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Original poster

Is being called glamorous a compliment?

142 replies

SaltNShakeCrisps · 09/12/2023 14:04

I'm asking because I am not taking it as one.

I've been told quite a few times that I am glamorous, or I look glamorous, but I don't know if I particularly like it as a compliment.

To me, the word makes me think of someone on Ru Pauls drag show, where they get all done up and then look like Joan Collins at an Oil Barons Ball. It makes me conscious that I have over done it with fake everything.

I don't think I am glamorous. In fact I spend 90% of my time in jeans and trainers with a bit of mascara. When I do have to get done up, I think it is still quite low key. I don't have boobs or legs on show, I don't wear a lot of makeup, I don't have big 80's hair and I don't wear a lot of jewellery, just some simple small diamond studs.

I went to a wedding and a few people said it to me, then at work, then at a party.

I'm just interested to hear what others think and if they think it is a compliment, and I should be happy to receive it instead of looking a gift horse in the mouth.

OP posts:
Original poster
SaltNShakeCrisps · 09/12/2023 14:37

I knew I had come to the right place!

Clowniform, it's not the vibe I go for either. I definitely do not overdo myself. I don't have false eyelashes or fake nails or anything like that. I do get told it quite a lot, and by people I don't know, when I have made a bit of an effort.

It might be an old school look as I have been told facially, that I've got a 50's look. Not the clothes mind!

I feel vain writing all this. It has been bugging me. I have tried to make a bit more of an effort lately and I was at a wedding and someone I know said "you look so glamorous". It wasn't the vibe I was going for, and would swap it for "you look really nice/ you look so lovely in that dress". It did make me go to the bathroom to see if I was caked on makeup.

I can take a compliment. I guess I should grow into this type of compliment and enjoy it from now on, whilst it lasts.

OP posts:
alkinetyh · 09/12/2023 14:43

Depends on the context and the person saying it, surely, like anything?

I’ve been called glamorous kindly by people who I know were trying to be nice, like male colleagues who I know wanted to compliment me but without coming across as seedy or anything, glamorous seems a more safe compliment than pretty or whatnot.

Equally I have been told it by mums at the school gates who I know didn’t mean it kindly, they meant overdressed. (But they can get lost, i’m always on my way to work in a smart industry, so yes i have hair and make up done for the school run!)

riotlady · 09/12/2023 14:43

There’s a school mum I always think of as glamorous- masses of dark hair, red lipstick, huge sunglasses, always dressed nicely. Have never said it to her but I think she looks fab, not fake or brassy

theduchessofspork · 09/12/2023 14:47

Well you must be doing something.. at the v least you look pulled together and then polished

gluenotsoup · 09/12/2023 14:58

I don’t know… I think it can be meant as a compliment in the style of having made an effort, styled, old film star connotations, particularly coming from an older person. However, I feel there can be a slight sneery undertone too to it, implying a bit try hard, gaudy or trashy. Shame really.

OnionOnionH · 09/12/2023 15:10

To me it would just mean well groomed, nice clothes etc. Going off your examples, if you’ve dressed up for a wedding, or party and you’re normally quite low key, then they are just acknowledging you are looking good.
Unless you are particularly inspired by the footballers wife, Ru Paul look, then I would assume it was being used in a complimentary way.

Cheeka3 · 09/12/2023 15:13

It can be meant well and genuine or said in a snide way.
I think of glamorous as accessorized with red lips and swishy hair like a Hollywood star or in a cheap fake tan, fake nails, filler lips way.

StarDolphins · 09/12/2023 15:13

I see glamorous as too much /over the top tbh & I wouldn’t like to be called it.

You sound understated if anything.

Bireadwhatiread · 09/12/2023 15:16

People who look a cut above - it's more about looks, poise, confidence and styling than chunky gold accessories and expensive coats.

Hastheslotharrivedyet · 09/12/2023 15:18

It’s a bit of an old-fashioned term. I’d use it to describe someone who is fairly plain but likes to dress up and make the best of themselves.

Temporaryname158 · 09/12/2023 15:18

Very much a compliment!

SylvieLaufeydottir · 09/12/2023 15:22

I can see why you are in two minds, but if your style is as you describe i.e. doesn't feature high heels, tight dresses, big blown-out hair etc, then I'd accept it unambiguously as a compliment.

amispeakingintongues · 09/12/2023 15:23

It's a compliment for sure. People were using the term before Ru Paul was even a thing and it was meant as a compliment then too. You don't need to look excessively glam to be called glamorous. You probably, by comparison to others, just look well put together or presentable.

Back21970 · 09/12/2023 15:23

Its a compliment and anyone who says it to anyone as an insult is a complete b

Lizzieregina · 09/12/2023 15:29

I think it’s a compliment.

My DH’s newest SIL falls into the category. She just always looks great, even when she’s just wearing jeans. Nice hair and make up, always great shoes, but never looks overdone.

wizzywig · 09/12/2023 15:29

Would you say dowdy is a compliment then?

Secondtonaan · 09/12/2023 15:32

I've been told this and always take it as a compliment!! I wear winged eyeliner/big sunglasses and classic style fitted clothes as this is what suits me. I was hoping it meant Sophia Loren rather than Michelle Keegan.

Mind you DD12 said the other day "the thing is mum there's a difference between being well dressed and over dressed" 😀

But as with anything context is key and guess if its said sneeringly thats different.

My MiL always says i look "smart" which I hate!!! Take it to mean overdressed/like i have a job interview.

RosesAndHellebores · 09/12/2023 15:34

I was told I was looking glamorous and fab at the work christmas party last week. V low key daytime affair but I wore a dress that can go to the opera: black polyester/silk wrap with pleats on half the skirt and a big buckle. Wore a bit of eyeliner and refreshed my lippy. Also wore 1.5 inch patent heels. I was thrilled.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/12/2023 15:49

Hastheslotharrivedyet · 09/12/2023 15:18

It’s a bit of an old-fashioned term. I’d use it to describe someone who is fairly plain but likes to dress up and make the best of themselves.

I genuinely think you are alone in using it that way.

BrassOlive · 09/12/2023 16:02

I've been referred to as glamorous by men at work and by a couple of my husband's friends. It's code for "I think you're attractive but I'm respectful and restrained enough to find a more socially acceptable word". I get different (more direct) adjectives/ compliments from women, and men who might see me as fair game.

rasellagirl · 09/12/2023 16:07

I would say it to someone if they had made an effort and I felt obliged to compliment them. It’s a neutral, safe word and nothing to take notice of at all.

Finestreason · 09/12/2023 16:09

Floisme · 09/12/2023 14:16

I've been on the receiving end of it as a barbed compliment. You'd have to know the context and the person involved but there was very much a sub text of over dressed / shallow / fake intended. I just smiled and said, 'Thank you'.

Yep. Mostly if I hear it, it is not meant as a kind word.

Sequinne · 09/12/2023 16:15

Its definitely a compliment - it’s interesting how differently we can perceive the word glamorous.

To me, glamorous is kind of old school, put together, groomed and feminine. I think of shiny bouncy hair & fresh make up, well dressed.

Pillboxer · 09/12/2023 16:18

Finestreason · 09/12/2023 16:09

Yep. Mostly if I hear it, it is not meant as a kind word.

Show quote history

When it was used of me (not in my presence) it seems to have meant ‘I’d feel more comfortable about you having this friendship with a colleague if she were frumpier’.

I was wearing jeans, a jumper and an old the coat, so hardly channeling my inner Rita Hayworth…

declutteringmymind · 09/12/2023 16:19

Generally yes. But I've sometimes received it in a passive aggressive way where I've dressed up a bit more than usual on a normal day. Usually as a question as to why I've dressed that way.