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Original poster

What does mumsy look like?

499 replies

appletarts · 26/04/2013 20:16

What do you think of when you think mumsy? I'm interested in opinions and pics if anyone finds something quintessentially mumsy. It's my fear, looking all mummy.

OP posts:
AphraBehn · 02/05/2013 13:01

He is. My friend used to work for him.

Bunbaker · 02/05/2013 13:31

I wore my ballet flats to go shopping this morning. I was so glad to get home and take them off because my feet ache. When I pick DD up after school to go to the shopping mall I shall wear my mumsy but comfortable shoes.

LifeofPo · 02/05/2013 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FoundAChopinLizt · 02/05/2013 14:51

Mumsy vs mumsassy...

Snowme · 03/05/2013 01:28

Waterfall cardigans.

Mock tops.

Bootcut jeans.

A pushchair.

Sallystyle · 03/05/2013 08:50

Yes! Tanya from EE is mumsy.

fromparistoberlin · 03/05/2013 09:07

I suspect Jonny B is a bell end in RL

MysteriousHamster · 03/05/2013 23:04

I think we shouldn't judge people's happiness by their look.

If someone is in jeans and hoody or whatever, you can choose to think they don't look very stylish. But don't assume they don't care about themselves or that they're not happy. Some people enjoy a casual look sometimes! I certainly do on my day off, after four days of office wear. Sometimes I make an effort because I've got a meeting, but on the inside I'm dying because I'm going through a tough time.

Judge my style (I don't have much, but that's fine). Don't judge me.

mathanxiety · 04/05/2013 08:32

Judging others by their looks is probably an indication that the eye of the beholder is a sad or insecure one.

Rulesgirl · 04/05/2013 22:44

No one is judging anyone I don't think. The op asked what Mumsy means to them. People responded with an array of answers. Smile

VenusRising · 04/05/2013 23:23

I think what mumsy means to me is a safe comfortable look that indicates celibacy, or that red hot animal sex is off the menu (for a while anyway) Blush

Whether its because everyone's knackered, or recovering from childbirth: or just feels overtouched during the day.
its difficult to define, but fir me it's not a sexy, carefree look, more a comforting, nourishing look- soft materials, with no sharp studs or spikes, as they'd take the baby's eye out!

I suppose what I see mumsy in essence, is the way women look before they get their style mojo back after childbirth, when they still have children hanging out of them and are mostly covered in snot and other delightful bodily fluids!!!!!

I think it takes about 6 years after the birth of your youngest to leave the mumsy phase. You know, when they can blow their own noses, and you're not having to run to fish them out of ponds etc.

fedupofnamechanging · 05/05/2013 12:49

I think mumsy is dressing purely to cover one's body in something warm and comfy, with no thought to fit and whether shape of clothes is flattering to body. It is dressing with no attempt to look sexually attractive.

KatieScarlett2833 · 05/05/2013 13:10

On non work days I aspire to mumsy as my style then is hobo.

MysteriousHamster · 05/05/2013 18:35

Rules, you haven't seen the posts (I am paraphrasing, it's a long thread) that say people who don't make an effort must be too tired or too sad to do so? There's definitely judging here. Maybe it's easy for some to miss.

Bunbaker · 05/05/2013 19:25

"It is dressing with no attempt to look sexually attractive"

Really?!!!

I want to look attractive and wear clothes that suit me, but I don't want to look sexually attractive.

fedupofnamechanging · 05/05/2013 19:59

But isn't that what attractive means? I'm not talking about obviously sexy (revealing or skin tight) clothing, but dressing in a way that flatters shape and makes a person look like they are still a sexual being rather than someone who doesn't care at all about it.

I don't think that looking 'attractive' all the time is necessary or important btw, only that some looks are and some aren't. I'm not attaching any value judgement to it.

I'm probably not explaining what I mean very clearly.

mathanxiety · 05/05/2013 20:04

So while we are not judging, women who are mumsy are unattractive, deliberately sexually unappealing, tired/sad/women who have thrown in the towel.

There is no way things like that can be said without some value judgement attached.

dexter73 · 05/05/2013 20:12

I don't think being called mumsy is ever meant as a compliment.

MysteriousHamster · 05/05/2013 21:01

You can wear a 'mumsy' White Stuff tunic and still look sexually appealing, you know...

fedupofnamechanging · 05/05/2013 22:35

Mysterious, I think that some women can wear a sack and look sexually appealing, but other women can't. I don't think it's about wearing certain brands/styles, but about wearing clothes that fit/flatter shape.

math, I never said anything about these women being tired/sad and throwing in the towel and actually I do think you can say that someone looks unattractive/sexually unappealing without making a value judgement. For myself (and probably for most people), there are times when it is important to me to look sexually attractive and times when it isn't.

Catlike · 06/05/2013 10:04

It is dressing with no attempt to look sexually attractive.

Not always. Tanya from Eastenders has been cited as an example of mumsiness and I'd agree with that but she's still very attractive. I don't think her safe, dull wardrobe would put many men off sleeping with her.

fedupofnamechanging · 06/05/2013 10:36

I think Tanya does make an attempt to look sexually attractive. Her 'look' might not be to everyone's taste but I don't think people can say she makes no effort.

OrangeMabel · 06/05/2013 12:07

So you have to dress to look sexually attractive or you're mumsy? There's no in-between; you can't look pretty or stylish or attractive or relaxed? You have to look as though you're up for it or celibate? Hmm

fedupofnamechanging · 06/05/2013 12:48

Sexually attractive does not = 'up for it'. Sexually attractive encompasses pretty etc. It just means not dressing as though you are not at all interested in being appealing in appearance.

OryxCrake · 06/05/2013 13:00

I found my way here via active conversations as I don't normally go on the S&B board and this thread has terrified me!

It seems as though lots of the choices I make (ones that I've been happy with) are examples of 'not making the effort'. Someone said upthread that it's women wearing things that are a few years old without amending them with modern touches (paraphrasing ad lib here!). I have no idea what those touches might be but am pretty sure I don't incorporate them into my clothing.

Also, I bought a button necklace for someone as a present because I thought it was pretty. I now realise it was an object of derision and am embarrassed to have given it.

While I appreciate that a lot of people on here are more interested in what's fashionable and 'on trend' than I am, this thread has made me realise that the way I look may be being sneered at, which feels horrible.

To the uninitiated, this thread does feel a bit bitchy, even though I'm sure many of the comments aren't intended that way.