Differences between British and American fashion

[VintageRainBoots]

Hi, all.

I'm new around here. Currently, I'm in Los Angeles, but my husband recently accepted a job in Guildford and we're in the process of moving to the UK.

I'm curious about the differences between American and British fashion tastes. For example, I've heard that British women tend to wear clothing closer to the body (i.e., more fitted) than American women; is this true? I could certainly see how it could be the case. "Baggy" clothing, especially t-shirts, are commonplace in the US. Few people bother to get their clothes tailored unless they're work clothes (e.g., suits for the office).

Also, Americans tend to dress quite casually (e.g., blue jeans and t-shirts), though I avoid t-shirts myself. In addition, people in the US tend to wear lots of "active" clothing, like yoga or jogging pants, even when they're not exercising! Is that done in the UK?

Finally, I have a closet full of Ralph Lauren polo shirts in a rainbow of colours (my berry coloured polo is my favourite!) and a large number of casual trousers (e.g., khakis and cargo pants). Would I stand out as the obvious Yank in such attire?

And, just for fun, what makes an American stand out as an American? Like, when you see someone walking down the street and you can just tell that they're American...what is it that they're doing/wearing that makes them us stand out?

You will need more than a mac for British rain,. It is both wet and cold.

Burberry is for Americans and Koreans trying to look British. The British look wet and cold.

You need Frye boots for fashion and weather.

But get yourself a proper pair of American snowboots before you come over.

Yes, if you want to truly look British avoid any garnment that is actually weather appropriate

Jokes aside, do wear whatever you like, because the great thing about the average British person is that they don't truly care about what other people wear, and feel free to express their tastes as they like. Which is a great thing, obviously.

The British wear big, furry-hooded parka coats in the wind, cold and rain

Get one of those, you will blend in. You will probably have to wait to get here before you do, though.

You would get one of those at Land's End.

There ya go ! You can even be prepared.

No, the Land's End ones aren't right

look here

If you see someone with:

Mid-blue straight jeans
T shirt or polo shirt tucked into them
A belt
White trainers

Then you know they are American. Not saying this is bad, necessarily, it's just not a combination of things that a Brit would wear.

RL is not a brand many in Guildford would go for.

Burberry bags and baseball caps were worn about ten years ago by not very well off people to try to look wealthy.

The baggy shorts and the whole family wearing the same polo or Tshirt walking along together like American's do in their theme parks, would make Guildford people point and laugh or speak in hushed tones behind their hands.

Just make sure you bring lots of layers - t shirts, tops etc that should keep you warm until you can stock up with jumpers (UK sweaters, not pinafore dresses!).

Americans can be spotted due to the loose trousers and white trainers - and yes, now that you mention it, my US friends do just wear looser clothes for casual wear than is normal in the UK.

I would say don't worry - you ARE American so it's OK to look American

I love the US preppy look and often stock up on staples when visiting, but they can look a little too perfect here. I'd be inclined to wait until you're here: you'll naturally adapt your own style into your new surroundings (which will be cold and wet given the time of year). The UK High Street is renowned for excelling at bringing high end fashion to the High Street very quickly, and because of that, dressing head to toe designer tends to be frowned upon here. It also seems a bit obvious. Brits like things a little subtle.

You could always have a look at some UK style blogs? Does my bum look 40 in this and school gate style may be a good start?

I haven't seen anyone wear khakis, chinos or cargo trousers since the 90s.

Your wardrobe does seem v American, but very classic. It might be something a 70yo in Henley would wear.

British girls, certainly, seem more trend-driven.

American men often don't have sideburns. It looks totally bizarre to me. Our menfolk probably all look like Wiggo to you.

bizarrely, J Crew and Club MOnaco are highly desirable in the UK.

And for your husband - no t shirts underneath his work shirts.

To Do List:

1. Burn all my Ralph Lauren.
2. Trade loafers for brogues.
3. Never ever wear white trainers. Ever.
4. Buy a parka.
5. Avoid Per Una like the Plague.

Re: Parka. I mostly like the TopShop one that HappyHalloween linked to above. However, I'm not into the fake fur. Is real fur a social taboo there? Certain segments of the American population abhor fur (as well as leather and other goods created at the expense of animals' lives).

I chatted to an American lady on a tour in Las Vegas once, she had a t shirt on that said Houston, I asked here where she was from, she looked down at her top, looked at me like I was nuts and said "Houston"! Who wears a t shirt with the name of their home town on - Guildford anyone

I've never heard of LLBean before, at that website women's section. It is all awful. Burn it all, OP .

Don't worry about standing out as American - it's what you are! Nobody will be horrid to you because you're american. Don't worry :).

people might be horrid about real fur however.

Oh and don't wear fur - very wrong, leather is ok though. White converse and superga are fine, just the type of trainers you should wear to the gym looks odd.

Snapes, I wouldn't wear most of the women's clothing they sell, though I have a couple shirts and a few vintage LL Bean corduroy blazers . As far as I'm concerned, most LL Bean clothing items are for old folks with summer houses on the coast of Maine. However, their outdoor wear (e.g. coats and boots) are generally good and high quality. Some of it, the higher quality stuff, is made in America rather than China. Their boots can last a lifetime.

Here's a pair of LL Bean boots: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/43281?feat=609-GN1&page=women-s-bean-boots-by-l-l-bean-10-shearling-lined Don't they look warm and toasty?

And these as well: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/65942?feat=43281-ppxs&dds=y

I also have a pair of boots similar to these: www.ebay.com/itm/ll-bean-womens-7-5-or-mens-5-boots-/190738413701?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item2c68e53885

Please don't burn your RL, send it to me! Honestly, just keep it, it's fine.
White trainers are ok so long as they're the canvas type (Converse, Superga) and keep gym gear to the gym.

And whatever you do, get a nice leather handbag before you come over. Coach, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, that sort.

Britain too has only one season, grey & damp. You'll feel right at home

Susan in despirate housewives or that younger girl in Dallas JohnRoss and Christopher have the hots for are not too bad a casual style icon.

The major differences I have noticed, living in NY (but not NYC - that's different!), is that British fashion is more trend driven and changes more rapidly, and I'd say is also more overtly gendered. I wear dresses and skirts a lot and appear to be the only woman in town here who does so. I often get asked what occasion I am dressed up for . I did notice the tights as leggings trend start here a couple of years ago though.

There is also a reluctance among Americans to wear colour - everyone here dresses in sludgy colours and looks like they have crawled out of the bottom of a pond.

The only men here who do not dress like 12 year olds - cargo pants, khakis and polo shirts or t shirts - are invariably gay or foreign.

J Crew, Banana Republic and Anthropologie stuff would work in Britain. Not wearing UGGs and being clued up on Per Una is a good start.

Get some jeggings when you get over to Britain, and study the Duchess of Cambridge's dress sense and everything will be OK. For God's sake don't buy any Burberry, unless it is really high end stuff that is not obviously Burberry. And if you have short hair, get it styled into an on-trend shape.