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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:
Petrine · 10/12/2023 07:24

I would take being called glamorous as a massive compliment.

In my opinion glamorous women are old school actresses such as Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly. Today’s glamorous women I’d say include Amal Clooney, Jerry Hall, Catherine Princess of Wales.

jesterdourt · 10/12/2023 07:25

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

Shes not glamourise imo, nor is Kim Kardashian. Glamorous to me is effortless which Kim is certainly not & I think glamour has a little edge, a bit of sexiness so that counts out Kate for me.

jesterdourt · 10/12/2023 07:26

Amal Clooney, Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Angelina Jolie (particularly on the red carpet£ are all glamorous.

user1471519902 · 10/12/2023 07:28

I think we need a photo OP then we can say.

jesterdourt · 10/12/2023 07:30

Queen Maxima is glamorous

Chipsahoyagain · 10/12/2023 07:50

Post a pic then we can say. To me it looks like your are looking to stroke your ego.

WhereAreWeNow · 10/12/2023 07:51

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?

Yes, I was thinking the same thing @WeneedSamVimesonthecase

JMAngel1 · 10/12/2023 08:29

I don’t really like it either - I usually get called glamorous at least once a week.

I do have a very definite face structure and my hair is long light gold copper curls. Plus I dress as a Soft Dramatic which can be a different style to current trends.

I don’t wear tons of make up and don’t want to stand out in a “glamorous” way though - I’d rather be called pretty but I don’t think I can do pretty.

jesterdourt · 10/12/2023 08:38

I don’t really like it either - I usually get called glamorous at least once a week.

Wow, random strangers call you glamorous on a weekly basis, you must really stand out.

FKATondelayo · 10/12/2023 10:21

TBF MN S&B board isn't a place where 'glamour' is an objective. The aspiration here is natural fibre Scandi-sack. Or a jumpsuit. Wearing anything tighter or shorter than midi prairie dress is 'tacky' and 'grim'. Red lipstick is only permitted with head to foot geometric black and chunky boots. And 'it's LEGS or CLEAVAGE. NEVER BOTH!'

lighthearted

readymealeater · 10/12/2023 10:23

glamorous
adjectiveUK /ˈɡlæm.ər.əs/ US  /ˈɡlæm.ə.əs/(also mainly UK informal glam)
Add to word list

attractive in an exciting and special way:
a glamorous woman/outfit
a glamorous job
She was looking very glamorous.

GLAMOROUS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

This is the dictionary meaning. But what people mean individually by it is anyone's guess, as words often mean different things to different people.

I would take it as a compliment though the way I dress that is very unlikely to happen!

special

1. not ordinary or usual: 2. especially great or important, or having a…

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/special

Perfectlystill · 10/12/2023 10:27

JMAngel1 · 10/12/2023 08:29

I don’t really like it either - I usually get called glamorous at least once a week.

I do have a very definite face structure and my hair is long light gold copper curls. Plus I dress as a Soft Dramatic which can be a different style to current trends.

I don’t wear tons of make up and don’t want to stand out in a “glamorous” way though - I’d rather be called pretty but I don’t think I can do pretty.

What is 'a Soft Dramatic'?

PuppyMonkey · 10/12/2023 10:34
Classic Film Reaction GIF by Film at Lincoln Center

Soft dramatic? Grin

JesusAndMaryPain · 10/12/2023 10:34

Hi OP
I've had this (laughed out loud) and asked what they meant and was told it was because I was "always well dressed and put together" so I now take it as a compliment. I'm brunette with pale celtic complexion so it was never going to be Bet Lynch!

Enjoy the compliment!

JesusAndMaryPain · 10/12/2023 10:35

You get to an age where to be called pretty would be taking the piss!

JMAngel1 · 10/12/2023 10:36

It's Kibbe - a way of dressing according your body type.
So I'm all limbs - very short bodied.
Dramatic face shape so can't wear overly fussy detailed clothes - look dreadful in prints for example as my hair competes.
So I wear plain jersey or velvet or leather fabrics that drape, wrap or ruche around me. I also can't wear high necks so stick to v or scoop or slightly off the shoulder.

JMAngel1 · 10/12/2023 10:37

PuppyMonkey · 10/12/2023 10:34

Soft dramatic? Grin

😂

Notoldeeally · 10/12/2023 10:39

Ive always been called it too.
I think it depends on the person saying it.
some say ut in a nice way others dont .
I think I get called it as I have v thick hair and high cheek bones so it looks like i have made an “ effort “ with my hair to other people when Its just my hair.
I also hate functional only clothes such as raincoats .. I naturally choose a coat in a colour I like and get wet for eg . As I am driven by texture and colour , not practically.
any of those apply to you op or similar?

TheKnittedCharacter · 10/12/2023 10:39

I would think it’s not meant as an insult.

I have a glamorous friend - she’s always very dressed up and wears a lot of make up and accessories.

itsmyp4rty · 10/12/2023 10:40

I have referred to a couple of colleagues as glam or glamorous, they always look lovely and like they're well put together - like they've made an effort but not in an OTT way (they also happen to be beautiful which probably helps!).

I have never been called glamorous in my life. I am the opposite of my description above!

Notoldeeally · 10/12/2023 10:41

JMAngel1 that is so strange .. you sound like we look very simiar.!!

JMAngel1 · 10/12/2023 10:44

Notoldeeally · 10/12/2023 10:41

JMAngel1 that is so strange .. you sound like we look very simiar.!!

Do you have the curly hair too?
I just find I'm all hair so it really restricts what I can wear - I look absolutely awful in prints - all those midi dresses with floral or big prints look shocking on me. My midi dresses need to have a wrap or some kind of waist definition in a plain fabric to suit me. Otherwise it's all just too much in your face and I look swamped.

Gingerboy22 · 10/12/2023 10:48

I have been told I am glamorous and I think it means having a certain sense of style - not flashy but well looked after and good hair (I'm not ginger or a boy) , a reasonable amount of make up including lippy , good clothes with a nod to current trends, a good handbag and footwear.

Notoldeeally · 10/12/2023 10:57

JMAngel1 wavy and bushy that curls round the face.
I think it makes it look like it's styled when uts not.

I do wear prints but it does look full on !

Notoldeeally · 10/12/2023 10:59

Also i am small .. so my hair looks big in ratio to my body .
i always always wear lipstick as due to my coluring have v v pale lips and loo ill .. so lips n hair means people think that .