I just returned from covering London Fashion Week for my blog and The Fashion Spot. While there, I was struck by how much fashion is a part of everyday life and, more importantly, that it belongs to everyone. London Fashion is about self-expression, not how thin you are, how much money you spend, or even if you know the rules…because in London, fashion has no rules. As a native I know quipped: “You can wear whatever you like in London and somebody will think you’re cool.
In other words, all pressure is off. Practical items like shoes, coats, umbrellas, and especially scarves become fashion statements. I felt naked going scarfless amongst the swathed masses (I kept forgetting to wear one because I wasn’t used to it). Most of the woolly neckwear looked like it could have been knit by your grandmother and the look–thrown lazily around the neck–make it a style absolutely anyone can pull off and, as my friend promised, look cool.
London fashion is intrinsically forgiving. Maybe it’s the weather, or the fact that everyone is too busy to fuss much over what they wear. Loose layers and less structure make clothes flattering for all figures and even the runway shows, at least those by the female designers, featured more wearable, less body-conscious, designs that reflected and catered to the lifestyle of the modern woman: one who cares about her appearance but has more going for her than simply looking pretty.
Local London designer, Betty Jackson, beloved by women who want luxury and comfort in concert, eschewed any pretense of prettiness with her roomy, relaxed clothing that remained haute couture. Jackson has confessed to an aversion to dressing up and delivered a collection that upped the ante for casual wear. Another Englishwoman, Nicole Farhi (in business now for 27 years) featured feminine day and evening wear with silhouettes that skimmed rather than hugged the body. Her philosophy could have been the credo for London Fashion Week and for anyone seeking to attain genuine personal style:
“You should be true to yourself with the clothes you wear.”
Feature Writer Laura Kim Connell For Those About to Shop