What's your definition of frumpy?

[stripytees]

I don't know if this is an MN thing but I'm always seeing people saying clothes from brands like Boden and White Stuff are frumpy.

I don't understand.

My definition of frumpy is someone who dresses very plain and quite old-fashioned - like black or navy work trousers (probably badly fitting) with a plain t-shirt that was bought 10 years ago and got a bit out of shape, with a cardigan that is slightly too big and probably in an unflattering colour, worn with very sensible shoes like those from the Clarks UnStructured range.

Boden and White Stuff and other similar brands on the other hand sell short, colourful dresses and skirts, scoop neck tops, bright prints, high heels and colourful flats... the opposite of frumpy! But maybe I'm odd because I don't even consider M&S clothes frumpy although I think it's also possible to buy frumpy clothes from M&S.

FWIW I'm in my early 30's.

I think what looks frumpy on one person could look great on someone else. I think of frumpy as being badly fitting, shapeless or unflattering of fit. There's always something good to show off!

I agree that frumpy would call to mind - shapeless clothing, baggy assed trousers.... etc.

However, it is also a styling issue.
Some people can wear anything... even M & S Classic Range.... and look good and 'not frumpy'.
A case of not what you wear.... but how you wear it !! :)

Boden isn't frumpy, just sometimes a bit unsophisticated IMHO - and expensive for the quality/fit (again IMHO). Maybe I'm not a Boden person...

Frumpy is shapelessness, and dull colours, to me.

There was a really interesting debate about this a few months back on here.

I think some people will have a standard idea of what constitutes frumpy clothing but I agree with PP - it's more how you wear it.

I don't particularly like the term, though I know what people are getting at. To me it's more a sense of someone not caring what they look like, though not simply in an "I'm not interested in what I look like" but more in a "I don't think it's worth me making a remote effort" sense.

I don't think dull colours are frumpy. I love black, navy and grey but don't think I ever look frumpy.

To me frumpy is wearing the same utilitarian zip up fleece, boot cut jeans and Mum boots every day. Or horrors of horrors, my personal pet peeve is people who have a handbag when they are wearing a walking jacket - it's just so wrong.

Also agree with OP I see a lot of people at work who clearly have a work uniform, so polyester trousers (usually badly fitting) with a baggy black top or overly patterned Next one and a black blazer.

Then I try to give myself a bit of a slap around for being so judgemental. I like clothes and I'd hate to wear the same jacket every day for 6 months, it would distress me greatly, but to some people it genuinely doesn't care and I'd actually like to be more like them.

My hair is a mess, has not been cut or coloured for well over a year and looks lank and greasy most days. I don't have enough time to worry about my clothes so I throw on anything that looks vaguely warm (my house is freezing) and this usually involves three or four layers, including the unsightly over-sized cardigan you mention in your original post, OP. My aim, before having children, used to be to look stylish and smart. My aim now is to feel warm and disguise my saggy bum, flat chest and pregnant-looking belly as much as possible.

I also try too hard when I go for (rare) nights out and end up looking awkward in an ill-fitting wrap dress, while everyone else is rocking a totally cool blogger-inspired ensemble of boyfriend jeans and trainers.

That, OP, is frumpy.

Frumpy is me.

I live in the country (mud mud mud) have to walk dog twice a day. I dress purely for this. Unless I go out.

I dress nicely in summer, if it is a dry summer.

Today I am wearing wellies, leggings, wax coat and woollly hat.

I don't think it's being untidy which is what scruffy hair etc indicate. I would attribute that to there being no point, eg elegant dog walkers?! or no time, eg school run. I wouldn't call that frumpy just functional.

I think frumpy is shapeless and beige. Colours that drown you out. The clarks sensible flat shoes epitomise frump to me.

It's also age appropriate. I think that the Duchess of Cambridge is quite often frumpy with her shiny nude tights and dull choices when she's only my age. I wouldn't dream of wearing many of her outfits.

All of this:

corporette.com/2010/02/09/some-thoughts-on-frump/

stripey your 'definition of frumpy' pretty much describes my work uniform though In My Defence, no cardigan (navy fleece instead), and I wear a skin tone vest and then put on my white tunic at work.

I did treat myself to some nice new M&S straight leg slacks pull on trousers to replace my baggy arsed Bonne Marche ones.

I work in NHS Healthcare so I can do frumpy as long as I look hygienic, smart and approachable.

Obviously away from work I'm as foxy as hell................

Actually....on the Frump Front.
Things I don't like (but are probably 'high fashion' )

high heeled platform strappy sandles - mega sixties frump

shirts under jumper with the collar over the top (ok if the collar is slightly upstanding)

high heeled courts with jeans or trousers ( in my day, it was considered a 'poor' look )

knee length skirts and long boots that show leg - though I like a long skirt + boots or a mini skirt with boots.

I am truly frumpy today, but in fairness it's because I'm wearing my work uniform (a genuine uniform - not a self imposed one). Think dark skinny jeans (not frumpy yet - perfectly fine) with a delightful oversized red zip up fleece with a work logo on it, Hotter boots (which look perfectly non frumpy when styled properly, but totally shit with my work fleece), tied back hair and a stunner of a waterproof jacket over the top, plus old scarf. Hot. Don't know how my husband keeps his hands off me.

Oh, and my vote for frumpery goes to those crappy shirt/jumper combinations which are one top made to look like a jumper over a shirt. Really, what is the need for those?

I'd say:

• very patterned polyester tops
• fleeces at work
• scarves
• bootleg trousers that are just an inch too short
• mum boots*
• putting on weight and dressing as if you haven't because, of course, you'll have lost that extra really soon so there's no point buying the next size up*
• big badger stripe of grey hair along the parting*
• bra that is not man enough for the job

• I am guilty of these

Me in anything with a belt at the waist

There are no colours which are by definition frumpy IMO - I suit creamy/beigish colours as they flatter my hair and skin. I feel good when I wear them.

Frumpy to me is mid-calf, shapeless skirt teamed with bog-standard t-shirt and flat sensible sandals. Disclaimer: I have worn all of these items on many an occasion.

70s I wear all of those

Noddy for shame

70's I'd wear and love all those too!

But I wouldnt be seen dead in flappy bootcuts, fleece or anorak thing unless doing something outdoorsy, mum boots, patterned tunic thingy. Flowery Jersey stuff....scarves are feeling a bit old now too but I can't give up the warmth.

I wear all of 70's list too!

Ahh, see, I never claimed to have style of fashion sense and I have one of those jumper with shirt collar/cuffs combo tops.

I saw a woman in town t'other day with very original hair (not my taste but maybe ot's the Next Thing) .....................half was blonde, half very dark brown.
As in left side/right side not the underside a different colour when you put it up.

It's different for all but for me it means;
Trousers at half mast,
Curled under bob with thick curled under fringe- seen this recently,
Mad big flowery prints,
Anything with bows on,

Crap jeans/trousers that don't fit round the bum properly,
Tights with open toe sandals
Linen trousers

This was a really good thread (possibly the one SallyStarbuck meant).

a set of pearls might look great against a boatneck

Jewellery tip from Greengardenpixie's link.