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.

[Plathism]

woozle great post and I do agree without despite my last two posts being about hair :) The argument that "it's been proven that women feel better about themselves when they have nice clothes and a bit of lippy" is shite - the reason those things make women feel better is because society values them for their looks above most other things. Apply the same argument to men - that theyd feel better about themselves with a more fashionable haircut and they'd look at you like this:

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

To me, mumsy is just not dressing like someone who's very young. I see around my neighbourhood. All the young ones are in leggings with tops short enough to see at least half your bum. If you are dressed like that, then you aren't mumsy.

I think I dress my age, ie someone who could be a mum (or not a teenage mum).

[Plathism]

*with you, not without

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

Actually and mini shorts too.

Really, I don't see what's wrong with looking a like a mum.

[YoniOno]

I was at a toddler group this morning and was well dressed (obv )

Got chatting to a mum who was about 20, floral tunic with holey cardigan on top, baggy stonewash jeans and hair scraped back with a poor dye job.

I vaguely noticed what she was wearing but didn't judge, couldn't give a stuff really, got chatting as our toddlers were doing battle over something. Anyway she made several snarky comments about how she doesn't bother with nice clothes because what's the point when they get covered in snot/banana/whatever. I agreed, and tried to be empathetic or whatever - but it struck me that I was in a top from Ebay that cost me 99p plus postage and Primark jeans. She was judging me for making the effort, but I couldn't give a stuff if my outfit got covered in snot, that's what the washing machine's for.

No idea what my point is really, but I felt really awkward and guilty for having made the effort to look and feel nice today! fair enough if she couldn't be bothered, but I could and that's fine too.

[JazzDalek]

You must have looked great YoniOno for her to notice and make jealous comments

[woozlebear]

Exactly Plathism, their self esteem is mainly fed by doing things they enjoy, find satisfying and fulfilling, or that they're good at.

(And I'm also capable of enjoying chit chat about hair. I'm not a complete freak.... )

[YoniOno]

Jazz - I don't think I looked great, but I looked as though I'd made an effort iyswim and she was mocking that. I felt self conscious and a bit of a twat until I thought stuff it, I like getting dolled up! If I can't dress up for toddler groups, my SAHM life would lose a little joy.

It is interesting that you think she was jealous though (or are you mocking me for being bigheaded? ) she was much prettier than me, it was nothing to do with jealousy.

[givemeaclue]

Fat face (the shop)
Body warmers
Ugg boots
Bootlegs
No make up
Supermarket clothes
Really bad work clothes

[fromparistoberlin]

I do get that this could be seen a as a tad bitchy...

but....are the so called "mumsy" women even hanging out in S&B?

why would they? they aint bothered, and fair enough! they are happily running in fields with their bobs not moving, and their mum jeans gathering mud. Live and let live I say


and, IF they are, well maybe they will get some helpful tips!



I am however tres amused by the Mom jeans images

LOL at saltwater too, yes.....quite.......

[fromparistoberlin]

www.saltwater.net/collection.htm

mumsy, defined

[MrsMarigold]

I have really lovely clothes from before I had children but lots are dry-clean only which means they just aren't practical at the moment.

Also not sure if it's just me but good clothes from a few years ago are better quality than good clothes now. I went to sample sale last week and I can honestly say it is hard to tell the difference in quality between a Zara t-shirt and a DKNY or Splendid one. It isn't just t-shirts either...

I do get covered in baby snot/sick and food when I mentioned this to my DH he said I should wear my dressing gown over my clothes at home but I can't do that I'd feel really awful.

Also big rant here, but I'm so sick of wearing breastfeeding friendly clothes - they are frumpy but for now I have no alternative.

[MrsMarigold]

As for shops like Phase Eight and LK Bennet - totally mother of the bride.

[givemeaclue]

Oh yes saltwater and white stuff are mumstastic

[YoniTime]

What sort of non-mumsy shops for adult women (not polyester crap teen shops) exist then?

[FrugalFashionista]

It's not a problem for us if a banker looks like a banker, a teacher like a teacher, an art student like an art student, a style blogger like a style blogger - so why on earth should anyone have a problem with a mother who looks like a mother?

I think looking 'mumsy' means that the woman has other priorities in life.
And honestly, what's wrong with that?

It's us that obsess over S&B minutiae that are the weirdo mutants

[fromparistoberlin]

"so why on earth should anyone have a problem with a mother who looks like a mother?


I suspect, that many of the S&B devotees dont want to look like a "mumsy" mother?

what does a mother even look like?

[badtasteyoni]

Mumhair is the worst one I think - not defined by a particular style, but more by thinking because you've just had a baby you need to have all your hair chopped of because you 'won't have to look after it as much' . That usually results in this

[juneau]

Oh dear, I'm definitely mumsy

No make up? Often, because I don't have time before I do the school run. Skinny jeans with long boots? Yes, sometimes, if that's what's lying by the back door when I run out. Hair shoved in ponytail? Yes, often. Fleece? On occasion because they're warm and comfy.

I definitely need to up my game!

[FrugalFashionista]

Ok definitely time for me to start to embrace my inner 'mumsiness'.

The assumption that wearing the denim du jour with the latest killer ankle boot and hair that takes a long time to style somehow makes me a better person really bothers me...

[badtasteyoni]

So what do you do if ankle boots don't suit you? My ankles are sparrow-skinny (not in a good way so I'm not showing off ). Ankle boots with skinny jeans just look daft on me. Is it better to look daft than mumsy?

[Bunbaker]

"I do get covered in baby snot/sick and food when I mentioned this to my DH he said I should wear my dressing gown over my clothes at home but I can't do that I'd feel really awful."

Or you could get one of thos old fashioned pinnies

[YoniTime]

By the way, I agree with others that there isn't wrong to look like a mum if you are a mum. However I'm a but interested in what a non-mumsy store/look for mums would be?

Also, is there a word for a man who has "let himself go" as he aged? Dadsy?

[Kikithecat]

OK so bootcuts are out, ankle boots are out, high waists are out and now skinnies and long boots are out. Does that actually leave ANYTHING?

[woozlebear]

fromparistoberlin, yes, it could be seen as a tad bitchy. Probably because it is bitchy.

It also reminds of the sort of girl at school who'd snigger mockingly at anything and everything if she thought it might make her look that bit cooler, because even though she was so cool and pretty and fashionable she somehow never quite felt it, and laughing at all the people who were DEFINITELY less cool and pretty and fashionable than her made her feel better.

'Live and let live' you say? Just sniggering while you're at it