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.

The act of being seen not to carer out fashion is as big a statement as caring about fashion

No not always, sometimes it's put on of course but often it is just not caring. It takes time, effort and a bit of cash to look attractive/fashionable/wahtever and those aren't infinite resources. So people prioritise

people who are wearing 'fashionable' clothes that they don't suit look a damn sight worse than people wearing 'comfortable' clothes.

Bunbaker, I have no clue what is considered stylish or fashionable, but I too struggled with skinny jeans until my sister recommended the new look high waist ones to me. They are not super tight sound the ankle and the way the high waist is done is really flattering and comfortable to wear (I also just bought some high waist bootcut from next, nice high waist style again, but a bit of a flare that will go right down over my high wedges).

Ballet style flats I've never worn due to clawing my feet as well like you, but a couple of years back I bought up a few pairs of skechers platformy style sparkly flip flops which I can wear for hours and are comfy as he'll but v pretty - I wear them to death over the summer.

Everybody has a different interpretation of mumsy, imo if you wear clothes that suit you - regardless of designer, style, fashion etc - you will look good. I think the overly groomed, overly put together women at the school gate look mumsy - because they are all in the 'mum uniform', the mum who pitches up in a pair of worn but good fitting, comfy jeans and a hoody with her hair in a ponytail would seem less mumsy to me tbh!

So to me, mumsy isn't frumpy - it's subscribing to the accepted 'mum uniform' of the moment (iyswim).

I've never been fashionable in my life. I'm not going to start now just because I'm a bit older and I'm a mum and I've got something to prove. I've always known what I like and as I'm a country girl that would rather be out with the dog, I tend to wear Chelsea boots, jeans and a shirt or sweatshirt. I don't mind a parka and I love a Joules body warmer. If I had to go out in a silk shirt people would probably ask me what the occasion was.

Noddy, you're gorgeous you wouldn't look frumpy in anything you've got that type of face iykwim!

Can I just claim mum boots and mumsy as my own. Well. The use of mumsy and mum boots on here

And a little lol at some of the wankery on this thread

God no, not a polo top! And my shoes are pale pink not Barbie . I do a lot of walking so always wear shoes/boots that absorb the pavement pounding shocks.

I think mumsy probably originated as a polite way of deeming someone frumpy but actually ends up being a label that is demeaning to all mothers, the implication being that looking like a mum means looking unsexy.

Some people are very good at wearing the right things and coupled with an interest in fashion, would never get caught out looking frumpy. Some people have their own style that suits them and they pull that off without looking frumpy or band on trend.

Cost, time, weight, lifestyle and type of shops availble do all play an issue when you're a parent and fashion isn't high on your list of interests. I have a shape, large hip to waist ratio, that means I rarely find trousers and jeans to fit me well. I can't change all my jeans without a year's notice! I know what style clothes suit my shape and would happily buy more classics, but if they're not currently in fashion and your budget and shop access means you're mostly restricted to high street shops, they are difficult to find. Not only are our high street stores only catering for fashion, they seem to be full of the types of clothes deemed to be on the downward turn!

become an issue not play

Boden is the epitome of mumsy. Didn't Johnny get into trouble once bg dxplicitely stating his clothes were for mums who did nog want to look sexy or fashionable?

was thinking just that about boden but didn't want to offend any middle-class mums.

Think there's way too much over analysis of the word

I don't want to dress to look sexy. Never have.

That's funny FiscalCliff. In my head 'mumsy' translates as 'Middletony' - groomed but bland bland bland.

Lots of people don't

Want to look sexy, that is.

Middletons are bland! Surely overlap between blanx and mumsy.

Kate is young and slim and could wear anything, but she is not interested in fashion of style. Her choice. At least she never can get it wrong that way either.

Agree, Middletons seem to be aiming for "sexless but perfectly presentable" looks. Mumsy is that, it's not attractive, it's not sexy, it's not fashionable, it's just practical, appropriate clothing.

and I'm depressed at the idea of skinny jeans going on the frumpy pile, mainly because I have thin legs. Skinny jeans is a good way to focus on that, because for the last decade or so while we've been wearing skinny jeans or leggings, tops have been less form hugging, on the grounds that only one part can be baggy. If jeans get wider, tops will get tighter/smaller, at the moment the fashion works in my favour, not so much if the silhouette changes... the writing's on the wall after Keria Knightly in that Chanel outfit isn't it? Time to do some sit ups and tone the tummy.

I know I shouldn't but I'm going to ask.

Why are skinny jeans now on the frumpy pile? I suppose I think of frumpy to be shapeless, unflattering or older than you are.

So in my head, things can't go from being cool to frumpy. Skinny jeans might no longer be the cutting edge of fashion but they can't surely be frumpy if they still look well fitted and you look good in them.

What you actually mean is they are now being worn by people who aren't as cool as you (or rich, or thin) and therefore you need to move on.

The clothes, and you, haven't changed.

The opposite of fashionable or 'on trend' (pokes self in eye with stick) is not frumpy or mumsy.

They are really negative words which says a lot about the people using them.

You set the bar way too high for mere mortals.

To flip it on its head, I would prefer to use stylish vs fashion slave or narcissist.

I can look frumpy very easily because I have boobs.

Noddy, spot on. I describe myself as fighting a daily battle with Hattie Jacques cos of the tits.

Think skinnies have npbeen around so long now they are just another shape .i suit them so I wear them. I agree yu can over think this it's just fashion. I think as you get older (ahem) you just don't buy things which make you look frumpy as you just know what suits. Me in a shirt type waisted dress is the frumpiness thing I have ever seen

I know what you mean Noddy. I too have Hattie issues.

I've never bought anything from Joules because I look like Christine Hamilton in them.