topic Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ... in Fashion

Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

151949 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 17:59:55 GMT

always used on this BB with the phrase old lady? I see lots of teens , tweens and 20's running around in PJs and worse around my resort area and believe me the terms frumpy, dumpy and matronly really apply to their look. And don't even mention those who have lots and lots of extra poundage running around town in bikinis - that is so very attractive.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

blueroses47 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:18:37 GMT

Well, I suppose there are tons of reasons if you really want to analyze it, but the bottom line, to me, is that as a society we have very little respect for the old.

To be old, to age, is something no one wants to do even though it is the natural course of things.

I hate all the terms you mentioned, and try not to use them, though I know I sometimes do.

We also make too much of "style" instead of substance, so we are quick to make harsh judgements about a person's style, as if in the end it really mattered for something.

It's sad when you really think about it, but it's never going to change.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

house_cat — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:21:11 GMT

Well stated, blue roses. Thank you.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

mstyrion 1 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:23:29 GMT

perhaps for the same reasons people use the terms stripper, showgirl, bag lady, floozy, etc etc when they want to criticize clothes they don't care for. IMO, you can't object to the words frumpy and matronly if you turn around and call other clothes or those wearing them by nasty names.

Some of these terms were used yesterday when talking about an outfit a host was wearing. She has an incredible body and she had the audacity to show it off. Some of the comments were quite mean.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

brii — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:24:28 GMT

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

Goldengate8361 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:27:39 GMT

Wouldn't it be funny/cool if the words frumpy, dumpy, and matronly were used to indicate that someone is dressed really hot and sect-sy! .....to indicate that aging---assuming that aging is associated with these words--- is wildly attractive!

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

sidsmom — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:29:42 GMT

On 12/29/2014 mstyrion 1 said:
perhaps for the same reasons people use the terms stripper, showgirl, bag lady, floozy, etc etc when they want to criticize clothes they don't care for. IMO, you can't object to the words frumpy and matronly if you turn around and call other clothes or those wearing them by nasty names.

Some of these terms were used yesterday when talking about an outfit a host was wearing. She has an incredible body and she had the audacity to show it off. Some of the comments were quite mean.

Touché!

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

gardensla — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:34:27 GMT

On 12/29/2014 mstyrion 1 said:
perhaps for the same reasons people use the terms stripper, showgirl, bag lady, floozy, etc etc when they want to criticize clothes they don't care for. IMO, you can't object to the words frumpy and matronly if you turn around and call other clothes or those wearing them by nasty names.

Some of these terms were used yesterday when talking about an outfit a host was wearing. She has an incredible body and she had the audacity to show it off. Some of the comments were quite mean.

Awesome.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

Alsace Gal — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:34:34 GMT

On 12/29/2014 happy housewife said:
always used on this BB with the phrase old lady? I see lots of teens , tweens and 20's running around in PJs and worse around my resort area and believe me the terms frumpy, dumpy and matronly really apply to their look. And don't even mention those who have lots and lots of extra poundage running around town in bikinis - that is so very attractive.

What does BB mean?

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

gardensla — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:36:18 GMT

On 12/29/2014 blueroses47 said:
Well, I suppose there are tons of reasons if you really want to analyze it, but the bottom line, to me, is that as a society we have very little respect for the old.

To be old, to age, is something no one wants to do even though it is the natural course of things.

I hate all the terms you mentioned, and try not to use them, though I know I sometimes do.

We also make too much of "style" instead of substance, so we are quick to make harsh judgements about a person's style, as if in the end it really mattered for something.

It's sad when you really think about it, but it's never going to change.

I don't see these as mutually exclusive. Someone who cares about how they dress and takes pride in being fashionable, current, and is interested in trends isn't automatically vacant, shallow, and vacuous.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

gardensla — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:37:18 GMT

On 12/29/2014 Germangal said:
On 12/29/2014 happy housewife said:
always used on this BB with the phrase old lady? I see lots of teens , tweens and 20's running around in PJs and worse around my resort area and believe me the terms frumpy, dumpy and matronly really apply to their look. And don't even mention those who have lots and lots of extra poundage running around town in bikinis - that is so very attractive.

What does BB mean?

"bulletin board" which in modern vernacular is called a "forum"

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

Alsace Gal — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:40:03 GMT

In my area, and probably most anymore, I see girls and women wearing pajamas in public at all times during the day.

Pajamas should be worn at home and in the home.

To wear them out in public is nasty.

I don't care what brand name or picture is on them, nasty and more nasty.

Stores should have posted and enforce:

No shoes, No shirt, No down to your knees Crotch and No pajamas!!!!

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

151949 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:40:16 GMT

On 12/29/2014 blueroses47 said:
Well, I suppose there are tons of reasons if you really want to analyze it, but the bottom line, to me, is that as a society we have very little respect for the old.

To be old, to age, is something no one wants to do even though it is the natural course of things.

I hate all the terms you mentioned, and try not to use them, though I know I sometimes do.

We also make too much of "style" instead of substance, so we are quick to make harsh judgements about a person's style, as if in the end it really mattered for something.

It's sad when you really think about it, but it's never going to change.

ITA with everything you said.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

faeriemoon — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:41:09 GMT

I don't really care if people here like my clothing choices, so I don't get offended when they use terms I don't like. I'm sure I use terms others don't like when something doesn't appeal to me. (I try to be diplomatic, but it's not always possible. )

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

Mj12 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:44:50 GMT

On 12/29/2014 mstyrion 1 said:
perhaps for the same reasons people use the terms stripper, showgirl, bag lady, floozy, etc etc when they want to criticize clothes they don't care for. IMO, you can't object to the words frumpy and matronly if you turn around and call other clothes or those wearing them by nasty names.

Some of these terms were used yesterday when talking about an outfit a host was wearing. She has an incredible body and she had the audacity to show it off. Some of the comments were quite mean.

At least your post remained.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

mstyrion 1 — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:48:07 GMT

On 12/29/2014 MJ 12 said:
On 12/29/2014 mstyrion 1 said:
perhaps for the same reasons people use the terms stripper, showgirl, bag lady, floozy, etc etc when they want to criticize clothes they don't care for. IMO, you can't object to the words frumpy and matronly if you turn around and call other clothes or those wearing them by nasty names.

Some of these terms were used yesterday when talking about an outfit a host was wearing. She has an incredible body and she had the audacity to show it off. Some of the comments were quite mean.

At least your post remained.

Hi MJ!

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

gonnab — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:54:40 GMT

Being of a "matronly" age, I take personal offense when I hear or read these words. At age 78+, I don't even consider myself as an "old lady", or dumpy, or frumpy. I am "experienced, worldly, and smart", although somewhat worn, wrinkled and grey - but - I paid for every one of those wrinkles and grey hairs and I am proud of them!!! And a word to those who may describe me as an old lady - with the help of God, you too will someday be an old lady. It would be a good thing to keep that in mind.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

colliegirls — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:55:12 GMT

All of those adjectives have been around forever. How would you like to describe people who put no effort into their appearance?

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

donovan — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 18:56:42 GMT

To me, the words frumpy, dumpy, and matronly don't have an age minimum or maximum.

Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

Moonchilde — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:05:43 GMT

On 12/29/2014 colliegirls said:
All of those adjectives have been around forever. How would you like to describe people who put no effort into their appearance?

The OP's point was how often (on the forums) these terms are used to refer to anyone the poster terms an ""old lady."" Those words can be used to describe the appearance of *any* age. I have seen 20 year olds dress much older than their age and/or in rumpled clothing. 18 year olds who dress conservatively because of their religious beliefs might be termed to appear 'matronly.' Not to mention that 40+ is ""old"" to the youthfully callow.