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.

I'm even wearing a waterfall cardigan. At least it's a nice colour.

My take home is that there are several parallel mumiverses

The Pragmatic
Bootcut+Fleece+Sneakers/Other climate-appropriate shoes+Short or bobbed hair

The Aspirational
Pistols /Converse/Ballet Flats + Skinnies + Breton or Zara Linen tee + BBH styled hair + MN scarf
They are in the know, you know

The Emmanuelle Alts
Ditto but substitute spiky heel and white jean

The Misfits
Everyone else

Did I miss any important MN subcultures?

Woozle, my slaves peel my grapes for me too!

And I wear men's shoes/boots whenever I can get away with it.

at the idea that not wearing make-up and dressing for comfort is a sign of mental illness and depression! Dear heavens above, come and have a look round my university campus. Have you ever seen how academics dress? Slobbiness would appear to be inversely proportionate to professional success and IQ. And as for comfy female professorial footwear, just don't go there - even I am shocked on occasion!

Oh for goodness sake. Nobody has said that not wearing make-up always equals depression.

Just that a lack of interest in ones physical appearance can sometimes be a symptom of depression. And that for some women - particularly if they previously enjoyed taking a lot of care over their looks - then not bothering anymore can be a symptom of declining mental health.

Both of those things are true. And not particularly radical statements either. Posters who are choosing to a) misconstrue what I'm saying, and b) get offended by it, are doing so due to their own issues.

By all means get upset if you want. But that's your stuff. It's got nothing to do with me.

The posters that have said boot cut jeans and black leather ankle boots with a little heel have got me chuckling to myself.

In addition I would say a shapeless anorak coat combined with a very sensible across the body bag.

Mouse coloured hair- just long - no style and never seen a highlight in its life!!!!

Lapsed You've just reminded me of a lecturer I had at uni who lived in one of those beige waistcoats with loads of pockets that you wear in the desert. I kind of wanted one

It's all a bit Catch 22 isn't it? If we're all mentally unwell, we're probably unable to tell than we're mentally unwell, and any argument will be taken as the futile whining of a hopeless case.

Is Mary Beard mentally unwell? I think she's pretty cool.

OMG- I am depressed for sure. I'm wearing a beige fleece (I realise it's not attractive - but it's just sooo warm), boots, boot cut jeans and no accessories!

I always have the intention of dressing smartly, but then have to walk the dog in the muddy woods etc and a lot of smart clothes are cold

I'm guessing polo necks are not trendy and are also mumsy

Well I'm wearing a cardigan, a wollen dress, jeggings, and very comfy flats with socks. (I hate shoes with no socks). Bob haircut. I definitely look mumsy. (Looks into mirror and see no Alexa Chung).

Oh and I went to the gym today and saw a 20ish with a completely flat tummy. I remember I used to look like that. Now I have a slightly protruding stomach since DD. The stomach muscle is not like it used to be. Nothing feels more mumsy than that, isn't it?

Francagoestohollywood I'm jealous of your flat stomach .

Christ there are some snarky posts on this thread.

I don't think it's particularly nice to sneer at anyone, whether they wear a fleece or Pistols and a Breton.

You see now those who aren't interested in clothes are doing the usual 'you're all vain and missing precious moments whilst you pile on the eyeliner you deluded fool'.

Why can't we all just focus on the positives - if you like clothes great - if you save lives - great and hey if you like clothes and save lives - well that's great too and not mutually exclusive judging by many female Dr's I know

And you know Next actually ahs some reasonable stuff in this season - its how you wear it

I think this is just MN banter tbh I never talk about mumsiness apart from in reference to myself at times with my RL friends. I think we all know life is hard enough and someones scale on the mumsy o meter is meaningless in the big picture but MN is not the big picture it is like a magazine that goes in the recycling when you are finished with it.

True but I bet we're only 2 posts away from Olivia coming on with her 'peace and love'

And now Ambers mentioned br*s

We needthese

You see now those who aren't interested in clothes are doing the usual 'you're all vain and missing precious moments whilst you pile on the eyeliner you deluded fool'.

WTF? Please show me a post that even vaguely implies that!

Look back at nappybaglady's comments

I paraphrased somewhat

Well, my DS thinks I look nice and that I smell nice so I'm happy. If I look mumsy or bag lady or anything inbetween, I don't care.

OK. One.

Well, do as you would be done by and all that.

And to clarify - I don't care if people are interested in clothes or not and I don't like the word 'mumsy' as its only ever used in a way that makes people feel rubbish.

But equally I don't like the implication that as Nappybaglady said:

If you see me I'm the one who is smiling - comfy feet, nice & warm, tissues in my pocket. I'm mumsy & I'm proud of it. I bet there are more mumsies on here than not. So weep away you smart or glamorous types. We'll just assume that your feet hurt or one of your false eyelashes is rubbing.

Its all just building into the rubbish situation where women judge each other as to who is the better person/mother based on silly stuff and its not helpful to anyone.

I wish someone would link to the denim biker jacket

I went for a walk woth the dog and family yesterday wearing straight leg joggers, my trainers, a fleece and a baseball cap, my hair scrapped back and no makeup. I felt fine with everything except the fleece.
I appear to be flecceist. But I used to think my mum looked nice in her fitted ones from M&S .
I just don't like myself in one. Couldn't care less about anyone else.

Nothing wrong with a well fitted fleece though to be fair, I only wear them when camping or at a festival when it's freezing cold late on at night.

I need a fleece - am going to Pembrokeshire in July - I will need sensible shoes and fleece and waterproofs.

Oh I can't wait.

I never leave the house without full slap, inc. eyeliner. I get my hair dyed at the hairdresser every 6 weeks as well. But honestly, that's my choice - I am 52, the world is not fair and it's definately not a level playing field for older middle-aged women when competing in the jobs market. I can pass for 10 years younger, but I know I shouldn't have to .

Clothing is different though. You simply can't avoid the fact that a lot of snobbery about clothing and appearence is to do with money. Unless you are young enough to look good in Primark clothes, you need to be able to keep up with whatever is fashionable, and that requires a reasonable level of disposable income.

Look at all the sneers about my favourite the leggings and tunic look! This was fashionable a few years back. Not everyone can afford to change their wardrobe every year.