Observations from the capital

[Ridingaroundonbuses]

I’ve yet to see anyone with one of those Uniqlo bags that have gone viral.

Longchamp Le Pliage bags are very popular and I have seen numerous people with them.

I have not seen many of anyone decked out in obvious designer gear. I’ve seen plenty of people with designer bags.

People dress how they want and I have not seen any noticeable trends other than to say people are dressing for comfort ( trainers).

I actually had aflashback to the plastic ‘leather’ Unico bags of the 90’s - available at Internacionale and State of Independence when I saw Uniqlo.

Loads of Uniqlo bags where I am in London, no Longchamp bags at all - maybe cos they’re a bit pricey and I live in a fairly deprived area.

I see lots of wide leg/cropped jeans and trainers - Vera, adidas, gola - at the mo. I’m in girlfriend jeans and a plain t shirt, no makeup, no jewellery because I am too tired and busy to GAF today!

Pom Pom London do something similar but with a wide strap so doesn't dig in and hurt.

Gotta say I hate the Veja trainers…
And I don’t even know why, really!

Whereas if you’d popped to brunch in Herne Hill or Clapham Old Town you’d see a more relevant demographic of how people who live in London are actually dressing.

The Le Pliage bags is a giveaway that it's day trippers/tourists.

Err Clapham peeps love a Le Pilage!!! But I wouldn't say Clapham is the hotbed of style!

The uniqlo bags are everywhere, I seem to be the only one in my circle without them. Birkenstocks are everywhere even more.
Lots of men wearing shorts & pulled up white tennis socks.

Yes, agree about Birkenstocks (especially Arizonas) being everywhere. I've had mine for years (currently on third pair) and actually had someone stop me in the street and ask me if they were comfortable and should she get some!

My DM says that most younger women she knows dresses the same.

I agee with this, I think fashion in general is much more homogeneous. But then shops are, years ago shops had a very specific handwriting now they all sell a version of the same thing.

At the risk of ruining the Uniqlo bumbag vibe, I love mine for commuting/travelling (it can hold a kindle and/or small water bottle if necessary). I am cantering towards 60.

I am up to town this week and plan to leg it to Uniqlo on Monday morning, after dropping DD off for the week.

Does anybody have the Uniqlo big bags?

Those pom pom bags are really popular with school mums.

The biggest shift I've seen is less jeans & more trousers

@khakitrousers I've only got one pair from a few yrs ago but I really want another pair now but there's so many to choose from! Do I want shiny green? lilac sherling? I can't decide!

They're bloody great, so comfy.

I've had the plain leather ones for years, but got the sheepskin sherling ones earlier this year and I love them so much! I've worn them loads more than I expected to.

I am not fond of people wearing sequins at the theatre - the light reflects and it is a bit distracting - same for smart watches - lighting up all the time!

@khakitrousers they look so comfortable, does you foot slide about in them at all? That's what I worry about in terms of keeping them on.

Not at all! The only thing I would say is that the white fluffy bit has got a bit squashed down and grubby (London streets!) but I'm going to give them a bit of a wash with a small brush and some soapy water to see if I can clean them up a bit.

I LOVED watching the ladies in front of me twinkling.

I’m a Londoner and I have several Le Pliage. They’re bombproof and great for when out with all DC’s things.

For the pp who mentioned Herne Hill and Clapham Old Town it varies wildly on who you are. Saw a mum with single blonde plait, black satin headband bow and straightish jeans with turnups and a sort of crepe sole shoe. Three other young mums were wearing Broderie anglais midaxi dresses with a friend in a sports top (casual) white vest, and I think black skirt.

saw a few women in various dresses anything from body con to midaxi, crocs with one. By the station it’s fairly casual and a mix of younger couples and mums with kids and various clothes.

In Clapham old town the other Saturday night mix of younger women in crop tops and wider legged jeans. Or shorter or midi dresses. Eating out can be anything from Bella Freud tops and t shirts to nicer more expensive dresses eg Ba:sh etc.

I wouldn’t say these areas are hotbeds of fashion.

I was in Crouch End the other weekend too and saw a very brightly dressed woman (orange skirt/matching co ord floral top?) something which I wouldn’t expect to see in south London.

@khakitrousers I think you have convinced me!

No, it doesn’t, but if you want to draw conclusions on how Londoners dress (for whatever reason - seems to be a common concern on S&B…), it does matter where you people-watch. Covent Garden vs Crystal Palace, etc.

Le Pilage look like Roy Cropper's bag, once you've seen it you can't un see it 😭

Oh thanks, I’ll have a look. I think it’s the weight distribution that’s wrong. Anyway I don’t like the way they look. I bought for practical purposes and they don’t suit what I need. Relegated to expensive pencil case or cheap makeup bag!

I don't know who that is so it doesn't help me but I'm guessing it's not good 🤣

My regular 'clutch bag' is actually an old-but-fancy makeup bag, @BlessYourBlackCottonSocksOnTheRider 😀