What does mumsy look like?

[appletarts]

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.

[Takver]

sorry, 'worn', not 'warm'

[Bunbaker]

That is exactly what I do Takver. I feel the cold very easily and being warm is my top priority for winter clothes. Being stylish comes way down my list of priorities.

I used to watch Gok on TV and always used to think that the model looked lovely but I would feel cold in the clothes he suggested. One of my friends suggested we write to him and ask him to do a Pennine version of his show and dress women in clothes more suitable to our climate.

[noddyholder]

I think size doesnt matter if your clothes fit. I am straight around the waist and if i put weight on everything looks frumpy.

[JazzDalek]

I bought a black coat from Land's End this winter. It is 100% granny, but do you know what, I LOVE it and will love it forever for keeping ALL of the elements off me this winter. Gales, torrential rain, snow, sleet, hail - I zipped up that baby, pulled the hood and I was invulnerable

I'm "only" 34, but what can I tell you? I have no car, and practical clothing offering things like warmth and comfort have an almost mystical allure to me. Sloppy, chunky wool jumpers: catnip. Thick socks, legwarmers: can't resist.

When I buy clothes it goes like this:

1. Comfort
   
2. Fabric quality (no polyester, minimal nylon, no acrylic)
   
3. Appearance (suits figure, cut, colour to suit)
   
4. Cost
   

And then waaaaaay down the list, in tiny, inoffensive writing, an afterthought, really:

87. Fashion...?

As for hair, I have had bobs of various lengths over the years, as well as a very short crop in 2006. My hair just doesn't seem to do length very well - I would love long, luscious hair, but once mine gets past my shoulders I start getting breakage and it just looks limp and ratty. There's nothing wrong with a good bob, though I do agree there are bad bobs that can look ageing (have had one of those too, thanks Supercuts )

[cocolepew]

I agree about shape. I'm a stone overweight and it makes me feel short and dumpy.
I could dress to flatter my shape more, I look ok in tea dress over skinnies/leggings type of stuff. But it isn't practical for my work, jeans and Converse are. So I put on a stripey top and think I look like Jean Seberg. Then I look in a full length mirror and realise stripes are not my friend.

[Sallystyle]

I can only think of one person who looks mumsy and she wears clothes that I think ages her. Sensible cardigan and skirts that you would expect to see on someone in their 70's for example.

I have no particular style, I wear lots of different type of things. Today I have red skinny jeans on with Wonder Woman Cons which a lot of people would think looks too young on a 31 year old. I wear what I like and what looks good and my style changes from day to day.

[santamarianovella]

mrsC you are right,this might not end well.
there is a "mum" look ,but its not just bad haircuts and frumpy clothes,its more of an attitude.it seems that some women stop trying to look nice once kids come along.i keep reading things like "will this suit me now that im a mum " or "do i need to cut my hair now that im a mum" why would i wanna do that?why would anyone want to adapt something that is not who they really are?

[changeforthebetter]

Passes ItsAllTLAtome large

[Takver]

Now to me, fashion isn't important, but it is nice to have something that you think 'yes, I look good in that'.

So recently on the train, I saw an older gentleman (70s maybe), wearing those kind of tweedy trousers & jacket that are almost a uniform for lots of men in that age group. But his jacket was nicely cut, and he had a rather natty wool waistcoat in a very fine mustard colour underneath it, and he definitely looked just that bit smarter than the people around. (Actually, he probably wanted the waistcoat because it was a very nippy March day, but he looked good too.)

[Takver]

I agree that 'mumsy' isn't a helpful description, really it says 'bags under eyes and a faint smell of baby-sick'

But actually, I'd say that men are much worse for failing to make that little bit of effort that would make a bit difference. (Its something I like about DH, that he will take the time to look for a nice shirt, not just any old shirt.)

[freerangeeggs]

Mom Jeans at Topshop!

[Loveiswhereitfalls]

Mumsy is wearing clothes that dont flatter or fit you and not caring much.
Why Mumsy though ?

[happyyonisleepyyoni]

I'd say it means droopy skirts worn with unflattering blouse, cardigan/anorak and an earnest expression, very long unstylish hair in a plait or cut in a "practical" bob, no makeup...

[Chandon]

I agree with, who was it?, upthread that a good coat and boots make a huge difference.

I have a long belted wool coat, And for really wet days a chic long belted mac.

Even if I wear it over leggings, some people will say " you always look so smart"

I am comfort driven, but just love a good coat!

Same with boots.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

Agrees. I have done the school run in a good coat and boots with a lovely silk scarf at the neck and my nightie or jim jams underneath

[Bunbaker]

My school run days are over (smug). DD gets the bus to school now.

[OnTheNingNangNong]

I'm mid 20's and judging by this thread I do have my mumsy moments.

I need my waterproof coat for walking up and down the hills as I don't drive and have to push a pram so I am normally seen in flat boots or shoes.

I also have mid length hair, but it is normally straightened, and my fringe is normally slightly wild tamed.

I do wear make up.

Fuck it, I have two young children, one of whom delights in covering me with all sorts of bodily excretions so I will look mumsy, I do try to make the effort though.

[Spookey80]

Mrs cb has it right as always. Giving the example of alexa Chung with what could be described as mumsy haircut, mousey brown, mid length. However she is far from mumsy, I think anyway.
It's totally about how you feel about yourself and carry yourself. I also have a waterproof coat for the school run, but I honestly wouldn't wear it with flat knee high boots, because I would feel mumsy. I would only wear it with my converse m&s this makes me feel less mumsy. Weird, but its kind of like that.

[Emperorsnewclothesshow]

Fleeces, practical hair (short layered bob), comfy shoes (crocs), nothing else springs to mind... Anything can look good if styled properly surely?

[Bunbaker]

I have never owned a pair of Converse. They are just expensive plimsolls after all. Are they waterproof?

[AmberNectarine]

I don't think it's a specific item of clothing, or even a look, more a case of not doing yourself justice. Irritating that it is termed mumsy, because I see plenty of overweight childless teenagers doing the same - dressing to hide.

[seeker]

Mumsy.

A word used by some women to describe other women who "don't make the best of themselves"- usually this means "doesn't wear lipstick"

this is based on the assumption that women have a duty to "look their best" so as not to frighten the horses, and that physical appearance is the most important thing about them.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

I don't particularly like the word - but I'm not a great fan of mutton either and often it seems women are accused of being one or the other.

Surely better to focus on looking elegant/cool/chic/whatever you're 'thing' is than not looking a certain way.

And you know this is S&B so we do tend to focus on physical appearance a bit but I don't think anyone thinks its the most important thing about someone.

[AmberNectarine]

Oh, I hate it when threads go this way - the implication that by giving a toss what you look like you're somehow letting down the sisterhood. Tripe.

As it goes, I don't care what anyone else does. You want to bathe in fake tan and have four foot blonde hair extensions? Knock yourself out. You want to smear your face in menstrual blood and shout 'I am woman, hear me roar'. Fine by me.

The OP asked for opinions because she is worried (rightly or wrongly) about looking mumsy. We have given them. Personally I feel 'making the best of oneself' is a good thing and counteracts low self-esteem, but that's only my opinion and if that's not your bag then good luck to you. I'm not interested in judging anyone.