Fashion observations from a day people watching in London

[Unicornsaregreat]

• Lots of different styles of jeans. Still lots of skinnies, with oversized tops
• Lots of bags like this picture
• A very large proportion of trainers were New Balance
• Those not in trainers mainly wore chunky flat or low heeled boots (no one in heels)

It's just a thread about what people have seen in London for anyone interested. No one has said people have to try and copy it. It sounds like you are more stylish than Londoners, so why not start a thread giving us your international style tips?

If only MN had a like button

@SicParvisMagna - I'm sorry that you feel this way. You should feel great! You are not fat, and unlikely to be unattractive!
If you want style advice, start an advice thread on here. Seriously, there are some brilliant people on here who will give good advice and links. It's not all leggings or dull beige. You can find a style that suits you and enhances your size, features and lifestyle

Exactly! Some of these posters on MN don't realise that nothing is new! 😂

It's like the tuck the jumper in now then puff it out a bit 😂

no one in heels

How funny-we were in NW London yesterday and I thought to myself that I was surprised how many people I saw three wearing heels, there were loads!

Yes, it was four degrees.

I was in London Friday and Saturday. I expect I'd be considered frumpy. I was wearing flat chunky black boots from Clarke's. Straight leg jeans from Wallis. A ruched top from Hobbs, white with black dots on. A waxed cotton jacket from Fat Face. Thermal underwear and a large burgundy scarf from Accessorize.

I have a green camera bag style handbag.
A brown cashmere beanie for the evening and grey cashmere gloves.

Comfy and warm. Walked ten miles each day.

I'm not a mum though. I'm in my fifties and obviously used to these sexist and ageist comments about women.

Hah, I can! But then I work in the sports industry so sportswear is pretty much universally expected and accepted. Black leggings all the way for me, with a logo top (my own logo). I don’t do the big socks thing though, I’m still on trainer socks.

@AtillasHuns yes, when I was younger the thought of wearing the exact same as my friends was a bad thing. I remember a friend buying the same trainers, it pissed my right off but I felt mean so just swallowed it, she did often check with me to see if I was/wasn't wearing them which was nice.

Thank you 🥰 I’m trying to lose my extra weight and I know that will make me feel more confident and I will be able to wear more than I can now without feeling like a fat little frump 😅
I will come back when I do and get some advice. I’ve never been fashionable but would like to be at least comfortable in my skin and clothing and not look like I’ve rummaged in a bin for them. Well put together women have me in awe. I do like French styles of dress but over all I love that they don’t have young girls pumping themselves full of god knows what, false eyelashes, lips like baboons bums etc. I know they have work done but it’s definitely more natural and subtle than this side of the channel. Less is more I think and I’d say in that regard in the UK we definitely go over the top at times.

I'm 56 and love to wear the dark academia aesthetic! And vintage retro and 70s

Sorry my above message was for you. Not sure why it left your quote out of the reply x

I had the uniqlo cross boobs bag but I just couldn't keep it. Round here in sunny SE London it's the bag of choice for drug dealers doing the rounds. Fleece feels so horrid and sweaty. I'm only in my mid thirties but already dress like I'm 85 though.

Not so much during the day, but I've been seeing loads of heels suddenly when we're out at night, and have been wearing them myself again. Everything from chunky platforms (loads with ankle straps) to strappy teetering stilettos seem to be out in force.

I will say, if these make a comeback, I'm done with fashion forever.

I've just googled dark academia and it's a lot more wearable than I was expecting (I was imagining Bellatrix Lestrange aka Helena Bonham Carter in Harry Potter).

Where do you normally shop and that are your staple items?

@SicParvisMagna - there's lots of great advice out there. You're not a teenager and you're not trying to look Parisian. You want good colours and shapes.
You don't need to inject anything anywhere, that's a short cut to wasting money.
Seriously, start an advice thread.

Is it awful for me to say that I would love for these to make a comeback 😳

That's great for you!
However, I'm happy with formal work wear and have found my own way. The idea of wearing joggers, leggings and trainers every day does not appeal.

Lol. If only my life was interesting enough for someone to look at my bag and think I was a drug dealer. The only drug in my Uniqlo bag is ibuprofen 😀

@Calphurnia88 I also towards the dark academia look & there was a great thread not so long ago called something like 'calling all dark academia, bohemians' it had loads of great links & is definitely worth checking out

These threads always read like a desperate, provincial attempt to picture cosmopolitan trends. And they are generally interpreted in a rather fusty, geriatric way, perhaps a shy and introverted longing for relevance, without having a clue.
A great deal of older women trying to care what juveniles are wearing in the big city.
And since you all declare so often that you live deep, deep in the countryside, there isn’t a lot of logic to it - unless we are not all quite as Tory-level-affluent and clad in mangy Barbour’s as we so feverishly declare on other threads..lol.

You sound like style icon to me!! Fabulous and well thought out outfit

@Calphurnia88

I will happily step aside and let you get the last pair! 😅

I live in Oxford street (very Central London) and these are the trends:

-Baggy jeans/mom jeans/wide legs/bell bottoms (skinny jeans completely OUT).
-Short very thick feather jackets pref in strong colours.
-Flashy solid colours all mixed together. bright orange is in.
-High heels ONLY in the form of thick heels with platforms and ONLY if you are under 25 yo. (Stilettos are vintage and something that after the pandemic clearly belongs to the past).
-funky coloured hair.
-flashing beautiful grey hair that makes a statement in older women.
-very chunky flashy trainers.
-cropped tops.
-very long winter warm feather jackets with chunky trainers and a cross body Uniqlo bag.
-Baggy cargo pants in strong solids (fuchsia and orange pref).
-very Colourful make up (specially eye shadow)
-Classy jumpers and sweaters with horizontal stripes, pref b/w (it's the Zara craze for this spring).
-Loafers in women.
-Quilted bags.
-long conservative dress ("preacher wife" look) with trainers and Uniqlo cross body bag.

I work in a college in Leeds City Centre. I spotted a couple of young lads with mullets last week.