by Jerramy Fine
Buy one pair of nice boots that you can wear with jeans or skirts.
Don’t be afraid to wear skirts1 for any and all occasions—even for casual outings to the park.
Invest in a pea coat that will last you a decade and a cocktail dress that will last a lifetime.
Wear pearls. They are simple, elegant, and go with everything. And compared to other jewelry, they are relatively inexpensive. Invest in a pair of studs and wear them everywhere.
Carry a timeless, versatile handbag. Longchamp is a catch-all classic that is reasonably priced until you can afford Mulberry or similar.
Heels? As often as you can. (See “City Shoes.”)
When in doubt, less is more. (Coco Chanel famously suggested that a woman should remove at least one accessory before leaving the house.)
If you’re unsure of the dress code, ask.
Remember: classy trumps cool every single time.
CITY SHOES
I’ve always believed a girl should keep her heels, head, and standards high. But heels shouldn’t be so ridiculously high that you look like a cartoon, and ultimately, you want to be able to walk! (You literally should be able to walk comfortably in your heels for a full mile—which is the minimum daily walk for most Londoners.) Two and a half inches is just about right; anything higher is perilously close to porn star territory.
London’s ancient cobblestones can be quite aggressive on both your shoes and your body—so when it comes to high heels, make sure you have a good cobbler and a good chiropractor close at hand! I’m a stickler for fashion, but it’s not a sign of weakness to admit that there are times when cute ballet flats or comfy leather riding boots might be more appropriate.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR (UNLESS YOU’RE AT THE GYM):
your sorority letters
baseball caps
sweatpants
running shoes
windbreakers
anything supporting a US football, basketball, or baseball team
Cambridge Chic
Be loyal to the royal within you.
—UNKNOWN
You absolutely cannot go wrong if you try to emulate the eternally fabulous Duchess of Cambridge. Kate is wonderful: always poised, always confident, and always classy. Not only will she be the first British queen with a university degree, but she has shown that no matter what your background may be, if you conduct yourself with the grace of a princess, you have every right to move in royal circles. Kate’s very presence on the balcony of Buckingham Palace has shown ordinary women (women who value ideals based on hard work, self-betterment, and unpretentiousness) that they too are worthy of a royal crown. While many have commented on how lucky she is to have married Prince William, personally, I think Prince William is lucky to have married her.
Part of Kate’s allure is that her fashion sense is pitch-perfect. She has perfected the art of “conservative chic,” and her love of classic staples, like tailored suits, tweed jackets, and suede boots, makes it clear that the girl was born to be a Windsor.
In a media age full of Paris Hiltons and Orange County Housewives, Kate has shown that a girl can be both modest and sexy—and if you wear something fitted and exquisitely cut, you don’t need a low neckline or short skirt. Kate has what I call the “there she is” factor—which is very different from the overly provocative “here I am” that seems to be preferred by so many modern celebrities. In fact, Kate is changing the very face of celebrity by injecting it with restraint; while others clamor to confess all, she maintains her regal silence. This is groundbreaking (if not downright radical) stuff.
I do wish Kate weren’t so heavy handed with her eyeliner, but she is leading the way when it comes to teaching England the value of a good American-style blow-dry. (Seriously, Kate’s blow-dry legacy is so important to the current state of British hair, the monarchy hardly needs to bother with any other charity work.)
Overall, your sartorial goal should be to attain the classic English look seen on Kate, her sister Pippa, and the other rosy-cheeked British girls that move within their affluent “Sloane Ranger” circle.
The term “Sloane Ranger” (often shortened to “Sloane”) refers to young upper-class or upper-middle-class Brits who tend to congregate near Chelsea’s fashionable Sloane Square (SW3). These people don’t buy new things, rather they inherit priceless things. In the Sloane Ranger world, it’s important to show that you are not a slave to fashion trends and would actually prefer to wear a vintage tweed jacket that once belonged to your grandmother than something flashy and expensive from Versace. It’s also important to work a subtle predilection for the countryside into your wardrobe. Remember: It’s not about looking cutting-edge; it’s about looking classic. Kate has managed to do this beautifully while adding her own contemporary touches.
Get the English Look
Know first who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.
—EPICTETUS (AD55—AD135)
City Chic
London winters are not hugely cold, so no need to bust out the UGGs and Columbia ski gear. Usually a wool pea coat and leather gloves are more than warm enough, and because it rarely snows, you are free to wear heeled boots all winter long without fear of slipping on the ice. (FYI: Top Shop is great for affordable, stylish pea coats.)
Conversely, London summers aren’t hugely hot, so no need for flip-flops or skimpy sunwear. Do as the Duchess of Cambridge does and spend your London days in knee-length skirts, patterned day dresses, cashmere cardigans, and wedge heels.
Countryside Chic
Before I came to England, the words “country” and “countryside” conjured up images of tractors, hay bales, cowboy boots, and corn festivals. I was raised in a town obsessed with rodeos, livestock auctions, and Day-Glo hunting gear, and as a result I wanted to get as far away from it all as possible. I wanted sophistication, I wanted culture, I wanted the city.
So you can imagine my surprise when I learned that in England, the countryside is sophisticated! Think pitchers of Pimm’s, polo matches, and cricket; think black-tie balls and hot mulled wine. There is nothing more English than walking your Labrador through a damp field on your way to the local pub, where you may or may not bump into Princess Anne.
In England, countryside means old school elegance, and thankfully there is not a ten-gallon hat or oversized belt buckle in sight. Even if you live in London, you should visit Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire at least once (while you’re there, be sure to browse Prince Charles’s organic farm shop at Highgrove.)
That said, countryside chic means obtaining the following essentials:
a perfectly fitted tweed jacket (preferably from the Duchess of Cambridge’s preferred designer Katherine Hooker, www.katherinehooker.com/)
a neutral-colored cashmere sweater
a pair of classic Wellington boots (always from Hunter and always in green)—these are vital for wet, muddy weather, www.hunter-boot.com
a quilted Barbour jacket, www.barbour.com
a newfound love for ruddy cheeks and windswept hair
Seaside Chic
In her earlier, more casual days, Kate sported a look known as “Fulham-by-the-Sea”—meaning this is what girls who live in SW6 would wear if they were spending the afternoon enjoying a brisk walk along the Devon coast. This look is still widely popular (you guessed it) in Fulham and by the sea—both of which are worth a visit. It consists of:
designer jeans (Trilogy employs a fantastic “jean genie,” which means you don’t have to try on more than three pairs. www.trilogystores.co.uk)
a “puffa” (a down vest)
a pashmina (The test of a genuine wool pashmina is to thread it through a wedding ring; if it doesn’t slide through easily, it’s too thick, and therefore of lesser quality.)
Nightclub Chic
If you want to get through the doors of London’s elite clubs (and even better, catch the eye of one of London’s elite bachelors), the royal aim here is youthful, understated elegance, not girls gone wild. Reme
mber: nothing too trendy and nothing too trashy. Essential nightclub staples include:
a shift or wrap dress
two-and-a-half-inch patent or suede heels in nude or black
a small clutch
simple, statement jewelry
Dressing for the Weather
For months the sky has been a depthless gray. Sometimes it rains but mostly it is just dull. It’s like living inside a Tupperware.
—BILL BRYSON
I’ve never been the type of person to be affected by the weather. As long as I am warm enough, cool enough, or have an umbrella to protect my hair—the daily forecast has no bearing on my mood. I grew up in Colorado and I went to college in upstate New York—I’ve seen my fair share of blizzards and secretly enjoy them. (I never understood my college roommate who used a special UV sunlamp to stop her from plunging into depression.) So when it came to London weather, I was hardly daunted—I mean really, how extreme could it be?
Well, that’s just it. It’s not extreme at all. In fact, it’s extremely tedious in its lack of extremes. Bright gray. Bright gray. Bright gray. Light rain. Bright gray. Bright gray. Bright gray. Light rain. Repeat ad nauseam. (In fact, I’ve never understood why the British are so obsessed with talking about the weather, because the weather changes so very little!)
For the first ten years, I was absolutely fine—I was in London! Who cares what color the sky is? But, like Chinese water torture, slowly but surely it starts to wear on you, and slowly but surely it starts to drive you quietly insane.
You don’t realize how amazing blue skies are until you are permanently deprived of them (but on the plus side, no sunshine means no sun damage, which means you’ll have great skin when you get older). On the rare occasion that the sun does come out, the Brits go bonkers: The parks are full of pale, pasty people in shorts and bikinis—all crazed with fear that if they don’t sunbathe immediately, they may never feel the sun’s warmth on their skin ever again (even if it’s barely sixty degrees outside).
Which brings me to the small matter of it being approximately fifty-two to sixty-two degrees outside every single day—too cold for a sundress, too warm for chunky knits—forcing you to live in a constant state of lukewarm layers. Frustrating, but it can be done.
Always carry an umbrella. Always.
Always carry sunglasses. It may be gray, but it can still be bright.
Neutral T-shirts and tank tops will become your layering staples (white, black, navy, and beige).
Always have a coordinated second layer (cardigan, blazer, pashmina, or light raincoat).
Learn to embrace knee-high boots and opaque tights (so you can still wear skirts when it’s chilly).
Waterproof all your shoes (especially the suede).
Take vitamin D supplements.
Wear blush so you don’t look like a ghost (but not so much that you look like a clown).
“Fancy Dress”
If you see this on an invitation, it does not mean to wear your fanciest cocktail dress; it means that you are required to dress in costume, and the costume in question is usually bizarrely themed (e.g., “Dress as Your Favorite Tube Station,” “Dress as Your Favorite Vegetable,” etc—the wackier the better and the more the Brits seem to love it). When I first moved to England, I didn’t quite understand the constant British obsession with costume parties. Prior to landing on UK shores, the last time I remembered going to a party where a costume was required (other than Halloween) I was in third grade. But in London I suddenly found myself attending fancy dress parties practically every month. I once went to a party themed “Dress as Your Hero,” and because I went as Grace Kelly, thankfully I still managed to wear my fanciest cocktail dress.
UK Sizes
For some reason there are only four sizes in this country: 8, 10, 12, and 14. (Apparently larger sizes exist, but I have never seen them out on the racks. Ever.)
I’m petite, but I’m pear-shaped, so I have to buy small tops and larger bottoms. In America, I wear a size 4 blouse and size 6 pants. In the UK, I wear a size 8 blouse and trousers in size 12. So as a general rule, double the size of what you wore in America and that will usually give you your size in the UK.
Shoes can be even trickier because there are UK and European sizes and they are both totally different from US sizes.
Savvy Shopping
If I were you, I’d buy most of my clothes in America. I know it sounds weird, but I’m serious. Certain American stores are good at producing relatively inexpensive pieces of good quality that are simple and classic, with a fashionably preppy twist. Even if the only stores you hit are Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and J.Crew, the clothes will be at least 30 percent cheaper than in the UK, and you won’t look like every other girl in London, who’s draped in a hodgepodge of catwalk knockoffs that will go out of style within the month. To their credit, British girls are unabashedly experimental when it comes to their fashion choices, and no one could accuse them of not being individualistic. Some even look quite cool. But classy?
This is where you come in. American women are world renowned for their classic grooming, their understated elegance, and their overall polish. Which is precisely why all those lonely Jude Law types will be so intrigued to meet you…
If you can’t resist shopping in the UK (and believe me, very few can resist), don’t walk straight into Burberry and Aquascutum. I love these stores (How can you not? Have you seen the guys in their ad campaigns?), but there are more enduring ways to spend your precious pence.
The UK is unique in that it has a fabulous “high street” line of shops. “High street” is another way of saying “main street”—and shops found on the high street (as opposed to Bond Street!2 are much more affordable than their couture counterparts.
My favorite of the high street chains is L.K. Bennett. Any piece from this ladylike yet quintessentially British store (be it a coat, a dress, a handbag, or a pair of peep-toe heels) will last you forever and is guaranteed to be acceptable for any English social occasion. (You’ll note that the Duchess of Cambridge agrees with me, as many of her most worn accessories come from here.) www.lkbennett.com3
ALSO TRY:
Hobbs (for fitted suits and gorgeous day dresses), www.hobbs.co.uk/
Brora (for exquisite Scottish cashmere; these sweaters last decades without a trace of pilling), www.brora.co.uk
Joules (for fun, country casuals), www.joules.com
Russell & Bromley (for classic city boots) www.russellandbromley.co.uk
Blue Velvet (for beautiful, affordable ballet flats) www.bluevelvetshoes.com
BEST AREAS FOR SHOPPING:
Covent Garden
High Street Kensington
King’s Road
Marylebone High Street (Be sure to stop at Daunts bookshop while you’re there—pure bookworm bliss.)
Regent’s Street
Richmond (George Street and Hill Rise)
SHOPPING AREAS TO AVOID:
Harrods (too touristy!—although you should at least see the Food Hall once in your lifetime)
Knightsbridge (too touristy!)
New Bond Street (too expensive—but fun to window shop)
Oxford Street (too crowded! and too touristy!)
Portobello Road (unless you like flea markets)
Sloane Street (too expensive—but fun to window shop)
Westfield Shopping Centre (London is a city where you shop on the street, never at the mall.)
American Beauty
There are no ugly women, only lazy women.
—HELENA RUBINSTEIN
This summer I was sitting in the beer garden of a pleasant West London pub, when I spotted two women sharing a bottle of white wine.
The girl on the left was wearing well-fitting jeans and a simple navy-and-white striped T-shirt; her hair was clean and sprinkled with a few impeccably placed highlights; her nails were neatly trimmed and painted nude pink. She had a larger than average nose, but her cheeks had color and her skin tone was even.
Her makeup was expertly applied, and her large eyes and perfect lips were subtly emphasized so that her natural beauty shone through.
The girl on the right was wearing a patterned dress in a style that was considered “in this season” but that absolutely did not suit her figure. (I could tell that she definitely cared about and put an effort into what she was wearing; she just had no clue what colors and proportions were appropriate for her body.) Her dark hair was slightly greasy and sloppily tied back. She was blessed with pretty features, but her complexion was pasty and her eyeliner was badly smudged, which gave her a subtle panda-like look.
I couldn’t hear their voices, but I had a hunch that one was American and one was British, so I walked past their table to see if I was correct—and of course I was.
Can you guess which girl was which?
While the Brits love fashion, they haven’t quite caught up with Americans when it comes to hair, makeup, and overall grooming. I’m not quite sure why this is. It might be because salon services are twice as expensive as they are in America. (For instance, a pedicure of mediocre quality costs roughly $100.) It might be because British women simply don’t know how to blow-dry their hair or the correct way to apply concealer. Or it might be that a long, long time ago, the only women in England that bothered do their hair and makeup were prostitutes—and so for many years afterward, any woman who dared to paint her nails was deemed an automatic whore. Thankfully, attitudes like this have moved on somewhat, but whatever the reason, the natural American urge to look pristinely polished has not yet been wholly embraced by British women.
To their credit, there are some British women who have been blessed with shiny, maintenance-free hair (that requires neither products nor heat-styling to look gorgeous) and startlingly clear skin that glows without the help of blush or pressed powder. A girl like this is what you might call a true English rose. Excellent examples are Sophie Dahl, Rosamund Pike, Kate Winslet, and of course our beloved Duchess of Cambridge. (In fact, the lovely Kate is so unusually well polished she’s practically an honorary American.)