"Dowdy persons" typically refers to someone who is drab, dull or unattractive, especially in terms of clothing or personal appearance. Synonyms for this term include frumpy, unfashionable, plain, lifeless and unappealing. Other similar words could be outdated, unstylish, outdated or old-fashioned. These words describe a person who lacks a sense of style or chooses to dress in a way that does not reflect current trends. While non-judgmental language is important, it is useful to understand and use synonyms to avoid repetition and to describe different aspects of a person's fashion sense.