https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 17 May 2026 05:43:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-826080 Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:19:52 +0000 moira 826080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In thinking about this, it's the fact that ,on this particular girl, there is no joy or exuberance. She looks sullen, far too thin and not happy to be expressing herself with this outfit.<br /> MAYBE, it could look fun or ironic or whimsical on another woman, but not on this one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-826031 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:34:31 +0000 catgirl 826031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mmmm... I'm having a hard time because of her hair and expression. "Frumpy" and "grumpy" are too close for me. And her hair is cute, but not edgy enough to give the look some tension. So I'm going with frumpy, although I can see this being totally adorable if she were just smiling. Makes me wonder if I should smile more in my pics, but then I have to do a million takes because I look so freaking goofy. Aida needs to give a class on smiling mysteriously! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825517 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:18:41 +0000 MNsara 825517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - how did I miss this yesterday? Fun discussion I've skimmed over the comments so far, and a lot resonate with me. </p> <p>The first thought I had was - here's an example of age appropriate dressing - and only the 'youthful' should attempt this look. . . I wouldnt' have thought this look could really work at all except for Jonesy's pics showing variations that DO work. </p> <p>It's like original pic is a sort of volume on volume with the dress that looks too big (cuz all we can see is the skirt) and the sweatshirt that is purposefully oversized. </p> <p>My easy fix is shorter skirt to show kneecaps or smaller sweatshirt.</p> <p>However, if volume on volume is part of the goal, then Jonesy 2nd photo did it better - with it's longer, slouchier sweatshirt, and even longer more narrow skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825505 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:09:26 +0000 Mander 825505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure I'd go with frumpy to describe this, but I don't like it. I think the dress looks like it is too big, which makes her legs look extremely thin. That kind of shoe bugs me, too, and I definitely don't think this style goes well with a prim little dress like that -- they are far too glamorous, in my view. And I have a poison eye for sweatshirts like that -- if it was more interestingly shaped (maybe a scoop neck? no band at the bottom?) then it might be better. A shorter and/or more close-fitting dress would look better to me. As it is I get the impression of a young girl playing dress-up, but being made to put on a sweatshirt before going out to ride bikes on a chilly day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825476 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:23:21 +0000 Archer 825476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Frumpy. The other photos of similar combination work because the shoes echo a more child-like or 'recession dressing' feel. These shoes take it to looking like trying too hard, not to look like you're trying.<br /> It possibly the still shot effect too. She would look pretty cute dancing in it.<br /> Still vote frumpy though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825423 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:19:56 +0000 Anonymous 825423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't mind being the odd one out. I agree that the outfit's not very flattering, but I do think it looks very cool. The proportions feel funky and fresh to me.</p> <p>I have the same issues with pose (or lack of it) and expression, but this is expected with true street style photos. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825410 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:20:02 +0000 Hil 825410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now the outfit in the link that Claudia posted looks so much better to my eye - the short skirt I think makes the difference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825405 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:46:46 +0000 rosee 825405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...late to the party but I agree with most above: it doesn't work in this particular case. The print on the sweatshirt is too much and the heels really don't go with the sweatshirt, despite attempts at juxtaposition. More contrived and awkward than frumpy. Like she is trying too hard to be on trend. I haven't used this word for a long time, but "poser" comes to mind. (I can be mean sometimes, I guess). I like Jonesy's pics better but I am not a personal fan of this style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825380 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:30:36 +0000 carolbee 825380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don' like it at all. Will now go back and read the other replies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825229 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:15:14 +0000 Jaime 825229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My first thought was she was going to the company picnic and making the best of the required logo sweatshirt. I generally speaking love this look - Jonesy posted great examples. I do not think this particular one particularly works though. The cuffing and collar are too careful and deliberate with for the fun of the look and the shoes hurt me just looking at them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825223 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:05:26 +0000 Suz 825223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am woefully late here. Only had my phone with me today and wanted to get a better look at the photos before commenting. </p> <p>I agree that the word "frumpy" doesn't seem quite right -- it is too intentional a look for it to be frumpy, IMO. But it isn't conventionally flattering, and somehow misses that unconventional flattery that spells "cool." I like Jonesy's other examples much better, particularly #1. But that is not a sweatshirt and the skirt has a different shape. I DO like the loose, voluminous nature of the look. But I don't care for those shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-825029 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:15:23 +0000 CocoLion 825029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My fixes:<br /> - tuck the collar in under the sweatshirt.<br /> - "blouson" the sweatshirt a bit.<br /> - shorten the skirt<br /> - wear pumps in a fun color<br /> - change the hair. Or -- wear a cute beanie.<br /> - stand up straighter and smile like it's the best day of your life</p> <p>Even with these changes, the look might not work.<br /> If the dress's skirt had a pencil silhouette, the outfit might work much better but I'm assuming that would be hard to alter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824993 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:35:49 +0000 Claudia 824993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's blogger and model Hedvig Opshaug wearing the look well.</p> <p> <a href="http://the-northernlight.com/?s=jumpers" rel="nofollow">http://the-northernlight.com/?s=jumpers</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824980 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:24:58 +0000 Katiepea 824980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to be honest here and say I think it looks like she's wearing a uniform where she's worn a jumper over the top of the dress to try and disguise it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824974 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:22:03 +0000 Deborah 824974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel there is a lack of authenticity in this look. I find it very contrived. It's not frumpy on her (it would be on me) but to me its uninteresting. I thought it might have been a Satorialist photo. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of this outfit but she makes me think of a little girl playing dress ups:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824967 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:16:44 +0000 Claudia 824967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen this look done well and I've liked it, this one isn't doing it for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824958 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:05:21 +0000 Emily 824958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In my opinion she looks too impeccably groomed for the sweatshirt over dress to be a case of "I forgot my coat so I put on this sweater because it was in my gym bag!". She is beautiful, but the sweatshirt-over-dress does nothing for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824944 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:37:16 +0000 morethanbeige 824944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really kind of like it, but not for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/3#post-824868 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:12:40 +0000 Sara L. 824868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't particularly like the look. Part of the problem, for me, is the banded sweatshirt. I could handle the sweatshirt better if it didn't have that banded hem. Different shoes, like booties, might make the outfit work better too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824860 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:09:13 +0000 annagybe 824860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen better versions of this look, like the one Jonesy's showed. I like it though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824822 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:24:04 +0000 MsMaven 824822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not exactly frumpy--but fashion victim. I agree with many of you that this could work.</p> <p>I like Jonesy's #1 photo--the proportions of the long sweater over the skirt illustrate the golden mean almost to perfection. And, admittedly, a long sweater is chic-er than a sweatshirt. I wish we could see the shoes in that photo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824807 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:14:21 +0000 Vicki 824807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It could be fab, but this outfit is frumpy, for two reasons IMHO: I don't like her shoe choice and she lacks a confident smile! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824802 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:12:12 +0000 Ariadne 824802@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's intentionally frumpy, which is a whole style unto itself. I wouldn't wear it, but I like it. I think it's interesting. </p> <p>That said, I would have made the exact same tweaks Angie suggested. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824800 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:05:41 +0000 Jenava 824800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it needs a few more cues to make it fab...as it is I think the elements aren't really tied together and it looks like she had a great dress planned, ended up freezing and so decided to wing it with the sweatershirt over it, which looks like something you'd sleep in. I think it's because that sweatshirt is the only funky part of an otherwise pretty classic, dressy look. Pulling the collar over it doesn't give enough of a deliberate cue and so it just looks odd to me.</p> <p>I like the photo of Jonsey's where she's color-cordianted the red with the sweatshirt with her shoes. That is what I'm trying to say - she needs more accessories, maybe? Or maybe just a different color sweatshirt, athough I don't think that's the sole issue here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824797 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:02:40 +0000 kkards 824797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i like the concept behind this; but not the execution. the skirt needed to be either longer or shorter. at current length it needs to be more pencil skirt in shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824734 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:25:06 +0000 Sveta 824734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually the skirt is not that long: look, it hits just below her knee. Her legs are very long and it gives impression of much longer skirt IMO.<br /> However I am not in love with this look which is not a surprise because I don't like swetshirts in any incarnation. This length of the sweater may go with the same skirt length if the skirt is very tapered but for flared skirt I think the top length should be much shorter, almost waist length - or high-low hem where high portion is above the waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824732 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:23:47 +0000 ironkurtin 824732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love it but not with that color sweatshirt or the writing. Different color, fab. Doubt I would ever combine these elements but now I will think about it.</p> <p>It's mildly witty, high/low... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824725 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:22:04 +0000 judy 824725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If this woman in her outfit was walking toward me on the street , I'd think "pretty fab". I love the juxtaposition of her dress. hair and makeup with the sweatshirt. I think she looks gorgeous. Not every article of clothing or outfit need be "body con" as they call it now . To my eye, the proportions work well on her . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824724 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:21:40 +0000 Mochi 824724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>like 35 words for snow</p> <p>We need more fashion vocabulary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-this-outfit-fab-or-frumpy/page/2#post-824721 Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:18:59 +0000 Antje 824721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All these replies are so interesting! Makes me think that maybe we need another word beyond "frumpy". To me it seems like this person was "trying too hard" to be trendy, but for various reasons (love the analytic eye, Angie and other posters!) it just doesn't really work and in the end looks awkward. But to me that is not the same as frumpy, which to me implies less caring. Sooo, is there a word for "tries to be fashiony but ends up looking awkward"? </p>