I can identify a frumpy look when I see it, but I find it hard to articulate what frumpy means. So I thought I would take a bash at isolating the aspects of a person’s style that are particularly susceptible to frump. 

• Fit: Clothes that are too large can look frumpy. Unstructured clothing can look frumpy.
• Length: Skirts and dresses that are too long, regular length trousers that are too short, and leg shortening capris can look frumpy.
• Hair: I find this element the hardest to explain, yet it probably is the strongest contributor to an overall frump factor. An outdated hairstyle can look frumpy, but it’s not just that alone.The colour, the length, the way it curls, the way it lies flat, the way it’s layered, or the way it’s tied back can make hair look frumpy too.
• Footwear: There is something about the silhouette of a shoe that can increase it’s frump-factor. Sometimes it’s the colour, the fabrication, the height of the vamp, or the shape of the heel. Sometimes a shoe does not look frumpy on the shelf, but it does look frumpy on our feet.
• Accessories: Dated eyewear and watches can look frumpy. Often it is not so much the accessory itself, but how it has been styled and what it has been paired with in an outfit that increases it’s frump-factor. When worn in a certain way, scarves and necklaces can look particularly frumpy. Yet style those same accessories differently and they look fab. 

My list describes where frump often comes in, but it still isn’t definitive about what exactly makes something frumpy. Why is this so hard?

Well, first of all, frump often depends on the wearer. There are people who can look very stylish in something that might look frumpy on the rest of us. For example, we just recently discussed how bad fit can look cool. And wearing vintage and retro items, although dated, has it’s stylish appeal. Clearly what looks frumpy on some does not look frumpy on others. 

And second, frumpy today can be trendy tomorrow. As I have said before, things can look frumpy right up until the point that they look fabulous. When midis first started trending, midi apprehension was rife because of the frump factor people associated with the length. Today, midis are more on trend than ever. Wearing socks with sandals and flat oxfords used to be very frumpy, but not anymore.

That’s why I find it impossible to create the “how not to look frumpy” guidelines. I’m afraid I’m going to have to stick to the I know it when I see it approach for now.

Over to you. You know frumpy when you see it, so what is it about a look that makes it frumpy? How do you decrease the frump-factor? Do you ever feel frumpy, and if so, how do you take the frump out of what you are wearing? 

Do you notice how fictional characters dress? Or do you tune out when you get to the descriptions? As a little girl I was fascinated by what people in books were wearing. I read those passages over and over again. The pupils at St Clare’s boarding school played exciting sounding sports like lacrosse in cute outfits, and their school uniform didn’t look a bit like mine. How utterly fab. I’m slightly less obsessed as an adult, but I still pay attention. From the comical spandex getups of bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to the red habits and white “wings” in The Handmaid’s Tale, the clothes always reveal something about the person and story depicted — just like in real life.

The trench coat ranks high in my all-time top 10 of favourite fashion items. At the same time, I’m also a big fan of detective stories and sci-fi novels. Which makes me a lucky duck. Ever since Chandler sent Philip Marlowe chasing after the bad guys in his trademark khaki trench, it has practically become the law for every self-respecting PI and government agent – male or female – to don the stylish raincoat. So over the years I’ve had plenty of opportunity to check out the trench trends. And all the movie adaptations and TV series have certainly added to the sartorial fun. Currently I’m smitten with Olivia Dunham’s super sharp black trench coats on Fringe. They’re gorgeous!

How about you? Is there a particular trench coat look that has stood out for you? Or maybe there’s a book or movie wardrobe you’d love to inherit?

New in YLF Books

In The Trench Book Nick Foulkes guides us through the history of the iconic trench coat, from its first appearance as a practical water-resistant menswear coat, to its wide Hollywood appeal and the many dressy and casual styles available today.

The night before the SoCal YLF Weekend, I couldn’t sleep. I drove The Husband crazy, trying endless clothing combinations and fussing over details like weather, mall temperature, and frenetic-shopping-pit-stain possibilities. 

“Where are you going again?” The Husband asked me.

“All over,” I said. “But first, we’ll meet at my friend Vicki’s house for breakfast.”

“Ah,” he mused, “so this must be someone you’ve met before.”

“Well, not exactly,” I hedged, wondering how to explain.

“But you’ve known her for a long time online?” he offered.

“Well… no.”

“And the others?”

“Flying in from out of state – it is a miracle they were all free!”

At this point, Vicki had just recently joined the forum. AJ had proposed a Los Angeles meetup and, before we knew it, Claire, Aida, and Una had also arranged to be in the same place at the same time.

Hubs looked at me like I was about to become a sensationally tragic news story.

“None of you have met, and you’re all going to Vicki’s house?” he asked again. “For food?”

“Totally.”

That’s just how we roll at YLF. I knew I loved Vicki – and Aida and AJ and Una and Claire – even though I’d never met them before. The same was true when I initially joined the rest of the SoCal members at MaryK’s house for my first swap party and again at the Pasadena gathering. Simply put, we were old friends, newly acquainted.

Hubs may have had misgivings, but I knew better! 

When the morning of the meetup finally came, I zoomed out of the house earlier than planned and pulled up to Vicki’s place sporting a huge grin. Her fabulous husband stood out front as a one-man welcoming committee, in Strong and Simple black and white. He was so gracious and friendly!

I was first to arrive (and meet the cat!), but it wasn’t long before Aida, Claire, AJ, Marley, Vicki, and I were treated to a gorgeous meal (complete with personalized pumpkin place settings!) in Vicki’s gorgeous home complete with the most fantastic animal-print upholstery. I will always remember the mimosas, the food, and the easy conversation. We all took turns sharing our stories and, by the time we piled into our cars to hit the mall, I almost couldn’t believe that Aida, Claire, and AJ had all flown in from out of state – wait, you mean I don’t shop with these ladies every weekend? Now that’s weird!

From Vicki’s house, we headed out to South Coast Plaza in sunny Costa Mesa, where we were able to hit up H&M, Zara, Club Monaco, Theory, Express, and Anne Fontaine. The trip netted a killer blue tweed moto, red blazer, and long-awaited fur vest for Aida; perfectly fitting, perfectly current orange skinnies for Vicki; and some adorable pictures for all of us.

Because one mall is not enough when the YLF gang is in town, we zipped over to Fashion Island, Newport Beach for dinner, drinks, and more damage. Aida was able to test drive a Halogen Seamed Pencil Skirt in Nordstrom, and everyone talked me into my now-beloved F21 faux-shearling jacket. Oh yeah, you’d better believe we closed that Forever 21 down!

And because one DAY is not enough when the out-of-state YLF gang is in town, we reconvened on Sunday morning to continue our shopping shenanigans – swap meet style.  Khris was able to join us at this point, which thrilled us all. Vicki wowed us by bringing an extra pair of shoes for serious walking, I found a pair of work pants, and Claire scored a fab $200 Elliott Luca bag, which she later refurbished with leather dye, for all of $15.

Next, we replenished ourselves by lunching with Dynamic Duo Una and MaryK at the local Macaroni Grill. The energy, joy and no one would ever have guessed that the former had just flown in from Alaska and braved Disneyland – or that the latter had just returned home from a glamorous cruise! We ate, we swapped stories, we laughed, Aida presented an invaluable photography lesson and, before we knew it, it was time for Una and MaryK to head out. Hugs and another set of accessory photos later, the rest of us were off for one last adventure.

We returned to Costa Mesa to visit The Lab Anti-Mall and peruse the alternative wares within. Vicki scored an Urban Outfitters grey and blue striped military-style peplum jacket at Khris’s urging. Buffalo Exchange also yielded slouchy trousers for Aida, an asymmetrical jacket for myself, and super-cool gray Converse sneaks for Claire. Team Wear gained a star player when Claire laced herself in and claimed those shoes before we’d even reached the register! The sales associate was even nice enough to scan the price tag right from Claire’s foot.

We made another quick stop at Urban Outfitters, and then we settled in for dessert and some final bonding time at the mall’s Gypsy Den Café. It seems like we must have talked about everything under the sun – from posing techniques, to kids, to the differences between cobblers and crumbles. We all knew the weekend was winding down, but we lingered before bidding farewell to Khris, Vicki, and Marley.

Claire, Aida, AJ, and I, still unwilling to let our time together end, made one last trip: as a truly fitting YLF Weekend Finale, AJ and Aida scoured the boot selection at DSW while Claire and I braved Metro Point’s Nordstrom Rack. Despite the fabulous array of discounted bags, citron and orange scarves, and adorable shoes, we did not find any perfect items before I had to seriously get myself in gear, onto the 405, and into bed for work the next day.

As I rode off into the sunset, all I could think was how lucky our visiting trio was to have shared a hotel room and maximized their time. I didn’t know when I would see these ladies again – I still don’t – but I know it can’t possibly be soon enough.

A lot of time has passed since that fateful weekend, but I still think of it often. Every time I snuggle into my F21 jacket, I know that I have fantastic YLF friends all over the country, from Alaska to Texas and beyond… and I smile to think that, someday, I’ll get to meet even more of them.

In the light of people making negative remarks about what you wear, MaryK enjoyed this fab article on Rookie called “How to Not Care What Other People Think of You”. Teenage fashion blogger extraodinaire Tavi Gevinson’s thoughts on the subject are thought provoking. 

Mochi would like to introduce you to Lingerie University at The Lingerie Goddess, which gives women a primer in understanding the basics about lingerie and which styles work best for different body types. 

Astrid says that it’s fun to upload a picture or painting to the Colors Pallete Generator. It will swiftly churn out a colour palette based on the image’s colours, which you can use as inspiration for outfit building.  

Legacy of Pearl loved this diagram! It suggests that magical things happen when you step outside your comfort zone.

Kyle says that young Anh from 9 to 5 Chic is impossibly chic. 

Marley liked Sally’s suggestions on how to step outside your sartorial comfort zone. Fun, non-threatening and doable. 

Refugee hopes that wearing pajamas out in public is a short lived fad. Amen to that. 

Vildy suggests browsing through this website dedicated to Jean Patchett, an ordinary girl who personified bored and self-absorbed chic. 

Ironkurtain is amused by these futuristic, preppy-gothic-football inspired outfits on io9 Sci Fashion.

This New York Times article taking a scientific look at the danger of high heels grabbed Laurinda’s attention. 

Rae is smitten with this vibrantly printed handbag from Reed Krakoff. 

While updating her hubby’s wardrobe, Carole found this Dappered article on casual shirts very helpful.