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 that frumpy is definitely a state of mind. To me, a frumpy person is someone who lacks confidence in their appearance and as a result makes little effort.

I work in the legal profession and one of the most eminent female lawyers I know ,wears a full face of makeup and dresses in an elegant , yet fashionable manner. She is respected by her peers, because she is the best at what she does.

Badly fitting jeans epitomise frumpy for me. Especially the boot cut ones which are slightly too short and slightly too high waisted. It doesn't matter how little or much you spend on jeans, just find some that fit properly or they'll look awful.

Agree with everyone who says big boobs. They're a curse when the go over a d cup. I should really lose the 10 pounds I gained over the festive season (!) as I currently look like a barrel in chunky knits.

I own lots of bits from white stuff and boden but nothing which would be readily identifiable as coming from there. White stuff is becoming increasingly frumpy these days - I think they've upped the age for their target market and are appealing to per una fans with a bit more cash to splash these days.

Purely in the interest of research I popped into Fat Face earlier this eveing. Yes there were a number of luridly patterned t-shirts including those ones with a pocket on one boob ( do they suit anybody at all?), but there was also a good range of jeans with different cuts so skinny, relaxed skinny, demi curve, natural ,boyfriend, and a nice plain summer dress in navy blue or black that I am now coveting, along with some reasonable looking striped breton tops.
It's too easy to stay that a brand is frumpy - what people mean is that certain items associated with that shop are frumpy, not everything there.

Oh on the jeans subject - kick flare might be in, but whilst I'm not quite up on the latest trends I suspect it's different from boot cut. People tend to make the mistake of keeping jeans and either not noticing they are back in fashion or thinking that their particular style has come back, whereas there will be something changed so it's not worth keeping them.

I'm holding on though - just bought two pairs of skinnies in the Mint Velvet sale - maybe I'll be frumpy in them, how knows .

Agree its not an age thing.(clings on hopefully)

I'm presuming that these are neither frumpy nor mum boots, btw. I've been stomping around in them for the past couple of months and they are fab. They look like they mean business!
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005ERP644?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Yes, them's not mumboots!

Ignoring the bright yellow - absolutely not my colour - the Landsend mac would be better on me because I'm short of leg. I look swamped in coats that finish on my thighs and need one that finishes on my hips to avoid accentuating my little legs.

There's also an element of whatever a woman wears it says something and sometimes a groomed look isn't actually the look you want.

This.

I walk a lot, get wet a lot and dress accordingly. I'll dress a little smarter if I'm out shopping or at a meeting than if I'm just dragging DS1 up and down the hill to school but even then, it's skinnies, a tunic or shirt and my big boots, at this time of year. My hair is beautifully cut, but I'm wearing a hat, tyvm (usually a lacey slouch, but a more solid one, if it's windy - earache isn't a good look on anyone). And I do commit the crime of using a handbag with my waterproof parka, unless I'm doing the school run, but it's a utilitarian cross body one with lots of pockets because I do need somewhere to put my wallet, keys, tissues etc without stuffing my pockets silly and making myself look fatter than I am. I like my clothes and accessories to do a job.

And if anyone even tried to suggest I'd look better with a little tinted moisturiser and mascara, I'd ask them if they'd say the same to DH.

My lack of being "groomed" and the androgynous look I tend to have is nothing to do with not caring how I look. It's actually a look that's evolved over many years to suit my changing shape and my lifestyle. And it's definitely evolved to reflect the fact that I'm "country" rather than "city", these days, though the city I do live near is one where people who don't wear flat, sensible shoes stand out as faintly ridiculous and soon buy something less precarious when they sprain their ankle on the hills and cobbles.

Oh god bras, yes, bras make the world of difference.

I've been decently fitted for several years now and constantly harp on to friends that they can't possibly be the size they are. Size 10, but a 34C? No way!

Also women on the street - I stare at far too many women's chests now But it's staggering how many women out there who have breasts that jiggle even at a walking pace...

Sometimes people can look frumpy even when they're trying hard - like trying too hard.
Frumpiness basically means unstylish.

I think everyone is guilty of getting it wrong sometimes and looking too old for their age, wider than they truly are, or just plain unstylish (you don't have to be fashionable to look stylish!).

I'm definitely not a naturally stylish person and have to work hard to make myself look "effortless" and good and not too try-hard. Sometimes make it work, sometimes I just don't have a clue how, sometimes I have better things to worry about.

I agree large busts easily look matronly or slutty, which is very annoying, just have to remind myself other people put themselves through surgery to have boobs as large as mine!!

I'm often drawn to the lumps on women's backs, in supermarket queues. And in summer, the bra fastening up somewhere between their shoulder blades. Even my bigger banded soft cup slobbing around the house bras don't ride up like that!

It must come down to knowing what's broadly in fashion in shapes and lengths, knowing what suits you, and the occasion, and having the natural style/grooming/poise to carry off whatever you're wearing with confidence. All of which are quite subjective. It's ridiculous to say scarves are frumpy, you might as well say shoes.

I've got to stick up for knitting patterns, they've changed out of all recognition since they went online. this I reckon is my next effort. But don't take the word of a frumpy person.

On the subject of "whatever a woman wears, it always says something"

faculty.georgetown.edu/tannend/nyt062093.htm

Because most people are a much smaller back than they think.

Rudymentary - I'm a size 12 and wear a 32" bra so I imagine a size 10 would wear a 30" bra.

Yes - size 8-10 and wear a 28 back.

Trills what an interesting article. Is so true where I work, I almost begrudge the men their practical "unmarked" business uniform. No make-up, hairstyling, tights, high heels, skirts etc to fuss about with before you even get to work.

To me, frumpy is more about the fit and about posture. You could have on haute couture but if it doesn't fit correctly or you're all slouched over it looks frumpy. I also have a friend who always looks smart no matter what she's wearing because it always fits her to a 'T' and her posture is fab.

People on mn hilariously overuse the word frumpy. I think it's especially funny that fatface is accused of being "older" and frumpy when it is worn round here by every girl age 15-19. I think a lot if mn mistake frumpy for casual and non-urban. I'd love to see their three inch nude heels on the beach :)

so true. there is no woman that can't be read fairly easily (depending on the observer's attitudes and assumptions of course, as the writer says).

Similar, LaQueen - swore blind I was a 32D, walked out wearing a 28FF. Hence why I now eye up all my friends and laugh when they announce their bra size.

I agree on Fat Face, White Stuff etc. I have a very tall friend who looks amazing in their stuff. I am very short, and could be an advertisement for the concept of 'frumpy' in their clothes.