What brands do posh people wear in London

[MrsDeadlock]

I am northern, and not posh. However I do have a fancy job that usually requires a level of travel.

There is a dress code that I'm not very good at reading for my London based contemporaries. Think Meg and Julia in Motherland types.

What brands do these types wear? I can spot a Mulberry handbag at ten paces usually but the rest is baffling and I'm genuinely intrigued. They always look so well dressed!

Please help me, I can't ask in real life!

(I was, obviously, talking about 'normal' people, not those whose main occupation is 'being seen wearing clothes', as that's a whole other tribe.)

Sophie Stanbury is NOT what you should be aiming for if you want to be taken seriously!

Yep - Aspinall for bags and card holders and Hobbs, Jigsaw and Cos. Normally no one comments on my clothes in London but if I wear a Hobbs top, someone will compliment

Eh? Julia in "Motherland" is the slobbiest dresser going!

I don't think it matters what brand. But being well groomed and put together is key.

And its not 'posh', it's the city/work dress code - you could be working as a shop assistant but still look well turned out.

@CremeEggThief

Eh? Julia in "Motherland" is the slobbiest dresser going!

I've never watched it, only seen trailers and hadn't noticed anything particular about the clothes, so I searched both characters and google images didn't throw up anything particularly interesting looking, especially not Julia.

Another vote for Sophie Stanbury NOT epitomising what this thread is about and it's nothing to do with posh but all to do with understatement i.e. less is more.

Cefinn works very well - the dresses can be dressed up and down.

@NonyaBizniz

MeandEm RagAndBone

Follow Sophie Stanbury on IG - she wears nice clothes

Hadn’t heard of Sophie Stanbury so looked her up. Unless I’ve completely misinterpreted what the OP is getting at, this is not the look I think she’s asking about. It’s very ‘footballers wives’ and is too ‘done’ for a lot of Londoners.

I would say the look I think the OP is asking about is that of the Londoners that go for understated looks, low key but groomed.

I live and work in London (not in a super formal office though - not law, finance etc so a bit more causal in terms of workwear) and stores that I/my colleagues/friends wear are: The Kooples, Maje, Sandro, Liberty, Stand Studio, Ganni, Rouje, Sézane, J Brand, Outnet, Max Mara brands, Net-A-Porter, Kitri, some heritage and British brands for knitwear and coats and the like, Mackintosh and Brora and so on, I know a lot of people (myself included) enjoy finding small ethical/socially responsible stores (like the Knotty Ones which is my best find of this year) and enjoy shopping for vintage and second hand from eBay, charity shops and Depop or Vestaire, Lululemon and Sweaty Betty for sports/casual. Often the focus is on good quality - eg a really lovely coat and good quality shoes/boots etc. And a balance of ‘classic’ but not too ‘safe’ - so the knitwear and shirts from Sézane and Sandro for example are a good example of what I mean - blouses with a bit of a frill, jumpers with a bit of a retro vibe etc.

There are also a lot of people that will shop in H&M, & Other Stories etc as these are more affordable.

If you have the cash, Matches or Net a Porter would be the places to get that very polished expensive London look. Look for brands like The Row, Theory, Joseph, Stella McCartney, Ganni, Isabel Marent. Coupled with a classic Celine handbag.

@Artie, Since she started working from home, she lives in the scruffiest joggers and mismatched jumpers, even if going to a party or something.

I can only surmise that the OP meant how she dressed for work in the first few episodes

Why the Sophie hate? She’s lovely.

@WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo

If you have the cash, Matches or Net a Porter would be the places to get that very polished expensive London look. Look for brands like The Row, Theory, Joseph, Stella McCartney, Ganni, Isabel Marent. Coupled with a classic Celine handbag.

Absolutely concur with this although it needs to be 'old'/Phoebe Philo Celine, rather than current Hedi Slimane. A hand-me-down vintage Chanel or Hermes bag would be perfect too. Raey (Matchesfasion) own brand is also worth considering too, ditto Maxmara.

For those on a budget, COS and Mansur Gavriel are two good examples of brands that look far more expensive than they are.

And no, Sophie Stanbury does not typify what 'posh people' wear. If I wanted to be cruel, I'd say she's basic and generic at best.

I also think that those who know their own style and invest in good quality pieces look far better (and more expensive) than those who slavishly follow trends. Also, grooming, particularly hair, will add a layer of sheen that clothes alone do not bring.

Lastly, and as an aside, what does posh even mean? It's a word that has lost all definition and has become confused with monied. There are plenty of posh people who have no money, and plenty of monied people who aren't posh in the least!

as an aside, what does posh even mean?

As it's Christmas my internal monologue has been less scathing about this term than it usually is! I imagine the OP means 'people whose level of stylishness she might reasonably aspire to achieve in her own non-fantasy life'. Rather than 'international super-rich' style (which is what The Row always suggests to me).

I had forgotten the 'Motherland' reference. They seem uniformly horribly dressed, to me. But then, I'm too old to know many school gate mothers.

Why is "Northern" relevant? There are plenty of "posh" well dressed people in the North and plenty of the opposite down South.

Northern is relevant in that our high streets are different, which influences the brands that we see on a day to day basis (pre-covid). Also as london is the capital it will naturally attract a more diverse array of industries and people. Yes there are still well dressed people up north, but in my experience each city tends to have its own look. Manchester/liverpool/chester are good example of difference if dress style despite being so close geographically.

I've never heard of sophie stanbury before so had a look at her IG. It's definitely not the look I'm on about. She looks lovely don't get me wrong, and I like some of her more paired down looks, but it's more Knutsford/footballers wife to my eyes.

I'm really enjoying your suggestions, thank you everyone who has responded

Great thread! As suggested, looking for these premium brands on Depop or Vestiaire will help you fill out your wardrobe quickly. Even eBay- I found the loveliest smart work top from J Crew on eBay the other day for £10

By posh I generally mean well groomed and dressed in am understated way. Probably privately educated. Definitely not the super rich, lolling about on a yatch in the Med types.

@Baycob

LK Bennet, Jigsaw, Hobbs, &other stories, the cooples, Riess ( my fav), White Company, netaporter, the outnet, Rouje, Maje, Sandro.... I could go on!

I was going to say Maje, Sandro and Claudie Pierlot too as I noticed Amanda wearing a Sandro dress once.

@sasuma has hit the nail on the head - heritage British brands and small ethical/socially responsible brands.

I have a very limited frame of reference for heritage British brands. I would view Burberry as aspirational only for WAG types, when maybe the less flashy stuff may be considered quite classic?

I've not actually bought anything yet but I have developed a very strong attachment to this Aspinall bag, and most things on the Sandro website 🤣, especially these boots:

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/warm-grey-pebble-madison-tote

uk.sandro-paris.com/en/woman/shoes/boots/leather-boots-with-notched-sole/SFACH00499.html

I work in STEM, so the sensible footwear, no frills and short clean nails really speaks to me

Well fitting clothes helps- so getting clothes adjusted by a tailor (or do it yourself!) can make a difference.

There is a great website where you can enter your exact measurements and find which brands would fit you well- sadly I can’t remember what it’s called!

I think I must be weird. I'm not particularly brand conscious, except for technical running gear, really. I tend to see a style I like and just google it to see where sells it. Then I pick the version I like the look of best.

I do sometimes just trawl through websites of all the brands I can think of but a lot of ones people here love and have mentioned on this thread seem to do the same clothes except more expensive. I usually look at materials and washing instructions. One of my favourite tops that I have received lots of compliments on was from Morrison's!

I would echo the brands already mentioned, and add Modern Rarity as well. It is also simple jewellery, only ever one pair of earrings and no other visible piercings, sleek hair and a simple colour palette.