To My Wardrobe Across the Pond
Hi Friends,
Hope you’re having a lovely Sunday. It’s finally starting to feel like fall, isn’t it? I’m loving finally getting to wear long sleeves, coats, and boots. What have you been looking forward to wearing the most this season? I’m wishing I could source some more sweaters from my wardrobe back in Tennessee right about now, but that’s exactly what brings me to this week’s post.
I was inspired for this post by an article I read in Vogue while I was getting my hair done this week. The article was called “A Tale of Two Wardrobes” and discussed what it was like having half your wardrobe in one city and half in another, but it also discussed how fashion differs between the two places. I definitely related to this article, as I find it challenging coming up with outfits when half of my wardrobe is 5,000 miles from me as you can imagine. There are also obvious differences between the style of women in the two places as well, so it’s sometime challenging wearing the right thing in each place. Below, I’ve compiled some of the differences in style I’ve noticed here between my two homes. These observations might also help you dress for success depending which place you’re in.
Leggings
‘Leggings’ are a word never uttered on the streets on London, unless you’re walking in or out of your local gym, but in Tennessee they’re the base of athleisure style. This active-wear inspired style has travelled across the U.S. from L.A. to the east coast now, but it hasn’t quite made it across the pond. In Tennessee, I think I have about five pairs of leggings, but in my London wardrobe, I have only one pair.
Punk Inspiration
I like to think of London style as being a bit darker and more punk inspired compared to small town, classic Tennessee. Londoners aren’t afraid to add a little darkness to their look. Think Vivienne Westwood edge counteracted with a bit of whimsy. Small town American style tends to be brighter, lighter, and more preppy.
Varsity Style
Speaking of preppy, American style seems to take inspiration from the college years with bomber jackets, University branded pullovers, and classic cardigans. American designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren do varsity proud, and I love to inject a little bit of varsity nostalgia into my looks.
Heels
What you might find surprising is that heels rarely grace the feet of London women. Even on a night out, they’ve traded the uncomfortable footwear for the likes of Dr. Martins and kitten heeled sandals. This is a must due to the amount of walking we do on old cobbled streets. American women, however, are still braving heels for their fearless looks, and I have to admit, I do miss the extra height sometimes. I only have two pairs of heels in my London wardrobe and I find myself avoiding them.
Trench Coat
You won’t find a gal in London who doesn’t own a trench due to the cool weather half the year and likelihood of a little rain. A trench in Tennessee doesn’t come in use quite as often. I’ve lived in London for about a year now and I’ve already purchased two.
Overall, I feel a bit more comfortable taking the fashion risks I like to take here in London, but that’s a given in a big city, and sometimes even I wish I could step outside in leggings and not be expected to have a gym bag in my hand. Thank you for reading this week’s blog post. I hope you enjoyed reading about my two wardrobes and what I’ve noticed between my two homes. Have you noticed any style differences yourself? If so, comment them down below. Be sure to check back next week for a new blog post. In the mean time, follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more content. Have a great week!