'Prissy style' of the South east - WHYYYY????

[windygallows]

I live in a smaller town in the home counties after many years in a large urban centre in the North. Lovely place but the style is so different and I'm still struggling to make heads or tails of it.

Up north people wore a lot of black and the look was a bit more slick... down here women my age (40s) and even younger dress in what I can only describe as a kind of prissy, prim style with:

• lots of cardis
  
• lots of bright colours including loads of floral dresses and skirts
  
• Very rarely do you see lots of black or all dark colours
  
• bootcut mum jeans with heeled boots a la 1995
  
• lots more 'ortho' sandals and shoes
  

When I see women in brightly coloured mary janes wearing spotted Boden skirts and sporting floral Cath Kidston bags I honestly think it's an outfit more suited to a 10 year old girl.

Help me understand the style down here. Where does it come from? Is this quintessential english style? Or are the home counties stuck in a style warp? I don't think I'm some style guru and certainly don't want to be teetering around in a sparkly dress in heels....but it feels v different here!

[Chocrock]

I'm a Northerner living in London and I don't know anyone who dresses the way you describe they do in the Home Counties. Maybe its more a City / Country thing rather than a North / South thing?

[Mycatsabastard]

I live in Dorset in a very small, naice village. I am surrounded by Boden wearing women who dress 20 years older than their age.

I live in shorts, cropped leggings or jeans, depending on the weather with a floaty top or jumper. I possess nothing from Boden at all.

[Kennington]

I need to move up north then. I love black and dislike joules.
Am not into the twee look and it is popular and not very flattering but I think floral prints never are.

[EarthboundMisfit]

Joules and Boden are a 'mum uniform' down here. They're expensive, well-made, a safe choice and a badge of middle class status.

I think a lot of the clothes and the way they are often put together can be ageing and unflattering.

[windygallows]

DONERACING - wow, your wardrobe sounds amazing. Sadly I am fat and over size 16 so I'm shopping at M&S these days but I can only hope to be able to wear what you're wearing!

I've not been to the Soho house yet but friends say it's lovely!

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

what you describe has nothing to do with the south east, and a lot to do with Oxfordshire/country town. and that's all. I shall stop myself there

[QueenJuggler]

It's definitely a suburban/small town thing. Women where I live (Sussex) dress completely differently from women where I work (london).

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

I live in a naice village in a posh bit of the north west. Boden style is definitely a thing here.

Young things in the nearby cities, Manchester and Liverpool (I have kids at each Uni) wear athleisure. They love their Adidas.

[DoneRacing]

The Farmhouse is great, good family facilities too. And there's no judgement for wearing black there..

[EarthboundMisfit]

I think part of it is that, for many people, it's easy to start to approve of and like what lots of people in your area are wearing. Especially if it's some of the more confident playground mums etc.

[pasic]

SW London here, no florals down this road, and I wouldn't know a Boden outfit if it bit me on the bum. My DD wears 95% black, as do her friends and they're not goths.

I have got a floral tablecloth somewhere.

[HoneyDragon]

stopfucking no please do continue describing where I Iive....

[EarthboundMisfit]

Pasic, chop a hole in it and you're away. Have you got any Hunters?

[StrawberryQuik]

Are you describing me OP? I pretty much live in floral wrap dresses in the summer, with a cath kidston bag and colourful converse style trainers

Sometimes I try to dress a bit more 'sleek' but I just don't feel like me at all.

[purplevase4]

I wear boot cut because I run and have huge calves. Can't fit skinny jeans.

And I don't suit black.

Nothing to do with living in the south, or the climate, or working/not working.

[windygallows]

Earthbound, I agree. If a certain look becomes a 'uniform' around your area, it's a lot easier to join in and a lot harder to look different, I suppose!

[pasic]

Earthbound It would have to be a bloody big hole.

DD has a pair of Hunters in case she goes on a country walk. Not gonna happen.

[ThatsMyStapler]

I'm south east, and I wear what the heck I want to

So unhoik your judgey pants

[windygallows]

yay - judgeypants have appeared! :) Seriously this thread is about style so impossible not to state preferences and dislikes....

[polyhymnia]

Have to speak up for Boden just a bit here and say that I do have lots of stuff from there, but almost all in plain colours- including black. And some Breton stripes.

It's perfectly possible to shop there because the quality is good for the price and the fit (sometimes) good in my large size but to avoid spots and 'fun' patterns.

Must keep that guide to the best N Oxford pubs, etc somewhere for when I visit the area. Sounds great. Will be sure to wear my Isabel Marant boho necklace.

[BeautyGoesToBenidorm]

There's a mum uniform near me too (city in Cambs) - floral harem pants which are universally horrible and unflattering, on ANYONE, vest top, and a knitted sweater tied round the shoulders. Usually with Birkies or Uggs.

I like bright florals and bright colours in general, but not in vast amounts, and usually teamed with plainer items, say bright trousers with a dark top, and shoes in a different colour that works with both. If I'm wearing a dark outfit, I'll add a brightly coloured coat. I like splashes of colour.

[Somerville]

I saw a lot of Joules, and also Hunter wellies, at Soho Farmhouse. Though there was a lot of mud, so that might explain the wellies.

But I too think you're explaining more of a city/countryside divide, OP, rather than north/south. I wouldn't think twice of wearing my stinky dog walking wax jacket when I go out almost anywhere in the countryside - generally because by dog is coming along. But I wouldn't dream of wearing it into London - I pretty much have an entirely separate wardrobe for the day or two a week I work in London.

[Disastronaut]

I live in a nappy valley part of London and it's very Boden/Joules round here, with a bit of craft-fair-organic-trousers thrown in. It's not me at all. Give me Topshop, Zara & Cos, even if I do look like mutton dressed as lamb. I want black tights and high heeled boots all year.

The few times I've been for a night out further north, I much prefer how women seem to get more dressed up for an evening. Here it seems to be viewed as uncool to wear something fancy, even if you're in a posh restaurant.

[DoneRacing]

Wellies yes, not sure about Joules. They have done the paths now so they don't get muddy, which is good.

Poly - the Chequers at Churchill is also good. Owned by one of the Superdry guys

[Somerville]

I saw a mum and daughter wearing matching Joules wellies.

Glad to hear they've redone the paths. I've only been twice, to be fair. Maybe it's got chic-er as the building work finished.