Thinking about trying the "Frumpy" thing: Extra Update - YouLookFab Forum

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Thinking about trying the "Frumpy" thing: Extra Update

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just bought what I think is a GORGEOUS Spring tweed jacket from J.Crew (Find #1). When left loose, it has a fabulous bold ink zipper down the centre front, which is how I wear the jacket.

And then I saw the matching sheath in stores in my size last week (Find #2). I couldn't try it on because I was working with a client - but I am going to. The combination of dress and jacket is thought of as "stuffy, mature and frumpy" - and I bet most of you think that. Part of me used to think that too. But I can't help but see the potential for Chic, Ladylike and Modern Retro. AND FRESH above everything else. A very Anna Wintour look:

https://www.pinterest.com/sear.....nna%20wint

Of course, each tweed piece is AMAZING restyled with denim or hard edge - and that's easy (almost predictable). But I don't always want easy (I've shared that before on another thread). So I'm going to try the two pieces together to experiment. And of course to have fun! If I feel frumpy in the combination, well there you go. But if I don't, well THERE YOU GO!

ETA: Tried the dress with the jacket. Surprisingly, absolutley no problem with the longer sleeves under the jacket. Comfortable, no bunching, plenty of room - even when I zip up the jacket up.

Will keep you ALL in suspense with whether I'm going for the matchy-matchy "frumpy" look.

Tweed jacket with zippers

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Long-sleeve multicolored tweed dress with fringe

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71 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

JAileen

Veteran

If anyone could make these look good together, it would be you. It does remind me a little of Queen Elizabeth, though.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Other matching sets seem to be making a bit of a comeback. I wouldn't call it frumpy. I wouldn't wear straight up spectator pumps with it, though, even though those are on trend.

I think the tweed dress sleeves under the tweed jacket sleeves have the potential to be bulky and uncomfortable.

Anonymous

Now I'm getting scared. Who are you and what have you done with Angie????

Kari

Veteran

I'm really curious to hear how this experiment goes. I think you can pull it off because you have such a clean, ladylike, modern element to your style; the fit of the dress and styling of hair, specs, handbag and shoes will make the difference in frumpy vs. modern retro. I love the colors in that tweed for your hair color and preference for bright footwear.

BrieN

Veteran

I will watch your experiment with interest. Does the sheath have sleeves?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Xtabay, still the same Angie. Just thinking laterally, and bored with the casual slouch that has flooded retail.

Kari and JAilleen, you're sweet. The tweed has bits of neon orange it, which is right up my alley,

UmmLila, I thought about the bulky sleeves under the jacket. Could be a deal breaker. But I'll never know until I give it a bash. And yes, matchy-matchy is a fringe trend.

BreiN, yes. You can see the sleeves on the dress in the Finds pic.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think that "frumpy" lies more in an overall look rather than a specific piece. Sure, it's easier for some items or pairings to skew frumpier than others, but I think that the devil is in the details, as we've said before. Current shoes and other styling can make this look quite modern, I'm sure, but I also think it comes down to the wearer and their personality and personal style. On me, I bet this would look frumpy, but I'm a middle-aged, average-sized, fairly introverted woman who can easily look frumpy if I skew too traditional. On a different woman (i.e., you, Angie!) with a different body type, personal style, and personality, I'm sure it could look great!

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I think you will rock the set. I think frumpy is more a matter of fit than of matchy-matchy. It reminds me a bit of the early Jacquelin Kennedy.
Personally, I would go on and wear round-toe pumps with it!

catgirl

Veteran

This is how I get sucked into buying things I can't wear, by seeing people like you make them look good. I have no doubt you will. This is a very Main Line Philly look that I saw all the time in that area in the 80s. I could see doing it with a skirt. Enjoy!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Janet, thanks for the open mind and vote of confidence. SO MUCH of fashion and style is about just the right details, the attitude of the wearer, and adjusting our own eyes to a look. And of course at the end of the day, "frumpy is in the eye of the beholder".

Yes, chirico. Modern Retro. Thanks for thinking of Jackie Kennedy.

Una, you crack me up. And thank you.

I have to run. I'm not ignoring you. Just off the forum for the rest of the day.

Anonymous

If anyone can pull it off you can Angie. Love the Jackie O association by Chirico.
As Tim Gunn says...make it work!

Colette

Veteran

Yes, yes, yes, I LOVE it! You are going to rock it.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

What shoes would you wear with it? I was never really on team slouch or oversized but I do like matchy, so this will be fun to see!

Alassë

Veteran

I look forward to seeing how you do it!

Echo

Veteran

Actually, I kind of love this idea. I've always thought that matching pieces could look very chic when worn by the right person in the right style. And if anyone can do this right, it is you, Angie! Someone mentioned the queen, but the Duchess of Cambridge does this extraordinarily well at times (in addition to making nude hosiery look good).

Tanya

Veteran

I immediately thought of Jacky O when I read your post. I think you could totally make it look like Modern Retro with right accessories and attitude. Excited to see how it turns out.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am interested in seeing how it goes. I have an open mind when it comes to fashion. I love the jacket.

Anonymous

I think it's great - nothing frumpy about it if worn in a "fashion" way - and we all know enough by now that frumpiness is all in the intent and styling , and what you bring to the look with hair , glasses , makeup etc . The only thing that crossed my mind was wishing it was a sleeveless dress. Two sets of lined tweed sleeves seems like it could be pretty bulky . But - worth trying . I loved that jacket and only wish it worked for me . Never saw the dress though.

Anonymous

It's giving me Hillary Clinton rather than Kate Middleton. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!

shedev

Veteran

I'm interested to see how you style this. I get more Ladies who Lunch than frumpy.

Anonymous

I'd love to see you in this combo. I really like the tweed dress alone too. I like the clean lines and easy-going colour.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I do not immediately think of this look as "frumpy." In fact, far from it. But I tend to hang with a more "society/country club" crowd that wears these kinds of things routinely. There is way to wear this that does skew frump, but there's also the impeccably turned out woman who looks so fab and fresh, even if her tweeds are literally hand me downs from her grandmother. There's a way to wear these with an edge that drags it so fashion forward. I predict Angie will be that woman.

skylurker

Veteran

Oh sure, go ahead and try to look frumpy, Angie.
You crack me up.

Robin

Interestingly, from a nonvisual (that is, texture, drape, and shape based) fashion perspective, I actually think this would look chic and ladylike on you, especially with your height and frame.

Aida

Veteran

Sounds fun! The double tweed sleeves seem like biggest hurdle; a sleeveless sheathe would certainly work better BUT the sleeves on that dress make it for me. Very curious how the experiment goes

Bonnie

Veteran

It will look fabulous on you.

Peri

Veteran

Well I think you can try, but you won't succeed. Nothing is going to look frumpy on you. (Except you know I hate that word! Come to think of it, this will prove why I hate it. There is no objective frumpy and all statements that something looks frumpy are judgements against a person, not the clothing.) Well, apologies for the knee-jerk soapbox. It will be fun to see what you do with these "traditional" items.

Helena

Veteran

Echoing skylurker!!!

I think it's lovely and classy ... Very Kate! With your hair and bold glasses, I am sure it will look very modern too.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Echoing Torontogirl, this would be an interesting combo with your hair and specs. Guessing the pearls will be left out?

Thanks to your link above, I learned that Anna Wintour managed to wear her Chanel suits throughout her pregnancy by leaving the skirt unzipped. Quite clever, if not daring.

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