Is the trendy mum look the "new frumpy"?

[YorkshireTeaGold]

There's often threads on s&b about what makes something frumpy. People talk about bootcut jeans, fleeces, flat shoes, lank Bob etc. This is probs my definition also.

BUT... there does seem to be a kind of "mum uniform" that is very much not traditional frumpy but could by definition be described as mumsy. So Breton top, skinny jeans, ash jalous or converse shoes. All the fash blogs on here seem to have a similar style... Always skinny jeans, equipment shirts, that type of thing.

Argh, maybe I'm not explaining it well but I wonder if this look is the "new frumpy"? I've dressed like this for years and always felt fairly stylish, but now I'm done having dcs and wanting some new stuff I don't want to end up actually looking mumsy by default.

I feel that way about the RockaBilly tattooed look that so many have here. Goes along with the male version which is beard, quiff and 50s glasses.

It's literally a uniform, despite theoretically being "alternative". Feel like I'm being alternative by not having tattoos actually

Let's face it anything not " groomed " is or will be " frumpy "

Oh dear, if it is I am FRUMP CENTRAL: a lot of my wardrobe is made up of Breton tops, skinny jeans, trainers. (not that I thought I was "trendy" but I was pretty sure I wasn't "frumpy". Possibly "mumsy", mind.)

That's it, I'm going normcore. puts on pair of stonewashed chainstore jeans, ill-fitting t-shirt, dad's old baseball cap, awaits fashion blog adulation

I think skinny jeans will be assigned to frump heaven but not quite yet. Agree on the hipster mums all looking the same but heh ho each to their own

There is a type of uniform for a lot of things. In my job I am expected to look a certain way, other parents expect me to look another way. Maybe it could be described as frumpy to conform to these expectations. I don't have a bob or boot cut jeans.

I know what you mean. I was thinking of getting a parka for winter, but when I went to try one on it just screamed "Mum Uniform" to me. The parka goes with skinny jeans, breton and biker boots.

Now there's nothing wrong with that - they are all nice items and they look well together. When you have small dc you don't have endless hours to spend putting outfits together, and this works.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's frumpy. A bit predictable maybe, but if it looks good and you like it, who cares?

I think skinny jeans have limited time left too, but for now they are so comfy.

Cereal what do you think will come in after skinnies - or what's in now as an alternative?

Why are we so hung up on labelling though. We wouldn't accept it for our kids, so why do we allow it for ourselves? One man's mumsy is someone else's cutting edge anyway (or reverse) and it is so limiting and sheep-like.

Totally get what you're saying. Buying into a "look" wholesale is like wearing a uniform. I recognise the one describe as "trendy mumsy".
The most stylish woman I know locally is ten years older than me & works a groomed boho vibe. Long wavy (non-witchy) hair, fitted but flowing dress, dark denim jacket, leather glads. Waiting to see what she wears in winter...

is definitely a mum uniform around here. I just look in the playground at school pick up time or in soft play or the cafes and its mums with lovely figures and haircuts, but skinny/slim jeans (maybe even branching out to boyfriend cut) with stripy t-shirt/Breton, ankle boots or converse and maybe a scarf. Autumn will become the same with quilted barbour/joules types jackets or gilets.

I always feel overdressed as work in a smart office so heels and dress or skirt.

I quite like the look myself, but I never wear trousers except leggings for the gym or running tights for running. I just don't feel comfy in them, so I'm maybe slightly envious that they can look so effortless and feel comfortable when I just feel confined in jeans or trousers.

my casual is still mumsy, dress, cardi and tights in the winter, dress and sandals in the summer. might branch out into skirt the odd time too, that's really pushing the boat out for me though I am a mum though so I don't find the term offensive, im not particularly fussed about wanting to appear younger/trendier etc. I do like to keep fit, have my hair done and wear nice clothes/makeup/shoes etc, but im not trendy in the slightest, I probably wasn't even as a teen especially due to the not wearing jeans thing.

oh yes parkas, they will definitely be worn in the winter. I have one too

I agree with pinkhouses, why are we obsessed with this stuff? Clothes are clothes - if skinny jeans & converse, dresses & cardigans etc are 'mumsy' what are we supposed to wear that isn't considered mumsy?

They tried to bring back boot cuts last year but it was too soon. You would have to hand out leaflets explaining how your new cutting edge boot cuts have a more kicky flare cut and are COMPLETELY different from frumpy mums and no you do not own a fleece

It may be mum uniform but I wouldn't call it frumpy. They're two different things in my mind.

Guys, this is style and beauty for all shallow nonsense . And clothes are not just clothes to some of us

I don't see how skinny jeans can be frumpy if they're worn by the only women who should wear them imo, that is: women with good legs and shapely bums. They are figure hugging and show off one's shape (for good or bad!).

Frumpy to me is more ill fitting jeans which are baggy and saggy and often flap around the ankle as they're just completely the wrong length and style.

I think the pp nailed it when the said the skinny/stripey look is predictable rather than frumpy.

I'm not too bothered about being mumsey (well, maybe a bit!) And totally agree with those that don't think it matters if something's a bit uniform-y. I think it's just because I've been preg/bfing pretty much solidly for the past 4 years so now I need to buy lots of new stuff I'm questioning it all / looking around me much more.

I think a lot of style is about confidence in what you've chosen to wear. Kim Novak is a major love of mine and I stood out like a sore thumb at uni in a black shift and white coat but I thought I looked fab and I did. I'm on my way to getting that back and I love Breton tops and skinny jeans too, if they're cut well they still look chic imo.

It's just, looking around, I do see a mum uniform and wonder if I look like that too!

The thing with skinnies is they don't tend to get wet at the bottom and if you want you can wear them all year round. Boots in the winter, converse and sandals I guess the rest if the year.
I have skinny jeans but no Breton tops, they don't suit me. There aren't many mums in the playground at school pick up time who wear skinnies either. It's either leggings, track suit bottoms or boot cut jeans. So here I am still different.

Frumpy is non-descript, ill-fitting, 'I've given up', mum-is-last-in-line-in-the-family, devoid of personality.

Trendy mum uniform might be a bit ubiquitous, but all ways of dressing conform to a template on some level! even the most edgy or individual ones.

I agree with Holger: skinny jeans and Breton tops might be a totally cliched "mum" look, but frumpy it is not.

I'm also about to cross "parka" off my autumn wish list

Lots of frumpy looking parents in our school playground most of the mums wear Boden dresses that look like they have been worn 100 times, a few wear bootcut jeans, others wear skinny jeans, blouses and there's a lot of joules being worn. I'm not really bothered what I wear, I don't tend to dress frumpy ( or I don't think I do ), I wear hoodies, am still wearing my summer shorts and my rocket dog shoes, I tend to wear Roxy, animal type clothing and a will wear skinny jeans in the winter but with funky boots ( I don't do brown and boring ), I do have tattoos and my hair is a mess but I don't consider this as frumpy .

Hmmm - i've just realised I am a frump :(

i have boot cut jeans (they suit me and I look terrible in skinnies), I also have a bob and several fleece. I would qualify that none of the fleece have pictures of animals (esp wolves) on them :o I also have Birkies.

I also have black work boots, wear black trousers and have an endless supply of pastely coloured cardigans for work......

Ffs

At least I don't go out doors in pjs or a onsie (I don't own any)..

OH GOD I OWN TWO PARKAS.

ONE OF THEM IS FROM BODEN.

implodes into black hole of mum cliche

Agree that it has become the new mum uniform.

But just because it is not original, does not mean it is frumpy.

The thing with skinnies is, they may be on their way out, but could never be described as "frumpy" as they are fitted.

Ubiquitous, yes.

But ubiquitous is not the same as frumpy