What screams frumpy?

[bradpittsbathwater]

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

The only offensive thing is the use of the word 'frumpy' to begin with.

Thanks and to the other PP who said similar. I can't recall who got her into Lucy & Yak (there's also a company Nou Moon who do dungarees who she prefers fit wise too) but it really does seem to be her style. Plus the trainers etc. Also as you age (think it's the same with me), if you have a certain attitude then most things will look good. I'm sure when I was younger, I looked good, but didn't feel confident at times, so that showed, if that makes sense?

It helps that her friends of a similar age and even older, both don't dress frumpily or mumsy at all, one is well off but can make high street clothes look designer. It's how you wear them is the key.

I am going to wear my collection of glorious silk saris all summer; that will be the only thing not considered frumpy and middle-aged.

But then I wear glasses. Because otherwise I can't see.

I love my specs. Wire framed cats eyes. Everyone comments on them.

Dd informs me that Clubman glasses are back ‘in’

Brilliantly put. Hooray for @teacrumpetsandcake !

Frumpy ... is in the eye of the beholder, and views ought to be kept oneself , so that one does not appear uncool of thought if not dress.

Absolutely, this - I have also turned to the Cardigan Side - so much easier than trying to struggle out of a sweater (aptly named) so your hair flies up in a static frizz them settles into the rivulets of sweat running down your face... and then find out what happened to your glasses in the fray (oh noes! Glasses!)...

(Also - pocketses!)

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would gravitate in a party towards the 'frights' described here in their hippy skirts and shonky shoes and unstyled hair...

So I identify as Frump... 😁

What screams frumpy? Other women judging other women for what they choose to wear is just plain nasty.

Have you ever heard a man worry about frumpy? 🤔

I have just told DH that his glasses are frumpy, and he is like "What?".

The wrong shoes / bag with an outfit.

Yep, I mean, if we're talking about attractive qualities in people, I feel like a bunch of women sitting around judging each other for wearing colourful Doc Martens and glasses would be pretty low down the list of attractive qualities I'd be looking for in a friend/ acquaintance/ partner/ anyone I would want in my life.

@Cookie77777 I have pink doc martens and I rock them (you'd hate them). They are the most complemented item of clothing I own.

Joules, Boden, Fat Face, Bon Marche, etc. - Each of those has its demographic. I think it would be possible to find frumpy things there.

None of them particularly appeals to me but I wouldn't dismiss them out of hand.

Where did you get your glasses? I mostly wear contacts because I hate my frames - I love a cat eye, but with my most recent prescription they are finally too heavy for plastic frames and my last pair kept stretching out so I've had to move to metal. I'd love to find a good pair of metal cat eye frames! (Sorry for the slight derail, I have no skin in this game and am just really enjoying watching people argue over frumpiness)

Iris Aplin looked great 😃

Yes who knew?

Perhaps we should return to the days of Jane Austen when women used Lorgnettes rather than be seen in glasses.

Personally l like to be able to see.

Glasses ‘frumpy’ l think lots of people in glasses are Uber cool. It gives their look an intellectual air.

They do cater to a certain demographic. I don’t think that’s a problem? Bon Marche isn’t aiming for the same demographic as Cos. They both produce designs that their target customers will like. For Joules etc, that’s the middle aged mumsy type. Bon Marche is probably aimed at traditional ladies in their sixties. If you don’t want that look you don’t buy that brand 🤷‍♀️

Some men do. Not sure if they start threads about it, but more than once I’ve encountered men who got irrationally annoyed and almost angry about other men wearing shorts.

Currently wearing a knee length fat face dress, leggings and a cardigan 😂add in my greying hair and I must look frumpy as fuck. Luckily I don't care, I happen to like it

I've always thought frumpy basically meant well worn clothes that are for comfort over style. Which is pretty much everything I own

40 something men with beer bellies and overly tight t-shirts.

Beards with grey patches coming through like some kind of badger.

Ha, I love bright coral, it suits me 😃

Yeah, l was a designer, they do refer to ‘our customer’

I feel frumpy when I am in clothes that have zero indication of my personality. That appear designed to make people overlook you. It can be different styles of clothes on different people. But I've noticed that I feel a lot better if I am wearing something that specifically reflects my taste and personality.

That 2010s look - peplum tops, skinny jeans, high heeled round toed shoes, leggings with a long top, that quiff hair style, thick eyeliner, matte foundation.

Seems like what’s in is 90s shaped jeans ever so slightly cropped, trainers or high top converses, big cropped puffer coats, or flared tracksuit bottoms worn over UGGS. Going out seems to be a bit Marc Jacobs with gothy chiffon dresses with spaghetti straps.

I was immediately reminded of "Marjorie" the Fatfighters coach (Little Britain).