While I don’t usually tend to run the pieces I do for other sites on A Girl, A Style, I thought this one (that I originally wrote for Glitter Guide a while back) would be fun in amidst all the Jubilee madness/Britannia love that is flying around at the moment.
From Mulberry bags to Burberry trench coats, Hunter wellingtons to Oxford brogues, bow ties and tweed jackets to pearls and lace, Prince William and James Bond to Paddington Bear and Fantastic Mr Fox… I truly love the English and their eccentricities.
So here is my take on the best bits about English style (for all the Anglophiles out there):
Embrace feminine/masculine extremes. Channel you inner dolly girl by wearing a full a-line mini skirt or lace dress with a topknot, pink cheeks and a length of ribbon tied at your waist, or wear a men’s Oxford shirt with a bow tie and brogues. Even better, clash the two and wear that dolly outfit with a boyfriend blazer and ankle boots, or the Oxford shirt tucked into the skirt with a wristful of jewels on top.
Rebellious nostalgia. We English are terribly fond of our classics: the dandy gentleman, countryside pursuits, lawn sports, the Royal Family, James Bond and nostalgic children’s books. But none of these things would be complete without a little rebellion too. So why not wear your grandmother’s pearls with your favourite old band tee, your prettiest lace dress with bed hair, or your most gorgeous heels with faded old jeans.
Serious irreverence. Though they may have a library full of literature, Friday night theatre dates, an in-depth knowledge of politics and an annual National Trust membership, English folk are a self-deprecating, sarcastic bunch who like to pretend don’t care. Don’t be afraid to have fun with your fashion; wear things that literally make you smile (pink glittery nails with a grownup tuxedo jacket), are absurdly ironic (I live in Cambridge and like to poke fun at the preppy Oxbridge intellectual style by teaming my crested blazer with bright pink chinos and high bow heels), or just plain silly (hello, novelty Christmas sweaters).
Revel in the tiny sartorial details. A silk handkerchief in a breast pocket, bright pink socks poking out of turned up trousers, a tiny golden charm necklace, a perfectly constructed umbrella, or bright red lips on grey days.
…and don’t forget life’s small pleasures. Drink tea out of your favourite pink china, buy a vintage-style bicycle and go for Sunday cycle rides in your favourite dress (bonus points for a bunch of flowers in the basket), read a classic novel, have a picnic and then kick of your shoes and run through the grass, eat cake for breakfast.
Do you love English style as much as I do? What are your favourite things about the British?
Love, Miss B xx
Great post! I do love the English style 🙂 I like it because it’s feminine, classy but never boring!!
xx
Really great post, it’s embodied all the things I love about English style. I also live in Cambridge, and it’s great seeing people trying to capture that whimsical English spirit. This has been really inspiring, well done!
You have just about covered it all! Such a lovely post, thank you 🙂 I have spent 56 years living English Style, don’t forget sitting on a Cornish Quay, eating a pasty and dodging seagulls, running hell for leather into the surf at Treyarnon Bay in the rain, marvelling at the sheer genius of Brunel as you walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge and listening to owls hooting in the dark, still nights of summer. xxx
This post was lovely! I must have missed it on Glitter Guide so I’m thrilled that you re-posted it! English fashion makes me swoon for all of the reasons you so prettily wrote about 🙂 Ps: I absolutely love your style (both fashion & writing) and am really glad you were chosen for Jimmy Choo campaign!
I’m madly in love with English style! That classic masculine touches are so charming and elegant! I just love everything British: the humour, the food (yeah! the food!), the cottages and the marvellous skin of the “english roses”! I would love to live in UK!
Lovely post! I absolutely adore the English style and England as a whole. Even though I’m a proud German girl, I’d love to live there for a certain time to really feel and live all this Britishness. 🙂 xxx
That’s such a great post 🙂 loved it! and I definitely be the stereotype of the english with drinking a lot of tea <.< especially at the moment. :'D but I wish I could be over there during the jubliee time :/
and I adore the outfit 😀
xoxo
Lovely ideas! I particularly love a bit of private school prep in my wardrobe. I think the funniest thing about all the Jubilee madness for me is that so many people are using British as synonymous with English. Great Britain encompasses more than just England but most things which are considered quintessentially British are actually English and rule out Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland who all have their own very strong cultural identities, particularly in dress.
Ahhh I love this! It’s so English and so true, plus you gave me some great ideas to try out 😉
Remember this post on GG and loved it 🙂 I adore British style and took many of your tips! Fantastic!
Such a fun style! I love British style with its trenchcoats and put together looks!
xx
Giovanna
http://www.oliveandanarrow.com
I’m jetting off to London next week and can’t wait to not only immerse myself in British culture, but British fashion as well. P.S. Your blog has been a godsend for planning both the London + Paris legs of my trip!
That red dress, I love that red dress! A whole lot of want…
Love the blog… it makes a girl all sentimental about London times gone by. x
I’ve recently developed a love for British style and have been building up my wardrobe to reflect that style. I’m glad I came across your blog for tips 🙂