The unpredictable British weather plays where important role in deciding What to Wear in London. The basics of fashion always state that wear what you feel comfortable with while staying stylish.
British fashion is no exception to the fashion in Europe. London’s fashion scene is diverse and eclectic to the core.
The world watches and admires the standards set by the British fashion industry. As London is part of Europe, we need to understand the history of fashion on the continent.
1. History of Fashion in Europe
The history of fashion in Europe is very interesting and diverse as it has always been influenced by various factors like social, political, and economic situations. Here in this article, we will look at European Fashion history in brief.
1.1 Middle Ages Clothing
Clothing in this era was highly influenced by social reputation and hierarchy. The royal family members or the people who had high status used to wear clothes made of expensive fabrics and those clothes were heavily embroidered.
Their clothing was also designed with the help of jewels and fur. The peasants in those times used to wear clothes that were simple in style and which were more practical to use for everyday life.
1.2 Renaissance
Renaissance introduced a different and more natural type of clothing. It introduced more structured and well-balanced clothing for both men and women.
The cities in Taly like Florence and Venice became the central hub for this new trend and shift in the European fashion industry. This era introduced skirts to women and well-fitted doublets for men.
The early Renaissance said goodbye to elongated silhouettes which were prominent in the Gothic era. Loose waistline clothes became a more popular style. Designer and decorative sleeves became more usual.
As time passed High Renaissance introduced a broad neckline in clothes and the flat bodice became fashionable. Skirts also became more fashionable and a lot more eye-catching designs were introduced.
More tailored and fitting Doublets became a fashion and those were used with matching codpieces. Later on, Breeches became shorter, and much more embroidery and decorative styles were used.
In this period fashion was influenced by richness as rich people used more heavily decorated clothes which used to look more luxurious. Art and literature also were the driving force behind these fashion trends at that time.
1.3 17th and 18th Century Fashion in Europe
Baroque and Rococo were fashion styles highly influenced by art and literature.
In the 17th century under the Baroque period, the upper class of the society wore clothing made of luxurious fabrics like silk, satin, and velvet decorated by embroidery. Women’s clothing and men’s clothing both were enhanced by many things. Men’s fashion had decorative buttons and knee-length breeches.
Rococo clothing style emerged in the 18th century and it forced the departure of heavy ornamentation of the Baroque era. Rococo fashion introduced a romantic feel through light colors like pink, blue, and lavender.
Men’s clothing was enhanced by the usage of bows and women’s clothing was made attractive by lightweight fabrics like cotton and silk. Ribbons and flowers were often used in women’s hairstyles.
Attractive hats decorated with ribbons and feathers were introduced in this era of fashion in Europe.
1.4 Neoclassical Clothing
The 18th century witnessed a movement that emerged against the excess of the Rococo style. It was an artistic movement that demanded simplicity and rationality and it was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art.
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Neoclassical dresses were made by sift and breathable fabrics like cotton. This type of clothing had very little use for decoration and embroidery.
Heavy ornamentation was absent from Neoclassical clothing. Men’s clothing was masculine and more classical. Accessories in this clothing were minimal.
1.5 Victorian Era Clothing Decided What to Wear in London
The early 20th century witnessed Victorian Era Clothing. This era was filled with many technological events and cultural changes.
It was a major factor at that time to decide what to wear in London. This era was divided into three parts – The early Victorian era introduced day and evening dresses bonnet hats, and hourglass-figured clothing.
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The mid-victorian era clothing was made of rich clothing like silk and velvet. The late Victorian era introduced separate ties and coolers in men’s clothing. Women’s dresses were a lot slimmer compared to the past extreme volume of the bustle era.
1.6 20th-Century Clothing
Fashion and trends in the 20th century deeply influenced many social, economic, and political events. This century was filled with many events decade after decade.
Fashion in the 20th century had impacts of World War I, the Depression era, World War II impact, Post-war Glamour, Disco, and the Hippe era. The Depression-era taught less extravagant clothing’s importance.
The war’s military impact also influenced Civilian fashion. The Disco fashion era introduced metallic fabrics and platform shoes. The Hippe era was of bell-bottom pants and flowy dresses.
In 1990 the trends were shifted to minimalistic fashion with natural colours and ripped jeans became famous. Each decade in the 20th century was influenced by events that took in Europe.
1.7 21st Century Fashion in Europe
21st-century clothing in Europe is highly influenced by Technology. It is evolving continuously and is defined by cultural shifts and the desire for individuality.
The fashion in the 21st century moved towards more relaxed styles. The has shifted from quantity to quality of clothes. People feel more comfortable in jeans and T-shirts. People are inclined towards more eco-friendly clothing options.
Urban fashion is more influenced by streetwear. Customers prefer oversized jackets and hoodies and these choices are more prominent in cities like London, Paris, and Berlin.
Logo-centri fashion clothing is becoming more popular than ever in urban regions. Uni-sex clothing or gender-neutral clothing has become more popular because of various social norms in society. Even vintage clothing from the style of the 80s and 90s is attracting many users.
Technology-driven fashion is taking place over various traditional fashion styles. There is the rise of many high-tech fabrics which offer great comfort levels and are gaining prominence.
The technology has introduced wearable accessories and many garments that are compatible with the latest technological innovations. Fashion in Europe is now highly influenced by many events at the global level.
Minimalistic designs with simple decoratives and soothing colors are choices of the current fashion trends in Europe. Now people do not hesitate to mix and match styles and they want to dress up according to their personality. European customers now want more affordable fashion items combined with great personalized style.
1.8 Online Shopping and Influencer Culture in European Clothing
Influencer culture is very prominent in the European fashion market in the 21st century and it decides what to wear in London in the 21st century. People are looking for tips from their favorite influencers to buy clothes. Along with influencer shopping online shopping is also driving a lot of traffic to e-commerce stores.
In the era of online shopping websites, European consumers find their favorite clothing brands just a click away from the comfort of their homes. Online shopping has open global access to many brands.
Many Europeans can order clothes from their favorite brands which do not have any physical presence in their region.
With influencer marketing the new fashion trends are easily promoted to all Europeans on their laptops or mobile devices.
Influencer marketing helps consumers to stay updated with the latest fashion trends. Many influencers collaborate with brands and promote their products to their followers.
Online shopping websites use their algorithms to fetch the likes and dislikes of their users and target their audiences with suitable products. This gives the user a more personalized shopping experience.
With the help of e-commerce stores users are directly connected to their favorite brands. Social media also plays an important role in spreading the latest trends to friends.
Online shipping and influencer marketing revolutionalized and democratized the European fashion industry. It has changed and amplified the way consumers interact with the brands.
2. Latest Fashion Tips – What to Wear in London
London has been a dream city for many people who are updated with fashion trends to display their fashion tastes and dressing styles. The unpredictable British weather has always been a key factor in what to wear in London.
It is mandatory to check the weather forecast to be prepared for the clothing choices in London. Do not hesitate to make your mix-and-match style according to your personality. The basic essence of fashion is to be comfortable with what you wear.
London is very well known for its diversity in population. Many people across the globe travel and work in London and they bring their unique fashion styles and fashion values to the city.
The city’s weather is unpredictable hence it is advisable to dress up in layers. This can help you to be prepared and decide what to wear in London.
2.1 What to Wear in London for Casual Daily Dressing
You can opt for very neutral-colored blue jeans or trousers for daily use. It will be very relaxing and the most comfortable clothing option. Along with jeans, you can select matching T-shirts and tops.
Wearing a light sweater is always a good option as the London weather can change anytime. Choosing comfortable walking footwear, especially shoes or sneakers should solve the confusion about what to wear in London for daily use.
2.2 Outerwear
Depending on the weather conditions you can select a warm jacket for a slightly chilly climate. A Wool coat should be a fine option for cold days. If it is raining heavily then you can opt for Raincoat or trench coat. You can opt for accessories like wearing a scarf with the matching color of your outfit and carrying a small umbrella. In cold weather, a hat and gloves can be a useful choice for protection for the cold weather.
As London is a multi-cultural city, you can freely dress up in your ethnic wear for any cultural event. You can display your identity to the public and feel free to express yourself and discard all your confusion or doubts about what to wear in London for cultural events.
In case you are invited for any formal event then it is highly recommended to check for the dress code before you arrive at the venue. Some formal events require formal attire and you should plan your clothing according to the event.
2.3 What to Wear in London – Corporate Offices
Dressing up for corporate office culture is a frequently searched topic on the internet. In London, you are expected to wear polished and professional attire at the corporate office. Men can wear suits with classic colors like navy blue or dark grey.
Men can wear a light-coloured shirt and matching colored tie which complements the attire. Shoes must be well polished and dirt-free and a leather belt can complete men’s attire for a professional corporate office in London.
Women can wear skirt suits with neutral and eye-soothing colors and skirts should be knee-length or below. Women should avoid high heels and should go with closed-toe footwear. It is advisable to avoid overuse of jewelry and should prefer a delicate necklace.
2.4 What to Wear in London – Special Occasions
London is a global city that hosts many kinds of events and it requires a balance between style and comfort to decide What to Wear in London for any Special Occasion.
2.4.1 Weddings
Men should wear a well-fitted suit with a light-colored shirt with clean shoes. You need to make sure that you do not overshadow the groom.
Women can choose a formal gown paired with heels, a well complimenting jewelry, and a clutch.
2.4.2 Restaurant Dining
Men can wear a blazer over a well-fitted shirt with well-polished shoes. Women can opt for elegant clothing with tasteful accessories.
2.4.3 Reception Party
Men can wear stylish loafers or stylish sneakers with a well-fitting suit or blazer, There is no necessity for a tie as it is a more relaxed kind of event. Women can opt for a stylish outfit and choose unique accessories. It is advisable to use stylish but comfortable footwear.
3. Conclusion
Remember London is a global city and you need to be well dressed according to the occasion. Fashion should be adopted as per the comfort level and it is a very personal affair.
You should not be overdressed or underdressed for any gathering or function. It is always recommended to check the dress code before showing up at any public function.
Before deciding What to Wear in London for any event or occasion it is advisable to choose between neutral and light-coloured clothes.
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Last Updated on by Janhavi Ramesh Kowligi
