What is wrong with looking mumsy?

[bouquetofpencils]

Just that really.

What is mumsy? I associate mumsy with being comfortable. In which case I was mumsy long before I was a mum.

"and desperately wish I was flat chested."

FGS why? I hate being flat chested. Clothes don't hang properly on me because they are cut for curvier women. Celebrate your curves.

To be fair Bunbaker, they're not really cut for busty women either. A 32F isn't a huge bust but it could be enough to cause a problem with some clothes depending on her shape- most size charts seem to allow about 7.5-8" between waist and bust measurement so if she has say a 28" waist, maybe a 31" underbust and about a 39" overbust then that would be problematic.

A lot of clothes are designed for relatively small busts and I'd say far more things don't fit me than do.

I only have a 5" difference between my waist and bust

Statistically - I completely agree, big boobs are a complete pain in the arse. Underwear is all about structure not beauty, finding tops and dresses that fit and flatter is very tricky. Mostly I just avoid dresses, as an hourglass, I know the fashion world do not celebrate my 37-26-37 curves!

I am so jealous of your curves Shimmy, and I bet most women are.

Shimmy, please don't shoot me but are you sure you're a 32? a 26 waist with a 32 underbust is quite unusual - id expect you to be more like a 28 tbh

My curves are the real deal - 40-29-39. Ridiculous, really. Even when I was 22 and weighed 2 stone less they were 37-24-35.

No one makes clothes to fit - even Bravissimo super-dooper-curvy doesn't fit properly!

And bunbaker I am envious of the flat chested, I can very easily just look fat and frumpy if I don't dress very carefully.

And I look skinny and frumpy

I think I avoid looking Mumsy mainly due to body type. I am v tall with an athletic build size 10. I think if you look trim you can get away with murder in the style dept. but it's by no means a free pass to wear " whatever you want".

I have a friend who is 45 , attractive , petite but terribly Mumsy. We all went out on a super glam night out on London the other week. We ALL wore dresses. She wore a pair of beige slacks. I mean I just want to shake her sometimes.

I hate dresses. When did the dress edict start? It's very loose women

Shimmyshimmy I think your post last night (20:29:22) was spot on.
I love clothes and I enjoy thinking and chatting about what works and what doesn't but some of the threads I've read this weekend have left me feeling vaguely depressed.
Fashion is a bit of fun - no more and no less and, if people feel intimidated by it, well then it's doing something wrong.

Dresses are hard to get right Magazines tell us it's only one item throw it on and you're done but it isn't that easy! Anything loose women is the end for me they love those thick jersey pop of colour wrap over things and beige shoes that's frumpy to me. I have a friend who wears a black leotard shape but dress with jean jacket she looks great in it but it's her figure that stops it being frumpy

I look nothing like the loose women in my cocktail dress.

I have just realised, after reading this thread, that I am the worst sort of mumsy. I am one of those people who is totally mumsy, but is trying so hard NOT to be mumsy that I have become even more mumsy, and now look a complete mess.

Let me explain: I love fashion, but most of it doesn't suit me, and I don't have time (thanks to having three kids under the age of 6) to go shopping properly. So I'll just buy a pair of boyfriend jeans because they are supposed to be cool, get them home, try them on, see if they fit and put them in the wardrobe. Next day I'll put them on, realise I will be cold/uncomfortable if I wear them like the models do (you know, with killer heels or Nikes-with-no-socks) so I'll put on a pair of thick socks and some hi-top converse. This will look awful. But in my determination to wear my new edgy purchase I will go out looking like a clown, and feel miserable and self-conscious all day.

There is no hope for me. I wish I could just be one or the other - a total fashion diva or Mumsy. It would make life a lot less complicated.

Bernard, i think you are one of many

I wear skinnies, and will do so for the next 10 yrs as they suit me.

Until I get arrested by the fashion police that is!

Totally agree re dress directive. They are not the only way to look attractive/feminine/well groomed. I find them very hard (same vital stats as shimmy). Particularly hate anything described as colour block or ponte.

I'm so depressed by this thread :( It seems no matter how hard you try to look half decent there's always going to be someone judging you or thinking you look dated. We just don't stand a chance!

I do usually choose a dress for night time stuff or a wedding. But sure there are other things that look good.

I have one good day dress that I like, very casual, really can't do knitted dresses or wrap.

Still wearing skinnies, find those impossible to give up, all the other shapes don't look great.

Mrsdevere think I was in the same gang Issey Miyake and Comme de garcons always borrowed!

MyReal maybe stop trying sooo hard. You don't have to be fashionable, just stylish....and that means wearing what suits you and making it your own. Not looking like everyone else.

Cambridge no one is judging. Everyone has different ideas about what suits them. I don't try and dress like everyone else and women I admire have their own sense of style rather than wearing the latest fashion.

I'm so depressed by this thread I am too and (as I said above) I love clothes. Fashion really shouldn't be this serious. It's not quantum physics or alchemy - it's just supposed to be a laugh.

Maybe we can all feel better if we defined 'mumsy' as 'stained with child's detritus'.

Let's aim for leaving the house clean & tidy & be done with it.