What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

My 17 year old and her friends wear this combo. They really really aren’t peak frump.

They are beautiful.

I thinks it's definitely your body shape for some clothes. I'd look crap in long denim skirts but I think they look lovely on the right person.

This thread is making me laugh 😃

This is me too! I have the most hideous, frumpiest boots that I wear to work - I bought them because they’re comfy and were on sale.

I'm now questioning my whole wardrobe! I own several cardigans including a waterfall cardigan that I love! I know it's not the height of fashion but it's so comfy and warm!

What are non-frumpy clothes then?

Cos l really don’t have a clue. I don’t care what anyone thinks about what I’m wearing, but I’m interested in what is actually NOT frumpy.

Floral dresses are out
Bootlegs and skinny jeans are out
Tunic tops
Anything fleece ( although some fleec is ultra fashionable atm)
Anything with a label
Sac like dresses
pinnies
Dungarees
ankle boots
Dr Martens ( unless black)
waterfall cardies

Coukd we have some non frump styles and shops? Because all the above are totally unwearable😂

I’d rather look frumpy than like a Kardashian.

Men:

santa belly straining over low sling belted trousers
dirty fingernails
very hairy eyebrows or ears
too large, stretched polo shirt of any kind
fake surf or skate t shirts
red drinking face
black socks white trainers
white socks with black trainers

you are welcome!

@Mystery2345 Santa belly made me laugh!

In a word, Seasalt.

But they sell basics. Like wide legged jeans. So wide leg jeans from Zara are ok but not Seasalt?

Because l have a degree in fashion and was a pattern cutter for years. And l can’t see much difference in the cut.

According to MN fat people should just stay indoors wearing sackcloth and starve until they are thin enough to be allowed out...

@BigMandsTattooPortfolio Two things: I love your username but.. papal cloak? My mind’s boggling.

I often wear a Seasalt needlepoint corduroy dress to work. It's made of natural fibres; comfortable; the colour suits me and it has pockets that I can put my reading glasses in... oh the horror!! Just call me Lady Frump of Frumpington.

Skechers!

I would also point out, that those of us with massive tits, also always look frumpy/mumsy, cos you know, massive tits.

And, while I am here, anything high necked, round necked, square shaped, baggy or cropped, regardless of what size the rest of your body is, will make you look like a ship in full sail. But we aren't allowed to show cleavage, cos no, no, no, or fitted, even though it is much more flattering.

I think v neck fitted tops are much better on big boobs. I am quite big busted and I look so much nicer with a v or wrap neck.

@CurlewKate Touche!

😂i do think there are people on this thread who think that frumpy = short & fat. It's like another planet on here, but I guess MN is.

It's interesting what strong opinions some people have on what's frumpy. A lot of things listed seem to be more about what's in/out of fashion rather than what's frumpy.
I love the anonymity of MN but threads like this make me wish I could see posters. Are those with the harshest lines about what's frumpy (glasses, unpainted toenails, no make up!) super glamorous, fashionable supermodel types? Or are they wearing the same sort of things I'm wearing (right now, jeans, sweatshirt, socks, slippers, glasses)?
Do people judge this harshly IRL? Are women on the tube looking at me thinking I've let myself down with my glasses, untamed hair, and my Seasalt coat? Or are they, like me, just reading their book and avoiding eye contact?

I like clothes and buy things regularly but I'm not wearing dressy clothes 99% of the time. I like jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, boots & trainers etc. I don't think I look frumpy.

Cookie777 wearing glasses! Honesty! Some of us actually need to see!
Glasses can be wonderful statement pieces… I am wearing some Francis Klein frames currently… anything but frumpy!

Loads of things I love I suspect people would call frumpy- workers trousers, grandad shirts, fitted tweed jackets, field coats, very long skirts that look vaguely Edwardian, massive cotton nighties, having your hair in a half pony with a velvet ribbon. Basically, if it looks like you've combined your own wardrobe (aged 8 circa 1911) with that of your 16yo brother just back from boarding school, I'm there. Basically Helena Bonham-Carter being papped going out for milk.

Agree with previous posters who said it doesn’t really exist as a distinct concept anymore. There used to be a certain image that was connected with the word - thinking of Hyacinth Bouquet or similar. Not scruffy but a style outside of fashion.

The answers on this thread are so diverse and subjective as to be largely meaningless - and some people’s ideas of frumpy seem so set in stone that they’re not what people are actually wearing or else have come back in fashion without them noticing.

Having said that, anything from Reece Witherspoon’s label Draper James would make me feel really frumpy because it’s not me at all (apart from a striped top - my short, fat self is keeping hold of that) - https://draperjames.com/collections/the-easter-shop?offset=24

Waterfall cardigans remind me of labia. Those flaps.

Now you’re talking. This sounds great.

Sigh... that sounds gorgeous... 😌 I love HB-Cs look...

I would love to rock a dark academia look for working at home... but I end up in baggy layers for warmth and look like someone from a secure prison unit who's had their shoelaces removed for their own safety...