AIBU to think in the UK women generally dress in quite a frumpy way and to wish we wore period clothing.

[NCJaneDoeNut]

Just that really. People don’t seem to make an effort and if you do you end up looking ‘overdressed’.

The reason I say UK is because that’s where I’m based and other places I’m seeing as a tourist or on tv, so maybe not a realistic impression. Not that they are worse than anyone else.

I quite fancy some sort of Austenesque floaty empire line frock.
Does it have to be women's clothes? Because if not I have always liked the look of a doublet and hose. Plus cod piece.

At least I never have this problem.

I don't see why people are jumping on the OP just for pointing this out. I live in a city in Italy and I really notice that here people don't wear "beach" clothes (flip-flops, shorts if you aren't a child, strapless tops) in the city centre even when it is boiling hot. I have seen all of these in the UK in city centres - I am not saying that either attitude is better than the other!

OP: What exactly do you mean by "period clothing", please?

because the thing is, everyone IS wearing 'period clothing', i.e. clothes of THIS period.

You never need a reason to wear a cloak Oh. Never.

Totally with you on this one OP, German and Austrian women wear lovely clothes compared to us. Lots of floaty skirts in summer etc. You can't even find nice stuff in the shops in this country, I for one would be quite happy to bring back bonnets, waist-defining bodices and ankle-length petticoats.

hands OP a tennis racket to deflect the biscuits...

Women in general. Who is that?

Often what people have in mind when they think of “period clothing” it’s the clothes the gentry wore. Ordinary people’s clothes were much less fancy and much more frumpy!

What a vague OP. What are you on about there?

And I think cloaks would be perfect for the weather in the UK. High time for a cloak revival.

Yabu and I say this as someone who is always 'dressed'. I don't own a single pair or joggies. That's my thing though, other people can do what they want.

Some cultures spent more on clothes than rent or the mortgage. More fool them I would say. Caring too much how you look tends not to make you very happy and vanity is a sin so all those French and Italians fussing about looks would be better off spending more time in church or washing the feet of the poor than prancing around in impracticable clothes.

I agree that women in the UK are generally less pulled together than in other places on the continent.

Its generally because they have a more individualistic approach to dressing as there's less pressure to conform to an elegant feminine ideal though, so I see it as a great thing.

:)

I agree with the idea that it’s very easy to look overdressed here.

But period clothing??

How do you know I'm not sitting here in a bonnet & shawl, bosom heaving in my empire-line dress?

I like the 40's look but who has time for doing all those elaborate hair do's? What about medieval clothes? Sandals and potatoe sack chic.

Do UK men look frumpy too?

Oh no I forgot - frumpy is one of those words isn't it.

You could always become a steampunk 😁

Oh get to fuck 😂 it's 30000 degrees, you're just lucky I've got any clothes on tbh

I wear clothes that are comfortable and make me happy - I refuse to dress to please (or appease) the OP.

What I see in the UK is a huge variety of style as women wear whatever they want. Some look classically elegant, others boho, a few goth, a lot bright and cheerful, some neutral and understated, some clearly dressing with comfort as top priority, others willing to suffer a bit for their appearance. I find it very peculiar to judge the whole of the female population based on their clothing. If I were in the business of judging, I'd definitely start with men.

I look shit in vintage type clothing. Even tried out some more modern floral print dresses, not a great look unless in black and white on me. I like pleated skirts with t-shirts, jeans with blouses, long button through and wrap midi dresses, wrap skirts and mostly worn with trainers. That's how most women I know dress. They all look stylish and well put together to me

Is it clean, is it comfortable, does it fit me, does it cover all my fat naughty bits. If the answer all to the above is 'yes' then I'm going to wear it. Everyone else is free to do the same.

I loath the look of Black tights and floaty summer dresses or shorts.