Getting dolled up. North-South divide?

[Getabloominmoveon]

Hot on the (high) heels of the 'airport outfit' thread, I'm wondering if there is a real North/South divide when it comes to the average level of doneupness expected to leave the house. I'm from Liverpool, where a Sunday night at the local pub demands full regalia, but now live in the South where I rarely see Aintree Ladies Day levels of preparation in local bars and pubs. When we go back to Liverpool, my husband (posh, foreign) is amazed at the swishy hair, heels and eyebrows surrounding him. But maybe I just go to the wrong places in the South?

[CharleyDavidson]

It's the going out in rollers in the afternoon to keep hair ready for the night out that cracks me up. Very concerned about looking spot on in the evening, but not caring that you look slightly odd sporting a full head of velcro rollers while out in the afternoon.

[Itscurtainsforyou]

There's a divide but I'm not sure where/why!

I've worked not far from Liverpool and also down in the south west. What I've noticed in both places is on work nights out the business support/HR staff make a huge amount of effort (posh frocks, nice hair make up etc), whereas the technical staff will just turn up in jeans.

I was technical and just couldn't be arsed with hassle - especially as I'd see my colleagues all week looking "normal" and didn't see the need

[ShesAGreatGas]

In my experience, there is a huge difference.

I've been out in Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool and women make MUCH more of an effort. You can tell they've sorted their outfit, are almost always wearing heels, have had their hair done, full-on make-up etc.

London? Nothing of the sort. People are much less dolled up.

My only criticism of oop norf is the lack of coats/tights/appropriate outerwear when its chapping outside

[CallaLilli]

My idea of a going out outfit is skinny jeans, nice top and high heels. However, when I visited Liverpool a few years ago my jaw dropped at the effort the women there made. I saw them walking around the shops around 6pm in pyjamas and uggs with rollers in their hair and full makeup on. Then we went to a club and they looked amazing - professional hair and makeup, glittery dresses, one woman even wore diamantés on her eyelashes! I felt very underdressed. By contrast, the men in the club were wearing jeans and football shirts!

[AmberNectarine]

I think I was born into the wrong area. I'm SW London, born and bred. Still live here. It's all very low key. I love getting glammed up - shellac, blow dry. I don't need much excuse.

I'd love to be from Liverpool - nights out seem a lot more fun!

[Doobigetta]

I don't think it's quite that clear-cut. Dress in bars near where I live (naice suburb, lots of bars and restaurants, lots of 30 and 40-somethings out in the evening) tends to be much more casual- mostly jeans and blazers and understated makeup- whereas in Manchester city centre dresses, skyscraper heels and false eyelashes are the norm. And I noticed last time I went out in Sheffield, although not in the city centre, women were far more dressed up.

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

If it's north/south, where does Scotland fit in? I've seen girls dressed up to the nines with contouring, false eyelashes, enormous heels, minidresses, fake tan etc etc all over (Edinburgh/Glasgow/Aberdeen). I agree that it's a class thing.

[Owllady]

I do think it's a class thing, but it's hardly horrible is it? People wanting to look nice and have a good time :)

[YaySirNaySir]

East Midlands I go mainly to spit n sawdust pubs with bands on, gigs, meals, pub quizzes and occasionally to wine bars. I wear the same outfits to all- skinny jeans (or much rarer a tube skirt), ankle boots, biker jacket, top. It's my look and I only properly dress up for parties/weddings. I always wear make-up and do my hair though.
As long as your having fun and can walk in your shoes anything goes doesn't it?

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Yep. The hen night scousers were all in rollers.

But we us tuff oop North and don't need coats unless it is -5

[RunswickBay]

Oh I love it. I love that we all make an effort on a night out (no beauty treatments tho) up here. So much more fun!

[user7755]

When I moved to Yorkshire I walked around with my mouth open all night! It was so different from what I was used to, no coats (it was fecking freezing), such small clothes, such a lot of make up and it's got worse over the years. However, that was 17 years ago and I think it is worse everywhere, certainly Cambridge is as bad as Sheffield etc

[NapQueen]

I live in Newcastle and whilst the media would have you believe we all go out in stilettos and a thong, in the main everyone is out in jeans, heels, nice top. Dress on probably every third person. Lots of flat shoes.

[FifiRebel]

Totally agree with the London comments. I moved there at 21 from Wales and was shocked by the difference in going out attire. No dresses or extended getting ready time. The getting ready before going out (with friends over etc) was just as much a ritual as the night out!

I got strange looks when I tried to go out in the middle of winter without a coat or tights. Think it's partly logistics though - at home everyone gets taxis or lifts into town (maybe bus) whereas London will involve a trek on the tube.

I definitely changed my attitude to dressing up during my time in London. I've just moved back home and looking forward to getting dressed up again hopefully at some point in the future after my pregnancy! Also agree with other comments about nights out outside of London being more fun.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

So we agree. It's that London and the others.

[Ughnotagain]

Doesn't it more depend on what sort of scene you're into?

I live in the north and yes there will be people here who get super dressed up, hair extensions, eyelashes etc etc just for a trip to the pub. But I don't, and my friends don't. I don't go out that much now I have a baby and when I do it's maybe just to a bar or gig, and yes I'll put a bit of makeup on, but no silly heels or getting really dressed up.

[superwormissuperstrong]

I spotted a huge difference when I moved from Bristol to Manchester. I hadn't done much going out before I moved up so had no idea - boyfriend takes me out on a Sunday night to the 'local' for a few drinks to catch up and meet his mates. To me that meant - regular jeans, converse type trainers, nice top, hair in messy bun that it had been in all day, and as a nod to the evening a smidge of lip gloss. Oh my word - did I look like a tramp next to all the mates girlfriends. I should have had sky scraper heels, either a dress or very tight jeans with a very spangly top, fake tan, false lashes and straightened hair. Other half was given an ear bashing later on - to be fair he was clueless and had no idea why I was upset as he loves that I'm not that type of girl. Funnily enough I haven't really gelled with the whole going out scene here...

[BeaufortBelle]

I married a northener. I certainly notice that women, even middle aged women, dress better to shop, go to church in Yorkshire than they do in London/the South.

I have never had make up don professionally.

[Floisme]

Liverpool is the best city I've ever been to for dressing up. A bit surprised there are people on a style and beauty thread who seem to disapprove but hey.

The most disappointing place was New York

[squoosh]

I think this looks peaks in the North of England. You don't see the same levels of Dynasty style glam in Glasgow on a Saturday night.

[Trills]

I think babycham is right about it being more of a class divide than a location divide.

[Trills]

I also like RapidlyOscillating's description of the dresses as "Like a weathergirl or game show host".

[Sunbeam18]

Sqoosh, you def DO in Glasgow. Glasgow girls dress up. Edinburgh girls less so.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

I'm from Liverpool, and I take about 2 hours getting ready. I won't even take the bins out unless I'm imaculate. It's just my way.
I do look at other women. Not out of admiration, but to make sure they don't look better than me., and if I do. I
I'm a total bitch in that way. I'll hold my hands up.
The story of snow white and the wicked queen is not so far fetched. Every women wants to be the bell of the ball

[squoosh]

They dress up in Glasgow Sunbeam but not to the extent that you see in Liverpool. The Scousers take it to a whole other level!