What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

@FleurdeLiane you're right, what on earth am I thinking putting my comfort ahead of fashion?!

@juniorspesh a HUGE help! Thanks so much. Tomorrow I intend to arrive at the office a la Kenny from South Park

But they are so itchy

Sorry but the majority of British high street is frumpy. I don't know how and where you all shop anymore but the obsession with cardigans, fat face, leather jackets (noone wears these anymore) and white stuff whatever/boden etc is so bad. Dull, jersey ditzy print floral = no good. Stuff you wore 5 years ago and think still looks good = no good. 80s maxis dresses = last year. Experiment a bit (with something you think may not suit you)! Wear some odd shaped denim or a dress you think should be worn by your mother in law. I dunno! Be brave.

What sort of clothes do you wear? Please enlighten us all!

I would like to know too @Vohgue

Maxi dresses weren’t around in the 80’s.

Hemline rises in a boom (80’s) drops in a recession. It will still be maxi for a good view years with this shit shower in power.

See previous advice on material comfort and lightweight-ness.

Is this odd shaped denim?

I think it’s horrible. Neither functional nor aesthetic. Therefore shit design.

Err.. ok. For casual wear:

Linen or cotton blend boyfriend shirts, black or white or blue. Satin shirts. Embroidered crop blouse. Pyjama style hip length tops.

Hip/crop length knitted jumpers. Crochet tops/ skirts. Matching sets.

Maxi denim skirts. Cargo skirts. White mini skirts. Straight leg jeans (I don't suit wide leg or would wear these). Straight leg cropped leather trousers.

Waxed cotton trench, cropped puffer jacket, wool duster jacket.

Rib dresses or skims type jersey dresses and skirts.

That is very true.

I remember older women wore midi length, young uns wore minis. And puffball skirts! Goth was big too and a punky look. I had a lovely black velvet fishtail dress from Camden Market. Fashion was much more diverse in the 80s. Happy days!

By odd shaped denim, my point was to experiment to see what works for you! Some people suit horseshoe shape jeans and barrel jeans (not me, I have thunder thighs!)

Yeah, mini crinis and raras too.

Embroidered crop blouse

But my post menopausal midriff would escape.

@IClaudine @ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Maxi dresses weren’t around in the 80’s.

Hemline rises in a boom (80’s) drops in a recession. It will still be maxi for a good view years with this shit shower in power.

That is very true

I remember older women wore midi length, young uns wore minis. And puffball skirts! Goth was big too and a punky look. I had a lovely black velvet fishtail dress from Camden Market. Fashion was much more diverse in the 80s. Happy days!

These would probably pass as maxi dresses

Seasalt, Fat Face, some M&S, white stuff, Joules, Bon Marche, Millets, Blacks, Mountain Warehouse. What is a male frump called though? Its sexist!

Men in sandals, 3/4 length combats and a Superdry t shirt 🤮. (And yes i know combats are cool again but u know exactly what I mean).

I used to lecture history of fashion. Maxi dresses were 70’s.

Tea dresses were around mid 80’s. But the defining skirt length of the 80’s was the mini. In every format including city shorts. There were obviously some longer skirts, but the maxi ( including the name) was a 70’s creation. It reappeared fully in the 90’s. Those dresses look like late 80’s to me.So moving onto the 90’s

Maxi means full length, not to the bottom of the calf or just above ankle.

I’m ND not a lightweight.

A male "frump" is the default though, why bother to name it.

How old are you?

Some of those items I wouldn't dream of wearing and I think I dress OK.

I’m 60. I don’t want to wear a white mini skirt and cropped tops though. Or cropped leather trousers. Which sound simultaeneously hot and cold.

I'm a fat apple with zero bust and EVERTYHING looks frumpy on me. If I had boobs to proportion things out I think it would make things so much better.

Linen or cotton blend boyfriend shirts, black or white or blue. Satin shirts

I wear this sort of thing but none of the rest apart from the straight leg jeans. I also wear boot cut (horror!). Have a lovely long trench too that I bought for a tenner in a charity shop.

I’m frumpy as hell lol

I miss leg warmers, neon ones.....in 2 different colors!

I feel like fashion used to be a lot more fun. Everybody should have the opportunity to look back at what they wore as a young 'un and cringe.

@Vohgue are you really slim?

For me: YES - WHAT I WOULD WEAR & NO - WHAT I WOULDN'T WEAR

Linen or cotton blend boyfriend shirts, black or white or blue. Satin shirts YES

Embroidered crop blouse. Pyjama style hip length tops NO

Hip/crop length knitted jumpers. Crochet tops/ skirts. Matching sets NO

Maxi denim skirts I WOULD IF THEY SUITED ME

Cargo skirts YES

White mini skirts NO - HAD ONE IN MY CLUBBING DAYS

Straight leg jeans YES

Straight leg cropped leather trousers NO

Waxed cotton trench YES

cropped puffer jacket, wool duster jacket NO

Rib dresses or skims type jersey dresses and skirts. NO TO DRESSES YES TO SKIRTS