topic Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy in Fashion

10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

CatsyCline — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:02:50 GMT

See #6 for ideas for the GILI Moto TS! now I am JONESING for that Chalk! should have jumped on it!

It's a great way to dress up a basic, inexpensive jacket. Choose a puffer in a bright color for a fun, sporty look, or go glam with fur or feathers.

2. Pull your jogger pants down around your hips, instead of wearing them up around your waist.

Joggers, drawstring pants, and silk pajama pants are meant to be worn low across your hips, not up around your natural waist. Keep your top loose and blousy, then add some structure and sophistication with a tailored jacket, high heels and a boxy bag.

You don't have to wear something tight or cinch in your waist to create a flattering silhouette. Layer a cropped jacket over an otherwise shapeless dress for instant waist emphasis without a belt.

Wearing an oversize sweater with a pair of skinny jeans is so boring! Add a hefty dose of romance and glamour to that big, cozy sweater by layering it over a long, flowing dress or skirt. You'll still flatter your figure but the overall look will be more comfortable and infinitely more beautiful.

Instead of a basic, hip-length sweater, try layering a cropped sweater over a woven top or blouse. Then switch out those basic black tights for a pair of over-the-knee socks. Layer a pair of sheer, nude tights underneath, and it will look like you are flashing a little bit of skin even though you will actually be completely covered up.

6. Don't let one awesome accessory completely dominate your outfit.

It's easy to fall in love with an amazing pair of shoes or a fun bag when you are out shopping, but actually wearing them can be a little intimidating. The easiest thing to do is just wear all black and call it a day, but then your whole outfit becomes about that one accessory. Suddenly your shoes are the star of your outfit, when that role should be played by you.

Keep the black dress, but add a little white to help break up all that black and add a few more fun, colorful accessories into the mix to help balance your look and distract from those fabulous shoes, thus keeping the focus where it belongs: on you!

7. Wear your jacket on your shoulders, not on your arms.

And while you're at it, stop pulling your boyfriend jeans down around the tops of your shoes. Instead, give them a little cuff to show off your ankles, and wear them a low on your hips for a little extra slouchiness. The volume of the jacket will help balance the volume of the jeans and create a more flattering look.

8. Save the big necklaces for when you're older.

Jeweled statement necklaces are hugely popular, but they are a little costume-y and big necklaces in general are a very mature look, better suited to women in their 50s than those in their 20s. If you want to bling up a basic blouse or sweater without aging yourself 30 years, leave your neckline unadorned and try a cool ear cuff, or ring, or bangle instead. Anything, really. Except a brooch. That's some major granny territory.

9. Stop belting your tops.

If you want to draw attention to your waist in an otherwise curve-obliterating top, your best bet is to tuck the top into a high-waisted skirt or a pair of high-waisted pants. It's a younger look and it elongates your legs, which is never a bad thing.

Pulling your top down like that draws a line right across the widest part of your body and makes you look larger than you really are. It can also cause unfortunate muffin-topping on even the most toned of bodies. Instead, go for a cropped sweater to bring the attention up toward your waist and get yourself some high-rise jeans to help shape and cover you from the waist down.

Model: Kamie Crawford at JAG Models

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

sidsmom — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:20:56 GMT

#3 is quite a difference. Like this type of B/A...not too much has changed but just a few styling moves. Good post.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

misspammie — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:21:28 GMT

really interesting,,,thanks for posting this!

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

cotton4me — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:26:58 GMT

It's interesting how just a little tweak can change the look of the whole outfit.

Thanks for the info.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:30:36 GMT

What is the source?

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

brewhaha — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:32:09 GMT

I have mastered the frumpy look and it works for me.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

cotton4me — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:39:12 GMT

It looks like it came from Cosmopolitan. Here's the link to the original article:

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a33114/style-hacks-to-make-you-look-less-frumpy/

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

birkin baby — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 22:02:25 GMT

These are very helpful tips. Just a simple change does really make a difference in a n outfit!!!

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

magicmoodz — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 22:34:09 GMT

What a great article. Thank you for posting, ashleigh.

It clearly shows knowing HOW to put an outfit together is so important!

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Bird mama — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 22:45:22 GMT

I'm not sure about #5. I think she would have looked just as cute if she kept her tights on.

Great tips!

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

magicmoodz — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 23:41:09 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Bird mama said:
I'm not sure about #5. I think she would have looked just as cute if she kept her tights on.

Great tips!

I agree, Bird mama. Those socks are a bit TOO youthful. But I do like the crop sweater with a long top and the addition of necklaces.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

wildcat fan — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 23:55:45 GMT

LOL, I was just thinking what people around here would say if I started wearing skirts/over-the-knee socks like #5.

I'd like to have the jacket in #7.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

wildcat fan — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 23:56:38 GMT

I've never been a fan of the big necklaces like #8 (left).

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Bird mama — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:01:14 GMT

On 12/6/2014 wildcat fan said:
LOL, I was just thinking what people around here would say if I started wearing skirts/over-the-knee socks like #5.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

LeaLeander — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:20:07 GMT

I can imagine the looks at the office next week should I appear in thigh-highs and a crop sweater.

Re statement necklaces, it figures. I just started purchasing/wearing them (not as ornate as the one pictured, more like sugar-cube-size chunks of "silver" at collarbone length) - now am wondering ...

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Bird mama — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:30:43 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Cinder63 said:
I can imagine the looks at the office next week should I appear in thigh-highs and a crop sweater.

Re statement necklaces, it figures. I just started purchasing/wearing them (not as ornate as the one pictured, more like sugar-cube-size chunks of "silver" at collarbone length) - now am wondering ...

Cinder - this is one person's opinion (whomever wrote the article). I'd rather wear a statement necklace than the ear cuff. My ears are ticklish and I'd be twitchy like a cat all day.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Sooner — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:37:54 GMT

On 12/6/2014 cottonball said:
It looks like it came from Cosmopolitan. Here's the link to the original article:

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a33114/style-hacks-to-make-you-look-less-frumpy/

Thank you for the information about the source. It explains a lot.

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

LTT1 — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:44:20 GMT

the first thing that I am seeing is HOW MUCH BETTER HER PROPORTIONS LOOK! WOW I wouldn't wear any of those looks that particular way, but how were they put together in such a way as to change my perception of this girl's proportions? Somebody must be trained very well to know how to do this?

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Bird mama — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 00:45:36 GMT

Keep in mind that her facial expressions and posture/pose are changing too

Re: 10 Easy Ways to Look Instantly Less Frumpy

Desi — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 01:15:36 GMT

Here is my old, frumpy opinion. This article states that it's geared to 20 somethings. Not sure how many of us are anywhere near their target audience. Average Q viewer is in their 50s. Anyway, I am a bit offended by the attitude of the writer. Grannie, frumpy etc. aren't exactly endearing terms for those not in their demographic. "Different" usually translates to fresh and new, but it isn't always better, and half the time it's a rehash of a previous era.