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What screams frumpy?

995 replies

bradpittsbathwater · 05/03/2024 08:30

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

OP posts:
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sunglassesonthetable · 11/03/2024 11:25

Things look frumpy when you don’t have a clear sense of what you like and how to put that into outfits that make you feel your best and are appropriate for your lifestyle. Not being frumpy is about learning your style and asking questions beyond ‘is it waterproof and do I like the colour?’ If someone looks good it’s not by accident. They’ve worked at it.

Yes 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

LadyBird1973 · 11/03/2024 11:29

@Tinymrscollings I think that's a very good description of our considerations when we choose clothes

henlake7 · 11/03/2024 12:35

I feel like this is the wrong time of year for this discussion as well...
Lets face it, in the middle of winter (or a heatwave) practicality will usually trump style!
Especially if you lead a more outdoorsy lifestyle.

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:19

I find the clothes worn by contestants on The Apprentice really frumpy.

RampantIvy · 11/03/2024 14:30

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:19

I find the clothes worn by contestants on The Apprentice really frumpy.

I don't watch it. Are they wearing shapeless, dowdy clothes then?

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:37

Tight bodycon dresses and high heels

NotestoSelf · 11/03/2024 15:03

RampantIvy · 11/03/2024 14:30

I don't watch it. Are they wearing shapeless, dowdy clothes then?

When I used to watch it I would have described what the female apprentices (generally) wore as 'Thatcherite Business Bodycon', in bright colours. The guys all wore blue or grey suits, usually pinstriped, with big ties.

RampantIvy · 11/03/2024 15:06

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:37

Tight bodycon dresses and high heels

That's not frumpy. That's just not fashionable.
Frumpy is drab and dowdy.

TheLeadbetterLife · 11/03/2024 15:25

Actually I think some of this year's Apprentice candidates are wonderfully stylish. Every single one of Noor and Tre's outfits has been gorgeous.

Didzi · 11/03/2024 15:28

My boss is very frumpy. She wears square glasses that were stylish in 1998. Horrible faux leather boots. And embroidered fat face type skirts. She seems happy though!

SnapdragonToadflax · 11/03/2024 15:29

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:37

Tight bodycon dresses and high heels

That's not frumpy - at least not in the traditional sense of the word. It may not be a style you like, and it's not fashionable, but bodycon and high heels will never be frumpy.

Gowlett · 11/03/2024 15:33

I saw a TV presenter in a mag recently, she’s maybe early 40s. I remember her saying that she her mum often swap clothes (they share a home) & me thinking that she definitely wears the mum’s outfits. In this pic, she was wearing nude heels & an Oasis-style-dress-from-ten-years-ago. It made me question such items that still Ii my wardrobe…

Craftycorvid · 11/03/2024 18:26

Mary Janes and socks is the signature look of the divine Velma from Scooby Doo. Nowt wrong with channeling her in my view - and she wears glasses.

FleurdeLiane · 11/03/2024 18:47

Craftycorvid · 11/03/2024 18:26

Mary Janes and socks is the signature look of the divine Velma from Scooby Doo. Nowt wrong with channeling her in my view - and she wears glasses.

Icon

Jeannne92 · 11/03/2024 20:09

Craftycorvid · 11/03/2024 18:26

Mary Janes and socks is the signature look of the divine Velma from Scooby Doo. Nowt wrong with channeling her in my view - and she wears glasses.

Glasses on a cord, no less. * chef's kiss !

StarlightLady · 11/03/2024 20:28

Let’s hear it for girls with glasses. 👋

Sleepydoor · 11/03/2024 22:32

A lot of people are confusing "frumpy" with "unfashionable", "quirky" or just "not to my taste". I don't think you can categorically say mary janes, glasses or skinny jeans are frumpy. Some of you really want to be the style police.

RampantIvy · 11/03/2024 22:38

Well said @Sleepydoor.

MyAmygdala · 11/03/2024 22:49

Topsy Curvy clothes. Like Popsy on acid.

4610J · 11/03/2024 23:29

QueenJaineApproximately · 11/03/2024 14:37

Tight bodycon dresses and high heels

Tell that to the presenter of big brother who is definitely not frumpy.

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