Do you dress depending upon where you live? Urban/rural?

[beatrixpotterspencil]

And does this affect your choices and relationship with 'style'?

I used to really love COS, Toast, White Company, etc, occasionally H&M - and then moved to a fairly wind swept, rain soaked more rural place.
There are some photos of me at the beginning, staunchly wearing my skirts and tucked in shirts, various tights and good shoes. And it quickly went to hell ;)

Several weeks in, after one too many drenchings and a terror of hypothermia (even my 100% wool Max Mara coat was a futile barrier), I slowly unfurled into a mountain warehouse bumpkin.

So I dress largely for the weather, the elements, fear of snagging (im not a farmer!) and water damage. It's waterproof pants and a secure hood, even often in summer.

Did changing your environment alter what you thought you liked, clothes-wise? and do you think your environment has an effect upon where you will ultimately shop?

I spend many months per year in a n urban town with family, and I don't bother to leave the mountains stuff behind. I just take a pared down version of it with me. I sure cut down my prevaricating over clothes so that's something but I do sometimes miss midi skirts and nice shoes...

I definitely wear skirts far less now I live in the country, although I do like a casual summer dress on a hot day. But most of the year it’s jeans and a top for me, and a selection of practical coats.

I had a zoom interview the other day and although I knew my bottom half wouldn’t be visible, I put one of my smart skirts on to feel in the zone. It felt really restrictive, I don’t think I’ll wear it too often if I do get the job tbh.

@lakeswimmer Yes to having ‘urban’ clothes - I definitely keep some things for trips into town! I quite like it actually, it makes it feel like a bit of an occasion. Even if I’m just going to buy knickers

I think I wear quite urban style clothes, but adapted to fit my rural West country life. So I do have an abundance of waterproofs, out of necessity, for all the variants of rain that we get, from drizzle to deluges. I just wear what I like under them, but it leans towards shorts, jeans and exercise wear for everyday.

I was thinking about this recently. DP and I live in London but this summer we went to stay with his parents, who live very rurally. On the first morning I was getting dressed and couldn’t decide what to wear all as of the clothes I’d packed felt way too formal. I’d packed a maxi dress and a jumpsuit and some jeans and blouses, so just things I wear day to day and nothing very dressy, but everyone else was in jeans and a t shirt so I just looked out of place. I actually think that one of my favourite things about big cities is that you can wear whatever you want. I don’t dress particularly outlandishly but I’ve lived in smaller towns before and found it a bit stifling when people would stare or comment if you don’t look exactly the same as everyone else.

[quote Spudlet]@lakeswimmer Yes to having ‘urban’ clothes - I definitely keep some things for trips into town! I quite like it actually, it makes it feel like a bit of an occasion. Even if I’m just going to buy knickers [/quote]
Yes - the only time I've put make up on in the last six months is if I'm going to our local market town or to visit my DM who lives in a more urban location!

I hear you OP. I live rurally, west coast Scotland. I love my Hunters wellies wax jackets polonecks thick tights etc.

I work all over the world and I wear uniform, so I am smart pristine half the time too, dresses and sun drenched locations, best of both worlds 🌺

I agree about big cities, you would definitely open to more options, and like Floisme, I love to see what others are wearing regardless whether it's my style or not.

One thing I always notice about brands - like Toast, etc, they place their models within rural scenery (I know, it just has the right rustic feel) often wearing flow dresses and skirts, or velveteen cords. Marketing so rarely reflects reality does it?

Yes. Grew up super rural, flat caps, barbours and hunters. Even to go to the shops or supermarket. I'd look like a pretentious twat in the city dressed like that.

I’m the other way round. Country bumpkin living in a commuter town and I haven’t yet assimilated to my environment. Because I live like “the good life” I often walk around the village in wellies and a grubby dress. All the other mums on the school run are pristine.

Of course. I live in a very yachty town and do a job that needs me to be fairly casual. I'd feel ridiculous in heels or high fashion.

Yes! We moved from the city to a rural area
And Im not a fan of this lifestyle clothing..

I'm still wearing my wrap maxi skirts, dresses and 'glamorous' clothes as some of the people I've met here call it
(Really not but just different I guess)
I do have some wellies which I will wear with leggings but I know I look awful
.......

We are moving back to the city next year
Rural life ain't for me... or my wardrobe

I love it on other people though?? Have met some lovely people who look amazing and like something from country life
But alas, I'm a city girl in every way

I’ve always been a bit sporty, but since lockdown I pretty much live in Lululemon or outdoor gear depending on what I’m up to. TBH my work had started to move to casual dress more and more over the years. Skinny jeans, short jacket and Chelsea boots made me one of the smarter people in my office. Last time I pitched up in a suit I had to fend off multiple enquiries about my ‘job interview’

I would still dress for a nice dinner to a degree, but even then it would’ve been something like leather jeans and a silk shirt - not the smart dress and killer heels I’d have worn a decade ago unless going somewhere known for being very smart. Don’t think it’s an age thing either since I’m in better shape now than I was back then.

That said I don’t bother too much about conforming to ‘a look’.

I'm about to move from London to the rural West Country - very interested in any links to anyone's remotely stylish waterproof clothing?!

oh lord yes high heels are a mystery to me ... never mastered them lol 🌺

OMG this is me today. I live in the West Country and over the years have gone from a groomed look of knitwear, wool trousers/skirts and things that need dry cleaning to waterproofs, shorts, Birkenstock's or trainers and casual tops. Even our office workwear code is now casual. I'm usually tanned and have beachy hair.

Today I was sorting and found a beautiful pale silver cashmere coat stored away that I just daren't wear in our rainy climate.

We run an air bnb and I love inwardly guessing where people are from before they tell me. Our female guests are usually more smartly dressed than me.

I hadn't thought about tubes and buses being a reason for the dress down vibe in London- that makes a lot of sense! Agree that dressing for the weather/activity looks much better than just dressing 'fashionably.'

The weather largely dictates what i wear then my shape then finally my taste. It means i often wear whats comfortable and practical over what i personally would like ...that's why my clothes don't truly reflect me as a person... but i suppose you could say as a person i put practicality and convenience first?

it's awfully wet here today. Im in my cord leggings thick jumper a longJack Murphy coat and my faithful Hunter wellies and Im walking my dog on the beach in a few mins.. this weather is normal here ☔️

@Craddle64

The weather largely dictates what i wear then my shape then finally my taste. It means i often wear whats comfortable and practical over what i personally would like ...that's why my clothes don't truly reflect me as a person... but i suppose you could say as a person i put practicality and convenience first?

I can largely agree with this. There have been things I have dealt wanted to add to my wardrobe over the years and come to the conclusion they do not suit me (anything oversized or baggy).

I actually found, contrary to what many consider rural wear, that Barbour, big wellies, dubarry, schoffel, and many other country (what they call 'sporting' or brands associated with hunting) staples really swamp me and make me look ridiculous.

Alternatively I was surprised to find I suited hiking tights (thick leggings with pockets), slim fit insulated mid layers (like fleece, shoot me) and fine knits, with shorter jackets, puffers.

I will get my raincoat and leave the building in shame;)

dearly wanted, not 'dealt'.

To an extent. But I moved somewhere which has the worst weather I've ever experienced and had a mini style crisis. It's become a compromise: I really like my comfort, and have no interest in being cold and wet. But equally, I don't see why there has to be such a rigid dividing line between "practical" and "stylish", which can be deeply depressing when you're trying to shop for clothes. I don't particularly like trainers, don't want to live in sportswear, like jeans well enough but don't want to spend my life in them or indeed in any other kind of trousers, am happy to wear and pay for proper technical clothes for hillwalking but don't want to wear them year-round when I live in a city. I spend massive amounts of time (and often what feels like £££) tracking down clothes that are comfortable and weather-appropriate but don't make me feel totally not myself. There is more to making practical women's clothes stylish than just producing waterproof jackets in fluorescent pink!

I’m struggling at the moment style wise. My fantasy and real life are a long way apart and the weather keeps catching me out!
On another thread someone mentioned protected species for nice looking and practical coats. I’m tempted to invest www.protected-species.com/shop/waterproof-rain-bomber/dark-olive-green/
There are a few lovely jumpers in mango and h&m I’m tempted by but there’s a fine line between chic and dull af and I’m not convinced they’re on the right side!

Ah but you see I live in the middle of nowhere (think no public transport, nearest Tesco or Sainsbury 25 miles away, 5 miles to nearest village shop). So I go everywhere in the car unless I am walking the dog.

I work in an office where I dress fairly smartly most of the time, proper shoes, smart dresses, wool coat etc. Mind you I do wear thermals and 200 denier tights a lot!

You’d look pretty half baked-wearing heels to walk around in our villages.
People do work in professional roles so do wash up for some things. Most of us have two wardrobes. Workwear and non workwear. Definitely sequins or ‘fashion’ would raise eyebrows and the idea of white trousers is beyond funny. Staples for going out would generally be changing out of wellies, adding a piece of jewellery and popping some lipstick on.
Christmas might see an exception with a bit of velvet and LBDs. Also dressing up for village events like Octoberfest, wine competition or Flamenco evening would see more interesting attire.

I grew up in a village in NW England so was raised to deal with horizontal rain, mud and snow at Easter. Anoraks and waterproof boots land.

However, I've spent much of my adult life living in the very heart of east London a.k.a. hipster central so I'm probably one of those wankers that people on this thread don't like because I don't "dress up". My (sustainable) jeans are raw denim and most of my clothes / accessories come from sample sales or friends who are designers.

When I travel back to the North to visit friends / family / clients, I find it fascinating how style changes. As soon as I get to the Midlands on the train, everyone getting on is wearing anoraks and sensible boots. I feel very out of place in my cashmere coat and handmade (definitely not sensible) limited edition shoes. Not that I care but it's interesting to see.

Last year I drove back to the North West for Christmas and when I stopped at the services on the M6 (it was raining of course), I realised that I'd left my (not very practical but looks great) coat in my London flat. Luckily, I had my 'emergency anorak' in the boot of my car (it lives there along with my wellies) so I wore that instead. Lots of relatives commented on "what a lovely anorak" it was.

The fact that I keep an anorak and wellies in the boot of my car is me clinging on to my countryside credentials. But said car is a 2 seater sportscar so that's the London wanker coming out.