Besides sounding more intelligent with their eloquent accents and tendency to say cheers, Brits definitely have a knack for fashion as well. Unlike certain ethnic groups or regions that experiment with bright colors and patterns, Brits like to stick to their grays, dark blues, and blacks. In fact, one of the first pieces of advice I received upon arriving on the other side of the pond was to do my best to blend in and not draw attention to myself. The solution was easy: stick to the ‘British colors.’
Although some may say the wardrobes of Brits are dreary and reflect the not so unordinary rain showers, the people I have come across in London are some of the trendiest I have seen. Walking through Oxford Street, one of the main retail drags in the city, I was struck by the close resemblance it had to the 5th Avenue or West Broadway of Manhattan. From H&M to Zara to Britain’s own Top Shop, practically all of London’s main retail stores are also found back in the States. There were even top fashion houses! Thus, the stylish person walking down into the tube or the socialite starring on Bravo’s “Ladies of London” both shop in the same stores we have in America. They may opt for certain colors, but they have an aptitude for selecting pieces that work great together. We can definitely learn from the Brits!
Fur is a huge trend here in London and it is only September. I have spotted girls in fur while riding the tube, waiting in line for (legal) bars, and strolling through the seemingly endless floors of Harrods. I don’t know about you, but I usually associate fur with mothers and heavily-perfumed older women, not necessarily with younger girls. That is not the case here. Many girls show up to clubs in a black dress or jumpsuit (of course black!), but they add a fur vest. The fur may not necessarily be real, especially if purchased at H&M (as advertised above on a tube platform) or at Zara, but the fur is an accessory and adds texture to the all-black ensemble. There is no doubt that a London nightclub is a very different social scene than that at Amherst, but there is definitely a place for fur vests on campus. Simply swap your Barbour or J. Crew vest for a (fake) fur vest and a white long-sleeved tee, and you will be warm and chic heading to class.
Another style seen around London is the cropped pant look with either platform sneakers or ankle-high booties. Brits definitely have the retro/punk/military look going for them. Black platform sneakers may not be for everyone, but if you can pull them off, I certainly urge you to. The young woman I struggled to photograph opted for heeled booties. The heels accentuate the slimming capabilities of the black pants and the little patch of skin at her ankle. My personal opinion is that cropped is so popular here because it is too chilly to wear shorts and young ladies want to show off a tiny bit of leg. Whatever her reason may be, this woman was able to get away then with a simple gray tee on top because her bottom half was clean and flattering. Of course her black hat added a new dimension to her style, but this woman shows that basics pair great together and are always an option when fitted properly.
Now, I am not saying that Brits never wear color, or rather, colour—they are just particular with colorful garments. The woman I creepily captured above was wearing a great red coat that crossed between a trench and a pea coat. Given that she was also carrying a Celine bag and was shopping at Harrods, it is probably safe to say that her coat is not in the ordinary college student’s budget. However, a pair of black pants and ballet flats is pretty commonplace in a girl’s wardrobe. We ordinarily choose fall coats in blacks and browns that we are less likely to get sick of, but maybe opt for a fitted or streamlined red or camel-colored fall jacket. It can be a nice burst of color to augment your fall hues. I am also not saying to go ahead and throw away all of your bright sweaters and plaid, but it is important to note that the Brits work with the same clothing available to us Americans and they certainly “make it work” as Tim Gunn would say. If you wake up late or you do not feel like getting dressed and entering the cold, just pick out your basic fitted hues and add a splash of color to make all the difference.