Really stupid clothing question

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

And would give the FAB5 on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy an embollism if they did fashion for women.

Though I am guilty of owning white socks and running out with them on with dark shoes..

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

White socks with Brown shoes?! :oEeek!!!   Okay, okay, I promise not to do that, EVER, under penalty of death!

Actually I almost never wear socks.  I guess that's another thing on my shopping list ... warm socks.

I agree with the notion that the British "dress up" more than us Americans.  They even do that over here regardless of how long they've lived here.  And I definitely agree that we Americans are way TOO casual at inappropriate times.  It's sad really. I'm a real 'Girly-girl' and I love to get dressed up to go out, and it's a real downer when you look around you and all you can see are jeans, Budweiser tee shirts and baseball caps. On the other hand it took me ages to convince Clive to just take out the darned trash without having to shower and dressing (WITH TIE) first.  

Kat

I agree with the notion that the British "dress up" more than us Americans.  They even do that over here regardless of how long they've lived here.  And I definitely agree that we Americans are way TOO casual at inappropriate times.  It's sad really. I'm a real 'Girly-girl' and I love to get dressed up to go out, and it's a real downer when you look around you and all you can see are jeans, Budweiser tee shirts and baseball caps.

That's how I feel as well.. I really enjoy getting dressed up for a night out, but always feel OVER-dressed here in America.  When in England, it almost feels like I'm getting to play dress-up.  Love getting to wear big chunky boots and scarves and accessorize.  When I return back to the states, I try to continue dressing how I normally would there, but it just feels inappropriate.  I get stares and sneers and eventually just return to jeans and a regular top.  :-/

if you want to look like everyone else here in the UK:

strappy, pointy-toed, pointy-heeled shoes or boots are all the rave.     mostly worn here with tiny mini skirts, occasionally legwarmers and "bobbi-socks" accompany them.  if you have fat thighs, don't worry...  no one else seems to mind.

(seriously, if you like cool shoes, stock up at home, and bring them all with you.   they don't sell cool shoes outside of London.  and chunky heels are impossible to find anywhere...  i am so glad i brought mine here!  )

any ugly 80's clothing is fashionable, as well.  legwarmers are "cool" here, worn on the legs OR arms.    and also "off one shoulder", fat horizontal striped tops.  they are all the rave, and EVERYONE wears them here.  

Angel... You may be 100% correct about the fashions in Derbyshire, but i dont think this is accurate throughout the UK.  I live in Scotland, and have NEVER seen anyone EVER wearing legwarmers on their legs, let alone on their arms.  Well, not in this century.
Nor do the girls here wear 'bobbi-socks'... i take it youre meaning short socks?  I've not seen this.

And there ARE cool shoes outside of London... I shop at Schuh for Kickers, Dr Martens, and all shoes black and chunky!
Also try www.cloggs.co.uk ... they've got some rad shoes.

Fiance and I went to malls while he was here this week and EVERYWHERE we saw Hawaiian shirts, especially for men. We were giggling in the first store [only because he'd rather be found dead than dressed in a flower shirt]    but after seeing similar things in each store we went to, it's got to be for real. It seems the fashion nazis have decided Hawaiian is the IN look for men this spring, at least in the US. Even Bratz dolls were sporting the look

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

Hi Angel

Well I have to admit that when I think about it a lot of my nicest clothes have been purchased on trips outside the UK BUT I do have to say that the two shortest, tightest, tartiest items I have were bought in California !!  Most of the stuff I have bought here in the last couple of years I have bought in the sales - for some reason a lot of shops put out different stuff in sale time so you don't only get something cheaper you get something "different."

I don't know what is available in the Derby area but you might find this website interesting if you want something a bit off beat but not too over the top. Laden Showrooms is an outlet in Brick Lane, London selling clothes by up-and-coming designers and this is their online shop. It isn't cheap admittedly but then again the prices aren't totally outrageous compared to a lot of chainstores and I think it is good value when you think you are getting something that you won't see everyone else wearing.

http://www.laden.co.uk/MainFrame.asp?p=1

It seems the fashion nazis have decided Hawaiian is the IN look for men this spring,

LOL,, I would give up diet coke and chocolate for a week to see my husband in a hawaiian shirt LOL.

Hiya~  I personally love the clothing in Europe, and think you CAN find great shoes there.  In fact, I usually buy a new pair every time I go over.  Anyhow, I agree with Broxi---haven't really seen a lot of the trends Angel is referring to in Scotland, so maybe it's more of an England or London thing just now.  Who knows???  I notice differences between what people wear in WI at school and what they wear when I visit back home in IN.  Fashion is odd that way.

I also think the jeans in Europe are way better than those in America.  They're more about fashion than they are about the practical aspect.  

Kat~  I would say this...stick to basic stuff that you can layer easily.  People in the UK seem to be really into accessories, so I would buy a lot of solid colored stuff that you can dress up or down with scarves, necklaces, bracelets, etc.  (I would hold off on buying some of the accessories till you get here and see what's in style here, although some of it is pretty similar).  Get yourself some nice and long scarves, they are the ultimate accessory and you can get away with a warm top and a scarf instead of wearing a coat.

You might want to look up some catalogs just now and buy some of the winter clothing on sale.  Try www.kohls.com  (I buy most of my clothing at Kohls....esp. since they still carry petites..let's hear it for the short people!!! lol).  I know they have stores all over the Midwest and a few out in CA, but they might have different stuff in stock out in CA.  Buy online...there's a lot of great deals just now.  

Lastly, don't forget---LAYER LAYER LAYER!!!!!!!  The weather changes quickly, so have stuff you can easily take on and off.  I personally think the weather in Scotland/UK is really mild compared to wear I live, but you're going to think it's cold.

Best of luck with your shopping and planning!!!!

The layering idea is a great one. One thing to bear in mind is this really is just a small island. It only takes up to a couple of hours to drive to any coast here, and we're not only affected by the cold off the North Sea, we're also in the path of the Gulf Stream, straight from Florida. Talk about weather changing quickly and being unpredictable!

Talk about weather changing quickly and being unpredictable!

Is'nt that the truth! I remember being in a B+B in Northamptonshire the day of the London marathon in '98 and the temperature was 38 degrees with wind,rain and frozen sleet outside. We then drove down to the marathon 85 miles south and it was near 60, sunny and almost balmy

Gee I guess I reallystick out as American. lol  I wear my jeans daily. Of course I am not working at the moment. I do like dressing up too. actually I like dressing up more them my british husband.  He has to dress up for work everyday so when he is not working he really dresses down.  I fuss at him sometimes because he looks so nice when he kisses me goodbye for work and then he wants to go slouchy on the weekend. lol  He will dress up more though when I ask him to.  I guess were the reverse I am more relaxed dress during the week and want to dress up on the weekend and he is just the opposite.  So far so go. no one has criticised me for wearing my jeans all the time. My British friend actually wears her jeans now too when we go out for coffee every Wednesday.

I think ultimately you'll look best in what you're comfortable in (as long as that isn't ripped sweats and a pajama top.. not that I'm suggesting you would wear that out ).  People tend to have more confidence when they're comfortable in their outfit.  A year or two back, I was invited to Sean's sister's birthday bash.  When Sean's mom saw that I was wearing nice trousers (instead of a skirt) and a cute top she was a bit disappointed that I would go to a birthday disco in anything other than a skirt.  She really likes to get dressed up herself, and I think expected the same of me.  She wasn't at all rude about it, just surprised that I was 'dressed down' for a special occasion.   I wasn't really.. it just wasn't as done up as everyone else.  I didn't care.. I was more comfortable being ME.    Don't go changing completely to try to fit in.  Go with what you like, but maybe improvise a bit.

...    Don't go changing completely to try to fit in.  Go with what you like, but maybe improvise a bit.

Thank you TERINTH!  That's exactly what I'm thinking.  I don't mind being "THE American" or even "That Yank", but I definitely DON'T want to be seen as putting on a "Madonna act".    I'd rather stick out like a sore thumb.

Besides, Clive and I have been married 20 years, so no ones gonna buy that one anyway.  

Kat

alright, alright!!  I wore my black slacks and black striped blouse to town today.  Are you happy!  Just kidding but I did wear them to town today. lol

I usually dress in all black - even through the summers in Florida, black was it for me.  In fact, a few of my first meetings with other ex-pats here in the UK I got passed right by because they thought I looked "too English"!

And now?  Colour colour colour!  I'm wearing entire outfits that don't have a speck of black in them!  I'm shocked and surprised at myself, really!

And - I'm having more and more days where the entire outfit (down to the under bits as well!) are UK-bought and nothing is something I brought with me or bought in the States.