What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

What makes something/someone frumpy? It's hard to define. I know MN can get upset at this word.

There's alot of floral prints in fashion, I really think it depends on the dress and the wearer. Floral is a very broad term.

For instance I wouldn't class these floral dresses as frumpy whatsoever:

This is frumpy imo

For the person who mentioned Popsy, I wear Popsy (floral wrap midi) dresses for my job on an acute psychiatric ward. There are jobs where looking a little frumpy is generally a good thing. I try to exude kindness and safety with my work clothes-trying anything else would likely be unwise at one end and extremely dangerous at the other. That’s why I wear Popsy and I know plenty of teachers who wear them for the same reason. Popsy are largely targeting a similar audience and know their market well- “frumpy” and safe clothes can sometimes have a purpose.

Sponge Bob Square Pants shaped tunics, Breton stripes, Seasalt coats, footwear by Irregular Choice and Fly.

So many PP’s calling out supposed cheap / tacky style clothing as frumpy style clothing when they’re not the same thing at all.

Frumpy is generally reserved for women over 35, who don’t conform to passing fashions and get a bit stuck in a groove style wise imho. Be that waterfall cardigans, clumpy shoes or florals..

Personally, in my mid forties now and I find most high street / designer trends tacky AF and would frankly rather wear a ‘frumpy’ Breton stripe and tapered leg jean than don a 90’s style spaghetti strap anything in lurid purple satin😬

I see frumpy as being unimaginative, safe, dull, indefinite, ordinary.
So for me that would mean Breton tops, most White Stuff colours, all beige and most pastels. Also most tunics, especially worn with leggings, and leggings worn with heeled or ankle boots, although leggings with DM style boots are OK.
But my taste is partly because of background ( growing up with punk) and my colouring( I am a winter and look drab in beige and pastels). I like clean cut ( so nothing fussy) and need contrasts. What is frumpy on me wouldn’t necessarily be on someone else.
I think it’s owning clothes that don’t suit you, or just not having a sense of what works for you. Not caring is slightly different. I think someone who enjoys clothes and colour is not going to look frumpy.

I agree to be honest. Her beehive and clothes are like costumes.

Kate is an incredibly dull dresser. There is no need. She is a similar body shape to Queen Letitia who manages to look far more stylish despite being a decade older.

I was a Goth. All in black. Doing a degree in Fashion.

Now I’m 60. I’m a summer. I look vile in black and any harsh punky colours.

Ok, can someone tell me what isn't frumpy?

I think bad posture, and not dressing for your body is what looks frumpy.

Some things look good on tall thin girls. Some things look good on short curvy girls. Some things look good on pear-shaped girls. I think it's rare that the same thing suits everyone.

So I don't think you can say "floral dresses are frumpy". On some people they are, on some people they aren't.

Dress to flatter the body you have, imo, not the body you wish you had or what fashion dictates or what looked good on the totally-differently-proportioned model.

Years ago in one of these threads someone defined teal as frumpy, now it seems to have been succeeded by mauve or light turquoise whatever they are.

Exactly this. I think there are floral dresses that look amazing, on women with nice figures. There are plain items that can look frumpy on others. It depends on the wearer, skin tone etc. A one size fits all doesn't work. I'm sick of the umbrella term "floral", when there are beautiful fashionable styles, and prints. This isn't the 80's/90s!
i remember a friend who would go on and on about all floral being frumpy, it was only because they looked that way on her.

'and leggings worn with heeled or ankle boots.'

You see, I think good quality black leggings, and black ankle boots look nice. imo. An exception to the rule.

I've just posted this on another thread.

Frumpy is completely meaningless.It just means

"I don't like this, but my saying I don't like this carries no more weight than someone else saying I really like this, but if I say it's"frumpy" it turns my subjective opinion into something objective"

It doesn't.

Hmm dangerous territory 🤣

To all those people who said glasses are frumpy this is what you sound like;
'hearing aids are so last season, daahling!'

yup......silly!😂

Seasalt. All of it.

Frumpy to me is when something doesn't fit comfortably and you don't feel good in what you're wearing.

I couldn't speak in terms of specific clothes because everyone has a different body type and different tastes so what looks great on one person might not suit another.

Confidence is beautiful so I think women should just wear whatever makes them feel the best, not what other people think looks good.

Yes, this is a really good and modern look. I think footwear can make or break an outfit.

poorly fitted bras. I think one aspect
of fashion is not to get stuck in “your era”. To me this means same makeup as high school….same fashions you wore 10 years ago. Getting trapped in what was in style when you were young. It does lead to buying new but a few new pieces a few risk pieces can really change your look. And a good fitting bra underneath.

This thread has brought me to the conclusion that I'm 100% frumpy. I'm OK with that.
I've never thought of myself as frumpy but I'm guilty of dozens of the fashion crimes listed on here (including wearing glasses 🤓) so I guess I must be. I even like Kate Middleton's look! There's no hope for me.

Waterfall cardis
Elasticated waist trousers
American tan tights
Court shoes
Floral tshirts
All the above worn together

You are describing poverty and/or mental health issues resulting in no self care.
Grubby, missing buttons, old bags, worn shoes……

Frumpy isn’t any of those things.
It’s not having taste, not being able to tell what matches, not wearing what suits you.

What you are describing is being poor

I thought you were talking about queen latifah and was very confused.