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For all the 'Slack Alices'

(124 Posts)
Jane10 Fri 11-Sept-20 10:18:31

I know there are multiple meanings for this phrase but this thread is in response to those requests for it in the 'no longer bothering with make up and smart clothes' thread.
Smartly dressed, coiffed and made up Grans need read no further!
Back to the topic, I live in M&S straight legged joggers (with lovely stretchy waistband) and assorted sweatshirts and will shortly moved into cosy fleeces. Unlike some, I haven't ditched a bra as I found M&S crop top bralettes very comfortable and, along with their fine big pants, all is safely gathered in!
I wore make up every day in life until I retired and discovered one day that if I didn't wear make up nobody fainted or screamed and pointed and life went on.
All this shows in my face. I feel more relaxed. Due to not having to remove make up with various unguents my skin is clearer and less dry and wrinkled. Of course that could be due to all the fat pushing them out. I have munched my way happily throughout lockdown. I've really let myself go and it's great!
Any more Slack Alices out there with top slack tips?

grannyrebel7 Fri 11-Sept-20 16:34:36

I couldn't wear them out, only around the house. No make up for working days, but mascara and eyebrow pencil for the non working days. My eyebrows seem to have become no colour at all! They're still there but colourless. Eyelashes are still ok though thankfully!

Jane10 Fri 11-Sept-20 17:56:42

'Scran' is food though. Seems fair. I'm not averse to a bit of grub

MerylStreep Fri 11-Sept-20 19:08:23

Baggs
I've seen photos of you, and sorry to disappoint: you don't pass the test to be a slack alice ?

Callistemon Fri 11-Sept-20 19:44:52

Some people have style and some don't, MerylStreep

I think that Baggs has it*
I could wear the same with no makeup and look like Slack Alice!

I could dress up and still look like Slack Alice. That's why I feel a tad sorry for Boris.
Although I looked OK at DD's wedding hidden under my hat.

Callistemon Fri 11-Sept-20 19:47:22

Scran' is food though. Seems fair. I'm not averse to a bit of grub

I never knew that. DH goes to meetings where they have a 'scran bag'; they put in money which is collected over a few weeks and then goes to charity.

Alima Fri 11-Sept-20 20:09:57

From Jack Speak, the (practically official) dictionary of RN terms.

Jane10 Fri 11-Sept-20 20:56:51

It was food in prison.

Curlywhirly Fri 11-Sept-20 21:10:09

Well, in the day I'm the opposite of a slack alice - no elasticated waists, no track suits, always wear perfume and make up, hairdressers every 5 weeks - but in the evenings, I'm a real slack alice - make up off, bra off, pyjamas on, slobbing on the sofa channel-hopping and surfing the internet!

Callistemon Fri 11-Sept-20 22:25:16

Thanks Alima - for years I thought it was a scram bag and only found out recently it is a scran bag!

hairdressers every 5 weeks
My hairdressers was shut for the duration and I still haven't been. It's more of a bob now (a way to go yet though).

Curlywhirly Sat 12-Sept-20 09:00:27

Callistemon a hairdresser every 5 weeks obviously not during lock down! 18 weeks before I could go to my hairdresser's; did my roots myself with the help of my husband and as my hair is shoulder length, another inch or so of growth was hardly noticeable. Did think about carrying on doing my own roots in the future, but the mess I made soon put me off!

Greeneyedgirl Sat 12-Sept-20 09:34:28

Life’s too short for roots Curly grin I do not want to think on my death bed, of the years, accumulated, that I’ve spent in hairdressers.

Callistemon Sat 12-Sept-20 09:50:22

Mine is very choppy at the back, it's not so easy to hold a mirror in one hand and trim the back of your hair with sharp scissors in the other.

Mohum Sat 12-Sept-20 09:51:04

Never worn makeup. Must have saved thousands over the years. It makes me laugh when magazines feature "must have" products. Same with vitamins etc.

Naninka Sat 12-Sept-20 09:55:13

My DGD is called Alice.
Boohoohoohoo! sad

Callistemon Sat 12-Sept-20 09:59:04

DGD's friend is called Alice, a lovely girl ad not in the slightest bit slack.

We shouldn't do this, remember the outcry over the name Karen?

Wasn't Slack Alice a friend of Larry Grayson btw?

Naninka Sat 12-Sept-20 10:06:52

Alice is a beautiful name. Nothing slack about my DGD. (Although she shares her complete name with Dawn French's verger in Vic of Dibley!!)
My son said it didn't matter... 90s sitcom forgotten! Hmm...

Rosalyn69 Sat 12-Sept-20 10:07:47

I could never be a Slack Alice all of the time. It’s one step up from being a slob in my book. I may wear sweat pants and sweaters but hair is done, some makeup is done and I wear perfume. I like to look as nice as possible for my own sense of well-being.

Juicylucy Sat 12-Sept-20 10:13:33

Only wear make up on special occasions, but I’m not a slack Alice as I love cloths to much so I’m one of the nice cloths tidy appearance brigade.

Jane10 Sat 12-Sept-20 10:13:36

Nothing wrong with being a slob!
Why do we do it all though? While working it was OK to maintain a 'professional' appearance but now? I'm not looking for male or other attention and I'm beyond feeling a need to 'keep up appearances' to impress others. I suppose it's just a sign of confidence that I don't feel the need to dress uncomfortably and plaster my face with chemicals.

Callistemon Sat 12-Sept-20 10:13:56

Although she shares her complete name with Dawn French's verger in Vic of Dibley!!

Wasn't she wonderful! Such a sad loss.

Glorybee Sat 12-Sept-20 10:14:23

Callistemon actually that’s just reminded me of someone I used to work with (in her 20’s) who hated her name Alice as she was growing up. I asked her why as I think it’s lovely and she said it’s because of the remastered version of the Smokie song, living next door to Alice. There’re versions which contain the line ‘Who the is Alice’ which she used to get shouted at her regularly ?. I’m too old to have heard of the newer version, she was too young for the original.

Notinthemanual Sat 12-Sept-20 10:15:51

Love this thread. I have a foot in both camps too. I like my footwear to be be comfy, but like heals too. The last time I bought a pair I went shopping before it got busy so I could could try them on and have a little trot around the shop to make sure they were ok for running for buses and getting my groove on wink

Callistemon Sat 12-Sept-20 10:15:53

Oh yes, that song as well, Glorybee, often shouted out by drunken revellers.

maddyone Sat 12-Sept-20 10:22:57

I’m a part time Slack Alice. When in the house I wear comfy joggers, leggings or shorts (on the one day of the year it’s actually hot) but going out I wear smartish jeans, trousers, or even a dress or skirt. Upper wear varies from tee shirts to fleeces at home, but much nicer tops for going out. Of course it all depends on the destination and the company, I’ll be casual in jeans and tee for the shops, nicer jeans and nice top for a meal out, dress or skirt and lovely top for afternoon tea in London.
I used to wear make up every day when I was working, now I put it on to go out, but not for a trip to the supermarket. I get my hair cut and coloured about every six weeks, and my overgrown with a mind of their own eyebrows waxed and trimmed every few weeks.
So yes, I’m a part time Slack Alice.

Naninka Sat 12-Sept-20 10:25:13

Yes. My husband says that sometimes before Alice comes to visit - he thinks he's funny.