https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:52:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023469 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 20:49:44 +0000 Jenava 2023469@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've always associated it with drug addiction, TBH.&nbsp; Like referring in a derogatory way to someone (male or female) who is out of their mind, unaware of their surroundings, disheveled, but also "easy" sexually.&nbsp; In my mind, it's associated with the "addict fashion"/Heroin chic that became fashionable in the 90's.&nbsp; Think, Courtney Love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023415 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:07:48 +0000 deb 2023415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My maternal grandmother used this term all of the time. I always assumed it was from the 1920's or 30's.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023396 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:01:39 +0000 JP 2023396@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for asking the question, Angie! I have never used it because like you I didn't understand it exactly. Very interesting explanations everyone, thank you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023361 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:22:23 +0000 Peri 2023361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As it is used in the south, it refers to a big mess, or a total mess. Nothing to do with hot as a compliment! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023305 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 02:37:39 +0000 Jaime 2023305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great thread - hats off to La Ped!&nbsp;<br />(For me the connotation is definitely a total mess.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean/page/2#post-2023301 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 02:13:00 +0000 unfrumped 2023301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, these were fun descriptions and discussions.<br /> Since it has been evolving and different folks use it different ways, I echo rachy and some others who include an emotional component or something that pulls someone else in , or is intended to, or to get attention in either a positive or negative way. So I would<br /> not typically use it for just a mishmash outfit, for example, or someone just having a bad day, though I might, or hear otgrst, referring to self as hot mess to make light, or fun, but not REALLY. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023288 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 01:03:52 +0000 Angie 2023288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the excellent explanations, and giggles :)</p> <p><b>La Ped</b>, GREAT back story.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023281 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:42:50 +0000 smittie 2023281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LaPed! Thanks for looking into this! I love the origin and it makes so much sense! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023277 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 00:06:52 +0000 Marilyn 2023277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha!&nbsp; I used the term today in my blog comment.....right, <b>Angie</b>.&nbsp; :)&nbsp; Never really thought about it's origin.&nbsp; It seems to have several definitions but to me it's just a slang term for something in extreme disarray, disorganized, chaotic. It could be used to describe any number of situations. I would not regard it as rude in any way unless directed at another person in a mean spirited way.&nbsp; It's not a phrase I use often but it's what came to mind when describing the wrap top I gave away with tags still on because it looked like such a mess.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023267 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 22:46:17 +0000 Mainelady 2023267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the contexts I have heard, I always thought a “hot mess” was bigger, bolder and more chaotic than a regular mess. Apparently there are degrees of messiness. Sometimes the phrase has been used to describe an emotional state, rather than clothing or objects. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023250 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:32:44 +0000 rachylou 2023250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok. I have to say I have always imagined a curling-iron operation gone wrong when I hear the phrase.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023245 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:09:33 +0000 Anonymous 2023245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for asking the question, Angie.&nbsp; I always imagined that it referred to the mess a cat or dog might up-chuck or worse.&nbsp; Who would want to look like a pile of----?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks to those who looked up the origins.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023238 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 20:17:27 +0000 Glory 2023238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me Hot Mess is an all around kerfuffle with a few hot flashes thrown in for good measure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023220 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:41:59 +0000 Jenni NZ 2023220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think maybe it is more in use in North America? I’ve never heard it used in NZ conversation. I sort of imagined the person being maybe hot in temperature as well as looking a mess- like a bit sweaty, flustered, the opposite of “cool” in its temperature and stylishness meanings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023219 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:39:59 +0000 Astrid 2023219@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a non native speaker I always thought it meant something like „without concept“. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023213 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:15:25 +0000 Liesbeth 2023213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not American or native English speaker but I’ve heard it used first to describe Miley Cyrus after her controversial shows and media appearances a few years back. It seems to me that in popular media or on the web it’s often used as a pejorative term for female celebrities who have spun out of control according to the one judging. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023205 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:29:58 +0000 Cardiff girl 2023205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hadn’t heard this term either until recently so I’m glad that you asked the question Angie.lts fascinating to see how terms and ultimately language evolves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023203 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:27:13 +0000 Anonymous 2023203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>"Hot mess" was used as a clue in the NY Times crossword the other day. &nbsp;The answer turned out to be "dumpster fire." &nbsp;So, not really a good thing, and not "hot" in a good way. &nbsp;I guess this doesn't really answer your question, though. &nbsp;:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023196 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:52:58 +0000 Lesley 2023196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the back story La Ped! Like Lisap, I have loved this expression, and taken it to mean it's way worse than a regular mess... it's a mess that's wet and leaking and urgent to deal with, because it's fresh... it's hot! I won't go into details about the kinds of messes I'm thinking of, because I don't want to gross out lunchtime readers, but you get the idea. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023194 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:49:42 +0000 Jane 2023194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve used it as LisaP uses it. I like the term - describes me perfectly on occasion! I tend to only use it with close friends who know me well. </p> <p>Shoe pain generally gets me into a hot mess very quickly! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023191 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:38:42 +0000 Sara L. 2023191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with other replies - not just a mess, but a <i>hot</i> mess.&nbsp; It's an intensification. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023189 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:19:02 +0000 Anonymous 2023189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023188 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:04:19 +0000 Carla 2023188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What lisap said. An all-round 360 degree mess. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023186 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:59:01 +0000 rachylou 2023186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting about the origins! The ‘hot’ to me means ‘total’. As in disastrously a mess. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023180 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:43:40 +0000 Nebraskim 2023180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to hear that a lot on Project Runway and also the original Queer Eye. Both Carson Kressley and Christian Siriano used the saying often in a pejorative way about an overall mess of a look.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023165 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:20:19 +0000 kkards 2023165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>its funny because we use this term all the time at work...for example..."that store was a hot mess"...ie it was so disorganized and nothing was where it was supposed to be and this is the nicest thing we could find to say about it.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023164 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:14:32 +0000 LaPed 2023164@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ETA great explanation from Merriam-Webster: <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-history-of-hot-mess" rel="nofollow">https://www.merriam-webster.co.....f-hot-mess</a></p> <p>"The term hot mess originally referred to a mess that was literally hot—mess in this case being related to the kind served in a mess hall. Before it was anything else, mess was a word for a quantity of food. (It traces back to the Late Latin missus, meaning “course at a meal.”) Later it referred to a prepared dish of specifically soft food. And a hot mess was originally a hot dish of such food.<br /> ...<br /> Hot mess spent the 20th century mostly shut up in books written the century prior (not entirely, though: “Now, ef I says the word, yo’ll be in a hot mess in about one minute!,” a character threatens in a 1907 issue of Pall Mall Magazine, for example). But in the early 21st the term sprang forth with renewed vigor.</p> <p>It’s not at all clear what made hot mess into such a hot 21st century linguistic commodity, but evidence of its progress is everywhere. And the term continues to evolve: while earliest 21st century uses are almost uniformly unflattering—the emphasis is on the mess part—the term has developed a newer meaning, referring to a person who’s disorganized, disheveled, or self-destructive but who is also at the same time “hot,” as in attractive or sexy." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023162 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:09:52 +0000 LaPed 2023162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's actually quite an old expression that seems to have surged in popularity in recent years. Not 100% sure, but I think the origin has to do with cafeteria (or "mess hall") food. So the connotation is something slopped-together, jumbled, not particularly appealing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023160 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:03:05 +0000 Anonymous 2023160@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreeing especially with Lisap on the every degree of disorder. The implication is that it's almost unfixable because where would you start?</p> <p>It could be funny in very private company, especially about one's self but it's maybe a little mean for general use. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-does-hot-mess-mean#post-2023156 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:54:23 +0000 Anonymous 2023156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the term "hot mess" &nbsp;- and often feel like one myself. &nbsp;More than just a regular mess &nbsp;To me it means that pretty much everything about that person is a mess: &nbsp;i.e. physical and emotional. </p>