What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

@PoweredByFairdust nope not frumpy! You look lovely!

I think that’s what I was meaning (without actually saying it). To me it’s frumpy to wear those items if you’re not actually going walking.

And I guess with the bootcut jeans, to me it’s frumpy if you’re still wearing the same jeans 25 years later without ever wondering if another more up to date style suits you. There’s so much choice.

@DontGiveADuck It's tricky as what's in fashion might not necessarily suit your body shape. I used to like wearing bootcut jeans with a small heel as I'm 5"3.

What do you consider to be up to date jeans then, out of curiosity? Bootcut jeans are pretty up to date....
On the whole, the way fashion cycles work is that wearing clothes from 25 years ago often is fashionable. Wearing last season's microtrends or the dominant jeans style from 10 years ago, less so.

@stardust777 I’n 5ft2! I used to love my bootcut jeans and did not want to give them up for skinny jeans. Then I tried on skinny jeans, loved them, wore them for years. Until mom jeans came along, tried them. Realised they’re great. I have just bought a wide legged pair too. I think it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with what you think suits you.

@Purplehearts9066 yes they’re back, I saw a teenager wearing them earlier. Of course fashions come back around. A lot of the stuff in the shops is what I wore in the 90s. At least I know who Nirvana really are…

Definitely! I think our idea of what suits us is sometimes a lot more influenced by current fashion than we realise.
I grew up in an era of skinny jeans, where "flattering clothing" meant clothing that was very fitted and drew attention to your skinniest body parts. That conditioning stayed with me more than I realised, until recently.
It's been liberating to let go of it.
I wear a lot of wide leg jeans, flares and slightly oversized tailoring now and no longer feel I have to be "defining my waist" or "creating the illusion of curves".
I've never felt better in my clothes!

I find Alan Partridge hilarious.

I don't think he thought the owl sanctuary lady was frumpy.

@FleurdeLiane I understand Alan Pattridge perfectly. I'm a huge fan, I saw it live last year.

I was saying the actress isn't frumpy and yes Lynn is frumpy.

& yes, I realise Alan doesn't appreciate Lynn but that's not what we are discussing.

What a suprise that this, as with the "what is classy" threads that pop up periodically, essentially always end up with - you need to be tall, skinny, white and able bodied

Glasses ffs

Did somebody actually say glasses, I missed that 🤣

I wouldn't be much use without my reading glasses.

Someone actually did say that

It's always delightful as a mixed race, partially sighted woman with pcos to come on S&B and be periodically reminded that I am not classy, or elegant and I will always be frumpy

Because my hair doesn't grow "right" and my eyes don't see "right" and my stomach doesn't looks "right"

You can either be frumpy OR you can't see. Those are your only choices.

Nobody whose opinion is worth caring about will think these things about you x

Taking into account that everyone on this thread agrees frumpy isn't a nice word and everyone should wear what they want, and certainly without needing to look sexy or whatever the opposite of frumpy is or to dress, if you want others to consider you well dressed

That rather assumes I want everyone to consider I'm well dressed. Which I don't. My criteria are does it fit, does it feel comfortable, does it suit what I'm going to wear it for. I can't be arsed with other people's opinions of how I look. If that makes me 'frumpy' then so be it.

Thank you x

Ha! The boot cut jeans I have are in that article. So I am not frumpy after all😅

With swishy hair.

Can anyone take on board the being 'frumpy' is sometimes a feeling that comes from within?

Not just what someone else says?

I congratulate all the posters on here who only have clothes they love, always feel just right , whether that be comfort, appropriateness or as themselves.

It's not just about what other people say . In fact I'd say it's mostly how you feel.

Like a moment of internalised misogyny?

Like a moment of internalised misogyny?

Really? That sounds cute but I wouldn't say that, no.

😂 so true!! Any farmers or horse owners out there? There’s always a time and a place it’s necessary to don the nearest practical frump attire. Usually no time to prepare and having to deal with practical tasks.
Cows, horses and children don’t judge. I do always think that would be the time I’d get rushed to hospital though. Flowery old pants on a beige tatty 10 year old bra with wellies and hair looking like Mr majeka or Worzel gummidge. Shhhexxy stuff 💃

You look lovely in them