No frump, in my opinion, and my frump radar is pretty sensitive

Those are black trousers, they are neither frumpy or cool, they are just your basic black pant to me. I think it looks great.

I see no frump. They just look like black trousers to me. So, yes, not exactly edgy but definitely not frumpy either.

Does something else about them feel frumpy to you, that we can't see? Are they pilling?

Ditto Zap and Diana. That said, I don't think I've ever had or worn 'basic black trousers' and so I could see how they might feel frumpy. Comfort is king whenever we are talking over 10 hours at work. Trust me, I know all too well

What Zap said!!

You look great, Una. Not frumpy, not grumpy. Not stumpy. Not lumpy. Not jumpy. Not schlumpy.

Is this an edgy outfit? No. Is this a flattering, stylish and totally appropriate outfit for the occasion. You betcha. No frump factor.

I share your fear of frump. I wear a similar pair of trousers for the office (I am wearing them in my post today) and I am very aware that the wrong pairings will send the look into frumpsville. They are brilliant for work wear but I don't wear them anywhere else. My eye is still very much in preference of a skinny leg and I think this has a lot to do with how I view these pants.

I see no frump here at all. Your look is simply just a little more conventional for your work life. The cardigan looks brilliant and I think you have achieved a professional, modern look with interest.

There you go again with your frumpy self perception. Look in the mirror and say three times I am not frumpy! Una, you are not frumpy!

"Frump."

You keep using this word. I do not believe it means what you think it means.

You look great, not frumpy at all.

I think this is classic (cardigan, trousers) with an edge (gold booties). I am not exactly sure what frumpy means but I don't think this is what it is because you look good

And for 11 hours at work, your body deserves comfort which is what I see here!

I need to think this out! I would love this on someone else so why don't I love it on me? Or is it the shift in life that is making me assume I am no longer edgy and cool? Oooh, deep! Must ponder. Thank you all for pushing me along the journey.

Basic black trousers tend to give me the hives because I immediately feel frumpy in them - so, I think I know where you're coming from. I would also guess that wearing a cardigan with them - even an All Saints cardigan - might take me further into the frumpy dumps. However, like others have said - the boots are saving this outfit. In the future I think I'd try a topper that is something other than a cardigan - perhaps something that has more structure in it to balance out the knit of the pants? (I don't really know what I'm talking about.)

Like others, I don't see this outfit as frumpy. I wonder if ponte pants in a trouser style just have that feel to them, because they're a traditional pant style that feel like sweatpants--two items than can feel quite frumpy indeed.
I have a pair of ponte trousers I just bought this fall, by Vince Camuto, with narrow legs and a slim but not tight fit. I thought about taking them on my trip to Ireland, but I passed them up for my black slouchy skinnies with zippered pockets and blingy pocket flaps that can be tucked in and hidden away or left out. My reasoning: While I was on vacation, I didn't want to feel like I was dressing for work! And, although the Vince Camuto ponte pants are comfy and I think they look good, I don't really feel fab in them.

I think AJ's onto something... Una, do you feel frumpy when all pieces you wear are basically unstructured?

I have the same cardigan! Great look.

Marley and others, I think you're right - it's not so much the unstructured as the topper part. I do need pants that aren't skinnies and can be worn with regular shoes for long days when boots get tiring after 11 hours. But styling them is a challenge when I need to be unrestricted on top as well. I will have to ponder what kinds of tops will both look and feel like me, but still be comfy and unrestrictive...

I too would feel frumpy. Your outfit doesn't look frumpy. Not at all.

Personally, I just wouldn't feel like me. Hmmmmm.... i just realized that any time I don't feel like me I feel frumpy.

I agree that structure would help. I have a jean jacket that provides structure but is so incredibly comfortable I wear it all the time. I tried on 100's of jean jackets that were too stiff for me. Obviously you can't wear a jean jacket with this outfit but there has to be some kind of topper with enough stretch so you feel comfortable and still feel like yourself.

I think you are expecting too much out of a standard office outfit. It would be great if we all could be in character 24/7. I truly envy those, who work independently and can do so. I know I would love to dress like an anime character, but I can't. I'm an accountant, with a corporate job. You are a lawyer, who needs to look "lawyer-y" now, at your current position. If I were you, I would reset your quest for UWP in everything. That is going to make your life much easier. I think your definition of frumpy is "not UWP" and that is really a tall order.