A couple of weeks before I left for London, I spent a day with ER downtown Chicago. While perusing the merchandise in the shoe department at Macy's on State Street, we were recruited to get our makeup done for free at the Dior cosmetic counter. Should we have read between the lines of this invitation? No matter, we couldn't resist, so downstairs we went in search of Dior. My makeup was done by Jim, a tall, broad-shouldered man (not gay, believe it or not) who looked like he could have been in the Mafia. (Thankfully, his weapon of choice was a natural fiber blush brush.) We did the small talk thing and he told me he was originally from New Jersey, but spent his formative years learning makeup application in New York City. I let him know that I would be leaving for London soon, etc, etc. Having acquired knowledge of style and fashion after living in New York and working in the beauty industry, Jim said that people in London have no sense of style. I didn't really believe him when he said this because it was my assumption that all large European cities are years ahead of the US when it comes to couture.
Now that I have had about a month to observe people in London, I quite agree with Jim. I am no style expert, but seriously people (women primarily), tone it down! Pick one trend and run with it; don't try to do all of them at once, please. Skinny, tapered jeans are a (questionable) fashion statement when worn alone-- you don't need to put them with a long shirt-dress AND a chunky belt AND a bead necklace AND a scarf AND side ponytail. And the leggings! With slouch boots! And a denim mini-skirt! Are we in 1988 suddenly?
And now the other extreme: I am sitting at the Institute right now and I just saw a woman walk past wearing a full face veil--a niqab. That's right, she was completely covered as if she were wearing a birqa, the Taliban-mandated look for women in Afghanistan. Nothing exposed except for her eyes and hands! Well, at least she doesn't have to worry about trends...
To be fair, there are lots of people who dress in the standard jeans and 'jumpers' (sweaters). So, I fit in quite well, thankfully.