Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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:
ChristmasPuddy · 09/12/2023 16:20

I’d say it is a compliment but could be a negative in certain contexts.

Arou · 09/12/2023 16:23

I’ve also been called glamorous and have wondered if it has meant ‘you look ott’! When honestly my look is so lazy.

I wear eyeliner everyday and eyeshadow but I wear simple clothes and flat black trainer like shoes to work - never heels. I do like my big sunglasses, nice coats and I wear my hair down all the time. I have always liked to try to bring a bit of my style (which is a bit alt/50s) with my boring work wear so maybe it’s that? Maybe it’s just my eyeliner and people think I’m doing too much or look weird. I try not to care though lol it makes me happy and more myself

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 09/12/2023 16:28

closingdownsale · 09/12/2023 14:18

Don't understand why you wouldn't think it was a compliment. Who would be upset about being compared to Joan Collins?!

Well I wouldn't want to be compared with Joan Collins.

MsCactus · 09/12/2023 16:31

I actually think it means both - you look v dressed up, but also nice with it.

Someone understated is not glamorous - but someone glamorous looks good, not overdone

Shangrilalala · 09/12/2023 16:34

My MIL described me as glamorous the first time we met. We’ve never got on 🤣

Hewenttochurch · 09/12/2023 16:36

closingdownsale · 09/12/2023 14:18

Don't understand why you wouldn't think it was a compliment. Who would be upset about being compared to Joan Collins?!

I'd be blimmin mortified to be compared to Joan Collins

kitsuneghost · 09/12/2023 16:39

To me it's one of those passive aggressive phrases.
If I called someone glamorous it would mean I thought they were a bit lower class and overdressed/made up.

kitsuneghost · 09/12/2023 16:41

wizzywig · 09/12/2023 15:29

Would you say dowdy is a compliment then?

Although dowdy is not complimentary, I do associate it with intelligence somehow

catotangent · 09/12/2023 16:41

I wouldn't take it as a compliment. I'd be worried I'd gone unintentionally overboard with the makeup or glitz.

Moveoverdarlin · 09/12/2023 16:48

I was often called ‘glam’. I took it as a compliment. I never went for the fake look, but I’d never attend work or an event without make-up on or nails painted. The people who said it in my opinion often looked underdressed and a bit dowdy. But like you, I’d wear diamond studs on the school run with trainers and leggings.

Kate Middleton is glamorous but she’s not fake, brassy or tarty which some people on here are associating with the term glamourous.

HappySammy · 09/12/2023 16:49

I work with a woman I would call glamorous. She's gorgeous in a low-key expensive looking way I can't figure out. Definitely not a word I use as an insult.

kitsuneghost · 09/12/2023 16:55

Moveoverdarlin · 09/12/2023 16:48

I was often called ‘glam’. I took it as a compliment. I never went for the fake look, but I’d never attend work or an event without make-up on or nails painted. The people who said it in my opinion often looked underdressed and a bit dowdy. But like you, I’d wear diamond studs on the school run with trainers and leggings.

Kate Middleton is glamorous but she’s not fake, brassy or tarty which some people on here are associating with the term glamourous.

To me Kate is classy not glamorous.

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 09/12/2023 17:09

I would never tell someone they were "glamorous" .

I don't give any personal compliments. I say "fabulous dress" / "great coat" / love your shoes" but it's always the item of clothing I would compliment, not the appearance of the person wearing it.

ChanelNo19EDT · 09/12/2023 17:14

It's more a compliment than an insult but if I heard it repeatedly I'd tone it down a bit. I like a more natural look which can also be expensive and hard work.

Howtosolveit · 09/12/2023 17:16

Lovely compliment.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 09/12/2023 17:21

I've only ever been called it once and I took it as a huge compliment.

It was when I was in my late 20's and a bank manager in London. I agreed to go out and see a very well to do elderly lady at her home in Pimlico to get some forms signed.

Her first words on meeting me where "Oh my you are so glamorous!"

I was wearing a Marks and Spencer suit , high heels and a long black coat with a fur collar ( which had cost me a fortune but I loved so much). She asked if my suit was Armani which made me laugh.

I had a lovely hour with her plying me with port and showing me photos of herself with various royals and celebrities.

I've never forgotten how special she made me feel that afternoon.

TheOGCCL · 09/12/2023 17:31

I think it's a compliment. To me it means you have a je ne sais quoi, something elevated and attractive, have made some sort of an effort. So many people look sloppy these days, it's all relative - glamorous starts to mean something different. Wearing make up makes you glamorous these days. Jeans are the smarter end of things.

I know what you mean about it's older connotations but as long as you are done up like Bet Lynch you're good.

Namechange4234 · 09/12/2023 17:38

I'd suggest that if people say it when you've made an effort it's being said in the way of 'you scrub up well'

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 09/12/2023 17:40

Definitely a compliment! I'd be worried about their eyesight delighted if someone said I was glamorous.

mangochops · 09/12/2023 17:46

I get called this all the damn time and I bloody love it! I love fashion and makeup and looking pretty and always take it as a compliment. I don't even care if its used in a patronising manner, I'm confident enough in myself and I dress for myself and what I like- not to please anyone else out in the world, so I always say thank you with a big smile.

If it's used as an insult- who gives a shit? anyone who would say this in a nasty manner and enjoys insulting people for no genuine reason isn't someone whose opinion I would respect or take heed of anyway.

Give me glamour any day over dull and boring.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/12/2023 18:08

ButterCupPie · 09/12/2023 14:06

To me it means brassy look, too much make-up, dressing to please men. I wouldn't like it. Sort of footballer's wife type of look.

I would agree if 'glam' was the word used

usernother · 09/12/2023 18:18

Definitely a massive compliment.

Floisme · 09/12/2023 18:22

Watch your step people, I adore Joan Collins.

That is all.

grayhairdontcare · 09/12/2023 18:24

@Moveoverdarlin Kate is elegant or classy.
She is most definitely not glamorous.

usernother · 09/12/2023 18:31

grayhairdontcare · 09/12/2023 18:24

@Moveoverdarlin Kate is elegant or classy.
She is most definitely not glamorous.

I think she's all three