https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:46:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013435 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 14:17:52 +0000 Helena 2013435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We didn't - just looking on the map, we made it that far north, and that far east, but not that far north-east! Shall I add to it our list for our next trip? It looks like such a cool area, and I bet the fashion-watching is fab. We could have spent a month in London alone; there's SO much to explore ...&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013426 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:50:16 +0000 Angie 2013426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Did you go to Shoreditch?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013425 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:47:09 +0000 Helena 2013425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, indeed! Part of what makes it such a spectacular city :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013420 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 13:44:00 +0000 Angie 2013420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Helena,</b> you see it ALL in London </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013358 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 09:51:49 +0000 Mainelady 2013358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your trip sounds lovely and made even better by noticing how your own style is rooted in your history and ancestry. Sleek and sophisticated. Toss in some Colin Firth look alikes and boots that go the distance. Sounds like a dream vacation! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013320 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 02:43:17 +0000 taylor 2013320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting that you could see so much of yourself and family roots on this trip ...how fabulous for you :)<br /> Street style is really where the fashion is when traveling isn’t it ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013318 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 02:38:33 +0000 Anonymous 2013318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a wonderful trip.congratulations for traveling with a carry-on.<br /> JAileen, I have travelled for years with only a carry on and always pack 2 pair of shoes and wear a third pair. It can be done. But I only take two bottoms and am otherwise pretty minimal. Layer-able tops may vary with the season. Eagle Creek packing folders compress clothes and keep things neat and organized. Accessories and underwear are minimal. My trench coat is also my "robe". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013317 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 02:29:11 +0000 Jaime 2013317@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the interesting report! I was glad to see confirmation of the one thing that stood out to me about the men - they wear cognac or other brown leather shoes, unlike New York, let's say, where the men wear black shoes. It is interesting to see how people dress outside of the big cities - a whole other ball game! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013228 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 19:01:35 +0000 Sal 2013228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting - glad you had a great time! Your style is quite English I guess - really smart with quality pieces - favouring neutrals.</p> <p>So fun to people watch when you travel!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013227 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:47:08 +0000 Style Fan 2013227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a wonderful trip.&nbsp; You did an amazing job packing for the journey. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013225 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:35:07 +0000 Jane 2013225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yay to the Colin Firth looking gents! I’m so pleased you had such a super time. It’s lovely reading your descriptions. Well done those boots and the bag! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013221 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:31:04 +0000 Helena 2013221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, I can't picture you buttoned-down somehow!! Unless it was a puffy button-down ... ;)</p> <p>Angie, indeed, and I didn't do London style justice because it IS such a mix! There were definitely the more edgy looks that are often associated with London, the tourists with eclectic mixes of glammier, quirkier, louder and brighter looks, depending on where they were from. The city is so massive it would be impossible to nail down a single style - let alone the country! My older rellies were a little more colorful, with soft, cool, midtones like raspberry and light blue showing up, my 2nd gen cuzzies were into sports brands and leggings, just like DS and DH (thanks for the compliment!). It was really in my counterparts (and/or my best guess on my counterparts, where it was people on the tube or around the city), who seems to reflect me so well. Perhaps this is also just the times - the world is getting smaller after all! The younger ones may all dress the same, given the brands and media are so international now. Will be interesting to watch! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013216 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:12:25 +0000 rachylou 2013216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting! Sounds a lovely trip!</p> <p>I’m just thinking now. I used to spend summers in England when I was young. Out of school, all my job offers were from English people. My English ex-boss said he hired me because I looked button-down, lol. I’ve wandered away from the look... haha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013191 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:58:23 +0000 Anonymous 2013191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a great trip and you found your style tribe Too bad you didn't get to Boden though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013188 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:49:43 +0000 Angie 2013188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I followed you on Insta and it was delightful. What a fabulous trip you had<b></b>, <b>Helena</b>! KILLER - and your DD is as cute and as pretty as can be. Takes after her Mama.&nbsp;</p> <p>Like in Amsterdam - it's hard to see local London style because of the tourists! You have to go further afield to where the locals are to see authentic style. I bet you saw that visiting family. So fun. Welcome home.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013182 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:06:45 +0000 nemosmom 2013182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back!! Sounds like a fun trip with great style watching! How nice to be immersed in a place where others share your style. Relaxed polish sounds perfect! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013180 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:02:25 +0000 KMM 2013180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad you enjoyed your trip! I've been to London twice in the past 3 years as well as other parts of the UK, and&nbsp;had a&nbsp;similar feeling about the overall fashion there- very reflective of my own tastes.&nbsp;I felt quite at home. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013177 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:58:07 +0000 Helena 2013177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adriana, no! And I didn't make it to Boden, which was on my list Perhaps if it was further into the spring, more Boden-y, colorful looks would have been more visible - it was still mostly cool and cloudy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013176 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:57:05 +0000 Helena 2013176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, JAileen! I do have minimalist tendencies to be sure, but these boots really are the most versatile boots on the planet. Comfy for walking, smart enough to look a bit dressier, and waterproof to boot; we had a huge downpour and my feet stayed toasty and dry. They also got sandblasted with wet sand at the seaside, and I just wiped them off and they looked great. They are the perfect boots! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013175 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:55:27 +0000 Adriana 2013175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely discription you gave. No Bodenlooks in the city? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013174 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:45:56 +0000 JAileen 2013174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Colin Firth...mmmmm.</p> <p>Okay, you were gone a week and took only one pair of shoes? That’s why I need to check luggage. I need at least two pairs of shoes. And I have big feet, so there’s that. I think what you took sounds very smart, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013171 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:35:54 +0000 Helena 2013171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cardiffgirl, yes, the influence is definitely still here - that's what my cousins and I concluded too - that although they are different, there is a real familiarity (they felt the same when they came to Canada) - it makes it very easy to feel at home when travelling to the other one! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013163 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:16:32 +0000 Cardiff girl 2013163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Where are these men who look like Colin Firth ,l obviously need to get to London more!Glad that you had a great trip ,always interesting to have a review through the eyes of some one from overseas.Although I have to say I ve always thought of the Canadians as being quite British ,whether that’s a complement or not I m not sure (!)but I think we feel attuned to Canada in a way that we dont to some other countries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013154 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 13:23:26 +0000 Janet 2013154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a wonderful trip, and such interesting insights for you as well! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013153 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 13:16:48 +0000 Bijou 2013153@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha LisaP - they were my thoughts too!</p> <p>TG thank you for the UK style update, relaxed polish is such a great way to describe this style of dressing. A glenplaid jacket sounds like a great wardrobe addition, perfect to wear with denim. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013146 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:45:57 +0000 Helena 2013146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>lol Lisa, he's still in an elite class all his own, but you can see he's the aspiration of many! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013145 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:42:15 +0000 Anonymous 2013145@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well if the men all look like Colin Firth, I'm in .</p> <p>Glad to hear you had a fun trip, and how cool it must have been to recognize your style roots. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/english-style-or-seeing-yourself-in-your-roots#post-2013144 Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:14:50 +0000 Helena 2013144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi everyone, just a quick post to say hello as we are just back from lovely England. A wonderful whirlwind trip - three days in London, and four in the towns and countrysides of Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, visiting family. I grew up going to England about every second year, with family coming over here on the off-years, but hadn't connected with everyone since the cousins all started getting married and starting families, 15 or so years ago. It was wonderful re-connecting!</p> <p>Funny thing was how much I saw myself there - so many of my mannerisms, ways of doing things, and - to my surprise - style, were everywhere I looked. My British side is clearly a stronger influence than I realized!</p> <p>Notwithstanding London's eclectic fashion scene, the prevailing <i>average</i> look I saw (granted in a short time) was essentially my own uniform - slim fitting knit tops and jeans (or trim skirts with black opaque tights), flat boots and booties, practical accessorizing (e.g. a scarf with a jacket, small earrings, small pendant necklace), straight-ish mid-length hair, dark neutrals (black and charcoal) and to a lesser extent, the nearly neutrals (burgundy, navy - thought I'd see more navy actually - and extremely small doses of olive), light cool gray and beige, and camel for contrasting light neutrals, and virtually no pattern (except for glenplaid jackets and scarves, which is now on my shopping list). Peacoats, neat raincoats, or slim non-gearish-looking puffers. As polished as possible for the practicalities of navigating the tube, or a walk through the Knole woodland to the pub. Sensible, but with care. Neither gear nor stilettos, but something decidedly down the middle.&nbsp;</p> <p>Men were overwhelmingly Colin Firth-ish - neat and traditional, with just enough askew (a slightly crooked tie, tousled hair, or a bit of mud on their cognac leather walking boots) to look really cool. Relaxed polish is probably how I'd describe it.</p> <p>Sadly, going through the photos, I didn't get any good street style photos to share, but perhaps that's the point - the clothes were not an end in themselves, but secondary to the getting on with it, which is neither better nor worse, but definitely is extremely 'me'.</p> <p>Packing-wise, we stuck with carry-ons - for me, 2 dark jeans, 7 knit tops, a scarf, my Zara puffer, and my super-star Blondo flat boots and LePliage tote took me from Harrod's to a mucky bridle path to the blustery seaside, and all points in between.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hope everyone enjoyed the March break and is starting to see some signs of spring! Looking forward to catching up with the forum! </p>