Absolutely, unequivocally frumpy? - YouLookFab Forum

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Absolutely, unequivocally frumpy?

April

Veteran

So this conversation got me wondering about this: are there items, or perhaps combinations of items, that are unequivocally frumpy, and can't be made to look otherwise?

I'm thinking that specialized, white running/walking/cross-training athletic shoes when paired with any sort of street clothes might be one of these combos.

Are there others that come to mind?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from yardshark

catgirl

Veteran

I assume we're talking about specific pieces of clothing, like "sweatpants", and not more general categories such as "ill-fitting clothing"?

I am thinking away here! Everything I wear at our cabin would probably count.

crwilson

Veteran

I saw a combination today that I think is unequivocally frumpy. Long plaid wool skirt (ankle length) with worn ballet flats and a pastel crew neck cable sweater. I'm not sure how it could be de-frumpified, even with killer accessories.

catgirl

Veteran

Here's an article about dressy sweatpants:

http://www.zimbio.com/Runway+F.....y+Fabulous

Aida

Veteran

I seem to recall the Glamourai sporting those dressy sweatpants with success.

catgirl

Veteran

Aida, I'm sure she did. Which raises an interesting question: can certain people make ANYTHING look good?

Aida

Veteran

I'm not sure it's a question of whether certain people can make ANYTHING look good so much as incorporating enough other trendy/modern elements to KEEP it from getting frumpy looking. I would guess that Kelly paired those with fantastic sky-high heels, loads and loads of jewelry, a trendy asymmetrical top, and a moto-jacket of some sort. She also always has very edgy hair (and makeup), which I think helps tremendously.

In Crwilson's example, worn ballet flats could instantly turn that outfit frumpy. Swap those with fancy heels/any modern shoe, an edgy or well done hair/make up do, a trendy jacket, and the right attitude and you have a look that B.Jones would wear.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, B. Jones came to my mind also with that description. I think you're right, Aida.

Aida

Veteran

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Been debating reincorporating more vintage into my wardrobe, but how to do this in a modern/trendy way? For now I'm holding off a bit while I figure out hair and make up, because I'm lacking there. But I admire what Kelly does with her vintage pieces, and I'd love to be able to do something similar (hah, but we can dream).

EDIT: Oooh and also Jessica from WhatIWore!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I own dressy sweatpants. They're black, and a smidge faded with paneling in the front. Paired them with sky high gladiators when the weather was warmer.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Things that are unequivocally frumpy to me are sports socks worn with dress shoes on both men and women and shapeless linen items too. Aida I'm excited to see you add a vintage element to your style.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This kind of looks like sweatpants to me but it is stylish:
http://www.threedots.com/cloth.....ots_12.jpg

An item that I find ever so frumpy is cotton elastic waist pants (of any length). Made ot of sweat pant material. (Other fabrics are not quite as frumpy.) All of the old ladies wear them here. And any sweater with a holiday theme.

April

Veteran

Ooh, some good suggestions here. Sporty socks with dress shoes is one I wouldn't have thought of, but given the recent fringe trend of knee-high athletic socks with heels (weird, but not quite frumpy), I'm going to suggest a more specific version: thicker, non-sheer socks with ballet flats.

Chunky socks with chunky sandals would be another for me.

And how about traditional Crocs with capri-length pants?

catgirl

Veteran

This morning I wondered about overalls after thumbing through the J Jill catalog:

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....;ac=search

Although perhaps this is "cute"? Overalls always remind me of Dexy's Midnight Runners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q

(she said randomly)

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Maybe with the right styling overalls could be cute - but the long overall jumper in that link can NEVER be saved from frumpdom!!

Kristine

Veteran

Sweatpants with elastic at the bottom of the legs. Especially when they're worn to work.. ???

April

Veteran

Good grief -- what on earth is going on at J Jill? That denim jumper is the worst thing I've seen anywhere in a long time.

Elly

Veteran

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=M

I live on the western slope of Colorado (the one that borders Utah). This is what the fundamentalist excommunicated-for-polygamy mormon ladies wear when they go to walmart instead of their compound dresses and bonnets to avoid attention. I never knew they shopped at JJill. I thought they were still feeding off the denim jumpers of horror from the 90s, or perhaps they made the suckers.

catgirl

Veteran

April, I know! (Your post made me laugh out loud.) I actually have liked some stuff at j jill, but this is crying for an intervention. Can you imagine the thought process behind the jumper?!

catgirl

Veteran

Elly, I'm going to watch Big Love a bit more closely, in case any of these items show up!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Elly, Amish and polygamous compound dwellers were the first associations I had to that jumper when I saw it!

Heather

Veteran

Shame on J.Jill!

Queen Mum

Veteran

good heavens! j.jill must be stocking from goodwill these days. At least the shirt under the jumper is on trend though

things that spring to mind...

sagging "girls"
baggy, too short pants
said pants worn with athletic shoes
crocs
mom jeans tucked into Uggs (I saw this at the grocery store just the other day)
ankle banded sweat pants
muu muu's
the bathrobe I am currently wearing

RoseandJoan

Veteran

In the UK the store Bonmarche is the epitome of FRRRRRUMP, there are items trying to be on trend but they are shapeless, the colours are washed out and quite frankly the women this shop caters for deserve better.

http://www.bonmarche.co.uk/42-new-arrivals

yardshark

At least a few unequivocally frumpy things come to mind: oversized, boxy tops in strange constructions and cheap garish prints in 80s colors; sweatshirts with cutesy designs on the front (think odd floral compositions or cartoon characters); pajama style pants with allover prints that aren't quite sweats but should be left at home as if they were.

...I know someone who regularly ventures out to public social events wearing the last 2 items...TOGETHER. Ah well.