Really stupid clothing question

I don't think Lost Angel's post was all that harsh,, I definately agree with many of the points made, and saw the humor. There are two basic styles here in the UK,, 'frump' and 'clubby'. Sad as it is,, it's pretty spot on. If you are patient, you can find clothes that fall somewhere in the middle,, but it really does take some patient shopping. I actually saw white go-go boots in a mainstream shop the other day! There are just not enough options in shops that cater to the 25 to 45 crowd, who want stylish, and elegant clothes,  not gaudy or frumpy clothes.  I enjoy the differences between tastes in the US and here tho, but I usually do all my clothes shopping back in the US. For one thing, it's cheaper.  

I do wish there was a Norstroms here.

I, too, found Angel's comments as just good ol' sarcastic humour with elements of truth.

Fashion is really a matter of personal taste and I just don't like what's popular it seems. I've never claimed to be fashionable!   My wardrobe consists of black, black, black, purple, black, gray, black, white, and more black. So these swirly pastel 70s/80s numbers and pink suede boots with fringe are beyond me. People may be laughing at my clothing choices but I don't care.  

And I do find that if you aren't looking for what is "in" at the moment, you'll be hard pressed to find anything else. Maybe I should shop outside of the city I live in but I don't think that I should have to. I know it's the same in the US too with everyone looking the same but at least there was more of a selection to choose from.

If you have your own style in the US that you like, bring it with you is what I think the gist of the post was.

Plus there's definitely a huge difference here between the really sharp looking women out for a night and the trashy looking ones, imho. Again, a matter of preference.

I don't mean to offend anyone either (or have the topic go to pettifog) but I found the post humourous and I could relate to the observations.  

Btw, I don't have Nicole Kidman thighs either but I would refuse to show them in a mini skirt without monster-strength support hose!  

my legs look nothing like Nicole Kidman's... far from it.  but British ppl don't seem to mind the "fullness" of a woman's figure...  thats what i meant.  


unfortunately, i am very serious.   i am not meaning to offend anyone here, especially UK women.  i am not talking about any woman's character here, just the fashion...   which sucks, in my opinion, so please don't get all offended and let me state my opinion on this subject.

what i am trying to say is: if you don't like the current trends, you are out of luck as far as finding un-trendy clothing.  the stores here are flooded with fads that won't last.  i would much rather buy fashionable clothing that will last for a few years, and trying to do that here is next to impossible.

as far as women looking like 80's hookers on the weekends, if you don't believe me, go out clubbing in a bigger city and see for yourself...

point taken Angel but there are some of us in big cities that don't dress like hookers, clubbing or not

Of course, he also has always thought that British women look cute all dressed up, he thinks they make more of an effort than American women to make an occasion special.

Tend to agree with him there.  Even if they try too hard and fail, you rarely see a girl out for the night in jeans and a regular shirt.  

I  agree with Angel too, and thought she got it spot on about the fashion trend especially at night.Although you can find some alright things at places like Monsoon, Next and House of Frasier,you really have to hunt. And I'm not going to pay UK prices for(as son would say) Gap Crap. I just can't help it, I still convert things into dollars.Do y'all still do this ???I think shopping would be alot easier if I could just stop doing this.

I was bored and went shopping the other day, and when I mentally converted things to dollars,, I just didn't feel the value was there  Well, that said, I did splash out for some very sexy pink and black frilly things from Marks and Spencers,, who in my opinion, have fabulous lingerie. That's one great thing about British fashion, they do love their lingerie

I sympathise but think maybe you are looking in the wrong places for the kind of clothes you like. Get away from the high street and check out markets and small local deisgners. And I don't mean the haute couture kind (see I can't even spell it never mind buy it)! Yes it might take some digging around. Try TK Maxx and shopping villages if you have one near you too. If you are limited to chainstores where you are try H&M I always find them good for basic casuals - although they do a good line in tart wear too And I'm not sure if these exist outside London but look out for branches of Benny Dee and Primark, esp for undies.

Oh to be in London! I had some great finds last time I was there. That kind of shopping sadly doesn't exist here, and sometimes a girl needs to shop.

point taken Angel but there are some of us in big cities that don't dress like hookers, clubbing or not

true...  and i would love to know where those women shop.  

I did find some nice simple basic t-shirts last Sept in London at H&M. Very good prices too. They just opened one here in Bournemouth the other day at the Castle Point Shopping center. Was going to head that way on Monday  

my legs look nothing like Nicole Kidman's... far from it.  but British ppl don't seem to mind the "fullness" of a woman's figure...  thats what i meant.  


unfortunately, i am very serious.   i am not meaning to offend anyone here, especially UK women.  i am not talking about any woman's character here, just the fashion...   which sucks, in my opinion, so please don't get all offended and let me state my opinion on this subject.

what i am trying to say is: if you don't like the current trends, you are out of luck as far as finding un-trendy clothing.  the stores here are flooded with fads that won't last.  i would much rather buy fashionable clothing that will last for a few years, and trying to do that here is next to impossible.

as far as women looking like 80's hookers on the weekends, if you don't believe me, go out clubbing in a bigger city and see for yourself...

Talking fashion is one thing and perhaps a little out of my realm (although I welcome your ideas on becoming tragically hip )but your original post mentioned nothing about "clubbing on weekends" and reads more like a general slagging of British women whether it's what you meant to imply or not.......

Wow!   Thanks for all the replies!

Reading things over, I get the distinct impression that I'm gonna go through life over there as "The American", unmistakable and seen from afar off.  At least for a little while, anyway. I can do the gap/roxy/many light layers things but black is not a good color for me (physically or emotionally).  I'm short and, shall we say full figured. Black, even tailored black makes me look dumpy, and like it's being worn for a "slimming" effect.  blech!  

And the 80's wear was very cool when I was in High School DURING the 80s, but at 40? Well, it's just sad.  

So, I'm gonna check out those links y'all posted, and see what's up. Thanks again for your help.

Kat

You will be fine kat   You will have alot of 'American' sisters here to make sure of that

I have one thing to say about fashion in America to balance this all out:  Some people in WALMART, K-MART and NEW JERSEY.......  <----comment meant in same tongue and cheek spirit or not depending.  

Europeans do tend to be more trendy on the whole and also to dress more when going out.  That's just them.  When in Rome.......

Want to be really annoyed?  Go to Spain for a few weeks. Try going out for an evening there in what you would wear in the USA and see the reaction you get.  Or France or Italy for the matter.  Hell dress as a midwesterner in NYC and you'd get the same issues.

Fashion sense really is a cultural thing.  Many see us in the US as way too casual and slovenly.  

Another interesting country is China -now there is some interesting fashion sense.  

Kat there are shades of grey and most of the clothes you wear will be fine.  Do it with an attitude and life will be okay.  Do bring summer things...even strappy dresses work with a sweater thrown over them for when it gets  cooler.  If you  are moving South then the weather is much more temperate than in London or up North thanks to the Jet Stream and don't forget you'll need those lighter items for travel to the hot sultry south of Europe!  

I just wanted to say that I wear bright colours, never wear the black trousers and button down shirt combo, and don't dress in the retro style, but often get complimented on how I dress.  I would bring your dresses, but put them on over trousers when it is colder.  I wore sandals (birks at that) throughout most of last summer and no one cared (I work in local government).  I think you can wear what you want and what makes you comfortable.

The only thing I would say is that white socks with brown shoes is a DEAD give away that you are american.