Firstly I would like to thank all my lovely readers for their kind comments following my last post. I am continuing to follow doctors orders and taking plenty of rest. I am feeling much better so service should be back to normal. I am honoured to be co-operating with Susan of Unefemme.net for todays post. She is one of my favourite bloggers. If you are not familiar with her blog you must check it out. It is full of practical information especially on how to travel light.
Can you discern an English woman from an American by her style, her wit, her history and her creativity? This raised for me the question about whether this applies to all nationalities.
Are certain characteristics composed of manners, attitude, virtues and idiosyncrasies? Are we so multi cultural that our national characteristics have become too diverse to quantify?
We do trend to categorise French women by their unique style. This is often based on Parisian style. As I spend a few months a year in the South of France I can attest that women there dress more casually.
Susan of UneFemme thought it would be interesting to explore the difference in style between a “Brit” and a “Yank. This is a massive generalisation as Susan lives in Los Angeles and I live in London so our judgement will be biased by our geographical locations.
SHOWN ABOVE: DRESS // CAPE // BAG // SHOES // EARRINGS // SCENT
To illustrate the differences/similarities of how we might dress for three social situations. We will be covering a visit to the theatre, a trip to an art gallery and dinner/cocktails over the next couple of weeks.
Today we are discussing a trip to the theatre. I may be old-fashioned, but I believe that dressing up matters. For me going out to the theatre is special and very enjoyable. On a few recent visits to “theatreland” in London I was surprised by the lack of “sartorial elegance”. Jeans, trainers and sloppy tee shirts. These days theatre tickets are expensive. It costs a lot to put on a good production; not to mention the hours of hard work by the actors and actresses to ensure the play is a success.
For me part of the pleasure of an evening out is putting on my make-up and choosing what to wear. It is one of the few occasions that I wear a dress, somehow it makes me feel more feminine. I have teamed this long sleeved velvet dress with a wool wrap (from a selection), toning shoes and clutch bag (unfortunately sold out similar) A pair of classic gold hoop earrings (similar) complete the look.
I would say that us Brits are slightly more formal and possibly classic. Pop over to Unefemme. I love her style. I would describe it as Chic yet relaxed. Take a look and compare. Let us know what you think.
SHOP THE POST
So pleased you’re taking the doctor’s advice ! Rest , nature’s healer. I do agree with you, its lovely to dress up for special occasions, something I fear we may be losing, a theatre trip is a classic example of dressing down and not making any effort. Another example I find is at the airport, you don’t have to be scruffy to be comfortable. On a recent cruise I was amazed at how some people hadn’t bothered to change out of their jeans and trainers for dinner. I sound rather old fashioned I know but feel rather strongly that these trends have come from across the Atlantic. Let’s follow the French !
Author
I so agree Viv. I am doing my best to keep up standards. Even on the flight back to London not feeling too good. I wore my new J.Crew jacket with are large ethnic print scarf wrapped round my shoulders.
I may never understand why people are so determined to dress the same (super casual) for every occasion. I admit to being very casual in my daily life, but I LOVE an opportunity to dress up for an occasion! Putting together a fabulous outfit is so much fun. I’ve even worked out a few very comfortable, but stylish, travel outfits, so I’m not those sloppy people in the airport!
I so agree Jill Ann it does not take much to put some decent clothes (preferably washable just in case) when you go to the airport.
The link up with Une Femme is a fun idea! There is something dispiriting about putting a lot of effort into dressing for a much anticipated outing and then getting there to find a sea of clothing that could be for supermarket shopping. A lot of London theatre tickets are sold to tourists and weekend visitors and as most people only “do” carry on luggage now They won’t include dressed up clothing in their limited space. Outside London, certainly here in the south west people do still dress up a bit more for a night at a big theatre, I’d be interested to hear what people in the North or Scotland think?
One last thing – call us actors, it isn’t a huge deal but most women actors call themselves that these days.
Hi Maureen
You are right I probably should have said actresses as well as actors.
Even travelling light it does not take much to do ones hair and make-up and add a piece of statement jewellery.
A chef difference? Hats!
Lovely to hear like minded people who like to dress well for a trip to the theatre etc.
I went to the Chicago Opera House a few months past to see the wonderful production of The Sound of Music and couldn’t believe how some people dressed. Where is the pride anymore of people? I am so sick of seeing ratty old jeans on older women and crummy t-shirts with messages and pictures on them. Let is all hang out is now touching the ground.
I agree Sarah. I think all we can do is continue to keep our own standards as high as possible and set an example.
For many of us who live in London, a night at the theatre is a regular part of our routine so much so that it is not a “special occasion”. We go from the office straight to the theatre with or without clients. For opera/ballet at Covent Garden, I might change to heels and add a scarf or wrap for evening. Otherwise, keeping it simple is always best. The Bruce Oldfield dress you have selected is gorgeous.
Even if it is not a special occasion outing (theater, dinner party, art gallery etc., I like to dress up to go to church each week. But the style of dress has changed drastically with the younger generation. They dress in jeans and tee shirts to go EVERYWHERE. Some even shop in their pajamas. Seems as if style has gone out the window!
Just wait, suddenly it will be IN to dress up again!
I do hope so Kathryn
I volunteer in a nearly new shop attached to a local Hospice so I am always looking out for nice quality clothes and usually manage to find something every week. My next requirement will definitely be a wrap! Whenever I go out for a meal I always make the effort to look smart but unfortunately some of my friends seem to wear very casual clothes,and I feel a bit overdressed then I think at my age I can wear what I like! Style rather than fashion is important.
I agree Rosemary definitely style rather than fashion. I don’t mind feeling a bit overdressed as long as it is not too glitzy but then that is not my style.
Although standards have dropped considerably in the 40+ years I have been attending operas at the new Met (the old Met before that, which is no longer), I still see beautifully dressed women at the opera. Although….I must admit that most of them turn out to be European. As a bi-national, bi-lingual French-American, I find it sad when either side lets me down.
Josephine, I love the idea of you collaborating with Susan. She’s wonderful.
Cheers, Marie-Thérèse
Good for you Sylvia. I do think that we act as role models for out daughters. I definitely got my sense of style from my mother.