To ask if I look frumpy

[keepcalmanddance]

Do I look frumpy in this outfit? I’m early 40s. Also do I look like I’m slightly pregnant?

Have a look at Melissa Murrell’s YouTube channel. She has great suggestions for dressing all different body shapes, including plenty for ladies carrying a bit of weight around their middle.

That jumper is what is known in my family as a “dog walker”.

Sorry it does, I am way older than you and would not wear that. The jumper is too long for the skirt and looks as if it has seen better days, fine for slobbing round the house and the sort of thing I fling on if I have a lot of cleaning to do. What colours and styles are you drawn to and what do you enjoy wearing?

This outfit isn’t great, sorry OP.

I would bin the jumper.

Ia the skirt stretchy so you can pull it up and make it a bit shorter?

The tights need to be swapped for 15 denier in black or preferabley brown as that’s a softer colour.

Why did you put this outfit on? Are you going somewhere in particular or just hanging around at home? If just at home / running errands etc Im older than you and I wear gym leggings and an oversized hoody.

I also have good legs but a belly I’m trying to hide!

Have you looked at co-ords? They’re comfortable and look up to date IMO.

I quite like the jumper and it's colour looks as if it would work with your colouring. I think the hem needs a re-shape with a steam iron and the sleeves rolled up and might look nice with a shirt underneath.

You have nice boobs and a waist OP - try and make the most of these. Have you got anything v-neck?

no! I’m 69 and don’t wear combinations like that as yea I think it’s frumpy.

I mean, I’m no fashion queen! Today I’m wearing combats and biker boots and a leather jacket 🤣

But if you like those types of items, why not dig around the shops and see what you can find that have that vibe but might in a more modern length, for example?

Both the skirt and jumper look to me to be about 2 or 3 decades old. You can have a similar look but have it be contemporary.

It's not a good look, sorry, but you did ask.
Frumpy, yes. Also unflattering and a bit scruffy.

I get what you're saying about being self conscious about the belly area (I'm 51 and feel the same - slim most of my life and now caring an extra stone- thanks hormones - and it all seems to be on my waist/abdomen.)

I think you can do a lot better and look lovely. It's hard to know exactly what to suggest as we all have different shapes and styles preferences. Could you go and see a personal shopper as a one off, to get a re set? I'm thinking of this myself.

Long shirt dresses work for me (or smart wide leg trousers with a fitted shirt - big belts also help to give the illusion of a defined waist) but recently I realised it's all I seem to wear when I want to look "nice" so thinking of personal shopper myself as I feel like i have one "uniform" at the moment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/COdea_4Hd9F/?img_index=2&igsh=MXVmOGdncTdtNG94eQ==

The difference between a badly fitting bra and a bra that fits.

Wrap tops can work, or layering - so a loose vest top under a cardigan maybe?

You have boobs. Try v neck tops and jumpers.

The skirt is fine.

There you go OP, might be helpful.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5334174-my-clothes-are-aging-me-please-help

The jumper needs to be more fitted - a loose jumper covering a rounded belly actually makes you look bigger. The skirt length is just wrong - either shorter or longer wouid be better but I'd never wear a loose jumper with a long skirt. A fine knit, more fitted jumper wouid look better with a longer flared skirt.

The outfit doesn't make you look old, that's nonsense - just badly dressed! I don't mind the colour of the jumper, but get a newer one that suits you better.

If you have good legs and don't like tight up top then wear a oversized jumper with a black denim mini (much shorter than you have on) black tights and boots.

Casual, wear the oversized jumper with leggings (good ones!). More casual sporty choose a oversized sweatshirt with gym leggings (again good quality ones!).

Then you can show off good legs and be baggy up top.

But longer baggy skirt with long baggy jumper together doesn't flatter you.

OP I could have posted this a few years ago! Higher waisted trousers/skirts are your friend!

Get something high waisted so it flows over your tummy but hugs your waist. Then tuck the tops in. Fat face have some great trousers that are high waisted at the moment

I’m a lot bigger than you and also conscious about my stomach but I find tops that drape, worn tucked in are the most flattering on me
this is my usual work outfit

The jumper is incredibly unflattering and im not sure who would wear it.
Im now 60s and it looks too old for me.

I wouldnt give it to a charity shop, it has seen better days and looks stretched. I hate it when people off load tat to a charity shop.

Great advice, this is exactly what I wear as a person with good legs and a belly 🙂

For me it's the jumper, it's too big and long so swamps you. A more fitted jumper and that was several inches shorter would be much more flattering.

The jumper is the problem. I’m certainly older than you but I’d never wear a jumper that screamed “really old”. The jumper would be ok with jeans etc for gardening/.

The skirt would be fine with a better top.

It’s not a good outfit, @keepcalmanddance - but you’ve already heard that. Compare and contrast this combination of jumper and skirt:

Community Clothing skirt

And if you added any fashionable pair of knee high boots, like these:

Topshop boots

you’d have an outfit that could take you almost anywhere.

I think you need to get a really good bra to give you better shape and think of getting boxy style jumpers which will hide your belly, but be a much better shape for you than an oversized one that’s too long. Something like this https://www.johnlewis.com/soaked-in-luxury-spina-boxy-fit-jumper/p112906128

@meganorks I’m sorry you’ve had so little exposure to normal life that you believe women over 60 are a separate species who deliberately set out to buy and wear the drabbest and most unfashionable clothes available.

In my world (and I am over 60) I’m happy to say that is not the case.

The outfit isn’t flattering on you. I think a scoop neck/v-neck top would suit you better. If you are worried about looking pregnant due to a larger stomach a cardigan/light blazer jacket can hide that. The long top with the skirt and I’m guessing you wear flat shoes makes you look shorter and wider. Maybe a loose fitting scoop neck top tucked into a skirt with a dark coloured cardigan? I reckon that would be more flattering for your body shape.

Very frumpy