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Original poster

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:
TSSDNCOP · 21/10/2021 20:37

Or that Londoners are better than.

SocksAndTheCity · 21/10/2021 20:39

The OP's question was specifically about London style so obviously the thread was going to be about London style, therefore if you're not interested in London style (unlike the posters enjoying the discussion) then why read it?

Oh, you didn't Hmm.

TSSDNCOP · 21/10/2021 20:50

Hello again @SocksAndTheCity Smile

Clandestin · 21/10/2021 20:51

@OhDear2200

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.

No one’s said that. My contributions have been about how London clothes, shoes and bags are significantly determined by most people walking and taking public transport, and that what struck me when I left London was how differently people tend to dress when they default to driving.
XingMing · 21/10/2021 20:55

From when I lived in London, now years ago, and even then in love with fashion, style and clothing, it was always a balance between managing the practical reality of travelling by Tube and train/bus/walking and looking great at doing your job. I worked variously in publishing, City PR and creative so never over-groomed but never under-dressed was the sweet spot.

frazzlesmore · 21/10/2021 20:57

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

As a Londoner I would say it is 😜

XingMing · 21/10/2021 21:03

At the moment, I think the more interesting looks are coming from Asia. It's not going to suit me because I'm not a size 4 or young, but I do love the styling. And I will try to borrow or steal and interpret it for me.

Pigtailsandall · 21/10/2021 21:08

@Floisme I do think it is a bit of a "come as you are" look. I don't think there's inherently anything wrong with looking like a tourist. I stand out (and get judged) when I'm in rural parts/other cities in Britain for what I wear. But ultimately in London, no one cares. People might note what you wear in passing but ultimately they get on with where they're going.
I'm not sure I am going for a studied indifference, at least not concisely. Lot of what I wear is a direct cause of small child+ public transport + hot offices and cold weather + long days out of the house. Maybe that combo breeds a certain nonchalance which translates to looking like you don't care

Pigtailsandall · 21/10/2021 21:09

Consciously, not concisely!

TSSDNCOP · 21/10/2021 21:10

Fuxache @XingMing don't poke the bear.

TSSDNCOP · 21/10/2021 21:12

Apols Xing, you did not poke the bear @frazzlesmore on the step you go.

frazzlesmore · 21/10/2021 21:25

soz!

Intothevoid3 · 22/10/2021 17:12

I love people watching in London! Although, I live in the Home Counties so will be over groomed no matter how many Cos dresses I own! It’s very interesting and there are definitely tribes in different areas, and different workplaces so there isn’t really a London look, I don’t think, there a few, all subtly different and some not so subtle in their differences.

It’s reminded me of a Parisian I once met who worked in fashion. He felt the English took a traditional look and then added a new twist, then another then took away one of the traditional elements et voila we had our quirky take on an outfit. He also thought we got bored easily and liked to mix things up and that’s why we all looked eccentric (his word!).

There’s a reassuring scruffiness to going out in London, you can only be over dressed never under, that’s so nice!

StCharlotte · 22/10/2021 18:39

it was always a balance between managing the practical reality of travelling by Tube and train/bus/walking and looking great at doing your job

So true! I struggled so hard not to buy the M&S pink coat for that very reason Smile

boogiewithasuitcase · 23/10/2021 16:26

@fhgr308090

There absolutely is a London style.It's subtly different from say Paris (which i do think is more my style) and New York which has always been cooler than London. In all three cities black dominates and people have that cool vibe but it's all subtly different. One of the things I miss when working from home, is not being able to see what other people are wearing on the tube.Yes, it's petty but I don't actually know where people get their inspiration from without their commute...I joke but only just...

I miss people watching in London. Where I live now everyone drives past in a t-shirt all year round. Smile

Floisme · 23/10/2021 16:38

New York style looks super cool in the films and on the telly. Then you go and it takes ten years to get over the disappointment. Then you go again thinking it must have upped its game by now but it never does.

Special exemption for Tokyo 7, if it's still going - one of my favourite shops in the world.

Mymycherrypie · 23/10/2021 16:40

New York style looks super cool in the films and on the telly. Then you go and it takes ten years to get over the disappointment. Then you go again thinking it must have upped its game by now but it never does.

Wow. You just articulated something I felt but couldn’t work out in my head. NY on the whole isn’t anything like the films. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like this.

TuftyRusty · 23/10/2021 16:47

@Mymycherrypie

New York style looks super cool in the films and on the telly. Then you go and it takes ten years to get over the disappointment. Then you go again thinking it must have upped its game by now but it never does.

Wow. You just articulated something I felt but couldn’t work out in my head. NY on the whole isn’t anything like the films. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like this.

Me too! New York was the biggest disappointment for me. Not just in a fashion sense, but everything. Really had been expecting something else, seen too many movies Blush
mostlydrinkstea · 23/10/2021 16:48

I had to go into central London this week and the complete panic an hour before I left to find the good coat, matching handbag, scarf, gloves and smart shoes that can stand the very long trek between tube stations was a thing to behold. I didn't realise it was the London look but having read this thread I realise it is. When I lived out in the rurals I could wear hiking boots or high heels depending on where I was going as I got there by car but that isn't an option in my work life here.

Watching fashion trends on the tube is something I hadn't realised I missed.

FanGirlX · 23/10/2021 16:57

I love people watching how others dress. I've turned into a total scruff since working from home - I just wear gym kit. Going to have to venture into a city for a wander and a people watch 😁

Iampicklerick · 23/10/2021 16:57

I go into central London maybe twice a week for food or shopping or an exhibition etc. Used to work there but now don’t. Live in zone 6.

Last week I wore my all saints leather jacket as it was cold and the fake leather one doesn’t cut it. Black skinny rib top, I had embroidered mom jeans on one day and skinny ripped black jeans the other day. Hi tops or black DMs. Last year I had a fitted black long teddy which I need to update this year.

Hair is v long and straight and ombre. Centre parted. From what’s been said here I don’t think I am London look and I’m born and bred London Blush I certainly didn’t make any effort.

InRustWeTrust · 23/10/2021 21:13

You have to put function first.

LaurieFairyCake · 23/10/2021 21:30

London is WAY cooler than NY

I saw a Japanese woman last week wearing what I thought was a cool outfit - white trainers, pulled up sports socks, cropped wide black trousers (so you could see the socks) , black jumper, mid grey oversized single breasted coat

Effortlessly cool

Industrialwash · 24/10/2021 00:20

I agree. I think NY look is too polished and preppy.
Overall London is more edgy, youthful (no matter the age) and creative. Less tribal, more fluid.
Paris is very uniform (especially in terms of colour and slimness & hair)
Tokyo is similar to London, without the mix of cultures/people (but still embracing their styles - like fashionable magpies) Perhaps more try-hard because of this lack of diversity compared to the other cities.

LunaTheCat · 24/10/2021 08:10

@LaurieFairyCake

London is WAY cooler than NY

I saw a Japanese woman last week wearing what I thought was a cool outfit - white trainers, pulled up sports socks, cropped wide black trousers (so you could see the socks) , black jumper, mid grey oversized single breasted coat

Effortlessly cool

Oh sounds lovely! When the Hell That Is COVID ends I am going to Japan and I am going to indulge in some serious people watching.