BRITISH STYLE

Victoria, B.C. Canada

British style is a certain look that is definable, no matter how times have changed. I am just returning from a week in Victoria, for my nephews wedding. Whenever, I return to my home town of Victoria, I feel somehow that I have time traveled to Britain in a previous decade. Since both of my parents were immigrants from Great Britain and my place of birth, I have some experience of this British Style there.

First we have things like the English Sweet Shop, an extraordinary trip into British candy that rivals any shop in England it's self. Here you can treat yourself to "Hell of a Lot Drops", or any number of Cadbury's chocolate bars. Furthermore you don't have to wander too far from the British Sweet Shop, to have high tea at the Empress Hotel. In fact the hotel takes you back to the days of Colonialism, having only closed it's legendary Bengal Room in 2016.

Certainly, the Bengal room would be politically incorrect for today's more delicate sensibilities. However, my Great Auntie Maud (our only relative in Victoria), would take me as a child on my birthday to this fantastical Indian world. Waiters dressed resplendent in red jackets and turbans, served guests who wore their finery. Certainly, Auntie Maud dressed the part, I remember her fitted black dress with hat, her mink coat and a delicate mink brooch, that was her go to. Of course, I am not in favor of these cultural appropriations, and certainly, don't want to endorse that in any way. My nostalgia is a sentimentality for the past, with many happy personal memories.

VERY BRITISH STYLE

Victoria is a place where 40 years ago there were fish and chip shops in almost every neighborhood. The main park in the city did not have a baseball diamond but a cricket pitch. It was an environment that influenced my sense of style. As well as the previous mentioned British businesses, there were also a collection of British clothiers. In fact, these stores imported British woolens, raincoats, tweeds and tartans, just to mention a few. However these stores catered to the more affluent and, we received clothes sent from England. Victoria was also home to the first Marks and Spencer's in Canada.

NATIONAL STYLE'S

The fashion world is made up of four centers with their own unique styles. The fashion center's of the world all have their own unique style's. First, are the French , (in no particular order). Certainly, the French have an ease and coolness that is typically French style. The perfect white shirt with impeccable trousers or the soft blue and beige palette say France. French women are into neutrals – a lot of beige, grey, navy, black and white. Certainly the french woman loves minimalism. In fact darling's the word chic is French.

While the Italians have a luxury that seems so effortless, they never steer away from exuberance . Italian style like Italians is full of life. Italian women are not bound by size or shape but by sexuality and allure. As the famous saying goes, "speak English, kiss French, drive German, and dress Italian". Of the many qualities that establish Italian style (the gilt and glamour, the sense of profound and reassuring luxury) perhaps the largest is a question of attitude.

Since American style is probably the most eclectic, to me it is established by sportswear. Therefore it is, preppy, sporty, and classic. Khaki pants, polo shirts, boat shoes, twin sets, pearls. Ralph Lauren and j crew. On the other hand, relaxed rocker with some cowboy influences. Jeans, cowboy boots, leather jackets. Levi's. James Dean.

Of course, here is the featured British style. I’m talking about traditional British style. Think anything tweed, tailored, and classy, it comes from the Royals themselves. Something about British fashion feels so cozy, yes stylish to me, and it really is timeless. While this is completely old-school British style.

BRITISH STYLE

Certainly, there are two distinct styles in Great Britain, traditional British style and London style. While, Paris has long been considered the style capital of the world and Milan associated with the most extreme illustration of luxury, for years London struggled to establish its place on the fashion map. In time the city's first official Fashion Week catwalk was erected at Olympia in 1984. The game plan was to promote to classic heritage brands. Later, fashion enthusiasts found that celebrating the rich breadth of design talent bubbling over from the capital's many prestigious art schools was the way to get noticed by the rest of the world.

Since, London has become the focus for innovation in fashion, the British style I recall is the classic traditional style. Furthermore this style is alive and well not only in Victoria but internationally. This British style is built on the heritage brands and staple's that can be incorporated into any wardrobe. I have chosen some of the best elements of British style you can include in your wardrobe.

BRITISH STYLE- TRENCH & PEA COATS

I’ve always been in love with trench coats and pea coats,  a good coat adds a classic British style element to an outfit that you really can’t get otherwise. Fashion icons such as Grace Kelly, Jackie O, Katharine Hepburn, and Kate Middleton have all been showcased in a variety of really high quality coats.

If you’re looking to add an element of classic British style, there’s literally no better way to do it than with a really nice coat.

Harris Wharf London

Burberry

Cos

Stella McCartney

BRITISH STYLE- PETER PAN COLLAR

Certainly, Peter Pan collars have been around for quite a while and are actually considered classic, especially if you’re trying to incorporate British style. A nice tailored dress with a Peter Pan collar is especially beautiful! You can pair it with trendier heels or simple pumps, or even boots. A Peter Pan collar is both feminine and sweet and is a traditional British clothing staple.

RED Valentino

Self-Portrait

Moschino

Batsheva

BRITISH STYLE-TWEED

Tweed is so timeless – it’s really hard to go wrong! You can wear a nice tweed dress, coat (long or short), blazer, skirt, top, etc. The trick is to make sure the item is impeccably tailored to fit your body; true British style is never bunchy or wrongly fitted. Certainly tweed is a very British fabric, it really can be elegant and sophisticated. The Duchess of Cambridge often wears a fitted tweed coat and the look is ageless , certainly appropriate for any young stylish woman.

St. John

Victoria Beckham

Zac Posen

Veronica Beard

Alessandra Rich

BRITISH STYLE - DELICATE FLORAL'S

Certainly nothing is more British than a dress or blouse with a delicate floral pattern. In fact a hint of pattern is a British style that is always a staple in a well planned wardrobe. Whenever you are considering classics remember quality is a great option as it will last.  A nice flowered piece gives a super classic and simple outfit a boho, more romantic touch that can soften it really nicely.

J.Crew

Vivienne Westwood

Self-Portrait

Robert Rodriguez

Ganni

BRITISH STYLE - CLASSIC BOOTS

If you don’t have a classic pair of “wellies” then you’re missing out. The Wellington boot is a staple of British fashion traditionally made out of leather, but over time they came to mostly be made of rubber and used for any outdoor purposes . To this day, I can hear my mother calling out "Put your wellies on it's raining". Of course, a common refrain for us from Victoria and Vancouver.

Leather riding boots are a staple that can be great to throw into an everyday outfit . Certainly a great pair can set you back a bit, but are worth every penny.  In fact they add a nice earthly element that goes with jeans or a skirt and scream British style.

Hunter

Joules

Frye

Bella Vita

BRITISH STYLE- SILK SCARVES

Above all else  classic British style is traditional. Therefore there is probably no element that represents British style better than the silk scarf. However, most you may see this as your grandmothers accessory, but this is not true. Seen on many of the runways this past season the luxury silk scarf is hot. Without doubt a silk scarf around your neck can set off almost any suit, coat or day dress .

Gucci

Versace

Alexander McQueen

Texas And The Artichoke

BRITISH STYLE

While, it may seem that I am looking back at a nostalgic British style, I am well aware that the traditional British style has a huge influence on the British designers of today. Therefore, current designers like Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham and Sarah Burton (for McQueen) often pay homage to classic British style. A designer who often parodies and also pays tribute to traditional British style is Vivienne Westwood. Once, the emissary of the punks, Westwood has made a career by exploring her relationship to classic British style.

Whether you consider adding some classic British style to your or not, you now know how to recognize it. I am a huge fan of the juxtaposition of traditional and the latest fashion. Therefore if visit our "Little Britian", Victoria keep your eyes open for that traditional English style.