Are dresses and leggings frumpy?

[Whiterabbitears]

I'm 36 and a big girl, 6ft tall. I am the queen of tunics and wide legged trousers which I am sick of, I wear them because they cover me up. I want to start wearing knee length dresses in a modern style and I feel the need to cover my legs as its winter and I'm too scared to bare. I'm wondering though if I'm just moving from one frumpy style to another? Also what footwear do I need as I don't have a clue! I am the dreaded black flat shoe wearer, comfort over style.

100% frumpy to me, yes. I wouldn't. Ever.

Extremely frumpy sorry. I’m 20 and would never, ever.

Can’t you wear the trousers with a nice top instead (Eg high waisted white/black trousers, silk blouse). Or the dresses with knee/thigh high boots or tights, long coat/jacket?

Extremely frumpy.

A pair of Chelsea boots and some very thick black tights is what you want, to go with the dresses.

I wear short dresses, leggings and boots and think I look bloody marvellous lol. Not frumpy at all 😂

I wear knee length dresses and leggings and ankle boots (couldn't find knee-high boots that fit). I am obese and 38. I might be the queen if frump but I get a lot of compliments!

I mostly wear colourful 50's style/ skater type dresses. I need a dress with a bit of hourglass to give the illusion of a waist.

Thick black tights and ankle boots would look a lot nicer. If you struggle with tights falling down, just put an extra pair of pants over the top and it stops it happening!

If you have ankle boots on is there really a visual difference between thick black tights and thin black leggings?
Leggings are more comfortable usually.

I used to wear dresses with leggings but don't anymore. I'm not even sure why. Reflecting on it, I think it might be because I think it's a bit frumpy. I do agree with posters saying thick tights are a better alternative. Or maybe jeans.

I wear leggings and long tops/dresses all the time. It's practical and comfortable and tbh I don't know what else I could wear as a size 16, that would look reasonable. Fashion isn't designed for 40+ women like me - I don't want short tops or short skirts. And why oh why is everything made from artificial materials that don't let skin breathe?

What I do have is lots of gorgeous ankle boots and nice bags, which make me feel less frumpy.

If I'm honest, I think the thing that makes women look frumpy is being fat. When I was slim, I looked great, whatever I wore.

I think it depends on the length of the dresses.
I have thick black ponte jeggings with a visible seam down the front of the legs. I wear these with drapey knit tunics and jumper dresses in the winter. This feels less exposed than wearing tights or thin leggings.

I'm plus size and on the talk side, though not as tall as you. I wear skater dresses. Always get loads of compliments when I wear them! I think Dorothy perkins is good For Dresses. they do a tall range And Not Too Pricey.

If You Want Tights, thebigtightscompany.co.uk are fab, they actually fit. I buy 120 denier which are a very dark black, and they are very flattering.

For boots with wide calves, yoursclothing.co.uk are great.

I take that back - I think the thickness of the tights or leggings is more important, actually.
I love the comfort of thin leggings but they tend to look wrinkly and shiny on me. Tights look better than leggings on me if I am wearing a knee length dress. But that’s just me.

Opaque tights and ankle boots always look better, although I think leggings good if worn with t-shirts and trainers - as a leisure look. At least that's what I do

Leggings look fine with ankle boots. I think you can avoid the frumpy look that way.

No difference between thick tights and leggings really I don't think. I would either wear ankle boots or longer boots.

I’m permanently in casual dresses leggings or tights and in the weather boots, your lovely and tall so I wouldn’t go for knee length boots I’d go for casual smart ankle length maybe something like this www.clarks.co.uk/c/Orinoco-Spice/p/26110935
I think when your tall boot length is so important.

I think leggings are sometimes worn with a dress that's a bit shorter than you'd normally wear. That's a look I'm not too keen on. But I think leggings with a standard length dress and boots look absolutely fine - in fact I don't understand why so many people say thick tights look better as I can't normally tell the difference.

Leggings are so much warmer though. I wear my dresses and leggings with Chelsea boots, no gap between boot and leggings. I am aware of the potential frump factor but think I'm just on the right side of it.

I honestly don't think there are hard and fast rules about whether leggings and dresses etc are 'frumpy' or not. I think it depends on your overall 'look'. I am tall with a reasonable figure (for my age) but I look god awful in leggings and dresses/tunic tops etc. I think it's because I don't generally have a cool look, my postures a bit crap etc so I end up feeling like an old granny and look really frumpy and naff. I have friends who have cool hair etc who can pull off the leggings and dress combo and look fabulous and 'edgy'.

If I were you, I'd ask a trusted friend whose style you quite like to go shopping with you. Try on the combo, some ankle boots etc and get their honest opinion. Don't get sucked into the 'certain clothes are frumpy' etc as you may totally rock the look!

Tights or knee boots will cover your legs.

I don’t think leggings with dresses really adds anything.

If you are 6 foot, you can look fab in dresses. You don’t say what your dimensions are, but I’d start with body shape. A lot of tall girls, me included (although I am a mere 5’8” and would love to be your height), have good arms and legs but not much of a waist. So you should look for something that shows off your best bits and doesn’t look sack-like around your middle (eg tunic dresses worn with leggings!)

Knee boots look good with dresses, provided that they aren’t too clumpy. You should also consider over the knee boots worn with fitted trousers. They look great on long legs.

Don’t cover yourself up. Height is such an advantage for making clothes look good. There’s a reason why models are all tall.

I'm very plus size, I'm too embarrassed to say my size let's say I'm a Yours, Evans girl. I am an apple shape hence the baggy tops to cover my tummy. I do have good boobs so I'm going to try and find more fitted dresses that give me a good cleavage so people notice that rather than the lack of waist.

Boots and tights seem to be the consensus here. Are Chelsea boots fashionable then? Its not a style I would normally choose but I do like them. Would any of you wear ballet pumps with leggings or am I heading back towards frumpsville?

Definitely go for the Chelsea boot over the ballet flat. Also much warmer and you won't get wet feet!

Good thinking! I tend to wear ballet bumps a lot as I wear size 9 so worry that boots make my feet look huge whilst the pumps make them look smaller somehow.