https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:47:33 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489348 Sat, 09 May 2015 10:29:35 +0000 rachylou 1489348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re. The Wild Hunt: I thought the big problem was you got scooped up and never let go. You ride until you die exhausted... Eh... Wait a sec... All of a sudden I'm feeling like this idea I have about what The Wild Hunt is, is like the noise a sparrow makes when it dies... "Tweet tweet twee... *kerput*"</p> <p>...Perhaps I should just move on... Hehe. Had to look up the etymology of 'twee.' British, of course. And apparently from the idea of saying 'sweet' in a babyish way. I'm thinking this rules out mason jars as 'twee.' Even tho one might expect to see these photographed with honey lemon peel lollipops (which yes sue me I have made before, lololol). Bunting, however, may be a thing that could go twee. Will have to think about it. That's a tricky one.</p> <p>But this begs a discussion on relativism, the concept as escaped from the lecture halls of academia and now running amuck in the streets. I mean, can Mark just run off with 'twee' like this? And why rebrand 'hipster'?</p> <p>'Enquiring minds want to know' </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489252 Sat, 09 May 2015 02:26:11 +0000 Karie 1489252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shiny, I love that definition of twee!&nbsp;</p> <p>I always thought of twee as dressing childishly. I wear Peter Pan collars and pretty things, but I (hopefully) don't look like a 12 year old.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489232 Sat, 09 May 2015 01:30:43 +0000 Jules 1489232@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm. Interesting take from the Atlantic. I guess hipster and twee can intersect, but I really don't think of brewing your own (yeasty) beer or fermenting your own sauerkraut as "twee" activities. They're work and fairly precise to do well. However, mason jars are probably a bit twee as wedding decor, etc. But actually quite practical as food storage, I find (the same lids fits so many jars! They don't leak!).<br /> And yet... someone commented, gushed really, at office lunch the other day about how "cute" my jam jar of homemade salad dressing was. She was clearly sincere, yet appreciating my dressing on some twee level. To me it's just a great non-leaking way to get delicious leftover homemade vinaigrette to work, and I feel dumb that I needed hipsters to point out the obvious (free glass jars &gt;&gt;&gt; buying Tupperware with a billion different lids).</p> <p>Rachylou.... Analysis needed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489221 Sat, 09 May 2015 01:10:19 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1489221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, doesn't the wild hunt kill whatever is in its path, out after dark alone at night? </p> <p>Unrelated, I did know the twee concept, probably incorrectly related it closely to spinsters and tat (something I accuse my British teacher friend of purveying at his annual class jumble sales). Googled it nonetheless and found this interesting piece: <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/07/the-twee-revolution/372273/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatlantic.com/mag.....on/372273/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489124 Fri, 08 May 2015 22:03:25 +0000 Jules 1489124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re: precious, I think of it as meaning cutesy and contrived. Twee is maybe a little less intentional? Anyway, I think maybe you don't relate to negative, perhaps patronizing or somewhat sarcastic??? descriptors. You're perhaps just a more positive, straight forward person? These are good things - that perhaps can be incorporated into your style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489090 Fri, 08 May 2015 20:30:19 +0000 Sheila 1489090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow ! Some interesting stuff here. Had never heard the word until today. </p> <p>I personally can't do any ribbons or bows... feminine details... my features are quite large, probably more masculine than feminine... and I look like "manly" in them. Awful really.</p> <p>Last year I had purchased a pale pink, lacy, layered ethereal dress... it was gorgeous. I had my picture taken in groups several times at this event. My daughter asked to see pictures of this event... " Mom, where is this dress ?" ""Ummm upstairs in the closet " " Her: "What were you thinking ?". Later that week my husband found the dress in the bottom of the bathroom wastebasket... ( I did not put it there ).&nbsp; She obviously had stronger feelings about it than I did. Kind of sad really. </p> <p>I so admire other ladies that wear them well. I would love to be that sweet feminine lady... I guess I have just thought of the look as gamine or ingénue, never "twee".</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489086 Fri, 08 May 2015 20:10:54 +0000 Ledonna N. 1489086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Shiny- can't trust that urban dictionary lol</p> <p>@ rachylou lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489084 Fri, 08 May 2015 20:06:43 +0000 shiny 1489084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just looked it up in the Urban Dictionary and had a chuckle over this definition:</p> <p>twee<br />The noise a sparrow makes the moment it dies.<br />Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, twee. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1489053 Fri, 08 May 2015 18:12:06 +0000 rachylou 1489053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ Ledonna - Haha! I'm the sad product of a pretty classical education, full of mind/body split too. Ahaha! It cracks me up no end I tell you. And when I say classical, I do mean like Ancient Greek dudes lounging on the steps in public forums, waiting for someone to cough up a few coins for expounding oratory and drinks. Lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488869 Fri, 08 May 2015 10:44:31 +0000 Ledonna N. 1488869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ rachylou do you carry a Masters in analytical thinking? I swear you sound like my sister. "Anyways, I think the issue is twee isn't the name of a style but a pejorative... " </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488849 Fri, 08 May 2015 09:24:30 +0000 Anonymous 1488849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was a fascinating thread. &nbsp;I learned a lot. &nbsp;Thank you for posting it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488814 Fri, 08 May 2015 05:51:17 +0000 rachylou 1488814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Zooey, but have to admit I crossed a certain line in life where I was starting to look less Zooey and more Baby Jane. Felt a strong need at that point to give up bows and puff sleeves.</p> <p>Anyways, I think the issue is twee isn't the name of a style but a pejorative... ETA: Ok, I guess we all know that. Anyways, I think about this from time to time. How once my beloved puff sleeves were good for grown women, nay even old women, and now they're sorta relegated to little girl territory. I guess the thing is, fashion moves on by nature. It's the Wild Hunt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488789 Fri, 08 May 2015 04:06:23 +0000 Gigi 1488789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My style has changed recently to incorporate more of the elements that you listed: bows, ruffles, circle skirts, etc. I don't personally use the word "twee" because I don't really know how to use it. I know what it means, but I have no working sense of the connotation of it.</p> <p>I am a very petite person and have very youthful features, so I have to be careful with how many of these types of items I incorporate at once. I have better luck if I combine one such element (like a Peter Pan collar) with a simple, modern item (like a sheath dress). It allows me to have the uber-feminine styling without going overboard, at least to my eye.</p> <p>I know that it can be difficult to feel like your style is not accepted when you have a different sense of fashion. My personal style is quite different from others' on the forum, but I have found that as I continue to experiment and hone my style, I become happier and happier with it and more content to be myself. It does take a while, though...I have been playing with fashion for a couple of years now. I think your fashion self-acceptance will grow as you continue on. </p> <p>I hope to see more of you on the forum. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488720 Fri, 08 May 2015 02:19:01 +0000 Ledonna N. 1488720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will be honest I did not know what twee was. I came here following another thread. Although not my style I have nothing agnist twee and find it to be very pretty. I would love to see your twee styles because I love fashion and think the things we all wear are works of art. I look forward to seeing you style choices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing/page/2#post-1488681 Fri, 08 May 2015 01:13:04 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1488681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought twee was something overdone, as in dressing too childishly. Which is hard to define, admittedly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488608 Thu, 07 May 2015 23:24:31 +0000 chadya 1488608@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Twee and Frumpy<br />hard to define but we definitely know it when we see it </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488536 Thu, 07 May 2015 21:49:42 +0000 E 1488536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Twinkling, I was just reading a book about how American women got dressed in various decades of the 20th century, and two things jumped out at me: before the feminist revolution (and thank goodness for it), women wore all kinds of collars and fuller skirts (vs pencil) as serious workwear. It saddens me that nowadays the only really serious option is a menswear style collar (and men used to have so many more neckwear options too! cravats!) and that pencil skirts, which are the most difficult to move in, are viewed as more serious/grown up than other skirt silhouettes. I too prefer round collars and wish they weren't so associated with little girls nowadays, as that hasn't always been the case! I think full skirts are starting to come back into the mainstream fashion, so hopefully that means in future they won't have such a strong juvenile association.</p> <p>Anyway, as a couple posters mentioned, I often tend towards the more feminine/girly/delicate side of dressing, including an unabashed use of bows, ruffles, and ditsy florals, lol, and the forum has been very welcoming to me. So don't worry about posting your outfits, even if they differ from the norm! I'm 29 now, and while I do want to grow more elegant/sophisticated/etc. as I move through my 30s, I have no intention of giving up the fit and flare silhouette or round collars. Or the little details that some would describe as 'fussy,' but I describe as 'lovely.' In my case, I enjoy combining those feminine elements with a certain groundedness/sturdiness/practicality that just works best for my lifestyle, but I don't think that's a requirement at all. The only thing I think you have to embrace when dressing in this way is that people are going to call you cute; luckily that doesn't bother me. hehe Anyway, I look forward to seeing posts from you!</p> <p>...and now it's time for me to get back into sewing a full, pintucked skirt that I hope to share with the forum soon... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488516 Thu, 07 May 2015 21:00:27 +0000 Dee 1488516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was a fascinating thread to me. I don't see twee and delicate/feminine/pretty as the same thing AT ALL. To me, twee implies a childishness that can be a part of those other descriptors but isn't inherent to them. I can see a lot of items having feminine details (lace, collars, skirts) without seeming twee. </p> <p>I also think your personality and attitude play a large part in how people perceive you and the clothes you wear, so unless there is a complete disconnect like some of the What Not to Wear examples, you should be able to incorporate the things you like into your style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488515 Thu, 07 May 2015 20:58:59 +0000 Janet 1488515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agreed with Diana and others. If a style speaks to you and is appropriate to your life, rock it! I am decidedly non-twee, but I'm also almost 50 years old and have never been particularly fond of ruffles, bows, or anything cutesy (or is that another pejorative term? ;-). I for one welcome more diversity in style in the forum, so please don't feel like you can't represent here! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488508 Thu, 07 May 2015 20:33:01 +0000 Staysfit 1488508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have learned something new here. I thought twee was twin sister of gamine. Now I know it's the evil step mother. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488496 Thu, 07 May 2015 20:07:53 +0000 KikiG 1488496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you say "charming" or "pretty"&nbsp;when the style aligns with the age of the wearer, and the look overall&nbsp;works, and you say "twee" when it misses.&nbsp; Think: Deloris Umbridge, and her gamboling kittens-on-plates, in Harry Potter, and&nbsp;her cutsie tweed suits.&nbsp; Twee on steroids, ick.&nbsp; I saw a What Not to Wear, years ago, and the petite, mid-30s subject had, and wore in public and<i> to work</i>, three sets of <b>fairy wings</b>.&nbsp; Twee, and ick.&nbsp; I'm sorry, but I have a very strong reaction to fairy wings on anyone over 6 on a day other than October 31.</p> <p>I am middle aged, but I like pretty, feminine clothes.&nbsp; I am careful with detail (too much, I think, looks Jr. department, not age appropriate) and I'm careful to mix, say, something with a little lace with things that are clean lined.&nbsp; If everything I had on was detailed and "fancy" it would be Too Much.&nbsp; </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488487 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:55:19 +0000 Thistle 1488487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is because the word is designed to be horrible, but the styles associated with it aren't. The person using the word twee just doesn;t like them.</p> <p>Twee is the word for soft, feminine, etc. when you don't like that look.</p> <p>Kind of like corporate when you don't like a more classic look. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488485 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:53:33 +0000 Marilyn 1488485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had never heard the term twee until reading this thread.&nbsp; Learned something new today.&nbsp; Feminine styles are not my thing but I'm all for people wearing whatever styles make them happy.&nbsp; Variety is the spice of life, right.</p> <p>The thing that attracted me to this particular group is the women here sport a variety of styles...some I like, some I don't.....and it's like one happy family.&nbsp; It's a supportive group.&nbsp; I've encountered women in other groups who could get quite hostile if you dared not like something they did.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488478 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:45:44 +0000 Suz 1488478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great discussion. Thank you for raising the question.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree with what others have said and would only be repeating it. But I think if you look for "romantic" or "feminine" or even "gamine," those words won't turn up the same negative connotations.&nbsp;</p> <p>Twee is a pejorative, like frumpy, as Peri says, and is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. I'm not sure it's always about overly feminine or youthful details, either. Sometimes I think we apply it to looks that have a sort of "fussiness" to them that we stereotypically (and perhaps wrongly) associate with "ladies who lunch." Or to a sort of costumed effect, as Lisa said. </p> <p>Still, what's twee for me might be "squee" for you. :)&nbsp;</p> <p>I love to see people dress in ways that complement their features and their lives, that make them feel their best selves. Whatever that means!&nbsp;</p> <p>Bring on the style variety.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488454 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:15:14 +0000 Iron Ethel Flint 1488454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can relate to your post since I also find myself attracted to an unpopular style among my own social circle. </p> <p>I dread "hippie-dippie", "'60s throwback", and "stoner" just as you dread "twee".&nbsp; I posted some concrete examples of what I would love to wear if i knew nobody would see me and laugh and a poster who describes herself as living in "hipsterville" informed me that they would be considered cutting edge trendy among her own circle.</p> <p>This has been a very friendly and accepting place in my limited experience, so i would like to encourage you to explore your own taste, what attracts your eye, what you love, and reframe it in positive language such as delicate or feminine.</p> <p>You may not be able to wear Peter Pan collars at work any more than i can wear denim jumpers to a PTA meeting, but hopefully you will find the same kind of help I did. </p> <p>Now I know the right search terms to type into eBay to look for a chambray shirtdress that is comfortable enough for housework but fine to wear to the grocery store and library. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488450 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:10:04 +0000 Angie 1488450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OF COURSE, you are welcome Twinkling. I look forward to seeing your style.&nbsp;</p> <p>Actually, I think this forum has a wide variety of styles and it's GLOBAL. People that work in a corporate environment. SAHMs. Retirees. Scientists. Academics. IT Specialists. Writers. Artists. Doctors. Teachers. Lawyers. At one point, it was heavily Urban Warrior Princess.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488447 Thu, 07 May 2015 19:06:32 +0000 Twinkling 1488447@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes sense about the demographic of this website generally leaning toward a different style. I've had a somewhat difficult time navigating my way through other fashion forums as I agree, they tend to be geared to a younger audience and I feel like I'm at a very different stage in my life than high schoolers and young college women. But still, even if I differ from most people here, I can genuinely say this has been the nicest forum I've found and I'm glad I'm still welcome </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488431 Thu, 07 May 2015 18:40:24 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1488431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YLF tends to be modern classic on the average, from Angie's own influence and the fact that many other fashion forums skew very young and/or trend driven. I think we do a decent job of being open to all kinds of styles but obviously there's a level of group think that happens in any community.</p> <p>Once the forum 'knows' you a little better it's easier too. I wouldn't think of suggesting to E that she start wearing sheath dresses and heels, or that Deborah should stop wearing black. Presumably no one would tell me I should give up all my jeans, either!</p> <p>Speaking on a larger scale, I do think traditionally feminine looks can feel problematic to some women, myself included. We don't yet live in a post-misogynistic world, and a lot of people dismiss feminine traits as weak or lesser than masculine traits. When you're struggling to be taken seriously, in a job or a community, it's logical to use every weapon at your disposal, including dressing in a more masculine or androgynous style, or avoiding girly touches that might strike others the wrong way. It sucks, and hopefully we'll soon be able to let everyone express themselves in their wardrobe without having to worry about traditional gender roles, but we're not there yet. If you're interested in that sort of thing, annagybe's recent thread about shoes would be a good read, if you haven't seen it yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488427 Thu, 07 May 2015 18:35:45 +0000 shedev 1488427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of Zoey Deshanel as more retro than twee. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-twee-such-a-horrible-thing#post-1488402 Thu, 07 May 2015 17:57:59 +0000 Angie 1488402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a personal preference. Some like a twee look. Good for them. Others abhor it.&nbsp;</p> <p>We have forum members who wear twee looks too perfection, and they wouldn't have it any other way. We DO celebrate all sartorial preferences, but of course - fashion is very subjective - and you will find twee-haters amongst the ones who love the look.</p>