dowdy
Shabby and plain
Dowdy describes clothing, style, or a person that looks dull, unfashionable, or frumpy.
The word suggests outdated rather than intentionally plain—a dowdy outfit isn't just modest, it's behind the times: She felt dowdy in her mother's hand-me-downs.
The noun dowdy, now rare, once meant a plain or unstylish woman.
Drab and unstylish
- outdatedNo longer in use
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- unstylishLacking fashionable appeal
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
passé · unhip · square · uncool · behind-the-times · matronly · stodgy · fuddy-duddy
Damaged by use
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tattyWorn and cheap-looking
- raggedWorn to shreds
- frayedUnraveled at edges
tattered · bedraggled · scruffy · seedy · unkempt · rumpled · disheveled · moth-eaten
Lacking edge or interest
- colorlessDevoid of pigmentation
- dingyDiscolored from grime
- drearyDull and depressing
- drabDull and cheerless
washed-out · faded · lackluster · mousy · nondescript · bland · muted · somber
Unattractive in appearance
- unattractiveNot pleasing aesthetically
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- simpleFree of complexity
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
unflattering · inelegant · graceless · unpolished · unsophisticated · unrefined · homespun · utilitarian
frumpy
Drab and unstylish
- outdatedNo longer in use
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- unstylishLacking fashionable appeal
dated · passé · unhip · square · uncool · behind-the-times · matronly · stodgy · fuddy-duddy · dowager
worn
Damaged by use
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tattyWorn and cheap-looking
- raggedWorn to shreds
frayed · tattered · bedraggled · scruffy · seedy · unkempt · rumpled · disheveled · moth-eaten · frowzy
dull
Lacking edge or interest
drab · washed-out · faded · lackluster · mousy · nondescript · bland · muted · somber · lifeless
homely
Unattractive in appearance
- unattractiveNot pleasing aesthetically
- unadornedLacking decoration or ornament
- simpleFree of complexity
unpretentious · unflattering · inelegant · graceless · unpolished · unsophisticated · unrefined · homespun · utilitarian · austere
- aestheticsaesthetics, aesthetic, beauty, beautiful, ugly
- uglyugly, hideous, unsightly, grotesque, repulsive
- fashionfashion, clothing, apparel, attire, garment
- appearancelooks, attractive, features, beautiful, complexion
- fashion stylescasual wear, bohemian, formal wear, preppy, romantic
- stylestyle, stylish, chic, elegant, stylishness