Fashion report: a trip to London, UK

Laura1975

I have just returned from a work trip to London and was so surprised by what I saw people wearing.

To give you some context, I haven't been there for over 10 years and lived there in my twenties for a few years. I always used to feel that Londoners on average were more fashion forward. I'd get a glimpse of what people would be wearing local to me the following year. I'd be able to pick up some trendy items and feel ahead of the game!

This time though, I realised people were wearing exactly what we wear here. There's still oodles of skinny jeans and trousers with black trainers and some doing the wide leg crops with boots look.

I'm wondering why this is, why are we all suddenly so homogeneous? Is it the influence of Instagram etc? Cities used to have their own 'feel' and now it seems less so.

I did manage to get to Westfield Stratford one evening for those that know it. Had great fun exploring new to me brands like Monki, Lindex and Victoria's Secret.

6 years ago

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12 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

notsaf

Veteran

There is so much travel these days: style is definitely less local than it used to be.

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

There haven’t been distinctive trendsetting geographic centres like that in a very long time. Expansion of travel, the internet, multinationals and everything being made in China nailed that coffin lid shut. The whole notion of the trend is rather DOA in and of itself. That one I think is more complex. Who has that kind of authority? Who has enviable status?

6 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I m glad that you said this.l thought it was just me,everyone seems to be in skinny jeans and hoodies round here too.l notice when I go to Bath ,which is in England people are dress with so much more individuality than they do in Cardiff.l wonder with London if it’s the tourists that are dressing like this?That can skew an impression of a place.

6 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

What racheylou said. That, and I sometimes think the socio-economic conditions (or reporting of them) - when news is bad, we hunker down - wear what is safe and conventional, and buy lipstick.

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I think that’s certainly true - economic activity is booming, but so is economic uncertainty for all but the super rich. Everyone is hunkered down and feeling like a peasant...

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It depends entirely on where you are in London. In most parts, you can't see what locals wear because it's overrun with tourists! Same is in Paris and Amsterdam. Sneakers/leggings/skinnies/short puffers.

6 years ago

Laura1975

Active Member

That's true about the tourist uniform! The accommodation was in a touristy area but I travelled with people on their way to work so I feel there were plenty real Londoners in there amongst the tourists.

6 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting! Agree that public transport during rush hour is a good way to see the locals. But the more fashiony locals are probably not necessarily commuting to banking jobs. I find train stations great for people watching. The tourists have more bags and look more confused .

6 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Ha, Shevia! I’m going to be a very confused looking tourist with bags in Ho Chi Minh City in a few weeks. At least I will have a Vietnamese son-in-law to soften the confusion a bit, I hope.

6 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

I spent some time people watching today and was dismayed at the number of folks (women) in black leggings, sneakers and nondescript topper. The ‘tourists’ were definitely better dressed than the locals.

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do think we dress more alike these days...and no doubt the internet plays a role. But also...we shop at the same stores, for the most part!

6 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I find it depends on what part of the city I go to when I am traveling. I was just in Toronto. In the downtown mainstream areas, everyone was wearing skinnies and toppers that were uninteresting. I was not impressed by what I saw in the stores. When we went to the more indie shopping areas like Trinity Bell and Big Carrot, women were dressed completely differently and the clothes in the stores were much more interesting to me. The jeans were high rise wide leg or boot cut, pants were earth-toned and corduroy and the sweaters were interesting shapes and warm colours.
I find the same thing in Montreal. The more interesting fashion is not in mainstream areas.

6 years ago

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