How to look 'cool' London Look

[DotCottonsFag]

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!!

@ShrikeAttack

Anyway, dressing up is glorious. I love getting into character and realising one of my many facets.

There's nothing shameful or parochial about really expressing oneself through clothes.

I do too!

I worked on London for 20 years and everyone always dressed really smartly for work and you either took a change of clothes for an evening out or wore a day to evening type outfit.

I hadn't been in London for a night out since the December before the pandemic started so when I went out for a meal in Covent Garden last Friday I went for my usual type of outfit. I have never felt so old or out of date.

I wore a shirt dress with tights with low heeled ankle boots and a smart black wool coat.

Everyone else was in trainers and loose comfortable clothing. I couldn't make out any particular style but that's probably because I'm old and out dated - it all just looked scruffy to me. I'll probably dress down a bit next time so I don't feel so out of place.

@ShrikeAttack I'm sorry you feel that this thread is sneery. I dont think so at all. OP asked about a specific effortless London style and that's what people are responding to.
I said about people getting glammed up more up north and also very specifically said I made no value judgement. I think my friend and her friends up in Leeds looked awesome. But it's not me, and if I dressed like that for a night out in London I'd feel out of place. I got hit on, yes, but maybe that says more about how straightforward men are there than down here. Or perhaps they just saw me as really exotic (I also have an accent which highlights it). Who knows.
If anything, I think it's quite nice to stress a slight come-as-you-are attitude. So many people seem to be stressed in recent threads on what to wear on trips to London and I'd imagine that saying Don't worry too much would be reassuring.

@ShrikeAttack

Likewise, there's nothing inherently superior in studied indifference. It's the least interesting thing you can do. It signifies fear really and a need to fit in.

Cool isn't really 'cool'. It's the antithesis of what indifference actually is.

Much better to truly be oneself. That's really what 'cool' is. And really 'cool' people don't have a formula or a mocking attitude to people who take a different approach.

Very much agree with this.

I left London years ago but I haven't lost the 'look' yet and don't plan to.
I dress every morning like I'm going somewhere special, it makes me happy and I couldn't give a shite if people think I'm a nob!

Excellent post from @Pigtailsandall. I completely agree. I don't think anyone intends to be sneery on this thread and it's sad if some posters don't see that. People are commenting on their perceived differences when compared with London. We might not all agree but it doesn't invalidate perceptions.

I actually find this thread fascinating (apart from when a few posters have become rather unpleasant). I grew up in the North West and all my family are still there. However, I've lived in London for much longer now than I ever lived in the North. I've also lived in Paris and Hong Kong and each place I've lived has affected my style. Sometimes it's just been a temporary change (e.g. HK, don't wear sandals to work as it's not seen as professional so wear court shoes instead, yawn - despite the 35 degrees and 98% humidity) and other times it's been much more profound. Living in London (Shoreditch - for a good 20 years now) has a huge impact on my style. I'm surrounded by creative people plus there are frequent sample sales for lesser-known or sometimes well known designers within walking distance of my flat. Sometimes I just stumble across something and fall in love (such as a Christopher Raeburn sample sale on my way home 8 years ago, and I've been a loyal customer ever since - meaning I've met the man himself, the manager knows me, etc).

Living in London gives me those opportunities. Amazing opportunities at times. That doesn't mean I'm sneering at anyone. I appreciate how very lucky I am. If I was still living in the village I grew up, my options would be much more limited and even online, I'm sure I would be much more conservative in how I dress as I wouldn't have been exposed on a daily basis to a whole fashion world going on around me. It doesn't mean that the London version of me thinks she's better than the country version. We're just different. Actually I visited my old village a few weeks ago and met my cousin at the village pub. I was wearing old gym leggings, trainers (NB-Casablanca collab) and a Raeburn hoodie with minimal make-up and messy hair. My cousin was super-glam in a low cut wrap dress, heels, lots of jewellery and perfect hair and make-up. She looked stunning! Two worlds colliding perhaps. It didn't make a jot of difference. We had a great time.

I work in the City. See all sorts of styles. Office is smart casual apart from the trading floor, who wear business smart.
I wear whatever I feel like, within reason. I usually wear something like a dress and flat shoes or boots

On the tube and walking around I see all sorts. Some of it is fashion some of it is cool, some of it is just people dressed normally, like people on their way to work be it in retail, construction, etc.

Some are wearing lots of 'insta ready' makeup.

Isn't it a case of you see more people so you will see more cool looking people?

@ShrikeAttack

Likewise, there's nothing inherently superior in studied indifference. It's the least interesting thing you can do. It signifies fear really and a need to fit in.

Cool isn't really 'cool'. It's the antithesis of what indifference actually is.

Much better to truly be oneself. That's really what 'cool' is. And really 'cool' people don't have a formula or a mocking attitude to people who take a different approach.

Couldn't agree more. There's nothing more depressing than trying to look like everyone else. I don't go into London much anymore but I love people watching in cities and have realised that there's such a uniform among the students and women in their 20s. I wish people would take more risks with their clothes. Why would you want to blend in?

Also agree with the comment about underpaid marketing assistants. Plain clothes are much easier to wear and look vaguely smartish.

I actually also think that London fashion/style changes quite quickly though quite subtly. There is also quite a generational/area-specific divide. So for my demographic - the posh v just mc middle-age mum look is subtly different. It seems often determined by whether you've embraced the slouchy/wide trousers look and by how cool your trainers are or whether you've just gone for Vejas. There's definitely not one look.

Overall, I still think that it's less stylish than in Paris and less something or rather than Milan. But it's alright.

@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..:

@Immaback This!! I can totally relate to this. I used to see people on the tube and steal their style. Now I just have what's on a mannequin at Tesco for inspiration!

Overall, I still think that it's less stylish than in Paris

I lived in Paris for a year and the style wasn’t that ground breaking imo. Those not wearing puffer coats and trainers were wearing a very classic but safe conservative style. Whereas London and Berlin for example are a lot more quirky in certain way.

I have not been in London for a couple of years. Recently back and am looking at everyone!

Among the younger generation its a lot of oversized trousers, cropped tops, stompy trainers, shackets, all one colour.

But there is also huge variety.

Some people I saw:

Stan Smiths, pale blue jeans, white shirt, cobalt blue angora and lace jumper (sezanne?), natural looking hair.

Amazing japanese lady wearing camel trousers, brown trench with a lime green jumper just showing the cuffs and neckline.

Its all about the coat, bag and shoes (practical, neutral). I think there is still feminine looks especially in lighter colours, trenches, delicate flats etc.

I don't think it is a 'come-as-you-are look' though is it? I'd say it's a very specific, considered look. I like it but I don't think it's easy to nail at all - get it an inch wrong and you're marked as an 'out of towner', and I think the way pretty much everyone on this thread seems to assume this is undesirable says it all.

I have to say I do find this discussion interesting though. In a time of internet, social media and massive connectivity we still have these little pockets of style differences. A lot to do with practicality (You couldn’t wear what you’d wear in London in the countryside in Gloucestershire for example) but even different cities and within the same city.

Sometimes it’s subtle but you do notice it. I have family in Cardiff and the style there (more so on a night out) is a lot different to what people would wear in say, Oxford. I’ve never felt more of a scruff on a night out than I did in Cardiff. No, scrap that, Liverpool. Liverpool is the dressiest place I’ve been on a night out.

It’s fascinating though and I suppose it shows, that despite everyone having access to the same shops and online influences everyone is different. Or is it that everyone dresses like everyone in their locality… but whatever, I just find it interesting, but then I do love watching fashion historians on You Tube 😊

Sometimes it’s subtle but you do notice it. I have family in Cardiff and the style there (more so on a night out) is a lot different to what people would wear in say, Oxford. I’ve never felt more of a scruff on a night out than I did in Cardiff. No, scrap that, Liverpool. Liverpool is the dressiest place I’ve been on a night out.

People in Liverpool spend enormous amounts on going out. I have friends who still live there who will regularly spend in excess of £500 on a night out excluding the cost of designer outfits, hair and make up. They do have very large amounts of disposable income though so I guess it's all relative.

I've really enjoyed this thread and I couldn't be further from London. The fascination and interest has far outweighed any sneeriness, perceived or actual. Like previous posters, I really enjoy the style differences of different cities - it is like different regional accents, I love the diversity.

As a Scot, my comparison is the difference between Glasgow and Edinburgh on a night out. 2 cities only 50 miles apart but totally different cultures and styles. Glasgow is more colourful, more obviously designer, more flash. Edinburgh is more dark, gothic and studiedly casual. I love both when they are done well. Stylish people look fab, whatever their style.

A good coat several good coats, trainers or chunky boots, a hands free bag (crossbody or backpack), big scarf and a cashmere beanie if it's cold.

Paris style is chic but samey. Always found NY fashion very safe though their basics are very good quality. Berliners rock.

@SocksAndTheCity good to hear people are going for it more. My social life is still suffering from covid 😡

Agree that London is definitely the quirkiest dress sense way.

I'm half French & I do find them much more effortless & elegant, something I struggle to emulate.

Also agree you have to be a little more groomed (not too much) as you age or you can stumble into bag lady.

I recently discovered that those people with great hair are spending a fortune at the hairdressers 🤣🤣

My stylist talked me into subtle highlights, and a brazilian blowdry, and now I look like them too! But it cost a fortune don’t think I’ll bother again.

As for how to look like someone who’s wearing black and white, I think you’ve answered your own question there 🤔

Im one of those people who get the train and tube into London for work. I am just fascinated by the fashions and style of the commuters and how they look so put together but not

I love watching how people are dressed. It's a constant fascination and diversion. I generally only wear jeans and a jumper (and a waterproof -- this is Cornwall) for my life, but every now and again, my aesthetic perspective shifts radically, and I never know why: boredom perhaps; fashion, probably. So it means I buy a garment or two with new proportions, and ask my hairdresser to go a bit more 'fashion' and for the first time in three years, my next appointment is for some highlights (went grey naturally) because I would like a bit more sparkle. Age is no barrier to enjoying change.

Not read the whole thread (all 6 pages!) but Christ how exhausting!

Also you know the majority of the country don’t live in London?

It drives me crazy that London style is seen as the best. So what if in Leeds people are wearing heels (god forbid!), skinny jeans and bright colours. People in London are no better than people than anywhere else.

Not one single person has said the London look is best.