What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

😂

I did not say that fashion does not have a place in society.

The thread question is about frumpy, not the history of fashion, the value of fashion as an academic discipline or a commercial product.

I enjoy fashion AND I can see that frumpy is a misogynistic slur.

If you enjoy fashion & the history of fashion, surely it's interesting to you, the ways in which women's bodies & clothing choices are policed by society?

No need to shut down debate with unfounded personal insults.

I always get compliments in floral dresses

I dont think any style is frumpy....its all about how you wear it and how it makes you feel.

When I was massively overweight (and pretty much hating myself) I was def frumpy. Black baggy, elasticated trousers, I only had 2 pairs to wash and wear!, a selection of baggy, shapeless t shirts, hiking boots and knee length giant cardigans....I looked like I felt.
However now if I were to wear a pair of wide legged black trousers, fitted t shirt, cropped/tucked little cardigan and trendy trainers (complete with makeup and hair done) I would look and feel like the mutts nuts, even though it is essentially the same outfit!😄

Excuse me for asking, but are you a man?

Exactly right.

And you would probably understand what the actual definition of frumpy is, and that it doesn’t mean ‘things I don’t like’.

(and anyway using it just makes you seem like a dick)

For me frumpy is an outfit totally from one of the White Stuff/Joules/Seasalt type brands. Style is finding the ingredients and putting a look together for yourself. These days trying to look a bit too formal also comes across this way. Ultra frumpy to extreme is a Regatta fleece, baggy jersey trousers and plain ankle boots.

I thought frumpy meant dowdy and old fashioned but it seems in here to mean anything that someone doesn't like.
I would say skinny jeans and high heel court shoes for example would look dated but not frumpy.
I think what can look frumpy on one person can look fab on someone else, it all down to body shape and how it's worn (accessories etc)

<reads whilst dressed in fleece and baggy jersey trousers>

My trainers are Missoni if that helps any?

I agree women should be able to wear what the hell they like and men don't get the same level of scrutiny but this is Style and Beauty and I think some posters are trying to work out what they'd feel good in and how to achieve a look that is current. There's no point pretending that frumpy or whatever you choose to call it isn't a thing even if we don't agree with it.

I think combinations of things matter - I'm considering some bootcut or flared jeans because as someone mentioned upthread, they are more flattering to a curvy figure than skinnies. But I'd wear them with Converse or something like Gazelles. If I wore them with sports trainers or heeled ankle boots I think I'd feel frumpy. And if I added a fleece or anorak I definitely would.

I suspect lots of posters are mums (clue is in the name) and I know I lost my way a bit when I first had my DD - I did go down the Fat Face/White Stuff/Seasalt route as did lots of my friends and when I look back it didn't do me any favours. I still buy bits from SS and FF because they're among the few places that still use natural fabrics, but I mix them up with items from shops that have a slightly cooler feel. I'm fatter and more tired-looking these days but I think I look much better than I did back then.

@Rockshore I only wear bootleg with Gazelles. I don't like them with boots.

I think FF have some nice stuff, I don't like everything. I don't think there is any clothes shop that I like everything.

My Regatta fleece I wear to work is 33 yrs old and deserves respect!
She is vintage!😎

https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/celebrity-style/a46693124/lila-moss-skinny-jeans/

skinny is still happening

Oh my god, this is what I'm wearing today (except the workout gear is black and the puffa coat is bronze). 😱

Is this negative thread still going? 🙄

And you would probably understand what the actual definition of frumpy is, and that it doesn’t mean ‘things I don’t like’.

By "actual definition" do you mean the dictionary definition? The dictionary definition is dowdy and old-fashioned (typically used of a woman or her clothes).

That isn't how "frumpy" is used on MN or this thread.

Having read all the judgements on this thread, I would absolutely agree with you. it is just what people like and don't like. A bit like the posts where people define stylish.

Frumpy could be substituted for so many different words and all of them would be in the eye of the beholder...

Judging by 90% of the women in our office today, aged 21 to 50+, and with varying degrees of interest in fashion, they wear… cardigans

What an unpleasant judgemental and misogynistic thread
Clearly, the fashion police live somewhere where it's never cold and never rains.

I tick all the frumpy boxes, but I like being warm and dry, and I don't discard the previous year's clothes when they are still perfectly wearable.

I agree with a PP that anyone decrying something as frumpy needs to provide an example of the non frumpy equivalent..

I also think this word frumpy need to be banned. Why not use unflattering or old fashioned instead?

Blimey I wear a lot of things listed here (floral dresses, ballet flats, skinny jeans, ankle boots, cardigans, leggings, tunics etc) and I am pretty sure I don't look frumpy 😂

Glasses, WTF, well I guess a bit of casual abelism thrown in adds to the negativity and delight in sneering that some on here revel in. 🙄

Bit harsh! I wear cardigans all the time but they are well fitting and quite funky. Perhaps pastel crimplene cardigans?

I think Cos and Arket are the opposite of frumpy.

Cos and arket don’t stock larger than size 16 so what is it that makes people frumpy? Is it just a way to disguise your dislike of overweight people.

The same could be true of most high streets worldwide. Sounds like you need to travel more.