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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:
casuarinatree · 09/12/2023 18:31

I think it was once a compliment - 30s/ 40s/ 50s film stars were most definitely glamorous - but has morphed a bit into more of a footballer's wife look.

I guess glamorous and glamour girl have kind of conflated in my mind. I would never use glamorous to describe someone who was dressed up in an elegant and understated way - there is definitely something over the top and a bit overdone about it in my mind.

FKATondelayo · 09/12/2023 18:56

If it was well-intended, I'd take it as a compliment.

And if it was intended as an insult, I'd take it as an even bigger compliment.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 09/12/2023 18:58

It’s a compliment. Me and my best friend were nicknamed the glamour girls/glamour pusses in our clubbing friendship circle, and yes, we really did make an effort!

ApolloandDaphne · 09/12/2023 18:59

I would bloody love to be described as glamorous. At best I might be described as presentable!

squeekychicken · 09/12/2023 19:45

I'd take it as a compliment.

SemperIdem · 09/12/2023 21:58

It’s a complement, though perhaps well groomed would be a more accurate way to describe you, based on what you have said about your personal style.

I wouldn’t describe the tight dressed, obvious fillers look as “glamorous” personally.

Elfnsafetyhat · 09/12/2023 22:00

Honestly I’d just take it as a compliment! I can’t remember the last time anyone called me glamorous….years ago!

PersephonePomegranate23 · 09/12/2023 22:08

I think they meant it as a compliment and in the old fashioned sense (old Hollywood glamour) but I totally get what you mean. The word has been somewhat hijacked.

Justleaveitblankthen · 09/12/2023 22:09

It makes me think of the '80's.
Joan Collins
Dynasty
Dallas
The early supermodels
Miss World
.. and Glamour models 😁

PuppyMonkey · 09/12/2023 22:10

Come on you lot, post some photos, I can’t fathom how people who only wear jeans and trainers and a bit of mascara can be labelled glamorous.Grin

doublec · 09/12/2023 22:30

I think it is, and it's something I always take as a great compliment particularly now when it's paid to me as I'm midway through chemo, have no hair and often feel like shit. Yet, apparently I'm still very glamourous. When I have asked others about it, they all say it's something to do with my with bone structure, but also because I have presence. My mother was glamorous too. My sister is not.

Saschka · 09/12/2023 22:30

I’d take it as a compliment, to mean glossy/well groomed. Gwen Stefani is glamorous, Grace Kelly and Kim Novak were, Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Rania of Jordan are.

I would not describe Kim Kardashian etc as “glamorous” - I don’t have a specific word for that kind of style, but it is too obvious and tacky to be glamorous. Glamorous is understated.

Saschka · 09/12/2023 22:32

PuppyMonkey · 09/12/2023 22:10

Come on you lot, post some photos, I can’t fathom how people who only wear jeans and trainers and a bit of mascara can be labelled glamorous.Grin

Maybe everybody else around OP does the school run in their dressing gowns 🤷‍♀️

Doggymummar · 09/12/2023 22:33

I would think it meant overdressed for the situation.

WeneedSamVimesonthecase · 09/12/2023 22:35

Is this a zombie thread? I swear we've had this exact thread before. Same OP, almost word for word. Couple of years ago, maybe. Surely I'm not the only one to remember?

AngelsandAliens · 09/12/2023 22:37

I used to always get called glamorous at a job 10 years ago , I always wore nice clothes , hair done , about 3 stone lighter , take it as a compliment as no one bats an eyelid anymore ….. it’s deffo not a negative at all.

Lavender14 · 09/12/2023 22:41

To me someone is glamorous when they look after themselves well, have nice hair/ makeup/ dressed well and generally turned out nicely. I would see it as a compliment

Birdcar · 09/12/2023 22:43

I'd take it to mean that you're stylish. It's a compliment.

Birdcar · 09/12/2023 22:45

I've used it as a compliment. Now I'm wondering if I've inadvertently insulted anyone.

Perfectlystill · 09/12/2023 22:46

I love glamorous! And I am a jeans and trainers person 99pc of the time.

I think glamorous is great!

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 09/12/2023 23:15

Lavender14 · 09/12/2023 22:41

To me someone is glamorous when they look after themselves well, have nice hair/ makeup/ dressed well and generally turned out nicely. I would see it as a compliment

Regardless of what one might think of their politics what you've just said describes Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon.

I wouldn't describe either of them as "glamorous".

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 09/12/2023 23:15

Lavender14 · 09/12/2023 22:41

To me someone is glamorous when they look after themselves well, have nice hair/ makeup/ dressed well and generally turned out nicely. I would see it as a compliment

Duplicate post deleted.

PersephonePomegranate23 · 10/12/2023 07:06

I would not describe Kim Kardashian etc as “glamorous” - I don’t have a specific word for that kind of style, but it is too obvious and tacky to be glamorous. Glamorous is understated.

Tacky - I think that's the exact word! Runs for cover....

Lentilweaver · 10/12/2023 07:19

Glamourous to me is an old Hollywood aesthetic, like Ava Gardner or Elizabeth Taylor.

jesterdourt · 10/12/2023 07:20

My aunt is glamorous, she just looks a certain way even when doing basic things eg gardening or playing tennis. I think it’s a compliment, & you have to have a certain elegance. I wouldn’t use glamorous to describe someone with fake lips, a lot of makeup, tight clothes etc as that isn’t glamorous to me.