Family celebrations took me back to London last week. Despite a hectic schedule, I managed to peruse the High Street and my other favourite shopping districts. While fashion trends remain a worldwide phenomenon, regional, cultural and lifestyle differences tend to play a significant role when it comes to consumer trend adoption. In particular, what you find in British stores and American stores can be quite different. I love to compare fashion trends across the Atlantic, so here are some observations on the differences and similarities.
Differences:
- The strong skirt trend was wonderful. From A-line to pencil, maxi to mini, plain to check and soft to structured, the choice was abundant. Skirts were as popular as pants, while dresses took a backseat.
- The enormous selection of fabulous and comfortable 2-inch heeled shoes and boots was a breath of fresh air. While there were plenty of 3-inch plus peds around, stable heel heights were the order of the day.
- Wide-legged pants were absent. I’d expected this trend to be huge, but I was wrong. It’s still all about skinnies and straight legs in London at the moment, which makes me thrilled that we have a wider choice in the US.
- The small emphasis on hound’s-tooth and tartan also came as a surprise, since these patterns are very big in the US right now.
Similarities:
- Purple and Hot pink were the primary focus. Black, white, teal, emerald, yellow, cobalt and red followed soon after.
- Trapeze jackets continue to flood the market.
- Tunics, skinnies, voluminous sleeves and blouses, oxfords, slouchy ankle boots, ruched calf length boots, riding boots and patent remain rampant.
- The hottest fashion sneaker around is the All Star Converse in all it’s variations.
Clothing stores such as Zara, Marks & Spencer, Karen Millen, Mexx, Monsoon, Wallis, John Lewis, Reiss and Selfridges looked particularly good this time around; while footwear stores such as Berties, Office and Faith remain strong favourites. H&M, New Look, Jane Norman, Morgan and Topshop were a bit disappointing. I was inspired by London’s current skirt and slouchy ankle boot trend and came back with a few gems that I’m excited to wear.
Some of my favourites from Karen Millen in London.