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?

Ethel Going from this thread I am obviously not British. :o

The only casual clothes I wear are yoga pants, chinos and tshirts. Hair is short and always neat and I live in white trainers (they're adult heelys I bought in the states and leave the wheels out, they are sooo comfy and the only trainers I can wear as I have flat feet).

DS even has a RL polo shirt and mini chinos too! :o

Did anyone else read OPs posts with an American accent on?

I've just ordered a pair of burgundy skinny cords.

Only because the bootcut equivalent didn't come in any nice colours though - I would have ordered bootcut like a shot if they had been available.

Yes, MissPerception, but that's because I have one myself! (Did you read my earlier post with one?)

Trills, please let me know where you ordered your skinny cords.

Uniqlo

mommybunny - nope and I've re-read it again but just can't get the American accent on your one

PS although 'gotten' does kind of give you away!

Phew...I have burgundy skinnies......must be a Brit after all!

Did anyone else read OPs posts with an American accent on?

Was my accent coming through?

To be fair, it's really only the middle aged Americans and people from the south for the most part who do the polo shirt and large style khaki shorts with the white sneakers look. In northern cities and with different generations you are more likely to see a different style (many styles, in fact). You really only see the polo wearing country club crowd abroad -- i.e. fairly comfortably off. Nobody else has the time or the money to travel.

Either that or you haven't noticed them because they blend in better than you might think they do.

I hope people read my posts with an accent like a character out of Fargo, because that's how I sound. :o

I wish I didn't look terrible in skinny jeans...but I just really, really do.

Yes, no one I know does polos and khaki shorts! That look's ten years old in this part of the states.

The downside of fashion being very trend driven in Britain is that almost everyone will wear whatever is in the shops regardless of whether it actually suits them

That is one heckuva downside ScarePhyllis.

Yeah, there was a lot of muffin top for an unreasonably long length of time. c. 2003-7 I would say. In 2004-5 I was working in the UK with some Americans who were astonished and horrified by it.

I guess on that basis tights-as-leggings may be with us for another couple of years.

I met an American Mumsnetter once. She seemed normal to me

I'd advise you to wait till you've been here for a short while to see what type of looks you like. There is no standard 'British' way of dressing. We do tend to be very individual but if you're looking for chic or even just elegant you won't find that very often .

OP, what may mark you out as an American is if you wear a lot of makeup. American women tend to dress like slobs but wear lots of makeup and jewelry and have really white teeth and perfectly blow-dried hair and manicured nails (I particularly remember going to law school with a very pretty girl who would wear sweatsuits and lipliner to class), while British women tend to dress a little smarter but with a lot less makeup and more "natural" hair. Huge generalization but kind of accurate in my experience.

Avoid bad mum shorts. From my extensive research (watching Supernanny USA ) that seems to be a common problem. With bad socks and bad "sneakers". I would tend to avoid polo shirts altogether but if that is your look then Joules rather than Boden is probably for you. www.joules.com/ They have a whole department of polo shirts which are all hideous

Oh and the other thing that makes Americans stand out: talking too loudly (why is that?) and complaining that British houses don't have bug screens. As soon as you work out that Guildford does not have a major bug problem, hence no bug screens, you'll be fine.

Other than those instructions - welcome, and have fun!

i am resistant to the idea that shorts are a good look on anyone...

Often you see family groups of American tourists in matching raincoats, which is sensible I suppose but a bit of a giveaway. The trick in the UK and Ireland is to laugh in the face of constant rain. You will be wet but you will be undefeated!

I was thinking about this yeaterday... And it's scarves. All stylish uk women from 30-50 seem to wear scarves- not woolly or air hostess or the queen, long narrow rectangles knotted over boobs. Does not look so good if not flat chested. Scarves bought from White Stuff, or John Lewis ( I think). Do Americans adore scarves?

That's funny, I just received two such new scarves in this morning's post.

When I was in law school in the US (I went at night while working in finance during the day, i.e., suited and booted) I was known as the "scarf lady" because I almost always had a scarf on with my suit. Now I have moved to the UK I still collect scarves and wear them all the time.

And I rarely even carry an umbrella anymore. Does that make me eligible for citizenship?

I remember the time you could only get decent suits for women IN the USA - remember LA Law anyone? I used to drool over smart suits with trousers and flattering jacket - we couldn't get anything like that over here. All the 'smart; stuff was geared to Sybil Faulty horsey types and had gold buttons and lots of red and black wool. I went over to the states a few times in the early 90's and stocked up on decent smart clothes while there, one nice outfit per trip. I still have a gorgeous suit (with a skirt this time) that I got there in 2002.

And then there was River Island - how cool was that when it opened over here, very different to what was on the high street at the time.

wanders off remembering a long lost youth when clothes were exciting rather than just functional

oh - and OP if you miss LLBean just sign up to cotton traders probably the same company