Style and geographic location in the UK

[ConfusedParticle]

I love how it seems a lot of style differences seem to vary around the country, not that i've been everywhere mind, but here's what I noticed recently:

I am currently in the north west, Lancashire, semi rural and everyone wears big chunky coats or huge puffers. Many in leggings or running gear, but the over all style is very Next/supermarket, etc.

I spent a few weeks in various areas of Shropshire and noticed a much smarter, Barbour-esque style in general but mixed in with a lot of slouchy bohemian stuff on the women/girls. Far more in dresses during winter, with wool coats.

I also live in the Lake district for part of the year and it's very much mountain warehouse or Arcteryx, shirt rain macs with hiking pants up there! Or at the very least perpetually mindful of the rain. You might see a dress here and there in the summer, or on a tourist, but generally not.

These are just my experiences so not solid facts, but would love to hear yours from other places in the UK!
Have any of you noticed differences in certain places?
I think it's fascinating how subtly our clothing changes as we move around. I would say so far Shropshire was more my 'style home', as the people seemed to share my own tastes in clothes, but apart from the milder climate which was enviable, my heart is in the north.

I live in NW London and there is a definite clothing style which I have gradually been drawn into because that’s what the shops cater for. However I sometimes break free and go for a more hippy look.
I remember in the 60s visiting the Midlands either in mini skirts or kaftans and I looked like I had landed from another planet.

someone needs to explain 'roadman' to me please? all I can picture is high-vis gear with a matching shovel.

@thebabessavedme - . As far as my limited understanding goes its black hoodies, joggers, black puffer, usually North Face, with hood up. Someone else may be along shortly to correct me though.

To be fair I have just realised that my teen DD spends a lot of her time in joggers and hoodies though

@mdh2020 what is the NW London look? Is it different fo other parts of London?

Where I live in SE London and on borders with Kent (Beckenham) the women and men tend to be semi designer but dressed up - very similar to e.g. Essex/Brentwood. So Ted Baker etc - bouncy/tonged blow drys, higher heels etc.

Come further up to where I am - which is SE London and it's subtler and not so much high heels etc - more trendy trainers than heels.

It can vary with age as younger women I find tend to be more confident - so seen lots wearing but not necessarily out out pastel coloured co-ords cycling shorts and glam/pretty dresses.

I used to go out a lot with a friend from East London and we used to go to East London/Essex (Towie type) bars and her style was based around Ted Baker, Zara etc with the bouncy, tonged blow drys, fake tan, eyelash extensions etc.

For a casual look, think All Saints leather jacket, pretty white shirt, delicately ripped jeans, smokey eye and All Saints boots.

This is NW London street style:-

www.bing.com/images/search?q=north+west+london+street+style&qpvt=north+west+london+street+style&form=IGRE&first=1&tsc=ImageBasicHover

It does also tend to vary on class/budget etc.

Used to work in Wimbledon and ranged from very dressed up (top end designer) to Whistles, Joseph Comptoir des Cottoniers, etc.

@thebabessavedme

someone needs to explain 'roadman' to me please? all I can picture is high-vis gear with a matching shovel.

@thebabessavedme - roadman to me is urban/street/sportswear. So Kardashian style.

DBs goddaughter and her sisters (all mid to late teens) do a mix of that style but also their own style based on Primark, PLT etc - all based on money which is mostly pocket money or jobs/uni spare cash. His goddaughter has some very pretty outfits though!

@thebabessavedme

someone needs to explain 'roadman' to me please? all I can picture is high-vis gear with a matching shovel.

To my DC and their peers, it is used to refer to the grubby grey tracksuit posse who wear caps the wrong way round and a small bag across the body (for their weed).

I live in Glasgow and there are different fashion cultures depending on whereabouts in the city you live. The westend is student population so lots of charity/boho/vintage shops. Also the type of folk who can afford Boden/joules etc.
City centre is more main stream fashion. Young people in the city go full on glam for nights out.
Poorer more deprived areas it will be more casual so joggers,leggings etc.
I love having a good nosey at what folk are wearing.

I visited Guildford last weekend and nearly every woman was wearing a camel coat undone, either leather leggings, normal leggings or jeans, all slightly cropped, white trainers and a nice cross the body bag.

I grew up in a big city and now live in a smaller town about 25 miles away. Style is really different in the 2 places. If I wore what I wear in the city here, I'd be considered too dressed up. If I wore my usual stuff I wear here in the city I'd be out of date and a bit dowdy. It's really interesting!

No they're not

@DietrichandDiMaggio what are they then? I just googled because I was under the same impression?

From statista

"London was by far the largest urban agglomeration in the United Kingdom in 2020, with an estimated population of 9.3 million people, more than three times as large as Manchester, the UK’s second biggest urban agglomeration. "

There are a couple of streets near me where, for the most part

• women have those silly topknots
• men wear baggy unflattering grey tracksuit bottoms
• women wear tight t-shirts/tops and leggings, often white or flesh-coloured. These are so thin you can see their bulging flesh through them

Yes I'm judging and I don't care! But it's weird how localised it is.

Yes the flesh-coloured tops and leggings! Very in round here with younger women. They're horrible.

@hiraffe

No they're not

@DietrichandDiMaggio what are they then? I just googled because I was under the same impression?

From statista

"London was by far the largest urban agglomeration in the United Kingdom in 2020, with an estimated population of 9.3 million people, more than three times as large as Manchester, the UK’s second biggest urban agglomeration. "

Well according to Manchester City Council the population is less than 600,000. I think the statistic you quoted is referring to Greater Manchester, which is a metropolitan county, and includes places like Bolton, Oldham, Bury, as well as the city of Manchester.

Birmingham is the second most populous city; according to Birmingham City Council the population is slightly over 1,100,000.

I believe the populations of Leeds and Glasgow may both be larger than Manchester, as well.

Interesting OP I’m in Lancashire (obvious by MN name!)
Most people I know wear sweater dresses opaques boots and classic wool coats
Casual is black skinnies, coated leggings, cigarette pants and plain merino or cashmere sweaters
No puffer coats - for outdoor leisure - hiking or walking the dog - Barbour or top quality walking gear waterproofs and wellies or walking boots
All these are winter wear