Mumsy

[noddyholder]

What do you consdier mumsy and would never ever wear even if in fashion?I'll start Waterfall cardigans NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!

PS I mean the weather was 'driving rain' not that I was 'driving in the rain'! Because if I'd been driving I wouldn't have bothered with the barbour

Exactly symmetry. Part of the pack (in a totally unthreatening, non-carniverous way of course ).

Hmm, I agree with ormirian's view that it definitely doesn't mean no effort at all.

But, symmetrymum, though I do think mumsiness often involves a lack of confidence as well as a lack of awareness of how style has moved on, I don't personally want to condemn all those of us who wear some carefully chosen basics from Boden or M and S Autograph as 'mumsy'. Or say that only those on the cutting edge/ who wear Isabel Marant or similar every day of the week are worthy of being called 'non-mumsy'!

Becstar - the other day I was daring and wore leggings (Tesco), stripey tunic (Sainsburys), buckled boots (Clarks), and leopard print scarf (Dot P). I thought I looked a little bit Alexa Chung, a little bit Mariella Frostrup. I saw myself in a window and just looked like a fat old frump. I have yet to leave the house since.

"Short hair = lesbian, long hair = strumpet, Anthea Turner hair = just right."

What about Anthea Turner hair that's been so neglected it has got long? Is that strumpet or slattern?

Great, I was thinking I was going have to chuck my Boden items. Don't have much Per Una, tg. So if it's mixed up with Top Shop or a few trendy designer items, funked up with a stylish scarf and some carefully chosen Danish designed jewellry, maybe Pilgrim, all is good. Going to really scrutinise my outfits before leaving the house now, thanks MN. It's going to take me even longer to get ready. I do want to look nice but not mumsy. Boy, it's a bit of s minefield though.

Oops a minefield

I'm mumsy to the max when just at home, or wandering the neighbourhood. I go into an office one day a week, when I try and wear clothes less than two years old. But as DS is only 16 months I have yet to brave the cold appraising eyes of the playground fashion police, at which point I'll have to start working full-time again just to afford clothes that will pass muster.

PS - those avid and wise ladies. Where on earth do they get the money?

Gosh, I bet men don't put each other/themselves under this particular sort of scrutiny. Do they??

Men, most certainly don't. I don't think I did either until I reached 40. Trying to make the most of myself and not look my age I guess. People tell me I don't look it but perhaps they're just being kind.

Worried now about mentioning Pilgrim, I like it but you lot might think it mumsy!

Is AllSaints mumsy then? Because that's choc full of waterfall cardies.

cardi-can?

or

or cardi-nan?

Pilgrim is great they do stuff as one-off lines and it sells at same value on ebay as first bought.

i don't think its Mumsy, they do very sparkly but not trashy things.

jewellery tat from Sainbos/ M&S is a bit Mumsy though. the tat for kids at sainsbos is much nicer.

i wouldn't say Allsaints were mumsy. i'd say they were boring in terms of colour (all shades from silver to charcoal!) but over-adventurous when it comes to shape (all those ruched, draped and tassled items)

Pilgrim is lush, a little bit different IYSWIM.

My imaginary mumsy lady is wearing bootcut jeans that are waaay too short, and are flapping several inches above a pair of those black M&S ankle boots with the dated square heel.

Her jersey top is much too short, cuts her in half and accentuates her none-too-trim midriff and the sensible high waist of her jeans. It also has a too-high neckline to accentuate a slightly lumpy bosom in a badly-fitting bra.

Her hair is bushy and unstyled, and she hasn't bothered with any make-up.

All topped off with one of those Millets two-tone waterproofs that makes it look as if she's off fell-walking when she's actually wandering round the shops.

Exactly Jajas. Thought I had quite a good idea of mumsyness, but this thread has left me deeply confused.

Anything worn by Nurse Gladys/Auntie Mabel in 'Come Outside'

Yeah, it's all highly confusing. I'm off on the school run in a mo. Wearing black Uniqlo skinny jeans, black top, grey snakeskin print scarf, purple long Boden heavy wool cardy (I know! But it's cold), black knee boots, flat but they have lacing up the front and jewellry is some simple silver diamond studs and a Pandora (also Danish) charm bracelet. I have my long layered hair tied in a ponytail (it's very windy here, sod the Carol Jackson look)

black ankle boots with blue jeans

Agree that things being the wrong length are v mumsy - too short bootcut trousers, tops that are either too long or too short.

Mumsy can include makeup: hastily applied mascara, blusher and over bright lipstick/gloss but no proper base (possibly a swipe of powder to tone down nose shine).

Little gold jewellery might be mumsy but so are big cheap 'statement' necklaces/bracelets, especially if they are from M&S or Sainsbo's.

SCRUNCHIES!

I haven't seen a scrunchie for years! We used to make our own out of Liberty print material when I was at school - the height of fashion!

Ooh, those big grips with lots of teeth for holding up hair. I suspect they're mumsy now.

yes I confess I've only seen one scrunchie in the last decade. But my god it looked mumsy.

A lot of whether one is mumsy comes down to how tidy/carefully managed one's hair and figure are, doesn't it?