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Original poster

Are these trousers frumpy?

48 replies

SpiralAgain · 27/07/2023 07:31

I'm in my 30s and I really like these trousers. I know I shouldn't care what anyone else thinks, but I don't want to look like an old lady! I'm only asking/having doubts because of where they are from...

Are these trousers frumpy?
OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 27/07/2023 07:33

It depends what you are going to wear with it, that’s what will or won’t make them frumpy.

notanicepersonapparently · 27/07/2023 07:53

Are all old ladies frumpy?

greenteaandmarshmallows · 27/07/2023 07:55

Don't be so ageist.

I hate the trousers but if you love them go for it.

LizzieSiddal · 27/07/2023 07:57

They’re perfectly nice trousers.

How would you “look like an old lady” by putting on a pair of red trousers??

Original poster
SpiralAgain · 27/07/2023 08:00

They're from Damart, which is known for being worn by older women and for being quite frumpy. Note that those are not the same thing Wink

OP posts:
greenteaandmarshmallows · 27/07/2023 08:01

You're the one who said you don't want to look like an old lady.

Lentilweaver · 27/07/2023 08:02

Not frumpy but not to my taste.

timegoingtooquickly · 27/07/2023 08:03

Not to my taste but think the shoes don't help. Work differently they could be nice but wear what you like!

AlanJohnsonsBeamer · 27/07/2023 08:04

You can definitely make them work!

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 27/07/2023 08:08

I'm 34. I like them. I think they can be dressed up quite nicely.

LimeCheesecake · 27/07/2023 08:17

OP - you are never allowed to suggest that looking frumpy is a thing that exists, nor should you admit that for a young woman to dress in a way that makes her look like an old woman would be a negative thing. (And while we all understand what is meant by dressing like an old woman, we have to pretend there isn’t clearly an over 70s style look, because some over 70s woman don’t dress in that way. It’s totally fine to state something like “all the 15 year old girls round here wear cropped tops and baggy jeans” without being pounced on by posters pointing out that the existence of 15 year olds who don’t dress this way means you’re not allowed to say there is clearly a fashion/style for the majority of this sub section of society)

anyway, those are a fabulous colour, but I would find it hard to style them in a way that would look currently fashionable. If you already own a lot of great tips and shoes you could wear with them, they are a nice shade.

LimeCheesecake · 27/07/2023 08:22

Actually read on here a while ago that before buying any separate (top, jumper, trousers, skirt etc) you should think of different outfits you could make with it from your current wardrobe. If you can make at least 3, then go for it. Ideally aim for 5+.

Never buy a pair of trousers or a skirt you can only wear with one or two tops you currently own - a new item of clothing shouldn’t require you to buy more items of clothing, but should compliment your current wardrobe.

so OP, do you have a lot of clothes that would work with that shade of red and that style of trouser leg?

GingerIsBest · 27/07/2023 08:27

the colour is nice but the style isn't terribly current. But you could style them differently and they'd work I think. The shoes they're styled with in the picture are awful. I'd roll the legs up a little and wear either sandals or trainers.

Freshair1 · 27/07/2023 08:30

I'm seeing that with a pair of stompy ankle boots, oversized jumper and a fabulous winter coat. Yes.

Original poster
SpiralAgain · 27/07/2023 08:45

Freshair1 · 27/07/2023 08:30

I'm seeing that with a pair of stompy ankle boots, oversized jumper and a fabulous winter coat. Yes.

This is exactly what I had in mind!

Thanks all :)

OP posts:
Floisme · 27/07/2023 08:47

I will shortly be an old lady op. Would you like my opinion?

notanicepersonapparently · 27/07/2023 08:48

LimeCheesecake · 27/07/2023 08:17

OP - you are never allowed to suggest that looking frumpy is a thing that exists, nor should you admit that for a young woman to dress in a way that makes her look like an old woman would be a negative thing. (And while we all understand what is meant by dressing like an old woman, we have to pretend there isn’t clearly an over 70s style look, because some over 70s woman don’t dress in that way. It’s totally fine to state something like “all the 15 year old girls round here wear cropped tops and baggy jeans” without being pounced on by posters pointing out that the existence of 15 year olds who don’t dress this way means you’re not allowed to say there is clearly a fashion/style for the majority of this sub section of society)

anyway, those are a fabulous colour, but I would find it hard to style them in a way that would look currently fashionable. If you already own a lot of great tips and shoes you could wear with them, they are a nice shade.

I think it’s simply that I only know one over 70 who dresses ‘like that’.
Damart x Rouje is a thing. Does that make the trousers seem ok?

Freshair1 · 27/07/2023 08:48

SpiralAgain · 27/07/2023 08:45

This is exactly what I had in mind!

Thanks all :)

Show quote history

Very much a lorelai Gilmore kind of vibe. Autumnal.

Lentilweaver · 27/07/2023 08:49

A charcoal grey oversize jumper or coat might go well with this, IMHO. Not black. And yes to chunky boots or trainers.

rhiannon1967 · 27/07/2023 08:50

It's not the colour that's the problem. It's the cut. If you fancy red trousers I would look on Mango or Zara or M&S for something with a more modern cut.

These at M&S but linen so summer trousers

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-blend-pleated-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60593556?prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip19g2r2c2

Or these although they're a bit more of an orangey tomato red

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-tab-detail-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60579903?color=FLAME&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip19g2r3c2

Or if you're looking for something more casual there are the wide leg side stripes

https://www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-side-stripe-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60527230?color=FLAME&prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip19g2r1c1

If you google Victoria Beckham red trouser suit you can see how she styles one in a more modern way. Some if the images ate from a few years ago bit I think still look current.

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-samsung-rev2&sxsrf=AB5stBhyorHp_x2PBxPJWsChkH77RZJqZw:1690444065162&q=victoria+beckham+red+trouser+suit&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiUsJDwsq6AAxXVnFwKHfoOCdsQ0pQJegQICxAB&biw=412&bih=682&dpr=2.63#imgrc=rRGFE-QvalSneM

M&S

Linen Blend Pleated Wide Leg Trousers

A breezy wide leg design and satin-linen blend make these Autograph trousers perfect for summer. They drape elegantly from the high waist, with smart front pleats. For practicality, they fasten with a concealed hook and bar and are complete with side p...

https://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-blend-pleated-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60593556?prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg1pip19g2r2c2

mm47 · 27/07/2023 09:10

LimeCheesecake · 27/07/2023 08:17

OP - you are never allowed to suggest that looking frumpy is a thing that exists, nor should you admit that for a young woman to dress in a way that makes her look like an old woman would be a negative thing. (And while we all understand what is meant by dressing like an old woman, we have to pretend there isn’t clearly an over 70s style look, because some over 70s woman don’t dress in that way. It’s totally fine to state something like “all the 15 year old girls round here wear cropped tops and baggy jeans” without being pounced on by posters pointing out that the existence of 15 year olds who don’t dress this way means you’re not allowed to say there is clearly a fashion/style for the majority of this sub section of society)

anyway, those are a fabulous colour, but I would find it hard to style them in a way that would look currently fashionable. If you already own a lot of great tips and shoes you could wear with them, they are a nice shade.

Hurrah for someone telling it like it is! I was incredibly frumpy in my 20s and have become progressively better dressed as I have got older. I wish we could reclaim frumpy as a word that is not ageist: the Cambridge dictionary definition of frumpy is “dowdy and old-fashioned”

OP those trousers are a great colour as Lime says they are not currently fashionable so I suspect it will come down to how you intend to style them.

Olika · 27/07/2023 09:12

I like them if you pair them with a nice shirt and shoes

mm47 · 27/07/2023 09:17

Just read all the styling suggestions (stompy boots etc) and they sound great (files for future reference). @Floisme I for one would like your suggestions because I love finding ways of wearing stuff that is currently not in but could be made to work.

EmmaPaella · 27/07/2023 09:17

I like them and can’t see what is ‘old lady’ about them.

KPops22 · 27/07/2023 09:17

SpiralAgain · 27/07/2023 08:00

They're from Damart, which is known for being worn by older women and for being quite frumpy. Note that those are not the same thing Wink

I saw Damart jeans being plugged by an "influencer" if that helps 😉