Since my move to London, my wardrobe has had to go through a harsh adjustment. The winter months were tough as I was always cold and absolutely clueless on winter fashion. The summer months are difficult for another reason. The ladies are out in their spring dresses and flowery clips while I am still in full trousers and a jacket. Yet again, I am always cold.
In Texas, I developed a summer uniform. 60 consecutive days of 40° C will drain the effort out of you about the same way that too many days of dreary 5°C weather will. All you want is a short hike and a lovely cold spring to jump into. Hence, you travel light. Black tank, bikini, Reef flip flops. Before you leave the house, you check your pocket for your wallet, phone and keys. Sunglasses rest on your head. You are out the door headed to Barton Springs.
Austin Summer Uniform by TexasOnThames featuring layering tank tops
Let’s compare that to London spring/summer fashion. All of a sudden I’m not travelling very light anymore.
My summer London wardrobe by TexasOnThames featuring a black umbrella
Rachel, a fellow former Austinite, was visiting a few months ago and commented on London street fashion. “It looks great, but there’s no way I could even think of putting together some of those outfits. It’s like they just keep adding things and somehow it works.”
And indeed, I believe that’s how it’s done. That dress is beautiful, but it’s way too cold to be wearing it. Let’s add some tights and a jacket. Also- those shoes? Impractical for commuting. Let’s put a spare pair of flats in your humongous bag. What else is in the bag? Well, first of all the sunglasses you aren’t wearing. An umbrella, because you never know when it is going to rain. Then your oyster card, a book for your commute, plasters (bandaids) for when your shoes give you blisters, your gym clothes because there’s no way you are making it home and then back out again after your day, a snack, and of course, phone wallet and keys. This is a minimum.
It’s taken a while for me to get this down and to accept the fact that the window for summer wear is so short. I think I’m finally getting there. Now if I could only figure out how to lug this bag around without having to see an osteopath later.
When we moved to NYC, it took me a while to realize that I had to carry everything with me all day. All the things I used to keep in the car (gym bag, extra shoes, scarf, jacket just in case, etc), not it’s all in my ginormous purse. You get used to it.
And it’s May and it’s not tank top weather here yet, I miss my Austin uniform of sandals and tank tops sometimes.
I can relate. The Pacific Northwest is my second England. So many times I have said, “Oh, this weather is so English.” My solution is to take my Southwest tiny clothes and wear beautiful wool sweaters (can you say, “Anthropologie”!). Leggings and cool boots or unbelieveable flats to stay warm. How women can look great in heals and be on the go, and stay warm, is a mystery to me. I wish I had that knack. Open to enlightenment.