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)

I think I was that ‘segment of society’ then, because I wore pretty much the same uniform as my teen son wears now back in the late 90s-early 2000s . Nike trackie and AF1s. It was urban-chic, but I was a kid off a council estate, so probably labelled a chav by some. Hey Ho.

I was a trainer freak and knew what was hot, though. Now I um and ah about buying trainers and end up buying the same style of Converse I’ve been wearing for a decade 😆

East Londoner here. What I see on women (not teens):

Leggings with oversized hoodies and scruffy trainers (replace leggings with cycling shorts in the summer)
Converse
Oversized shirts with straight or loose jeans
Wide trousers
Long puffer coats
Bright coloured ribbed hats
Chunky black boots
Increasingly some heeled boots - wide but slim rectangle heel, boots come to low calf
Lots of monochrome with denim
Gold jewellery
Bum bags worn over the shoulder (in fairness these are v handy in soft play)

FWIW I spent some time in the north west last year and definitely noticed a difference in how people dressed. More pulled together and stylish. Made a welcome change from the scruffy aesthetic that we get here (I have to be smart for work so always feel like an outlier). Personally I like the fact that different parts of the country have their own vibe. I don't see it as others being "behind", just a natural and welcome variation in style.

They were a thing (are you thinking Adidas Poppers...?). They were awful then and are now. Doesn't mean they didn't have certain connotations for some of us... which was my only point.

I was in Urban Outfitters last week with teen dd and it really was like going back in time - so funny to see those teeny little baguette shaped handbags again and combats and crop tops. I expected Buffy the vampire slayer or a pregnant Mel Blatt to walk around the corner any minute!

I do think the old adage is true re fashion - that if you wore it the first time around, you are too old for it the second time, much as I used to love my combats in the 90s.

Teen fashion is horrible imo and grown women shouldn't want to emulate it. Surely we can do better than white socks pulled halfway up the calf over leggings, with crocs or trainers?

Trainers are pretty universally ugly, no matter what the branding is. But it's probably a good thing that comfort is prioritised over high heels that weren't always good for us. I do miss how they made my legs look though - I think it's hard for middle aged women not to dumpy in leisurewear and trainers, even though they are fashionable.

I think suits will start to make a comeback. We’re due an Ally McBeal revival with the different coloured suits with a mini skirt.

I remember going to Covent Garden in the 80s and copying the hairstyle I'd seen a lot of.

I’d love an Ally McBeal revival! And more choice of skirt length! So over midi / midaxi!

I agree with someone up thread who said fashion was becoming more homogeneous and London has not been immune to this. DD dresses very alternatively and it is noticeable that when out with her in town some people do give a second look, whereas noone would have batted an eyelid in 1990.

If you'd seen me yesterday I would've been in chunky soled Docs, blue jeans (not sure of the style; not skinny but not baggy) zipped hoodie and a parka.
I hardly ever feel comfortable in what I wear 😫 I don't think I ever have. I love reading stuff like this though.

I'm in ireland & have a 17 year old..
The teens I see wear v short North Face puffa jackets to the waist, worn with tracksuit bottoms (worn low on the hips often with a gap between jacket & bottoms brrrrr) or baggy pale wash denim with rips or black leggings. Mostly worn with trainers sometimes clumpy or still lots of converse high tops too.
My dd wears cropped tops, short pleated skirts, sheer black tights & black patent dm shoes with a black short north face puffa jacket

Or she swaps the skirt & tights for tracksuit bottoms with crop top or baggy hoody & wears either white or black canvas converse high tops

I've also noticed a big shift in the make up in her group from the HUGE eyelashes to far more subtle fake lashes & generally a more 'natural ' look (which still takes a really long time to perfect!)

My dd is v slim & petit but not all of her friends are & the biggest difference I see from when I was a teen is they all wear the same stiff irrespective of body shape / weight. So it's cropped tops galore & it doesn't seem to deter them if they're overweight.

And I know its unpopular to say it but looking around the city we live in & at the secondary school every morning SO many young people (male & female) are overweight these days. It's mostly the girls but only by a small margin. It really was not like that when I was a teen in the 80s.

In the older then teens age ranges we see LOTS of those weird long sleevless puffa jackets down to the ankles worn over sports gear. Usually with hair severely scraped back off the face & a full face if makeup & long long nails. This is a trend in what seems to be 30 -40+ year olds

We're a University city & the students seem very boringly dressed compared to past times. Lots of plain coloured sweatshirts with mom jeans & clumpy 'dad' trainers. I feel sorry for them, though they door look practical & comfortable it has to be said. There's just so little flair! Or individuality mostly.

Lots of grey joggers & black puffa jackets on men of all ages - its like a sad uniform

@Mitfordian no actual joggers were a thing, I grew up in South London though. I live near a few schools & the 6th formers dress exactly like I did in the 90s.

My point was not everyone labels or attaches blanket connotations to clothes. I mean you may have assumed myself & my peers were chavs back then I guess.

Not in this house they don’t - those abominations are not allowed over the threshold!

Fashion was definitely more varied and still quite tribal when I was a teen in the 90s/young woman in the early noughties. It’s definitely more homogeneous now.

It varied back then, though. All the ‘90s’ stuff in the shops now - I never wore. I never wore DMs, or flared or baggy jeans, or shorts, or that grunge look of DMs with a little floral dress etc. That was NOT the look in my rough inner London area! .

Yep probably. Plus I just don't like them.

My point was not everyone labels or attaches blanket connotations to clothes.

Actually, I think most people who think about what they wear/fashion/style ARE trying to project something of themselves to the world. If you don't want me to associate you with a certain tribe/culture etc, then don't wear the clothes.

I've skimmed because I'm middle aged and fat and the least stylish person on the planet but I love my little cross body Uniqlo bag. I used to carry a massive bag but these have been a life changer. You can fit so much crap in the them and they're so comfy.

Actually, I think most people who think about what they wear/fashion/style ARE trying to project something of themselves to the world. If you don't want me to associate you with a certain tribe/culture etc, then don't wear the clothes.

Oh i do think people think about what they wear & how they want to be perceived. I just don't think that's the same as a blanket rule of joggers = chav.

Lmao! So true.

Eg Hush sell a lot of joggers & you often see threads on here about them but I don't think their target customer are chavs. We will have to agree to disagree.

Of course it's not the blanket rule but for me (and many) it's the immediate connotation.

A bit like wearing all black/piercings/make up/fishnets - be prepared for me to assume that you may possibly be a goth.....

The term 'Chav' hasn't been ok for nearly 20 years. It's pejorative and always has been.

If you want to talk about fashion don't use unfashionable terms.

Oh God, I love a hoodie and long gilet. Ive practically lived in that uniform m (with gym leggings and Nikes) all winter! 😂

Just checked out these pages and now following them all!

Parisians in Paris is full of inspiration 👌🏻

They're not the same type of joggers though. IMO they're still awful but you're right, they're not chav as such. But the micro differences in styles and brands have always been absolutely key to fashion so it's hardly surprisingly is it?

One of the problems with joggers is they are prison uniform. Mid to light grey marl or heather marl joggers just make me think of DD's head teacher saying that 6th formers should dress for their future careers.

I don't mind teenagers in joggers. I do think they should be mindful of colour choice. I'm totally in owe at the bare midriffs in the depths of winter.