So what precisely constitutes Frump?

[linmanuel]

Inspired by the thread about cardigans
I am wondering what makes something frumpy

Something that was fashionable over 15 years ago, eg the comments about heels or different styles and worn without any thought

No one says ‘you have to try harder’, but the sane women pop up in many threads complaining of being invisible. So to not be invisible you do sadly have to try harder.

*same

@PerditaProvokesEnmity

Sandals with tyre tread soles and thick straps. Beige windcheater jackets and toning jersey blouses with elastic waist trousers.

But ... these very things are the height of fashion right now. Exactly what any cutting edge, fairly new, designer-y website will show you.

They are the height of fashion on young people. So perhaps avoiding fashion traps is another good tip. What I was wearing at 15 would have looked fucking ridiculous on my mother in the nineties 🤣

I don’t think you can define it by simple clothing items or brands. What looks great on one person doesn’t suit another etc. and I agree that it’s just another term designed to put women down. But then, I am a bit conscious of not looking frumpy myself, so am annoyed with myself for buying into it. I‘ve come to the conclusion that it comes from being too apologetic in what you wear and how you carry yourself. I honestly don’t think that a confident person is ever going to look the dreaded ‘frumpy’, regardless of what they wear. It also depends on situation as some of the looks described on this thread (no makeup, hair tied back or unstyled, muted colours, loose clothing, sensible shoes etc.) could definitely just look casual to me.

I’ve just had a quick google and this image is a good example of what I visualise outfit wise when I think frumpy It’s a good example of how a few changes can make a big difference.

I know which of those 2 images I like better justanotherneigh and it's probably not the one I'm supposed to...
I think that plays too much to the idea that a woman must "show off her figure"

Some of the things that are in fashion right now!? cropped trousers. Wide legged cropped trousers. V neck button down cardigans.

@thedevilinablackdress

I know which of those 2 images I like better justanotherneigh and it's probably not the one I'm supposed to... I think that plays too much to the idea that a woman must "show off her figure"

I get it. Why do we have to feed into the idea of women are only worth something if they look sexual/fertile etc. I think it’s something we all struggle with. But to my mind I only try to look nice to please myself. I personally like having a smaller waist. I like the silhouette. Directly I put on weight i gravitate towards shapeless items and I don’t feel good about myself. I’m sure it’s vanity, I hold my hands up to that.

That’s an interesting comparison as she definitely looks quite a lot slimmer in the second image, but I would never look at the first woman and think ‘frumpy’ - she just looks fairly normal to me.

Both of those images are dated

@evilharpy

Another example of a different top in the same pattern from Fat Face. It must be to someone's taste but there's so much about this that looks frumpy.

Yes - it’s mainly those awful sleeves.

I'm not immune either justanotherneigh
If something is conventionally flattering I'll often feel more positive about it. Or if I'm feeling contrary, take it off and wear something that makes my DH do his confused face.

I just visualise that particular look that's like...a shapeless tunic top with old bootcut jeans and sensible but not remotely stylish ankle boots. Or waterfall cardigans!

Am I the only one who uses frumpy to describe men's and women's clothing and general lack of style? To me it's just that - a lack of style - and can apply to either sex. It's also got nothing to do with how confident you are imo.

Yes, I would say both of those images above are pretty frumpy!

Isn't the male equivalent of frumpy, 'dad'? As in 'dad jeans', 'dad shoes' etc?

I have a few shirt in a bright cream in a textured fabric which in theory should go simply with a number of items but I'm never comfy in it. On holiday a week or two ago I looked round the dining room at breakfast and two couples had very elderly mothers with them. Both wearing the same tee shirt but in pastel likely to have been in with a dark wash. I will never ever wear it again.

My DC are grown up but one the frumpy mums wore badly cut things - I'll fitting jeans with an ill fitting fleece and either the wrong boots or trainers but another mum in a fitted fleece, well fitting, well cut jeans with a cami or good t shirt underneath teamed with sleek shoes or boots and well cut/coloured hair could look great.

There's definitely a male equivalent although I'm not sure I've ever heard the word "frumpy" used to describe a man. But I would think of baggy shapeless jeans, baggy shapeless washed out t shirt (probably that came free with something and/or featuring a video game character), untidy hair in need of a proper cut, maybe a fleece or something anoraky.

Frumpy = anything you used to be able to buy in Bon Marche.

I think we used to call the male equivalent the ‘Man at C&A’ look.

What would today’s version be? Man at M&S?

I have a pair of these but in green suede with maroon laces. I always thought they looked quite stylish and wore them for work with eg black opaque tights and knee length fitted denim dress. Then one day I saw a woman of about 75 wearing them with elasticated trousers and acrylic cardi.
Was quite shocked and had to have a really good look at them. But I still like them.
similar story- I have a midi length, fitted linen dress in a biggish yellow/orange/brown pattern that I was wearing with black patent birkenstocks. Then I saw a woman wearing the exact same dress but with what I think of as 'normal' tights, high heeled sandals, a matching handbag and permed hair. Again I thought, more or less, bloody hell is that what I look like? But concluded I didn't.

Ha ha @griffinrise. I have those shoes. Wear them for work and for long walks. Have had lots of compliments but also saw an elderly and badly dressed woman wearing them. In context of elderly I am 60: wear them with opques and work dresses.

Googled the word Frumpy...most online dictionaries define as a woman who etc etc 🙄😡

For me , it's buying everything the same colour ( usually when people just buy black ) . I know black goes with everything , it looks more expensive than pattern or colour , but does it have to be the Go To?
Security , familiarity? The notion that Black=Slimming ?
Who knows ?

I tend to buy navy ( as with black it;s a safe option) but I try to stay out of my comfort zone ( jusy how many navy TShirts do I need ? )

And any fabric that nasty to touch or I can imagine going through a boil wash and coming out unscathed

@OhTheRoses I am the same age as you- we are definitely not elderly, nor frumpy!

@SoManyActivities, I’d say dad I said the main equivalent, so dad bod, dadcore, dad jeans, dad dancing and I’d probably say Superdry Dad is the thing these days, albeit Blue Harbour etc. probs. not far behind.