Define the word "frumpy"

[Greensleeves]

What signifiers say "frumpy" to you?

Is it about clothes? Body shape? Body language/expression?

I'm interested

Nothing to do with body shape. It's about clothes, how you dress and handle yourself.

Comfortable unstylish shoes, ill fitting old fashioned clothes and bad hair all scream frumpy to me.

Hmmm, I think it's a lot to do with how you carry yourself, that much more than body shape. I think a 'dated' look (clothes/hair etc) is frumpy. I'm not really sure though, good question!

I think its an attitude/confidence thing. I don't notice what someone is wearing (ok- as much) if they are vivacious, outgoing and intelligent.

Although I think lots of specific things look frumpy (ie 75% of the Boden catalogue)

?? clothes that make you look older than you are and sexless...often baggy and shapeless...pleated skirts that come to below the knee...that weird neckline that is neither low cut nor high cut...

I think I'd only use 'frumpy' about clothes - people of any shape/age/attitude can look great if they wear the right thing; and although an extremely confident and innately stylish woman can get away with wearing things the rest of us couldn't, most of us can become instant frumps by putting on the wrong outfit.

Most things I'd call 'frumpy' are where comfort and/or convenience has taken precedence over style - specifically with respect to shoes, waistbands, hairstyles and tailoring, and with a special mention for glasses.

Bugger me I must be frumpy then!!! I only EVER wear comfortable shoes!!

Frumpiness is in the eye of the beholder...

no, no, I meant frumpy shoes are those that are comfortable and ugly.

all my shoes are comfortable but they're all at least reasonably attractive

BHS clothes, flat shoes, fleeces, no makeup and unstyled hair.

Me 98% of the time

Wearing clothes too old for you and that don't suit your bodyshape. Mens clothes that aren't sexy (some can be very on women.)

yes, fleeces in the wrong context can be very frumpy. i went through an ill-advised fleece-wearing phase and the photos make me cringe!

me today. dunno what went wrong exactly but eeew am I a frump today.

clothes mainly, also a dodgy hairstyle connotes frumpiness to me.

that must mean im the epitome of frumpiness today seeing as im still in my pjs eek

Frumpy

Chubby
ill fitting clothes
mumsy
frizzy perm
looking tired
walking with your head down all hunched up

Used to describe a woman, always middle class, often perfectly nice, who favours shape-free clothes in dowdy colours designed to supress the libido of any onlooker.
Will often be downcast with a shambling gait and an allergy to fashion.

Message withdrawn

Ooh yes gathered skirts with elasticated waists that make your bum and hips look bigger than they are.
'Pretty' patterns automatically taking precedence over style (my MIL thinks ANYTHING floral is pretty and therefore is her automatic preference).
Wary of labelling Scholl alltogether as frumpy as those Birkenstock-style sandals are quite trendy (well, Kate Moss wears real Birkenstocks anyway.)

here

beige, sometimes
shapeless clothes
bad hair