Why do so many Christians dress so... frumpy?

[BoarderDave]

I have to be honest.. this is the first I have heard of the word Frumpy and all of it's variations..

 

[Blank123]

true, "frumpiness" isnt confined to Christianity, i see lots of nerds and other folks with the same problem.
But it seems like its concentrated in the churches.
And I'm not talking about the larger sizes who can't find clothes that work for them- the larger girls at church are actually doing an okay job.
We're talking people who are probably between sizes 4-12. since I watch "what not to wear" so religiously, I see potential in them to look great but they go on wearing the light-blue shirts with the light-blue jeans and black sandles from granny's closet....

i really don't understand why other people's clothing choices are that important... if they're happy with what they're wearing then really what does it matter?

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

It doesn't bother me if people want to dress frumpy, its not like its offensive or anything lol.

Agreed.

 

[Inkachu]

I agree, Little T. Does God think they're "frumpy"? Nope. Let em be what they wanna be.

I watch "What Not To Wear" all the time cause I think it's hysterical. But I wouldn't wear 99.9% of the clothes they pick for people. I'm not frumpy, just uber-casual!

Good ol' Polyvore! Here's a typical outfit for me. Just a plain tank, baggy pants, and flip flops. I think it's sexy.

 

[IamHeather]

Inka, that's not frumpy, it's just casual.

I kinda understand about why the frumpiness would bother someone. I know, for myself, I feel much better when I look my best and I feel sad when someone looks like they've given up. Do they not think they're worth the time and energy? Do they think it's vanity?

 

[The_Dan_x]

Okay. Of course it doesn't matter to God what we wear. It seems to me that the OP is basically trying to say that why do some people feel that they don't need to be too flashy when it comes to fashion, because maybe they think that they shouldn't show off their bodies or whatever. Am I right? Wrong? I'm not promoting dressing in what amounts to handkerchief for women or anything like that. I'm just saying that there isn't anything wrong with wearing something close fitting and the like.

When it comes to my own personal fashion, lately, I haven't had to worry too much about it. When I go to work (I work at a junior high school) I just go in cargo pants and a polo. Not too "hip" by any means, but I don't have many options. I would love to have the cool business professional look and have some cool suits and the like, but that's expensive, and it's hard for me to find any used suits here that are actually my size!

Anyway...Frumpy...I'd never heard that word until now.

 

[Blank123]

meh... i have friend who by a lot of people's standards would say dresses frumpy. but i know she loves the style she wears. she goes out of her way looking for patterns in order to make those types of clothes because she thinks that style is beautiful, even if it doesn't conform to modern fashion rules. And she's not sad and does not have a self esteem problem, that is truly the style that makes her happy.

I actually think its a little sad that we're all concerned about people who don't feel the need to conform to society or assume the worst of them for not doing so. Its also very strange in a society where we're taught to embrace our individuality, those that do are looked down upon or pitied

thats not to say that self esteem issues, etc.. can't play a role, but i don't see why we should assume that of others? if its really a concern why not talk to the individuals in question and find out their story?

 

[GQ Chris]

My mom actually left her church of 14 years because the worship leader wore tight pants that allowed men to see her underwear lines lol. she is such a drama queen. The worship leader wasn't frumpy enough and sometimes wore "revealing" clothing.

Maybe that helped the church to grow in number

 

[GQ Chris]

I actually think its a little sad that we're all concerned about people who don't feel the need to conform to society or assume the worst of them for not doing so. Its also very strange in a society where we're taught to embrace our individuality, those that do are looked down upon or pitied

Well its just the way the world operates that doesn't know God. The world loves it when people "do their own thing" as far as whatever they think is moral or not, and make up their own morality, but it isn't just about individuality, its all about Status quo, if the "in thing" is dark blue jeans, and you are caught with light colored jeans, then you are going against the status quo.

I also think though that the secular world isn't the only one guilty but it happens within Christian circles too, and its worse in those circles because Christians supposedly know Christ.

 

[mina]

It doesn't bother me if people want to dress frumpy, its not like its offensive or anything lol.

I agree with that. I don't really care what other people do. If they asked me i'd give them a makeover or something but if not it's not my buisness. I'm in charge of me and I'm concerned that "I" don't dress frumpy and maybe my mom. My dad i've completely given up on. It's definitely not related to singleness though. At least not here, lol. Some of the "frumpiest" people i know have a SO.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I agree about the weight thing. I have now lost 41 pounds (nearly 3 stone) and it is much easier to shop now. I am a very good shopper and I had a terrible time finding clothes before. Now I can wear a 3/4 and x-small and I find cute thrift store deals a lot. Also, I think when I was bigger I just sorta gave up because I felt ugly all the time. Not because I actually was, but I just felt like it.

There you are. I simply cannot find cute clothes for a larger size. I'm losing weight now and can't wait to be a smaller size so I can pick up some of those cute outfits I keep seeing. I want to wear dresses but the ones for anyone over size 10 seem to be long. Why? I am still short and hate the way I look in long dresses.

 

[Sketcher]

I think my style or lack thereof has a lot more to do with me being a guy than a Christian.

 

[JonMiller]

I don't know how to dress

JM

 

[Quoth]

Some would say that I don't care about my appearance. All I have to say to that is, well, Gucci I am not. My preferred personal style involves a lot of black, camouflage, red, olive green, tan, white, and gray. I enjoy my own sense of style, but it's unique from most other folks.

Most guys my age are content with jeans and a t-shirt, but they know enough to dress well on special occasions. I intentionally avoid more "clean cut" styles, because that's not me: I'm not straight-laced or clean cut.

I would not go so far as to say my sense of style is completely original, but that's not the point for me. I like taking aspects of other things I've seen and incorporating them into my own style.

 

[joanna1]

I dress "frumpy", I guess, and i'm proud of it I really don't "get" the concept of wanting to spend an hour in the morning to blow dry hair, and do a manicure. I don't like figure hugging clothes, they are not comfortable, and since I'm an active person who's not scared of walking through muddy fields, climbing up ladders and getting messy, I don't believe stilettos and pencil skirts would be the most appropriate attire.
I prefer the natural look on other people, and over-plucked eyebrows, over-accessorized outfits I just find odd. There's something in the concept of coordinating my bag color with my shoes that just isn't me!!


I've also found that by dressing up on rare occasions rather than every day, it really makes people take notice If you give people too much every day, they get used to it.
In fact, I get so many comments when I dress up it makes me uncomfortable - and I don't want people to think I'm begging for compliments or attention.


I think we just all need to accept that different people have different priorities. My time and my money don't go into looking like a fashion icon. Boots, jeans and a jumper it is, and I don't mind or even notice when the said boots and jeans get muddy. And then I can have fun dressing up on special occasions, and surprising everybody!

 

[Im_A]

Its an epidemic!
I see so many of the really devout christians at the local churches- girls especially- who wear either oversize baggy pants and t-shirts or old floor-length skirts and other clothes that look like they may have belonged to grandma...
what gives?
I hear some of them say they are too poor for fashion sense, but I don't think that's a really good excuse. I dont have alot of money, and neither do some of my friends... but we are excellent bargain hunters. I am very picky about what I buy, and can differentiate between the qualities of different types of clothes. I can go to thrift stores and pick through loads of not-so-great stuff and find some "treasures" that are stylish. I can make miracles off a clearance bin. I can work Target to my advantage.
I get complements all the time on shoes, shirts, accessories and dresses that I got for less than $20, but no one knows it.

I think the problem is not that alot of the church-going college kids (and post college) are poor, but that they just don't care.
Why don't they care?
Do they want to be single and lonely the rest of their lives?

perhaps someone could shed some light on this.

on the defense of those girls, i don't think its that they don't care, it just may be where they are at with their views and convictions on how they are to show themselves in public. maybe its the way they've been raised. maybe they get tired of guys saying crap about them. can't blame them in some ways. maybe some just have views that require that show of dress in public.

i don't think they want to be single and alone, and nor do i think they will be single for the rest of their lives. just because they don't show more skin, that doesn't mean they will be alone and single all their life. and sure, maybe they do need more self-esteem or to stop restricting themselves in how they dress. but i've known girls like that, and they are beautiful inside and outside. maybe they will be the ones that don't have pointless relationship after relationship, and then they will find someone that loves them for who they are, and they will make all the stylish girls jealous because she will have what the stylish, skin showing girls are really longing for, and then maybe over time, you'll see them wearing the gap out of stock. never know eh?

 

[mina]

on the defense of those girls, i don't think its that they don't care, it just may be where they are at with their views and convictions on how they are to show themselves in public. maybe its the way they've been raised. maybe they get tired of guys saying crap about them. can't blame them in some ways. maybe some just have views that require that show of dress in public.

i don't think they want to be single and alone, and nor do i think they will be single for the rest of their lives. just because they don't show more skin, that doesn't mean they will be alone and single all their life. and sure, maybe they do need more self-esteem or to stop restricting themselves in how they dress. but i've known girls like that, and they are beautiful inside and outside. maybe they will be the ones that don't have pointless relationship after relationship, and then they will find someone that loves them for who they are, and they will make all the stylish girls jealous because she will have what the stylish, skin showing girls are really longing for, and then maybe over time, you'll see them wearing the gap out of stock. never know eh?

I agree. Although i don't think stylish always means showing lots of skin.

 

[bluegreysky]

I dress "frumpy", I guess, and i'm proud of it I really don't "get" the concept of wanting to spend an hour in the morning to blow dry hair, and do a manicure. I don't like figure hugging clothes, they are not comfortable, and since I'm an active person who's not scared of walking through muddy fields, climbing up ladders and getting messy, I don't believe stilettos and pencil skirts would be the most appropriate attire.
I prefer the natural look on other people, and over-plucked eyebrows, over-accessorized outfits I just find odd. There's something in the concept of coordinating my bag color with my shoes that just isn't me!!


I've also found that by dressing up on rare occasions rather than every day, it really makes people take notice If you give people too much every day, they get used to it.
In fact, I get so many comments when I dress up it makes me uncomfortable - and I don't want people to think I'm begging for compliments or attention.


I think we just all need to accept that different people have different priorities. My time and my money don't go into looking like a fashion icon. Boots, jeans and a jumper it is, and I don't mind or even notice when the said boots and jeans get muddy. And then I can have fun dressing up on special occasions, and surprising everybody!

Well I like this point of view- frumpy is good if you are an outdoorsy person who gets dirty. And I don't wear fancy dresses and heels all the time, just on sunday. I don't like it when people look fake either,
but theres a happy medium between fake and too dressed up and too plain and that's where you wear natural makeup and earthy accessories with earthy colors but they are stylish cuts that accentuate your body, not hide it or squeeze it too tight.
I never said anything about showing skin- I know my photo there contradicts but that was my birthday top and it was a bit low cut but normally I wear shirts with straps or sleeves and they hang down below my stomach and fit comfortably so that you can't see every single curve and bulge but at the same time you can see that I'm a girl because the right curves do show... lol

 

[bluegreysky]

oh and inkabink, that's a cute outfit.. I wear stuff like that from time to time. Nothing wrong with a tank-top and sandals. Especially in a beach town. I'm not talking about those kinds of outfits...
I'm not even knocking older clothes, if you can work them just right, they look fine.
I'm talking like grandma-type stuff that was made for older (50+) people. it doesn't work when you're 20-something. And then the other extreme when a girl where's high-schoolish clothes at age 21 or more that are too small and you can see muffin-top on their hips. blah.

 

[soccerdad66]

You get all kinds at my Church... For me, work in IT for the last 10 years, everyone wears jeans and tshirt to work, so that's become most of my clothes.