10 reasons why we love British fashion & style
Given that this is the UK’s year (Olympics, Jubilee, generally getting great…) I decided it was the best time to speak a tiny bit about why I adore my residence country so a lot. Catwalk Queen could now have contributors from around the planet, but it is right here in the UK that it first began (via dial-up internet in my bedroom at my parents house!). More than the ten years that CQ has been a style weblog a lot has changed, but my devotion to all that is brilliant about British style remains. Here are just ten of the reasons why I adore very good old Blighty and all its style – the brilliant and the bonkers!
1. We have the very best high street in the globe
Topshop, Whistles, Reiss, Oasis, New Look, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge…the list could go on for pages and pages. We are extremely lucky in the UK to be served by some incredible high street shops. Our appetite for rapidly fashion shows no signs of fading, but fortunately we have shops that women the globe over dream of shopping at (think about how excited absolutely everyone was when Topshop opened a store in the USA).
Certain, we have our fair share of popular shops from other countries (Zara, H&M, Mango, Urban Outfitters and so on) but there are few countries that have such a long list of wonderful high street shops as us, and that is a thing to get excited about!
2. We’re ready for all weather
We could complain about the changeable weather, but there are not that numerous areas where you can be in a faux fur coat and winter boots 1 day, and a tiny Summer dress the subsequent. Our mad weather offers us the opportunity to wear all types of trends all through the year, which signifies we never miss out on the next huge factor. As Brits, we’re adaptable, mastering the art of layering, knowing a million methods to wear a scarf, pleased to shove a rain coat over a maxi dress, and in some circumstances not adverse to teaming black tights with open toe shoes (if the shoes are truly, actually nice and the tights are from Wolford). Plus, even when the chill sets in, we don’t let it get us down. British girls are identified for acquiring their legs out for a night out regardless of the weather. It really is amazing what the warmth of a beer jacket will do!
three. We have some of the best inventive design talent in the world
From trailblazers like Mary Quant, Vivienne Westwood, Terry de Havilland, Barbara Hulanicki and Alexander McQueen to present big names like Erdem, Christopher Kane, Phoebe Philo and Christopher Bailey Britain is chock full of wonderful style designers.
Ok, we do not have the monopoly on design talent, but we definitely nurture creativity in this country and for such a little island we absolutely have more than our fair share! UK arts universities are the breeding ground for a lot of of the industry’s most significant names – Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art are particularly effectively-recognized for their killer alumni lists – Riccardo Tisci, Zac Posen and Mary Katrantzou all studied style in London.
4. Our style icons are celebrated the planet over
Appear at any ideal-dressed list and you are going to see the identical British names over and more than once again – Kate Moss, Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Emma Watson and so on. A special mixture of edgy, slighly bohemian dressers and classic beauties, our style icons are international phenomenons. Women the globe more than want to look like Britain’s greatest-dressed. In fact, US Vogue voted Kate Moss the ideal-dressed woman of the decade in 2010, ahead of competition like Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama.
Of course, we almost certainly have just as many men and women on the worst-dressed lists too, but that leads me perfectly on to my next point…
five. We have the sense of humour to laugh at past mistakes
We’ve all worn horrible factors at some point. I grew up in the 90s so have far more than my fair share of sartorial nightmares – there was the orange Kappa tracksuit, the silver hankie hem best worn with embossed dragon trousers, the drop-waist 1960s minidress in lime green (full with faux Gucci horsebit belt), the white high-waisted shorts, the red silk blouse with matching red check mini kilt…I could go on. But the good issue is I can look back now with affection – even at the silver velcro platform wedge trainers. That great old British sense of humour (explained not-so-expertly here on Yahoo Answers) will see us by way of even the most ridiculous trends (remember dummy necklaces?) with our dignity intact.
At least till somebody tags us in an old photo on facebook.
6. We’re getting increasingly great at catering for all shapes and sizes
We nevertheless have a extremely lengthy way to go ahead of girls of all shapes and sizes are appropriately represented inside the style sector, but at least retailers and designers in the UK are moving in the correct direction. Our plus size brands are collaborating with special talents (see Evans and Clements Ribiero / Beth Ditto / Georgina Goodman Merely Be and Zandra Rhodes) and a lot more retailers are expanding their sizing with particular ranges (ASOS Curve, AX Paris Curve) so stylish females above a size 14 or 16 can have straightforward access to a thing other than shapeless tees and ugly cropped trousers.
The UK also leads the way when it comes to lingerie and style brands that cater to women outside the A-D bracket (by way of Freya, Curvy Kate, Bravissimo / Pepperberry and so forth) and we also have a wider range of sub 30″ band sizes than most nations.
On the other end of the scale, shops are also introducing smaller sizes (UK 6 and four) and escalating their petite ranges. We also have a sensible choice of ‘tall’ collections (although we could do with numerous much more), with plenty of shops now offering longer leg lengths.
7. Our boutiques / indies are brilliant
From high finish boutiques like Dover Street Market in London and Cricket in Liverpool to indie haunts like Birmingham’s Oasis, we’re never short of quirky boutiques, independent retailers and concept retailers. The joy of getting to know your residence is discovering these little gems – the tiny boutique in a small town that stocks a tough-to-uncover denim brand, or the indoor market place stall that imports rockabilly clothing from the US. Our high street may be completely brilliant, but when we’re bored of the usual, we can constantly uncover the unusual just around the corner.
8. We do not comply with trends, we begin them
Walk down London’s Brick Lane in daylight, and it’s probably you’ll stumble across an individual starting new trend. You are going to most likely also stumble across a street style photographer snapping a photo of said trend, ready to blog it later. This country is a important element of the ‘trickle down, bubble up’ idea – the idea that half the large trends commence at catwalk level, trickling down to ‘real life’, although the others ‘bubble up’ the other way – beginning at street level, spotted by designers when they are out and about in search of inspiration, later appearing on the runway. From the streets across our country to the catwalks at London Style Week, this is a country that is very significantly about what’s new, edgy and present – we are a nation of trendsetters!
9. Our fashion industry contributes to our economy
Fashion equals jobs, it’s as straightforward as that. In 2011 it was reported that the style sector contributes around £37 billion to the UK economy. it really is a reality check for anybody who thinks or says that style is just a handful of snooty folks messing about with overpriced clothes. British fashion is about far a lot more than a handful of designers placing on shows for one particular week every single February and September.
In challenging economic times, this is an industry that continues to flourish and preserve individuals in jobs. To place it in point of view, the Guardian reports that the fashion market in the UK generates “a lot more than twice as numerous jobs as actual estate.”
For more info on why our business is so crucial, you can download the British Style Council’s annual report for 2011 or read the Value of Style report.
ten. We are fearless
How else can you clarify this?
Lady Gaga excepted, nobody does bonkers style like Brits do!