So I've realised that I don't know what "frumpy" looks like...

[Blackden]

and therefore there's a very good chance that I am extremely frumpy.
I read the Boden thread with interest.

Can you please describe frumpy? Does it mean baggy and shapeless clothes? At my age I can't be wearing those 'BodyCon' type dresses (not got the figure for them either )
Or can you link me to some frumpy stuff because I just can't visualise it.

And, what's a 'wrong side of 45' woman to do? How can I avoid looking like mutton but not look frumpy?

But Chelsea boots don't have heels.

The Clarks boots have "classic elastic gussets". Arf.

< snigger>

I have that sparkly top from m&s that does my bum look 40 blog has n the sales. It is nice.

Frumpy is not boot cut jeans or size or shape

There's a difference between frumpy and out of fashion though
Frumpy is shapeless.

Those Clarke numbers are a definite mum boot... nothing Chelsea about them! Though my Acne Pistols were given that tag on here

Nonetheless they're plain, simple, classic and smart. I'd rather wear them with some nice bootleg jeans than some 'non-mum' mishmash of skinnies, 'quirky' white stuff tunic, 'fun' boden mac and teenager Fly boots, or any of that zombie-in-hospital-scrubs stuff from Cos.

I'm off to join the frumps.

Hmmm Reluctanttownie not sure you can characterise my style like that simply because I don't like those boots as wouldn't most women under the age of 50

I wouldn't personally shop at white stuff or Boden, or wear fly boots (frump territory IMO) but definitely in the skinny jean and Cos brigade!

But each to their own and all that.

I have been on frump-watch this morning and I have a question.

Is it only white British women (generally of a certain age, but not always) who are frumpy?

BigTillyMint noooo! My south indian MIL has frump all sewn up . I can guarantee you that when I pick up DD later she'll be sporting a shapeless jumper teamed with a floral mid calf skirt. Scrubs up nicely in a sari for special occasions though.

OBface - wasn't a direct reply to you. General comment based on what seem to be the accepted looks on MN.

Fly boots not frumpy imo but like everything, depends how you wear them - short dress and leggings / tights good I think? Some of their sandals are god-awful though, will admit.

Need to investigate Cos. have never shopped there as I'm scared of the shapes but have seen stuff on people and it looks good.

bigTillyMint - yes, I think it probably is and I blame Marks and Spencers and Next as in many towns they are the only 'quality' shops and so everyone of a certain age shops there and their clothes don't do much for anyone (with exceptions of course - 40 bum's sale stuff for example is ace).

I am frumpy. I am guilty of every single crime in lunamoon's post. This is despite having adequate money and a professional job.
Happy to answer questions about how you too can cultivate this look.

Reluctanttownie I had realised that thanks. But not right to suggest that that look is the only alternative to wearing the Clarkes boots - I would give both a very wide berth thank you very much .

To me fly boots look quite dated, not hideous but just not on trend. I suppose there is a distinction between frumpy and non frumpy, and again non frumpy and on trend.

Muses...

Another thought is that maybe the average British woman's shape lends itself well to frumpiness. There seem to be far more apples than pears about and I think it's much harder to dress an apple well (speaking as an apple myself - the battles with the muffin top!).

Pears always look more stylish imo. I have a friend who is probably a stone or two heavier than me but always looks better because she has a flat stomach and a proper womanly in and out shape - she looks great in a simple t shirt and jeans where I think I need to work harder.

I think summer really accentuates the difference between frumps and non-frumps because some people look so goddamn spiffy when the sun comes out. And some people... don't. The saddest ones whom I feel most sorry for are the ones wearing calf-length, vaguely triangular sleeveless dresses in colours that don't suit them. It is so obvious that they just bought something that fitted (in the sense of could physically be pulled over the head) and then, today, just pulled something out of the wardrobe in which they hope not to melt. I have done this. My sadness comes from a kind place, a place of empathy.

Yep, agree that Fly boots aren't really on trend as such but they are non-frumpy enough for shopping, going to the park etc. It's times like that that the inner frump emerges if you're not careful I think and I'd rather have my Fly then end up in some of the horrors we saw up thread. I wouldn't wear them out to a bar or anything.

As I was returning from the gym this morning, there was a woman in front. She had on a nice summer dress (but which finished mid-calf) and was sleeveless, and some flat clumpy looking sandals. She had her hair clipped up. I thought she looked about mid-thirties to mid-forties and a bit frumpy from behind.

When I saw her from the front, I saw that she was young and pretty and didin't look remotely frumpy and the sandals looked a bit ironic-on-trend

funny little frog - I am not sure because apples can always get their legs out. Great legs and good shoes = anti-frump

Mmm, good point vezzie. I know I look much better with legs out. But get me in basic jeans and a plain t shirt and I look very frumpy - unless I wear a massive scarf like the bloggers. It's the muffin top that does it.

Pears have the lovely narrow waist - an old floral tea-dress can go from frump to vintage cool on that kind of figure.

Funnylittlefrog, but if you're peary / stocky / hourglassy then your (my) stumpy little legs stick out with the hem bang on the chunkiest part and you (I) look like Mrs Doyle

Hmm actually I think it's more difficult to avoid the frumpy/matronly look if you're pear-shaped (as I am). I think wide hips and sturdy legs are more difficult to disguise than a bit of a tummy, and these days a lot of styles seem to be designed to flatter the apple shape more (skinny jeans, leggings, long/floaty tops etc).

I find it difficult to get skirts/dresses hemlines right. Don't like them above the knee as I don't think I have the legs for it, but below the knee and I look like my mother :(

Funnylittlefrog yes think Fly boots probably fall into the neutral camp!

I know exactly the sort of sandals you mean bigtillymint, wouldn't look out of place in Clarkes I sort of think that's the key, it's not necessarily an individual item that marks you out as a frump but the overall package.