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.

Any garment that does not fit well.
Anything too short or too long.
Colours that do not flatter the wearer. There is no point in buying a capsule wardrobe of black, grey and beige (for example) if your colouring is crying out for navy, red and cream.
Hairstyles can also be VERY frumpy. If you insist on wearing your long, straight hair with a centre parting in the style of long, straight hair with a centre parting, it should, at least, suit your face and what you wear.
Any piece of clothing or accessory (bag or shoes) that looks well past its best is also frumpy. Fine to keep things for 20 or 30+ years, but they need regular maintenance.

I'm 51. I have longish straight hair with a fringe and centre parting. My dress style is contemporary. Does my hair make me frumpy? How else would you suggest I wear it?

I am just not frumpy, despite having the above hair style. I'm too old for a quiffy type thing, not quite ready for a pixie crop, don't want a bob, and layers make my hair look wild. So actually I'm quite happy with my straight hair. I have a long face, so a fringe is the best style for me

No- I think you have missed the point. This is not about the style per se but about the look on her. The hair was dyed an all-over block of colour- looked dead. The style was very 'stiff' and the ends fiercely turned under - just below jaw length- and looked as if it had been coated in hair spray to keep it that way.
Nothing wrong with a bob as such- or a centre parting- or a fringe- but this one looked terrible. IMO.

Oh yeah, I know what you mean. There's a woman near me who hair sprays her hair under and her fringe flicked out. When the wind blows, her whole hair moves at once!

I think we can all get away with a certain level of frumpiness - mum boots for instance. Partnered with skinny jeans and a nice top no problem. Partnered with a fleece and baggy jeans, frumpilicous.

things become frumpy as well. I put on my bootcut jeans last week after a good year of wearing slim fit and my husband thought they looked awful and I had to agree, frump city. I also put on a jumpsuit I hadnt worn for ages, I remember it being elegant, it looked like a black sack.

Orange my awful mother does that (no contact but I doubt the hair has changed at all recently, she's done the same thing with it since she was 20). She cuts it herself and every morning uses hairspray to "bond" each chunk to the one below it so that it forms this huge solid helmet. It honestly does all move as one when the wind blows and she gets through a cab of hairspray every few days!!

*can obv. A taxi load of the stuff would be a mean feat even for her

I think some people just don't care that much about clothes. Plenty of vibrant, passionate, compassionate, intelligent people are just thinking about something else and don't care what they wear as long as it keeps them warm, dry and within the law.

Frumpy is bosoms in an ill fitting/poorly supportive bra.

So I might be thinking

"White Stuff! aren't you aware that they stopped producing anything wearable in 2010!!"

and somebody else might be thinking "WTF? it is a skirt that covers up the space from my knees to my waist, providing warmth and enabling me to leave the house without somebody calling the police, I'm off to plan my next ascent of Everest".

merry - couldn't agree more, I've just had a really pleasant lunch with nine like minded women, we get on great, do lots of interesting and varied things together. I just looked at the footwear and yes, everyone of us was wearing 'mum boots'.

frumpilicous - I rather like that description of myself.

I also agree with merry in fact, I rarely if ever think someone looks 'frumpy'. I might think they are interested in comfortable clothes, a bit out of date, not that fussed about their looks, or liking hiking, but I wouldn't see a fleece, for example, and think 'frumpy'. Or indeed mum boots. Or scarves. None of these things are frumpy to me, they are just ordinary clothes that millions of ordinary people wear.

'Frumpy' is just a phrase to put down middle-aged women whose figures reflect their lives and don't spend as much time as most young people on their appearance. Given that my students' lives are ruled by their looks, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Scarves ... frumpy ??
Scarves are fabulous..... can pull everything together.
Something not right at the neck - throw on a scarf.
A bit cool - throw on a big scarf.
Feeling hot - take off your big scarf.

My scarves are not small squares, they are long, big, wraps, massive triangles, heavyweight, lightweight, and always coordinate.

I don't know - maybe folks are looking at me and saying....
"""See yer woman in the scarf, she's dead frumpy""" :)

A lot of the things described on here as frumpy on here just sound like clothes that show someone's personality. Women in fleeces, rain coats and sensible shoes are outdoorsy and often like dogs. Women in White Stuff prints seem warm, friendly and often seem to like baking and crafting. Women in utilitarian styles often work in or have an interest in the Arts.

The criticism of frumpy clothes seems to be that they don't flatter the figure or make someone look older. I'm not really bothered about other people's figures or age. But the way people express themselves through clothing can be interesting.

An example was the condemnation of William Morris bags. I don't own one, but I love Morris prints. It cheers me up to see someone walking around appreciating one in bag form. I love prints in general.

Frumpy is nothing to do with being middle-aged- or any age.

I had friends at school who were frumpy at 17 and are still frumpy now.

I also think it's a bit precious to suggest that caring how you look and putting some effort into hair, clothes , figure and make up is some how at odds with having a brain, a professional job, or an interesting life.

Being interested in fashion and/or caring about your appearance isn't at odds with having a professional job/brain/interesting life.

It's just that it's not an interest that everybody shares. For many people, clothes are more functional than anything else.

I have no idea from this thread what non frumpy wear, as it covers pretty much everything that every woman I know wears.

But I assume it is a difference in style rather than amount of effort.

A difference in style as in prefers a different type of clothes, not as in more stylish.

I think it's the idea that somebody who is 'frumpy' has 'given up' or 'doesn't care' that I am arguing against.

I think for many people their interest in fashion and clothes is similar to my interest in formula 1 - I am vaguely aware that it exists but I am perfectly happy to manage without it.

MerryMouse, I think it is two groups. Some people are frumpy because they just want to wear functional clothes. Some are frumpy because they like that clothing style.

When I'm wearing an Empire line floral dress and a cardigan, it isn't because I gave up and just grabbed a frumpy dress. I went to an effort to pick out that dress and buy it because I like prints and empire lines. I don't mind if it is not in fashion.

I'd like to nominate another frumpish garment having spent the day out and about in Paris looking at what people are wearing after reading this thread - those black quilted coats that look a bit like a duvet! Warm I dare say, but stylish no! And merrymouse I quite agree Being interested in fashion and/or caring about your appearance isn't at odds with having a professional job/brain/interesting life. It's just that it's not an interest that everybody shares. For many people, clothes are more functional than anything else. But this thread is not about whether it's ok to be frumpy, which of course it is, but rather what constitutes frumpy - for those who want to avoid it, but aren't sure how.

That is a good point almondcakes.

I think there are a few posts on this thread implying that it isn't OK to be frumpy.

But, fair enough, this is 'style and beauty', so perhaps that is to be expected…

I also think it's a bit precious to suggest that caring how you look and putting some effort into hair, clothes , figure and make up is some how at odds with having a brain, a professional job, or an interesting life I would never suggest that, I am myself exceedingly vain and concerned with looking nice (as well as having a professional job, brain etc), but I completely respect my many colleagues, friends and people I know who just aren't that interested in clothes at all, it's just not their thing or perhaps it was a while back but it isn't now. They don't look frumpy though to me.