wear the cheapest and comfiest clothes he can find with no attempt to pick styles, colours etc. Think black socks with shorts and brown clunky shoes.

If being smart is important to you, then you may need to rethink. Short of dressing him yourself that is unlikely to happen.

Catsick36 · 15/11/2016 15:48

Keep new bits you buy for him at your house, that way they can't disappear into the ether.. good luck

Ihatethedailymail1 · 15/11/2016 21:35

Why should you buy him clothes? You need to have an honest chat with him and tell him he needs to buy himself some new clothes! He isn't another child! And if you start treating him like one, he will keep on acting like one and in the end you will loose all respect for him. Tell him to look around at all the people around him when he is in a restaurant with you, or even in the high street care and look and see what they are wearing. It will be a deal breaker if he doesn't sort himself out and tell him that.
My dh went through a phase of looking a mess and I refused to leave the house with him u til he changed. It is deeply disrespectful to you, and tell him so.

IKnowWhyACagedBirdSings · 15/11/2016 21:54

Methinks this is a windup thread.

SuperRainbows · 15/11/2016 22:38

I hope not.

WhosDavid · 23/11/2016 16:12

This isn't a wind up thread . We've managed to have a proper conversation about it this week , and he said that he would like to look nice and smart but he doesn't have the money . I pointed out that even places like Primark and supermarkets have some nice things in very cheap but he just ignored the suggestion . I don't really understand the whole not affording it argument either because as already stated , he lives with his parents and doesn't pay bills but he has a full time well paid job .

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/11/2016 16:18

He can afford it, that's ridiculous.

I would walk away now tbh, he's choosing to be obstinate about something pretty basic even when you've suggested places like Primark etc. I would be worried what other weird hang ups he has that haven't surfaced yet. I wouldn't want to spoon feed a man into wearing clothes that didn't resemble Worzel Gummidge's.

If he comes back and has taken on board what you've said and made an effort then that's a whole different matter but he's just making excuses now and sounds like my teen-ager when he doesn't want to do something and has an answer for EVERYTHING!

Nanny0gg · 23/11/2016 17:55

Well, that's you told.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/11/2016 18:49

Sorry Nanny but I can't stand people that make excuses after excuses without even attempting to change or compromise.

waterrat · 23/11/2016 20:05

Maybe you need to spell out what you find unacceptable. Ie. No ripped torn or dirty clothes . No work clothes worn when out in restaurants rtc. Tell him you will help him buy a few simple outfits of plain shirts and chinos or smart jeans and that he has to wear them! I am scruffy and have been pulled up for it and as I've got older.. im 39...I've really taken on board how important it can ve to respect the people you are with and the certain situation. I now look at work colleagues who wear jeans and trainers and think they look scruffy !

PlasticBertrand · 23/11/2016 20:57

Cost is a ridiculous excuse. He could kit himself out in jeans and tshirts from a charity shop for about thirty quid.

AcrossthePond55 · 24/11/2016 13:15

I agree that 'cost' is a poor excuse. Two pairs of cheap jeans and a few t-shirts/henleys don't cost much and are a good compromise if he's not the 'chinos and button-up' type.

His remark about money is interesting as you say he lives rent free. Do you think it's possible he has debt you are unaware of? Could he be a 'money hoarder' and feels the need to put his money away for 'tomorrow'?

Nanny0gg · 24/11/2016 13:28

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen

Sorry! Cross-posts. I meant told by the boyfriend.

I agree with you.

AndShesGone · 24/11/2016 13:58

My dh was like this when I first met him, he just didn't care about clothes at all. Ripped, too big, ancient, holes, hand me downs from elderly relatives - you name it he wore it.

I was very blunt with him once we started living together and told him I would only go out with him and shag him in the evening if he wore the clothes on this side of the wardrobe.

He wanted to go out to dinner and he wanted me to fancy him so he wore them.

I can honestly say after 14 years that it's me who has started to care less. In my late 40's I will even go to B and Q in my gardening jumper which is more holes than jumper.
He also still likes fleeces a bit too much.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/11/2016 15:32

NannyGrin

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