NCC, you need to step up your fashion game, because the U.K. is kicking our butts in the style department… by a lot.
One of the first things I had heard before I came to CCCU in Canterbury was how people in the U.K. tend to dress a little nicer than people in the U.S. It’s one hundred percent true. I don’t think I’ve seen a single pair of sweatpants worn in public since I’ve been here. It’s interesting looking at the fashion in England, because there are similarities and differences with the trends in both countries. One of the biggest trends here in England is with the girls and their tights. Girls wear tights with everything; dresses, skirts, oversized shirts, and even tights under shorts. They’re an essential piece of a British girl’s wardrobe (and luckily, I came prepared.) Other staples include a good leather jacket, one (or ten) knit sweaters, and a good pair of boots. But it doesn’t matter what people wear- everyone looks put together all the time. There aren’t any athletic shorts or sweatshirts being worn here, unless you’re an American.
For the guys, it’s a similar type of style that men wear in the U.S. except classed up just a little bit more. One of the things I’ve noticed with guys more than girls is that they tend to wear similar styles of clothing. For example, I’ve seen several groups of boys that are all wearing the same exact jacket, just in different colors. The same rule applies with shoes, which are usually Converse. Really though, besides the slightly nicer clothes, men’s style in England isn’t that different from men’s style in the U.S.
One difference between the U.S. and England is how people dress for work and school. If you’re a teenager or younger you have to wear a uniform to school. These are typically suit jackets in varying colors depending on the school, a button-down white shirt, and slacks for boy and skirts or nice pants for girls. They’re very classy uniforms, and sometimes it’s a little disconcerting to see a 9-year-old dressed better than I am. It’s the same with work clothes – everyone wears a suit to their job. Everyone. When the 5 p.m. rush comes and everyone leaves work to go home it’s like you’ve just stepped into a magazine catalogue.
If you’re planning on going to the U.K. bring lots of layers, layers, layers. The weather here is very different than it is in the U.S. There are less clearly defined seasons, and the weather can change from sunny and 70 degrees to rainy and 50 degrees in half an hour. Being prepared for any kind of weather is key. It’s almost a requirement to have a coat or jacket anywhere you go, just in case. Along those lines, a good umbrella, raincoat, and rain boots are a must-have because of all the rain we get here. Even if it’s not raining, there are going to be a lot of puddles everywhere, so a good pair of weatherproof boots are not only necessary, but also considered stylish.
Really though, the styles that people wear here aren’t that different than what people wear at NCC. Some of the NCC students asked a couple of CCCU students if they could tell we were American just by looking at us, and they said they couldn’t. The brands here are a little different as well. Instead of Kohl’s, they have a store called Primark, although there is an H&M here. Other than that, everyone has their own style that they develop themselves, just like we do in the U.S.
Cheers!