What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

A lot of the things described as frumpy on this thread still look great if you've got a good figure, and ballet flats look great if you've got good legs and small feet.

I think it's a hard word to define because you don't often see it. I think Amy from the Big Bang Theory personifies it, but few people dress like her in real life- it's like dressing for a generation older in dull (or gaudy) dated and unflattering clothes.

In 2024 even if you don't care what you wear you are still probably wearing jeans, dresses, hoodies, sportswear. There are people who don't care about fashion but have a strong look because they alway wear all-black or a certain sort of outfit.

I often look most frumpy (to myself) when I've tried too hard - a mousy, portly, older woman, in a badly chosen cheap occasion dress. If I'm just in my jeans and a chunky knit like today I feel fine. It's about wearing what suits you visually and in your personality, I don't think that's ever frumpy as it will always look authentic, but it's different for everyone.

I feel like most items of clothing are mentioned here.

Apart from a cocktail dress, what do people not find frumpy?

Oh and I ❤️ my Radley handbag so FO.

Sorry, an early glass 🍷

Brown pleather handbags

I'm thinking leggings with this kind of ankle boot just don't look right
these especially if worn with a tunic.

I feel like frumpy would describe what your gran used to wear 20 yrs ago......
but now the older ladies of today grew up in the 60s and 70s and are much more fashion conscious!😄

I was known for my 'granny style' in my early twenties - not going to stop now!

Bought this floral midi dress (think it's non-natural fibres) this weekend:

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.collared-midi-shirt-dress-beige.1167200004.html

Looking forward to wearing it!

I agree, that style of ankle boot isn't great imo. A flatter chunky one is what I was thinking of, not with a heel like that.

So much mentioned on this thread that I love...a floral wrap dress, a tunic and leggings with dms, I love ballet pumps and skinny jeans, love a waterfall cardi, that extra piece to wrap around yourself? It's lush. I wear crocs. I haven't got a seasalt Janelle but I'd like one.

seems to me clothes described as dumpy are just comfortable, accessible, easy to wear easy to source, nothing that requires a stretch or this or that just clothing for clothing sake acceptable. And that's ok! And it's not a surprise if clothes like these are favoured by the middle aged or the fuller figured.

it's so nice to lean in to these frumpy clothes, like landing on a feather bed or having a nice cup of tea. No danger no risk and why not life is hard enough. Frumpy fashion as a protect against consumerism and different things going round and round intended to just part you from your cash. Frumpy fashion as a feminist statement yes I am bigger and older and yes I will just dress with my own comfort in mind! Frumpy fashion as anti fashion like punk was ugly on purpose, reject the model wear what the f you want!

Don't feel sorry for me if you are me at parents evening or in Tesco with my frumpy clothes on because I'm aware and wearing them gladly and I haven't given up on life, far from it.

Sexist pigs.

Very much this!

There doesn’t seem an awful lot left to wear that’s non-frumpy, from these lists! Clearly I am profoundly frumpy. 😆. I think ‘frumpy’ is, if anything, when people wear a ‘uniform’ look - any kind of uniform look, including high fashion if it’s slavishly followed. People who feel comfortable in their own skin will always look good in my opinion. Confidence is never frumpy.

I don't know why you're lecturing me. I never describe anything as frumpy.

It's meaningless.

Peak frump.

So what would a normal, every day "not frumpy" outfit be for you? Because just about everything has been called frumpy on this thread!

I’m sticking with my Yeti boots and papal cloak then. Those items haven’t been mentioned at all on here.

@PinkyFraternity - I wore waterfall cardigans many years ago when now 16 yr old DD was a permanently snotty toddler and they were just the right height for her to use as a handkerchief when I wasn't looking 🤣.

Hang on what is OK to wear? goes to look at own clothes and throws all of them away in frumpy despair

Frumpy is a negative term and it means not attractive, not alluring, not for the male gaze

The reality is that frumpy clothes are super comfortable and can be very stylish if they suit you and fit well.

Frumpiness is underrated.

You can't go wrong with classic pieces

@Speculatingrooks You rock.

What should short, fat people wear? (Asking for a friend)

Animal print. And it's all over EVERYTHING.