Can you be stylishly frumpy?

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I was wondering with all the slouchy and baggy styles coming out, if this will be the trend for shorts in summer of 2014. What do you think: frumpy, stylish, or stylishly frumpy?

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12 years ago

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Well, I don't know about this one, but I know a lady who is stylishly frumpy indeed. Those shorts would look more frumpy than stylish on me, I'm afraid.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I actually have a sugar eye for full shorts like that. I also love culottes and gauchos and split skirts!

12 years ago

HelloKitty

Active Member

On this person, it looks stylishly frumpy (or frumpily stylish?). But this would NEVER work on me. The very high rise would only accentuate the parts that don't need accentuating!! It's a difficult look to pull off and I'm not fond of it.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

I think some people could look stylish in these but I'd feel frumpy.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I think this is stylish, not frumpy. But it is extremely conventional.

I also know lots of stylishly frumpy ladies. They usually involve a good dose of arty eclecticism in the form of quilted collarless jackets and Japanese-paper fan pins. But don't get me wrong, they're definitely styin' and in the know.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Rachy, you're too funny I know these ladies, too!

12 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Is anyone else having a flashback to the early 90s? Yowza.

It's always interesting to see silhouettes come back into fashion but this is not something I will rush out to try.

I know those intentionally arty frumpy ladies too. Somehow it works better once you are of a certain age, IMO.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This does not look frumpy to me. It looks too intentional for that. But I quite like wide leg shorts and culottes, too, at least in theory and on some bodies.

I know those ladies, too. I live in fear that I am one!

12 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think you can work a frumpy item into an outfit for a stylish outcome but I think this is different to being stylishly frumpy and boils down to intent.

As an aside I have bought two pairs of shorts for the summer which both have high rises, elasticated waists and are sweatshirt material. I am hoping they look modern and utilitarian rather than frumpy.

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12 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

I like this look a lot. For myself, I might narrow the legs just a twinge -- having to work a bit to find the right proportion. I also am a bit bustier than I was in the 90's, so I might find the higher waist a little tougher to wear than before. Low rise bottoms never worked well for me. Give me a natural waist! Maybe even, gasp, a pleat or two!

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yes. Hipsters everywhere love this look.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like this outfit! It's not frumpy at all to my eye.

When I think of "Stylishly Frumpy", I think of Alexa Chung style.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think "stylishly frumpy" is best left to the very young and very old.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I' not sure about "stylishly frumpy", but I like this outfit too.

12 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Oh, no! Please tell me that's not anywhere in the future? I remember this silhouette too well. It was 1985 and I would have dreamed to look like this lady. Today I know better. I'm sorry but this look is definitively frumpy. If I understand the word well. I mean, what is this? Braless Indiana Jones wannabe or what? And blah boring colours at that. Please give me some stripes to clean out my eye.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like this outfit (on the right person). On me it would look frumpy & like I'd kept them:)

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Hmm. Man Repeller?

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

The shorts would work well or my small waist and fat legs. I would probably need longer sleeves and more structure on top, so maybe a woven shirt would work better.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Let's just say I won't be going there! *clutching bra nervously*

It looks really cute on this fashionista. My DD held up a pair of denim shorts in that exact cut the other day when we were at Goodwill. She said, "Mom, did you actually wear shorts like this back in the day?" I didn't, but I remember there were certain girls that looked really good in them. My chicken thighs always got lost in the fullness of the legs.

I've seen this "same value" tan and grey color combination on a WNTW recently. I think it would wash me out; I need more of a medium contrast level but it looks very fresh to my eye.

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Uh, I see no frump. I think she looks great!

12 years ago

hedgiehog

Veteran

I think I had shorts like this back in the '80s.....I remember they were Outback Red from The Limited. I loved those shorts! Alas, many moons and two kids later, I would definitely be the mayor of Frumpville if I wore these!

12 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

I love this. I secretly aspire to be one of those arty frumpy ladies.

12 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I really like this look on her, though I'd be more comfortable if she wore a bra. (Claire, you crack me up!)
I'm with Rhubarbgirl--oh yes, it gives me flashbacks to the 90s for sure. I had a pair of khaki shorts that looked pretty similar, around that time.
I am curious about the stylishly frumpy ladies. I can't quite picture what Rachylou is describing, and I fear I may just wander cluelessly into that territory. La, la, la, here I go. . .. Off to google Alexa Chung.

12 years ago

Tina

Veteran

It's all in the supporting (ahem, something may be missing) cast. This is definitely a very intentional look.
Claire, you are funny:-))

12 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

"Intentionally arty frumpy"?
That takes skill.
"Artlessly frumpy", now that's easy.

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think it's possible. Tough with those particular shorts. She looks like she's got a willowy frame, great legs, heels, and probably youth on her side. I think I'd look totally frumpy in those. The hipsters are also young and wear them ironically.

12 years ago

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