What sort of clothing and/or style is considered British? Is there such a thing?

Question

Word around's that wearing blazers and looking casual makes you look American, whilst wearing a hoodie and dark faded jeans with converse trainers makes you look British.

Is there such a convention?

Answer 1

i don't think there's a thingbut maybe tweed for the British...?

Answer 2

Not really. Britain is about the only country that does not have its own national costume. Also a lot of fashion trends are worldwide now.

Some cloths used for British Stereo types would be..

- Pin strip suit & Bowler hat
- Tweed suit
- Kids in Tank-tops & short trousers (1940's)

You sadly mentioned 'the hoodie' look, well that's just a fad, other TRAGIC cloths fads include

- 'Shell' suits
- Baggy multi coloured shirts & big jeans (1990's)
- Puff ball skirts

Answer 3

British would include scottish, and therefore the kilt I suppose, but not really worn except on special occassions.Brits of a certain class wear blazers, ie the yatching set, more bowler hats sold in Belgium than in England. I think it depends on your age, sex, and taste. I don't own either a hoodie or trainers!! High heels, trench coat, dark denims, dresses at the moment are my capsule warbrobe.

Answer 4

Theres nothing wrong with a hooded top. Cant help think most of the people replying are over 40. Admittedly though I dont wear the hood up and hang around in shopping centres.

British clothes, maybe a nice shirt and a good pair of shoes on a night out. Or maybe think farm wear like a padded jacket and flat cap. Yeah the flat caps back in and thats British just becasue Samual L Jackson has worn one for ages.

Answer 5

Here we go with this 'British' thing again!
The Scots, the Irish and the Welsh have their own National dress' the English National dress consists of white tights, bells tied around their knees and they also wear straw hats with ribbons tied around them, they are usually seen prancing around a big maypole 'thingy' trying (not very hard) to hit each other with big sticks, (or handbags), they are of course all male.and are nearly all called 'Morris'
At times they can also be seen shopping around London wearing this outfit, some of the more modern English have now discarded the straw hat and wear bowlers, the rest of the gear inc white tights are kept of course , and these bowler hats are only worn on the way to and from to work.
I am NOT English!
Hope this helps???

Answer 6

As an American living in Britain, The first thing I noticed...was that everyone wears black! Its like the national colour whether at work or at play! Black trousers, black bag, black shoes...etc. At first I felt like I was living in the realms of one great big funeral! (No offense meant!) But I've bought me the basic British Black trousers and appropriate work attire and feel like I fit right in! *L*

I think the hoodies and trainers quite possibly make you look rather menacing and threatening to others. (I love my trainers and wear them most of the time and also a hoodie and I'm not a thug either!)

I think the goofy stereotypes only serve to draw American/British/Indian/whatever only further apart. Who cares what each of us wear if its something we like and are comfortable in?

Answer 7

Well I would like to think us British ar well turned out, do not
forget, our Lancashire and Yorkshire were paramount in
the weaving industry.... quite a lot of our English men
still wear ties, our Taylor's (Saville Row) are sort after
the World over....however, fashions will change and
quite rightly so, but, I would like to think, the cravet, the bussel,
the powdered wigs, Mary Quant, Norman Hartnel,
NOT TO MENTION THE 60's keeps us in there, don'nt
forget.. what goes round...comes round !!!!!

Answer 8

If you look at caricatures of british people around the world they are 99% of the time dressed in a pin stripe suit with a boiler hat and an umbrella.

Answer 9

lol....I'm British and would not be seen dead in a hoodie lol.....oh please!!!!! Those people are called "Hoodies" whether they are British or not!

Tweed is quite British, but not everyone wears it, it's kind of an older generation thing. I don't think there is anything quintessentially British anymore. Not like the old bowler hats etc.

Answer 10

yep, walking around in a baseball cap, trackie with white trainers, soverign rings and a load of gold chains is definetly british, well, is mainly the essex, croydon and slough look. for more info go to

www.chavscum.com

ps. dont forget the burberry

god bless this nation cause if he doesnt we're screwed

Answer 11

If you wear morris dancer attire you'll be recognisably British. And shunned by anyone with any sense.