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Original poster

Cute, quirky clothes vs luxury, sexy grown up clothes?

42 replies

hobanoba · 08/09/2015 18:54

I for one am firmly in the cute and quirky clothes camp so that might be things like white stuff, some monsoon, fat face, libertys, bits of vintage and homemade. I have seen white stuff and boden refered to on here as childrens clothes for grown ups and I kind of see what they mean but I like it and it suits my personality.

The other camp is more to me about being sexy, luxurious, glam etc which is fine for those who like it and I can see that it suits some women but personally it is a style I dislike.

What side of the divide are you on or are you a straddler?

OP posts:
Doobigetta · 08/09/2015 19:05

Definitely the latter, sorry. I'm a grown woman, I don't want to be thought of as cute. I want to be sophisticated, elegant and awe-inspiring. I'm not saying I necessarily achieve that, but that's the idea. I want people to look at me and think, wow, she's amazing- not, aw, bless, I could pat her on the head. "Sexy" to me has connotations of "out of reach"' though- not "help yourself". So I think there are probably more than two camps here.

NotTodaySatan · 08/09/2015 19:08

I think I do quirky and sexy.

I would never wear anything from White Stuff or Monsoon (to me they're mumsy rather than cute) but I do have a weakness for kitsch prints, leopard print and anything vintage. But I wear them with killer shoes and my hair and makeup is always on point so I think I look my kind of stylish.

Like Doob I'd hate for people to assume I was ditsy or cute due to what I wore. Eurgh.

PatriciaHolm · 08/09/2015 19:10

I wouldn't describe Boden, fat face or white stuff as quirky at all - they are fairly mainstream everyday stuff, surely?

And yes, many many more camps than 2!

CeeceeBloomingdale · 08/09/2015 19:12

I wouldn't say either of those looks were my camp

BrandNewAndImproved · 08/09/2015 19:14

Camp 2! I really dislike childish clothes on myself. I like powerful clothes.

Original poster
hobanoba · 08/09/2015 19:16

Well I meant that boden, fat face and white stuff, monsoon clothes were more cute, some of it is cute? The other stuff home made, vintage was the quirky bit.

I haven't shopped in monsoon in ages but I have some great vintage peices from their that I love and aren't at all mumsy.

I don't think I dress to create an impresson on people or to make a statement I just pick what personally like and enjoy.

OP posts:
mewkins · 08/09/2015 19:24

I think I am with you but I think there are varying degrees of what you describe. I love Zooey Deschanel's style - I think she looks great, grown up but with her own unique style. I probably look odd if I ho for anything too grown up - my frame doesn't suit it somehow and it looks like I am playing dressing up.

StormCoat · 08/09/2015 19:31

I don't fall into either camp - I don't think the sartorial opposite of 'quirky' is 'glam/sexy'. The kind of clothes I wear are soft, slouchy but well-cut, in strong, darkish colours, with good leather messenger bags or rucksacks, and flats or biker boots. I love Margaret Howell, for instance. I do like expensive clothes, but don't buy many, and take very good care of every garment.

I don't get the appeal of Boden/Joules/White Stuff to be honest - depending on body type, those busy prints make many women look either wispy and girlie or blowsy and mumsy.

AsTimeGoesBy · 08/09/2015 19:33

Neither, I would shudder at being described as having either cute and quirky or sexy dress sense. I don't do glam or luxury other than for special occasions. I do fall into the more FatFace / White Stuff camp, but definitely not vintage, kitsch or quirky. Probably am mumsy, but I look just like 99% of the other women I know, which is fine with me.

dementedDementor · 08/09/2015 19:37

I've never shopped at any of the shops you mentioned but I don't think I look glam either.

Notoedike · 08/09/2015 19:40

Op do you mean cute in the American sense or the British sense?

PacificDogwood · 08/09/2015 19:41

Hm. I am most certainly NOT in camp one (although I own and wear some of the brands you mention) and I would like to aspire to be in camp 2 but I need clothes that are a. washable and b. don't need ironing Grin
I don't foresee me turning in to a Fashion Goddess any time soon.
I'm still awesome and I rock

Olivepip59 · 08/09/2015 19:44

I know a grown woman of 47 who wears round-toed Mary Jane shoes, 'fun' tights and dots felt flowers about her hair and person.

I believe her handbag is shaped like a flower pot.

I itch to put her on the dollies' shelf in the toy shop.

Floisme · 08/09/2015 19:47

Neither.
I aim for fierce.

Pointlessfan · 08/09/2015 19:54

I can't afford the likes of Boden or Joules and my job involves being on my feet all day so I don't do heels either. I don't think I fit into either of the looks you describe.

Orangeanddemons · 08/09/2015 19:56

I like fierce too. Luxurious, well made fierce. I would hate to look either quirky or sexy. I prefer to look strong.

herecomesthsun · 08/09/2015 20:05

Ah, I did like the Lulu Guinness flower pot bags. When I was a couple of decades younger. Now you come to mention it, I am wondering whether I would want to sport one now- I think if I had succumbed I might now be keeping it for my daughter.

I happily wore pink dungarees, tops falling off my shoulder to a ridiculous degree, court shoes with multiple zips and so on in my 20s, but they wouldn't suit me now.

orlakielyimnot · 08/09/2015 20:06

I would like to say something great and strong about my look but I think my look, which aims for professional side of quirky/hipster sometimes veers toward an amish sort of vibe. They will not put on my gravestone "here lies the trendsetter of her generstion".

Original poster
hobanoba · 08/09/2015 20:12

Hmmm ok so I guess I was limiting my style camps I would say also what some of you think of as cute and quirky isn't the same as my take on it. It is probably not possible without images. I would totally wear bright coloured tights and round toed mary janes at any age but I'm not into the the flower pot bag. My style icon is probabaly someone like Frida Kahlo in that I like big skirts, bright colours and a mix and match look with ethnic, folksy type prints and designs.

You can then add cute peices from the high street and it all looks good to me. Not sure what I mean by cute I am british so probabaly that also I do see kids clothes I would totally wear if they fit me.

OP posts:
Judydreamsofhorses · 08/09/2015 20:57

I am not keen on the whole Boden/Whitestuff thing, and don't generally like it on other people either. Equally, I don't think anything I wear is at all sexy. A typical outfit for me would be skinny jeans, a blouse, and Chelsea boots - I have a fierce haircut and always have red lipstick/painted nails. My style is generally described - by others - as "stylish". As an adult I would really hate for someone to describe me as "cute"!

Notoedike · 08/09/2015 21:12

I don't feelw the need to look sexy or cute....I suppose I aspire to be stylish and a bit edgy.

PennyPants · 08/09/2015 22:42

Neither. Though I can do glam if the occasion requires it. I'm more casual/rock chick but subtle not the Gemma Teller or Alice Cooper kind. And Dh always thinks I is sexy obvs.

PetiteBateau · 08/09/2015 22:50

Cute: ugly but appealing

PetiteBateau · 08/09/2015 22:51

I would hate to be described as cute

dementedDementor · 08/09/2015 23:03

What is a fierce haircut?