By Anna Shoultz
No, the title isn’t some sort of travel-fueled Freudian slip. Yes, our location has an impact on the clothes we choose to wear. Take the concept of something sophisticated and insightful like ‘nature versus nurture’ and change that to ‘wear versus where’ and you’ll start to get the idea.
London is a cultural hub and that means that lots of people rock clothes in various styles. This can be intimidating for someone from, say, Wisconsin or Idaho in the United States. So, conversely, can what we wear really make an impact on how well we adjust to a new place?
The cultural context of our attire
Oversized t-shirts and yoga pants are the standard uniforms of a lot of university students in the United States. Going from casual loungewear at best to a large city where many people look like they have a personal stylist can be intimidating.
Even professional attire and popular brands in the States vary, so those with an established sense of style are still likely to make some changes.
It is not without preparation that Jeremy Doughty, 38, resident director of USAC in London moved to the UK capital. He says, “I’ve always sought ways to marry my interests in outdoor activities with my personal style. When I was in the U.S., I favoured brands like Patagonia, North Face, and Lululemon. When I moved to London, I developed a new interest in Barbour.”
He mentions that London is not defined by one single aesthetic, saying, “London offers you the freedom to define your own style and wear it with pride.”
Jeremy’s go-to London look is his Barbour waxed jacket, tweed flat cap (also from Barbour), either dark-wash slim jeans (from Ben Sherman) or light-wash slim jeans (from Polo Ralph Lauren), and black leather or camel-coloured suede Chelsea boots (from Clarks). In addition to this “signature” look, he also upgraded some elements of his professional look. For example, he purchased two new bags from Ted Baker and a Burberry trench coat.
Wardrobe while abroad, either short-term or full-time, is more than just picking the right outfit for an Instagram photo. What you wear can convey professionalism, personality, or simply that you care enough to make the effort.
Lauren Cremer, 21, interior architecture and design student at London Met, is from a conservative state in America and wishes she would have had the chance to experiment with more creativity when she was younger. She doesn’t feel self-conscious about her wardrobe here because, “[she] can step outside and see someone wearing something 10 times more bold and unique”.
“I’ve always had ‘London style’ in a sense where people would comment on how I gravitate towards long coats and Doc Martens, but since moving here I feel much more freedom to dress expressively as I don’t feel confined by the judgment of others.“
Adapting a wardrobe to still allow for self-expression while fitting in with a new set of standards is easier than it might sound.
Making a couple of pieces go a long way
The first step is thinking about a few pieces that can be used as essential, everyday staples. By taking an almost minimalistic approach, you can save some money and stress.
That unpredictable London weather that we all know and love ensures that one essential is some sort of overcoat. Whether it is a nice, versatile peacoat or a bright yellow rain jacket, the combination of style and function is a must.
Jeremy and Lauren both cite long coats and either Doc Martens or Chelsea boots as their idea of quintessential ‘London style’. However, Lauren takes an innovative approach to her style saying, “… what I wear under them has been the most fun to explore”.
So, when it’s all said and done, where we are impacts what we feel like we should be wearing but that same attire can help us feel more confident and creative in a given location.
Taking a few steps to immerse oneself into a new country can make a world of difference when it comes to everything from culture shock to wanting to feel a small sense of belonging. Individuality is always key, so keep that in mind as you browse your wardrobe.
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