Londoners definitely have a fashion sense that isn't really seen at home. It's hard to describe, but I remember noticing the way people dress when I first arrived in September and feeling quite inadequate with the items that I had carefully chosen to bring with me. It is much more eclectic than home, with people combining all kinds of prints, colours and styles in one outfit. I personally don't feel like I can pull that type of look off with any kind of confidence, but that could be my boring, standard, no frills Canadian fashion sense rearing it's un-trendy head.
Accessories are a much bigger deal here. Men and women frequently wear hats and scarves (not the scarves that protect your face from frostbite, but trendy ones with patterns and fun colours) much more than people at home. Women wear necklaces, ear rings, bracelets with more frequency, and they are often a bit bolder and brighter. There's a fantastic store here called 'Accessorize' that sells only accessories. Bags, necklaces, rings, scarves and headbands - with and without feathers attached. It's a great place, and I'm definitely going to stock up before I'm home permanently.
It's great though, because there are definitely the trends that people follow, but if you're confident in what you're wearing, whether it's 'in' or not, it's not a big deal. That might have to do with the fact that London is so big, that you see all types of people wearing all kinds of things on any given day.
There are areas in London that have a definite 'look' to them. In The City and Canary Wharf, which are the two big financial centres of the city, 99% of the people you see on a weekday will be in a suit. Around Camden, it's a definite alternative/punk look, with pink spiked mohawks, leather jackets, facial piercings and ripped jeans as the norm. In East London, the chav look is predominate - think velour track suits, baseball hats with straight beaks tilted to the side, and big sneakers with the tongues sticking out.
I've been looking around for the past little bit to find a dress that is flattering, trendy, in my price range, and not too casual. I've had no luck yet, but will continue to search through the 'shops' of London in hopes of finding something appropriate. Wish me luck!
