UK Fashion

Yeah, I mean. I like to look nice.  I always make an effort leaving the house or at work. 

It just doesn't involve clogs/jumpsuit/headbands/denim vests/etc.  There are too many trends I can't do. 

(I do enjoy leggings/jegging, though.)  I will give the nod to Uniqlo for their jeggings. 

so many posts!
I need to check out these online sites to see what I need to buy.

When I've been to the UK, girls dress a lot more revealing than I'm used to. I think my husband wants me to dress a little more "show off-y".



also, to: Sara Smile.
my husband is really really blunt....
and when I first met him I thought he was a bit of a metrosexual.  i mean, the man cannot live without hair gel!





BTW, WHAT THE **** IS A DH???




oh, and: We're spending the summer in Norwich on a temp work contract and then moving to Edinburgh to settle.

BTW, WHAT THE **** IS A DH???

DH=Dear husband.

personally, I think a lot of what people wear here is horrible, leggings and short skirts / dresses that would be a decent length shirt? No thank you... simple skirts and blouses for me when it comes to work. Most of the woman I work with follow the same rules and most of them get their clothes at tesco or sainsbury's.

when I messed my back up I was wearing a pair of keanes I got from my sister in the states and one of my (male) Co-workers thought it was hilarious how I'd started, in his mind, dressing like english holiday goers. What's wrong with socks and sandles?

Seriously though, you will see all sorts of fashions, it all depends on what type of environment you work in and where you live and socialise.

 

I see a lot of leggings and short skirts here in Student-Land. There was a girl on the train this morning wearing a skirt so short you could see ...! When I first worked in the UK -- with my US librarian's wardrobe -- I was regarded by my co-workers as extremely fashionable! Huh? Later on I got most of my clothes from charity shops and once again I was thought very smart. Go figure.

I think women in cities tend to dress in a more what you might call 'fashionable' way. I would call it less fashionable and more trendy, though.

Yes. At least here in York. Everything tight, short and low-cut, regardless of whether they have the bodies for it.

Oh please. You want to dress like a British woman?Lots of people look good, but the trend is for tight clothes, ridiculously high-heeled shoes, and overdone hair.

We don't all dress in the latest trends . I'm a British woman and at the moment, I'm wearing an Old Navy tank top, Old Navy sweats and an H&M cardigan. I have only worn leggings once since 1993 and I can't walk for more than about 5 minutes in 3-inch heels, let alone anything higher! I usually live in jeans and trainers when I'm out and about, and in sweats and slippers at home.

Talking about overdone hair though, I saw about 3 ladies (probably in their 30's-40's) come into work today (I work in a pharmacy) with terrible 'Posh' bobs... one woman's hair was cut so short at the back that it was about 3 inches above the nape of her neck, but the front went all the way to her shoulders !

Definitely wear what you feel comfortable in, but if you want to look a bit more stylish (and this is true no matter where you live), try some accessories. My most fashionable friends don't necessarily have the most expensive or trendy clothes, but their accessories make average looking outfits look special. High street shops sell the latest in accessories at all price points.

Aww, I like metrosexual men. They seem to be in short supply where I live. I can't wait to get to London!

I definitely agree that British women tend to dress up more for going out. Even in some of the small town and rural-ish areas I lived in I'd see this, especially with the 20-30 set. I also think there is a lot more mutton-dressed-as-lamb because I saw lots of women my mother's age wearing things I'd not have worn as a teenager!

But you British high street fashion can be very nice. It can be classic, trendy, hippy-ish. Whatever suits you. You just have to look!

Lots of people look good, but the trend is for tight clothes, ridiculously high-heeled shoes, and overdone hair.

This is definitely true for Leicester sq in the evenings

with terrible 'Posh' bobs... one woman's hair was cut so short at the back that it was about 3 inches above the nape of her neck, but the front went all the way to her shoulders !

That short-in-the-back-long-in-the-front look is anything but posh. To me, it's the coiffure equivalent of a sparkly top from a high street shop. DH has a name for that haircut, but I won't repeat it here. 

That short-in-the-back-long-in-the-front look is anything but posh. To me, it's the coiffure equivalent of a sparkly top from a high street shop. DH has a name for that haircut, but I won't repeat it here. 

Ha ha--that is the cut my old (horrid mean, etc.) manager got.

We don't all dress in the latest trends

Well, of course the people on this thread are generalising.

But a very large proportion of the women that I see going out in the city centre in the evening do wear whatever is trendy, no matter how it looks on them.


I understand a bit about what the OP is going through, though. When I first visited DH in the UK, he told me that I dressed like a man (or something like that). UK women's clothes tend to be more body-hugging and US women's clothes seem to be looser (particularly around the waist/stomach and legs).

So, I've compromised. I do wear clothing that is tighter and shows off my body more - but:
1. I don't wear anything that emphasizes parts of my body that don't need emphasizing.
2. I dress for the weather.  If other women think that 50 degrees F is good weather for sleeveless tops and bare legs (And there are lots of women here in York that do), then good for them.  I'll be wearing jeans, a jumper and a jacket.

Be you....If you like something wear it, if not then don't.

If DH has said you might need to shop - heck take the card and go shopping ;-)

Read this blog as this article made me laugh
http://www.shesnotfromyorkshire.com/2009/11/23/de-mystifying-the-british-girls-night-out-or-why-do-some-british-women-dress-like-hookers-when-saturday-night-rolls-around/

Good luck and remember only you know what you feel comfortable in and no one can change that.  Just like I cannot wear ballet flats as I feel pudgy in them - maybe someday that will change but for now - nope wont do it

This is a huge issue I have about London. On my 3rd night in the country, we went to a birthday party at a private pub. I dressed how I would have at home. DF didnt say anything other than "Are you sure you want to wear that?" I said I thought it was fine and he said I looked great. We got there and everyone was completely "slutted out". I felt SO uncomfortable. I was wearing a nice pair of trousers and a dresser sweater and I didnt think anything was wrong. I dont wear revealing things and DF would never want me to but I felt I completely stuck out. The stuff I have is good for everyday things and I have plenty of good work things for when I start but I did have to go out and get some party pieces. I still got things that dont make me feel uncomfortable or look "slutty" by any means but are just more dressy than what I would wear at home. Ive had good luck at Zara and TK Maxx finding good dresses that I wear with tights or leggings. I have never owned leggings and never thought I would but I actually like them now that I have tried them. I still feel comfortable in what I have bought and they look nice. I still dont look the same as everyone else but I definitely feel better when we go to parties. I think once you get here you will find out what you need and you may not need anything depending on the kind of parties you go to. I moved here from Denver and I needed more dressy things anyway since most people in CO wear jeans to even the fanciest of restaurants.