People who criticise how we dress in the UK

[LadyHenryofRawlinsonEnd]

I think it is due to the weather!

Today, quite mild here if you step out of the wind. If you step into it (as you will) and walk for any distance it cuts right through to your bones, intolerable.
So we went out for an hour's walk, padded jackets and wool hats. A bit depressing in April, but nothing new. I came home with something like a splitting ear migraine, it had cut right through my rather fetching little cashmere bonnet like a scythe

I don't run a vehicle at the moment, so it's good fun trying to determine how to clothe oneself when the bright, warming sun might topple out of existence 5 mins after you've rummaged around for an hour in the wardrobe, finally settling on a decent dress and light jacket.
Birkenstock sandals? But what if it rains!?
The care instructions advise you not to get them wet, perhaps they are volatile, like gremlins..

To carry an umbrella or not? Mmmm, decisions. Sometimes I might need to employ a well sized sack for all of those weather associated accoutrements I shall require - brolly, hat, gloves, mac, small tent

During the early springtime of 2013 I noticed more than one individual wearing plastic bags between their socks and shoes. This was the Lake District though.

So maybe this is why we dress as we do, we don't have the most laid back weather, it's so insanely changeable. Any decent combination of clothing can turn out to be wholly inappropriate in a heartbeat.

I wonder if that changeability affects our sense of style, our moods and expectations. People often seem more impatient and agitated on windy days. Aggressive even.
So it usually ends up being some sort of trouser/top/coat - men and women.
It's just safer isn't it?
I am a dress wearer myself, so today's swingy number tried blowing up my back for most of my time outdoors, thank heavens for thick tights!

I love living in a country with seasons, but they rarely behave as we expect them to, do they? I also love clothes, and I have come to the conclusion that we either obsess over our wardrobes to a shocking degree (and who could blame us?) or just give up entirely.

I am NOT being unreasonable!

Pah, fashion! People can devote as much time, effort, thought, and money to it as they choose, but I'd rather be from a culture that doesn't place undue value on something so superficial as hair and clothing. Of course, they all do, but it's not something to celebrate. I'd rather be one of the cultures that puts more value on cleanliness and practicality than "style" and brand names.

No, from living there and there is a difference

But it's not the case though, I spend a few months at a time there and there's plenty of badly dressed people just like here. Perhaps you lived in an upscale bit.

I live in Milan and buy nearly all my clothes from UK! I dislike Italian
high street clothes, they are so blingy or glittery and rarely fit as I'm a size 14. However Italian basics and knitwear are very good quality. No one in the office (mostly female around 40 years old) where I work compares labels, most wear H&M, Mango or Zara. Primark opens in Milan centre tomorrow, it's in the news and plenty are very excited about it. Italians do comment on British individuality, I was once told they don't have the courage to be so experimental, I agree with this as everyone seems to dress the same, unless they work in high fashion. They think we dress our kids weirdly though, Italian kids clothes are much more traditional and serious, and they must always be clean, no jumping in puddles in Milan sadly.

I admit I was surprised at how the English dressed when I first moved here. It made no sense to me as I was used to people looking groomed and tidy, with tidy clothes. My first summer I chose a skirt and sandals, then lamented they didn’t match well. My friend said, “You’re in England, your clothes don’t have to match!” 🤷‍♀️ I’ve come to think it’s primarily about the climate and people just having a different sense of fashion.