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?

I bought a pair of loafers from schuh this autumn and am wearing them a lot with ankle grazers....I think they're in worn correctly. Also chinos were huge this summer!!!

Yes, buy US brands in the States as it will be way cheaper. Also if you think you will want a down filled coat and snow boots for the winter get them in the US too - the choice will be better.

That middle-aged American look - white turtlenecks under shirts - is that still going on? If so, don't do that

Seriously, though, don't worry about looking American - you are American! And very welcome. Hope you enjoy the UK - Guildford is a really nice part of the world.

I saw two American women In a city museum yesterday and I knew they were American before I heard them speak. They were wearing very baggy light blue denim jeans , sports style trainers and checked shirts. And their hair -I don't know how to describe it, it was shoulder length but it looked like it had been set on rollers, kind of bouncy.the differences in style are quite subtle, as most of the European women their age were also wearing jeans and flat shoes, but a very different style.

American women always seem to have beautiful nails too. Not just for going out!

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

Those t-shirts are called undershirts. They keep shirts from getting all horrible from sweat and anti-perspirant.

'cackees' is Irish too..

OP -- don't even think of real fur.
I would dump the khakis and chinos and keep the RL shirts.

The duck boots are definitely built for practicality and not style but I would bring them, esp the shearling lined ones.

You need thinsulate lined gloves for driving, with long cuffs.

'Converse with jeans at weekend. The short ones not the high tops.
Ballet pumps for the week [these] or any colour you fancy'
Whoever said you can tell the natives by the fact that they are not dressed for the weather wasn't wrong

I agree that women in the UK wear far more skirts and especially casual dresses than American women.

Yes, big hair!

Don't wear sports gear on the school run and admit you have no intention on doing any activity - sportswear is not casualwear in the uk even if it is Lululemon.

I think most people don't really care though, which was what a young Italian professional on Radio 4 thought about style in London - anything goes and that he found was very liberating against the very conservative approach in Italy.

I have khakis and wear chinos with white trainers..

I also wear yoga pants outside and tshirts a lot. 90% of my jeans are at least baggyish.

Fucked, aren't I?

Americans always seem to wear New Balance trainers. And their hair is often 'set'.

Curiosity is fine but don't change the way you dress to fit in. Wear what u find comfy. With age,mood, life experiences our fashion chamges, so im sure yours will naturally evolve by moving to the uk as well. U will acquire ur own unique sense of Brit fashion,don't follow a text book version, chances r it won't last and more importantly it won't be the real "you"

I agree,wear what you enjoy wearing, there aren't any rules that say you need to adopt local fashions.

just browse websites for next and h and m - that will give you a good idea of general trends in this country

a lot of advice on this thread

yeah agree the h and m and next for what is around
didn't know UK changes faster ie seasonally whereas usa doesnt!
my factoid of the day!

Omg......I have new balance trainers, I have loafers, I love big hair, I bought chinos this autumn.......I must be American!!!!!! Yikes!

Here in Italy, on the other hand, New Balance trainers are always considered very cool.

I beg to disagree with my fellow Italian expat, here in Milan most people don't give a damn about how others dress, or at least there is a huge variety in styles, etc.

I have new balance too and loafers big hair and like a pair of diamond studs too! Ha ha

'Soft shoes; hard hair' seems an apt description of the middle-aged American woman.

And who on earth under 70 wears gloves for driving? Do you all own convertibles?

Also, 'tucking in' seems to define the American look, especially in the summer when the polo shirt is tucked into giant chino shorts, accompanied with the ubiquitous white trainer and calf-length white socks. Perhaps google the 'demi-tuck' I've read about here. A kind of insouciant, devil-may-care tuck that in fact takes hours of perfecting.

I adore New Balance. So comfy (and cool).

In a lighthearted way If I see anyone wearing trainers (sneakers) with jeans or shorts, baggy t-shirts (tucked in) and those bum bags (fanny packs - ) and think, ooh they're American.

But I think for the most part by what you describe you'll fit in no problems. Guildford is nice, I would prefer Guildford to LA any day (don't like the sun). There are plenty of shops on Guildford for women's fashion.

Mommy Kids' clothes that don't make them look like thugs or sluts are really expensive here, and they don't need to be.
That's true- never thought of it, but very true.

Oh yes I think you'll notice women's hair in UK is VERY different to my vision of American women's hair.

We tend to go for eau naturale... Wash it, tie it up in very haphazard scruffy way... Job done! On the whole young UK women don't do blow dries!

Must admit, some of the items the OP is being told she must get, I have never owned?! . But maybe it's cos I'm a hardened Yorkshirewoman, used to being piss wet through and freezing!
And like someone else said upthread, chinos were massive news this season were they not? The high street was full of them!
OP, good luck, hope you enjoy your experience here.