Birthplace of the Beatles and the British crown, London encourages you to never do things by halves and the sharp street style of its population are testament to this.
From rebellious edge to aristocratic chic to the babydoll trend, focus on the five mantras of fashion-conscious Londoners:
- Never without my jacket: This zipped leather jacket is timeless and achieves a beaten up look over time. It goes perfectly with jeans or a floral jacket in spring. The woman to watch: Kate Moss, the most British of top models, whose grunge look remains the primary source of inspiration. The supermodel can also swap her jacket: leopard coat plays the supporting roles and it’s just as scandalous.
- Don’t be shy: While the temperatures aren’t always so mild on the other side of the Channel, the English brave the weather to show off their legs in the rain, wind or snow. At stake? A slightly shy babydoll figure. The woman to watch: Alexa Chung. In a trapeze mini dress with a Peter Pan collar or vinyl mini skirt, the beautiful Englishwoman masters the preppy and ingenuous allure. Pragmatic, she stays warm with a British trench coat or an oversized Irish knitted jumper.
- Stay in check: Tartan straight from Scotland is a print we should remember on this side of the Channel. Sometimes rebellious like a punk or a bit aristocratic, tartan creates outfits with strong silhouettes and bright colours. The women to watch: the top model Adwoah Aboah moves the print to a streetwear version, showing it off with an oversized down jacket and a pair of boots. A royal version, Meghan Markle wears tartan as a coat, a well-behaved but equally effective interpretation.
- Run away: We’re stealing Londoners’ great taste in tailoring – masculine wide leg trousers but feminized with a tight cut top and high heels. The woman to watch: Victoria Beckham. Royal blue, beige, printed… There’s XXL trousers in every colour in her wardrobe to maximize their look.
- Chic all-in-one: How can you be sophisticated without any effort? By wearing a perfectly tailored coat. Cashmere wool coats in navy blue, black or camel, it dresses us in the blink of an eye… Women to watch: Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton. Giving it the royal seal of approval, they match their coats with elegant pumps… So chic!