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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,958
Registered: ‎09-28-2010

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

On 12/31/2014 Carmie said: Some of these posts make me laugh. I am a Grandma, not a GiGi, Mimi or known by some other name to avoid the grandma term. I don't care if you call me frumpy, dumpy or grumpy. All this vain stuff and one upping each other in fashion and make-up and hair color or styles is crazy and NOT important. Over the years, I have come to realize that life, family and relationships are important. Nothing else matters. We are out of high school.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I know I don't go by Nana to avoid being called Grandma, and I seriously doubt the majority of women do either. For me, it's been a loving name for many generations. I feel it made it easier for me as a child to differentiate between the grandparents, and I know it was easier for my children who had 4 sets of grandparents some with the same first names even.

Since you're "out of high school" why did you have such a need to take a shot at all the grandmas who go by different names?

Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎10-25-2010

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

On 12/31/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
On 12/31/2014 Carmie said: Some of these posts make me laugh. I am a Grandma, not a GiGi, Mimi 2or known by some other name to avoid the grandma term. I don't care if you call me frumpy, dumpy or grumpy. All this vain stuff and one upping each other in fashion and make-up and hair color or styles is crazy and NOT important. Over the years, I have come to realize that life, family and relationships are important. Nothing else matters. We are out of high school.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I know I don't go by Nana to avoid being called Grandma, and I seriously doubt the majority of women do either. For me, it's been a loving name for many generations. I feel it made it easier for me as a child to differentiate between the grandparents, and I know it was easier for my children who had 4 sets of grandparents some with the same first names even.

Since you're "out of high school" why did you have such a need to take a shot at all the grandmas who go by different names?

I would never take a shot at grandmas who go by other names. Nonna, Nana and Oma is grandma in another language. There are many variations. I know several people and several posters who have suggested that grandma is an "old lady" term and they would never allow their grandchildren to call them that. My MIL always went by Nana. Congratulations on being a Nana. Have a wonderful, healthy new year.
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Re: Why are the terms frumpy, dumpy , matronly ...

On 12/31/2014 Buck-i-Nana said:
On 12/31/2014 Carmie said: Some of these posts make me laugh. I am a Grandma, not a GiGi, Mimi or known by some other name to avoid the grandma term. I don't care if you call me frumpy, dumpy or grumpy. All this vain stuff and one upping each other in fashion and make-up and hair color or styles is crazy and NOT important. Over the years, I have come to realize that life, family and relationships are important. Nothing else matters. We are out of high school.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I know I don't go by Nana to avoid being called Grandma, and I seriously doubt the majority of women do either. For me, it's been a loving name for many generations. I feel it made it easier for me as a child to differentiate between the grandparents, and I know it was easier for my children who had 4 sets of grandparents some with the same first names even.

Since you're "out of high school" why did you have such a need to take a shot at all the grandmas who go by different names?

And what does being a grandmother have to with fashion? Some grandmothers are 40 yrs old. Definitely not old. I think we got off topic.
Super Contributor
Posts: 1,520
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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

A lot of people here seem to care way too much what others think of them. I aim to please only me when it comes to what I wear and nothing anyone may say is going to change my opinion of myself. Works the other way too. I don't waste precious time or space in my brain thinking about what others wear and critiquing it. If they're happy and have all the essentials covered, that's good enough for me. As for pajamas in public, that's what they were designed for and are still worn that way in India and the Middle East where they originated. It was British males who first wore the comfortable loose pantaloons for nightwear in the 1800's. It's just what we're accustomed to seeing and fashion is, after all, about pushing the envelope. Many celebs and fashion icons are wearing pajama type outfits out to events so get used to them.

Esteemed Contributor
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Registered: ‎09-23-2012

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

On 12/31/2014 BonnieBelle said:
On 12/29/2014 happy housewife said:

always used on this BB with the phrase old lady?

They just use them to feel superior like they are such fashionistas, HAHAHA! I'd love to see pictures of all these perfect, phony snobs!

So would I BonnieBelle, so would I.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,444
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

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

Grandma = unconditional love, hugs, warmth, happiness, fun, loving. I can hardly wait to be called Grandma.

Respected Contributor
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Registered: ‎10-21-2011

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

The terms "frumpy, dumpy, matronly" reflect our society values that youth and beauty are admired and age and its attendant changes in body form and more conservative dress are to be disdained.

Honored Contributor
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Registered: ‎05-23-2010

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

On 1/1/2015 Campion said:

The terms "frumpy, dumpy, matronly" reflect our society values that youth and beauty are admired and age and its attendant changes in body form and more conservative dress are to be disdained.

Especially by the callow, the shallow, the emotionally immature of all chronological ages, and those who need to feel they are "special."

Life without Mexican food is no life at all
Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,355
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

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

On 12/29/2014 sunshine45 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.

{#emotions_dlg.thumbup1} well said......i hate when those terms are used also. women putting other women and their choices down is alive and well right here on the fashion forums. it will NEVER go away. {#emotions_dlg.glare}

{#emotions_dlg.thumbup}

It's all subjective anyway! At 62, I don't take offense at anything directed at older women. Yes there are some more conservative types of clothing that I think are frumpy and dumpy but then my style of dress with jeans, boots, etc may have other negative terms applied to them by others who have different tastes and I realize that my way of dress isn't the only way and as long as someone is content with their choices they should have no reason to take offense at anyone's comments. And there are stereotypes to every type of dress. While many younger women dress frumpy and dumpy it's more often that older women do or are perceived that way.

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Registered: ‎11-24-2014

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

On 1/1/2015 Campion said:

The terms "frumpy, dumpy, matronly" reflect our society values that youth and beauty are admired and age and its attendant changes in body form and more conservative dress are to be disdained.

I don't think it goes that far into the reflections of our society. They are just words and anyone at any age can be called frumpy or matronly based on either their clothing styles or maybe an out of date hairdo.

To me frumpy just means old fashioned, not current. My sister wears clothing that I consider frumpy. She is a small woman and could wear clothing that is more suited to her body type and modern yet she wears things she picks up at thrift stores that are from the 80's. I have seen her in suits with jackets that have shoulder pads. Since she is 66, when she wears these, she looks like a woman who is stuck in a time warp and much older than her age. Styles and fabrics have changed and someone who wears such out of date clothing looks frumpy and matronly to me.

I think Mary Beth often dresses matronly. She has a large bust and too often wears dresses with empire waist and longer hemlines and that to me makes her look frumpy.

I'm done with P.C. Just say what you mean and mean what you say. It's easier.