dowdiness
Lack of style
Dowdiness is the quality of being unfashionable, drab, or lacking style—particularly in dress or appearance.
The word suggests not just being out of fashion but being frumpy or dull in a way that seems careless or old-fashioned: The dowdiness of her wardrobe embarrassed her daughter.
It can extend beyond clothing to describe anything lacking in freshness or appeal.
Drab and unstylish
- outdatedNo longer in use
- unstylishLacking fashionable appeal
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- passéNo longer fashionable
outmoded · old-fashioned · behind-the-times · antiquated · fuddy-duddy · stodgy · unhip · uncool
Lacking edge or interest
- drearyDull and depressing
- colorlessDevoid of pigmentation
- lifelessDevoid of animation
- lacklusterLacking brilliance or vitality
bland · mousy · faded · washed-out · nondescript · beige · dingy · muted
Unattractive in appearance
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- austereSeverely simple and unadorned
unattractive · unglamorous · unembellished · modest · simple · unpolished · unsophisticated · utilitarian
Damaged by use
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tatteredRipped and worn out
- frayedUnraveled at edges
- rumpledCrinkled from neglect
unkempt · disheveled · bedraggled · tatty · ragged · scruffy · seedy · run-down
frumpy
Drab and unstylish
passé · outmoded · old-fashioned · behind-the-times · antiquated · fuddy-duddy · stodgy · unhip · uncool · square
dull
Lacking edge or interest
lackluster · bland · mousy · faded · washed-out · nondescript · beige · dingy · muted · somber
homely
Unattractive in appearance
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
austere · unattractive · unglamorous · unembellished · modest · simple · unpolished · unsophisticated · utilitarian · functional
worn
Damaged by use
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tatteredRipped and worn out
- frayedUnraveled at edges
rumpled · unkempt · disheveled · bedraggled · tatty · ragged · scruffy · seedy · run-down · neglected
- unstylishnessunstylish, unfashionable, tastelessness, frumpiness, inelegant
- uglinessugliness, unattractiveness, unsightliness, hideousness, homeliness
- uncool traitsnerdiness, geekiness, awkwardness, lameness, dorkiness
dowdinesschicness
Fashionable elegance
stylishness · fashionableness · elegance · chic · sophistication
dowdinessbrilliance
Exceptional intelligence or luster
brightness · radiance · vividness · flashiness · showiness