The urban space-centric, youth-associated fashion term ‘street style’ has gained overwhelming popularity in recent years. Besides being varied in different parts of the world, inspired by local cultures of the places, it is sometimes influenced by global trends, too, like the most recent athleisure trend.
On our recent visit to London, one of the fashion hubs of the world, the street style not only amazed us but inspired us enough to create a photo story and decode the styles and trends. Street style in London is not just about the youth, but irrespective of age and gender. The Britishers’ sense of style has always been labelled as classy. However, in recent years the city being home to a cosmopolitan culture and welcoming tourists from all over the world, left us exposed to street styles that are not just classy but of an eclectic variety. Varied and versatile, here are some of our picks from the exploration:
ANIMAL PRINTS:
Roughly since the 1930s, animal print started influencing women’s fashion and has several times down the decades claimed a position as a popular choice in women’s fashion, especially in the 1960s and 1980s. Since the last decade, it is back in the fashion scenario and we spotted it many times on the London streets. While there are many popular ones like leopard, snake, zebra and tiger, the cheetah and the leopard print were the common ones that we spotted.
BOOTS, HATS AND CAPS:
The history of boots in the fashion industry dates back to many centuries ago. Though different types of boots have become popular during different eras, the 1960s and 1970s saw its popularity to the hilt. Boots have also been a part of the London fashion scene historically, considering the famous Wellington and Chelsea boots that were designed by native shoemakers of the city. However, boots internationally made a stunning comeback in the 21st century, with people embracing a variety of styles. Even with the comfy sneakers invading the fashion scenes globally in the 21st century, boots hold a favourable spot with fashionistas in recent times. We loved the pairing of black-and-white outfit with grey boots, the cowboy hat and calf-length boots and the commonly spotted ankle-length leather boots with flat soles paired with the beret hat.
ATHLEISURE:
Comfort and style goes hand in hand in this post-pandemic trend that took the fashion world by storm in the last two years. Going beyond gyms and workout sessions, athleisure has rapidly become a popular choice and is ruling the ramps, street fashion and airport looks scenes. The streets were testimony to the fact that it caught on well with the Londoners too.
FRINGES:
This year, fringes are trending big time in the fashion world. However, England or the European countries’ association with this style goes centuries back. With the trend’s comeback in the fashion scenario, it was no surprise to spot it as a popular street style in this fashion city.
TRENCH COAT:
Classic to the British fashion scenario, the trench coat was of course the most widely spotted style on the London streets. Right from the classic beige, black and white to the solid pop-coloured ones like pink, blue and green. Be it walking down the roads or cycling, trench coats spell out a sense of comfort alongside style for the London fashionistas.
DENIM:
Denims are just right for the autumn weather in most places around the world. However, the Britishers became familiar with this popular European and American fabric much later. While denim was a staple in the American countries and Europe, it never had a convincing market in the UK. In recent years, with denims topping the trends and London being home to a cosmopolitan culture, a variety of denim styles were widely spotted on the London streets.
CLASSIC BLACK-AND-WHITE AND POP COLOURS:
While Britishers have embraced colours down the years, they were long known for their love for the dark shades and the classic colour palette of blue, black, grey and beige. While we were amazed to spot their love for pop colours and braving colours like lilac, shades of green, blue, bright pink and yellow in formals, semi-formals and casuals alike, their love for the classic black-and-white also remains alongside.
LEATHER:
Well when it comes to leather, it is not just a popular choice for boots but apparel as well. And spotting classy styles on London streets, a city known for being a major player in the fashion industry, is common. While solid-shaded trench coats, prints and woolen puffy outfits were more common, it was interesting to spot leather trousers too. The rock-n-roll, Hollywood and punk fashion-inspired style that found enduring popularity in women’s fashion continues to rule wardrobes as a popular autumn-winter style.
CHECKS:
The one style that has remained synonymous to the British countries over the centuries is different check patterns on cotton or woven fabric.The tartan fabric, gingham fabric or argyle pattern are all native styles of the place and of course predominate the street style in general.
Designer Abhishek Dutta joined us on the third day and picked a few styles for The Telegraph’s street-style album:
A complete cobalt blue look from head to toe. Matching outfit with a matching bandana, styled with intresting accessories, too.
Pink trench coat with a typograph muffler, teamed with shorts and the guy styled it classic in a leather jacket with fur collar teamed with a white T-shirt and denim pants.
Bags are something people spend more on than any other accessories out there and it’s an integral part of their fashion. I loved how she used the bag to carry her dog.
Puffer jackets worn right in interesting faux fur.
A bling sequinned jacket worn during the day.
Classic British styles but in refreshing mint green shades.