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?

What sort of jeans/trousers are those of us with big bottoms and thighs supposed to wear then?!

I agree frumpy to me means lacking much interest and not really caring about your appearance. I.e just wearing clothes to 'blend in'. It has nothing to do with size or shape or age, just about not really bothering so sticking with safe things, I.e black trousers and plain scoop neck tops. Both these things can be fine, but just make sure good cut, and may accessorise the plain top,, that's what I think. Don't be too safe, be brave. Life's too short for not feeling good about yourself.

Skinny jeans can loook great on all shapes, just wear with a tunic if tummy is a problem. Imho

Good question wrongbow. This thread is A good reminder how easy it is to slip! Going to get a decent hair cut tomorrow and update work wordrobe!
I like fly shoes or art as they have a heel but v comfey!

Frumpy to my mind is skinny jeans, tunics, converse or uggs with an oversize parka. Fleeces and stonewash jeans and general forays into grey marl and trainers.

Skinny jeans in my waist size wouldn't fit over my thunderthighs, even if I wanted to wear them...

My thighs would simply not fit into skinny jeans though.
I definitely think apple shaped women can wear them but not pears.. Not as pear shaped as me anyway.
I'm sticking with my bootcut jeans!

crosspost wrongbow ! Exactly true.

Pear shaped bootcut fans of the world unite!

baggy top, baggy bottoms, saggy bum, belly bulge, dark circles, frazzled hair, no make up.

I am beginning to believe the answer to not looking frumpy is tailoring to make the most of your figure. I no longer wear those droopy tunics/ cardigans and I have chucked out almost all my jeans because I am sick of them gaping at the back/ loitering around my hips/ giving me muffin top. A proper pair of trousers or a skirt with a side fastening and a wide waistband, and a shirt or top tucked in seems to take years off me. (I don't mean the M&S Classics look by the way!)

I am the frump queen on my days off work with my toddler! Hair in scruffy ponytail, ratty converse, rain coat (hey i live in Belfast and have to spend a lot of time in the park with DS) and minimal make up. And I'm a size 12 28 year old, so I don't think frumpy has much to do with age or being overweight, just whether you've made a bit of effort, you've got your lippy/heels/mac on v. trainers, jeans, wellies etc...

Vive la frump!

It doesn't have to be a choice between skinny or bootcut jeans. Boyfriend style jeans suit those of us who can't wear skinnies. Reasonably straight legged but not nearly as unforgiving

So to avoid being frumpy I have to throw out perfectly good jeans because they are not fashionable, wear uncomfortable shoes and replace my nice warm fleece with a unspecified, but no doubt expensive and impractical garment.

Sorry I happily embrace Frumpiness, except for hideous polyester Next tops. they should be burnt.

I think the too short/ill fitting jeans,plain round neck tee,fleece/acrylic sweater ect is the epitome of frump!
I agree re boot cuts,they are more flattering on alot of women,myself included,but somehow at the moment they seem very dated.I think slim flares are a better bet,look more up to date.
I am hourglass shaped and wear skinnies,usually with heels though or v occasionally ballet flats.I wear looser fitting tops over skinnies,the pproportions seem better somehow,and always jewellery/scarves/decent bag (not necessarily expensive)
I always wear make up and have reasonabily well styles hair,that has suffered with all the rain though!

I think I'm frumpy. no. i AM frumpy! :(

Where would you recommend getting colours and style analysis done? i did go to a lady about 10 years ago but that was not a good experience.

Good thread. I agree about the mumboots mentioned. But I can never work out what I should wear on my feet with jeans. Any suggestions?

I think Im also stuck with bootcuts. Pear/thunderthigh ishoos.

I think both skinny and bootcut jeans can be fine, if cut and fit are good enough. I have a large hourglass body but long, quite slim, legs and I am very happy in skinny jeans with a long (not baggy!) top and also in good bootcuts, which are cut tight enough in the upper and middle leg, ie also not baggy.

Agree on having nice, not too boring and not too fussy bag, shoes, scarf, belt, jewellery, etc.

I do think a good haircut is essential for non-frumpiness, but don't agree make-up is a must. My skin texture and colour are fine without, as well as with, a little tinted moisturiser. And feel happy with a (by Terry) clear lip gloss rather than lipshine all the time. Do have my lashes and brows tinted, though, if that counts as make-up.

Ooh Blackden, I have booked for my colours done, going in a couple of weeks. I am the same colouring as you, we will swap notes!

I suppose some days I am a bit frumpy, although I can rock a good frock when I need to.

The thing is, for me being the wrong side of 45 means I don't care what the fashion stasi think. I went through all that angst in my youth. Now I wear what suits me. I'm having my colours done because I think as we age we need to know what flatters us and colour is the easiest thing to get wrong, and it can make or break an outfit.

My biggest problem is accessories. I either seem to look bare or like a well adorned christmas tree. I have mastered the art of scarves but the rest is just a mystery.

Something that flatters your legs and means we can see that you have shape, even if you have larger legs disguising them with baggy or bootcut trousers isn't flattering for them. Play around with different styles and see how you go.

could I just say something controversial-like.
To me, "getting yer colours done" is the ultimate Frump move.
Don't do it.
It makes you completely limited in your outlook.

Drawstring anything. Elasticated anything. 'Bag for life' as a handbag.

I'm an hourglass and skinnies look awful on me. But if I'm not to look frumpy am I to cross the line to fashion victim by wearing what doesn't suit me.

I think you can look wrong (maybe not frumpy but very wrong)by not dressing to suit your shape. I think this makes people look worse than frumpy. Frumpy often means not interested which is fine, but not dressing for your shape is as big a fashion crime and committed by a lot more people.