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How to look 'cool' London Look

185 replies

DotCottonsFag · 18/10/2021 11:03

I dont know whether thats the term ... but how does anyone replicate the 'look' of some of the women who take the tube?

Their hair looks uncombed but stylish
They wear either black and white, maybe grey
White trainers or black boots
They look done but without being done IYKWIM
Where do they get it from? I want it!!

OP posts:
TheCategoryIs · 18/10/2021 23:58

Oh yes of course there are plenty of people who are wearing wacky and unusual things (literally anything goes), but the OP is asking about channelling a specific style.

blueshoes · 19/10/2021 01:47

Comfy shoes are useful if you need to move quickly away from a terrorist attack or disappear into a crowd. I love London Smile

AnnaMagnani · 19/10/2021 07:56

-No florals, bright colours-

Which London is this? The London I work in has women wafting about in floral cottagecore and trainers, as well as every other kind of look.

Agree the main part of every look is a flat or comfy shoe. Londoners walk everywhere and they got bored of carrying their heels in a bag.

Suprima · 19/10/2021 08:04

@AnnaMagnani

-No florals, bright colours-

Which London is this? The London I work in has women wafting about in floral cottagecore and trainers, as well as every other kind of look.

Agree the main part of every look is a flat or comfy shoe. Londoners walk everywhere and they got bored of carrying their heels in a bag.

But OP isn’t talking about those women- she’s describing Uniqlo clad smart casual office workers in muted colours, occasionally jazzed up with an Oliver Bonas pair of earrings.

Of course there are lots of different styles in London, it’s London- but OP is describing something more normcore

StrongArm · 19/10/2021 08:10

Also people don't really care in London. I couldn't tell you what anyone else was wearing on the tube this morning because I didn't look Grin

I'm wearing a bright raspberry pink cardigan today so it's not all black and white !

MargaretAnjou · 19/10/2021 08:14

I've a new job and have to go in once a month. I live in the Midlands. Been in once so far and felt like I didn't get it right. To start with my feet bloody killed me. I had heeled loafers on. Lots of walking.

I'm really short. Under 5 foot. I don't understand the footwear thing. Do they wear trainers in the office too or change their shoes? Only men where I work. I can't pull of trainers and work wear. It looks odd.

My place is smart casual. Does that mean dark jeans? My last place I had to drive and it was in the middle of no wear so was easy just to pull on dresses with shoes /boots. London workers dress differently!

StCharlotte · 19/10/2021 08:27

I'm really short. Under 5 foot. I don't understand the footwear thing. Do they wear trainers in the office too or change their shoes? Only men where I work. I can't pull of trainers and work wear. It looks odd.

Yes. When I left my last job in London I had 12 pairs of shoes in a box under my desk to clear Blush

(Remember all those Lehman Brothers staff leaving with archive boxes? Full of papers? Nah. Shoes Grin)

TwoBlondes · 19/10/2021 08:29

DD works in fashion in London. She only wears black and white, COS with a few eBay bargains, Helmut Lang, Prada etc. Her extravagance is shoes. Eyebrows very important!

Clandestin · 19/10/2021 08:30

@MargaretAnjou

I've a new job and have to go in once a month. I live in the Midlands. Been in once so far and felt like I didn't get it right. To start with my feet bloody killed me. I had heeled loafers on. Lots of walking.

I'm really short. Under 5 foot. I don't understand the footwear thing. Do they wear trainers in the office too or change their shoes? Only men where I work. I can't pull of trainers and work wear. It looks odd.

My place is smart casual. Does that mean dark jeans? My last place I had to drive and it was in the middle of no wear so was easy just to pull on dresses with shoes /boots. London workers dress differently!

I never changed shoes when I got to work — I think that would imply quite an old-fashioned idea of ‘workwear’ if it required heels? I think to an extent footwear you can walk fairly long distances in dictates London outfits/workwear — I wore biker boots, brogues or Docs and wide-legged wool trousers, shirts or cashmere jumpers and heavy silver jewellery or scarves. I wore more hats as well, as my hair tended to get far dirtier living in London.
AnnaMagnani · 19/10/2021 08:32

We all used to change our shoes. You would see women in skirt suits and trainers carrying their heels in a bag to change when they got to the office.

Now I can't be arsed and I see loads of other women about wearing flat shoes all day/smart trainers which are clearly worn in the office as well as to the office.

The whole look has gone more casual as well so the shoes go with it.

Clandestin · 19/10/2021 08:32

But @StCharlotte is clearly from a different job type — I was working at a university and in a literary agency. You’d definitely see more heels in the City.

Frauhubert · 19/10/2021 09:08

Until a few years ago it was only ok to wear trainers on the ‘morning tube run’ when there were glamorous women in suits/skirts/ pencil dresses wearing dirty trainers to get to the office comfortably and they had heels under their desks to wear around the office and for after hours drinks. London fashion shifted with the times to make it ok to wear trainers with any outfit now.
I don’t see many women wearing heels at the moment.
Having lived in London for many many years and also up north, i can say I am so much more comfortable when going out in London than say Leeds or Manchester. Everyone is so glamorous up there, it looks like hours had been spent on assembling a look for the evening. I could never keep up with the glossy hair and makeup and nails or even the latest trends.

TuftyRusty · 19/10/2021 09:15

For the more muted/monochrome type look I can recommend Emma Hill and Basics Touch on Instagram. It’s a look - good quality basics in the right shape and style to flatter the wearer, some expensive accessories - high end bag etc.

No, it’s not what all Londoners wear but the OP I thought was describing a particular look.

LunaTheCat · 19/10/2021 09:17

I live in New Zealand.
I long to have a double life in Paris/Rome/London.
I bought some Tracey Neuls shoes a few weeks ago - they make me feel as though I live in London!

highstreetdiestreet · 19/10/2021 09:19

@Immaback

I moved from London two years ago and realise now that I was constantly getting style inspiration without knowing it! I don’t follow blogs/Instagram or read fashion magazines and have noticed a decline in my style..:Hmm
I'm slightly worried about this. I've just moved from London. Although people in York seem to be pretty cool too
Yogawankonobi · 19/10/2021 09:28

The bit I love most about London is the variety. I don’t think you get a uniform.

todaysdilemma · 19/10/2021 09:44

I'm an east London trendy I suppose.

But like pp have said, what differentiates London from other fashion capitals is the emphasis on comfort and wearing whatever you want.

The look you speak of is pretty simple to pull off tbf, no matter what age. Balayage on hair with choppy layers/waves, defined eyebrows. You can look at brands like & other stories, all saints, ASOS or cos for inspiration - even H&M, Uniqlo, Zara and mango on the high streets. Sézane and rouje for a more elegant take on it.

Some of the newer trends are: Baggy and over sized is key. Stand out jewellery. Wide leg trousers and ankle length trousers. High waisted stuff. Though skinnies are still around, just with chunkier boots and balloon sleeve jumpers. Massive oversized coats and parkas. Jumpsuits and play suits.

I've been in London 16 years and thething that's changed the most is footwear! Trainers and comfortable boots are the norm now even in clubs and workplaces where only heels would do. And i love the emphasis on trousers now, much more of that on a night out than body con. Everything is much more casual.

But like everyone has said, wear whatever you want and as long as you're confident and comfortable you'll fit right in. With most London women it's the confidence with which they stride that makes the difference I find. No pulling at clothes or fidgeting with hair, just wear stuff you can then forget about till you're changing out of it.

MapleMay11 · 19/10/2021 13:48

@LunaTheCat

I live in New Zealand. I long to have a double life in Paris/Rome/London. I bought some Tracey Neuls shoes a few weeks ago - they make me feel as though I live in London!
I know exactly how you feel. I SO missed London life when I lived in New Zealand.
Firesidefox · 19/10/2021 17:54

@blueshoes

Comfy shoes are useful if you need to move quickly away from a terrorist attack or disappear into a crowd. I love London Smile
Odd thing to say
HundredMilesAnHour · 19/10/2021 18:30

@Clandestin

But *@StCharlotte* is clearly from a different job type — I was working at a university and in a literary agency. You’d definitely see more heels in the City.
I work in the City and I've seen one woman wearing heels since we started back in the office in early August. Must admit I stared at her (she was walking along Bishopsgate). Everyone else has flats / trainers.
HundredMilesAnHour · 19/10/2021 18:33

@LunaTheCat

I live in New Zealand. I long to have a double life in Paris/Rome/London. I bought some Tracey Neuls shoes a few weeks ago - they make me feel as though I live in London!
I LOVE Tracey Neuls. Her shoes are fabulous AND comfy. As a Londoner, if I'm not wearing trainers (New Balance usually) then I'm wearing Tracey Neuls. I must have at least 20 pairs of shoes and boots by her. They're perfect for London.
SocksAndTheCity · 19/10/2021 18:48

@HundredMilesAnHour I work in the City and I've seen one woman wearing heels since we started back in the office in early August

So do I (and I live here too) and likewise the only heels I've seen in months were on a woman just outside Liverpool Street station. I suppose some might change in the office, but who on earth could be arsed?

I wear Doc Martens, Converse and occasionally flat loafers (I have some red patent Chanel ones if I want to make more effort). I do have nice bags and also definitely qualify on the uncombed hair front 😀

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/10/2021 19:10

likewise the only heels I've seen in months were on a woman just outside Liverpool Street station

We might have seen the same woman. Grin She was heading towards Liv St (although obviously I overtook since I was wearing flats). Maybe she's the ONLY woman in the City wearing heels. Must be an out-of-towner. Wink

Pigtailsandall · 19/10/2021 19:14

I still have shoes under my desk, but mainly cause my office is BOILING hot, and in the winter boots get very hot and stuffy. Otherwise I don't think I'd bother. I have exactly 2 pairs of heels left in my life.

I remember, BP (before pandemic) going to Leeds and staying with a friend. She spent AGES getting ready to go out - all the women in the bar were more groomed than I was at my own wedding. I was in my messy hair and neutral makeup and skinny jeans (they were still a thing back then), leather jacket and biker boots. But I got hit on a lot which also confused me totally.

LunaTheCat · 19/10/2021 19:31

“Hundred miles” -they are very comfy and extremely cool looking. People have stopped me in the street! In NZ they where eye-wateringly expensive ( everything is here!).
Here’s to everyone challenging their inner Londoner!