My Take: London vs. Evanston Fashion

Graphic via Rita Liu. Images via Vogue and Alec Vanderboom

I fell in love with fashion when I was a preschooler watching my mother get ready each day. I loved sliding my too-small feet into her wedge heels and throwing her counterfeit Louis Vuitton tote bag over my shoulder. Stepping into her closet was like entering the world’s best costume shop. From this moment, I learned fashion is a platform for everyone to express themselves. The accessibility of fashion is what fashion influencer and former celebrity stylist Juliet Angus told me she loved most about style when I met with her at The Brown’s Hotel, an upscale spot in London.

From the moment Juliet glided into the room in her floor-length velvet dress and diamond studded boots, I had the inkling London fashion was different from Chicago fashion – or even U.S. fashion. When Juliet moved to London from New York in 2008, she says her sense of style changed. She went from wearing jeans and a designer T-shirt to full-length dresses almost every day.

“My fashion is a lot more glam,” said Angus, gesturing to her elegant outfit. “I mean this is me just going out to dinner with girlfriends. We don’t wear jeans here at night.”

I hate jeans and didn’t pack a single pair. Maybe I am destined for the more glamorous style in London.

However, the city is stricter on fashion than just a suggested “no jeans”. Harrods, the famous London department store, implemented a dress code in 1989 because some visitors were not meeting their standards. Their policy states the following:

“When visiting Harrods, please refrain from wearing clothing that reveals intimate parts of the body, or that portrays offensive pictures or writing. We also request that helmets are removed before entering the store.”

This code not only includes ripped jeans, but also unripped denim. For my remaining three days in London, I paid close attention to people’s clothes. After walking down Brick Lane, a prominent fashion area in London, I started to understand the vibe. GLAM, GLAM, GLAM!

In The Cut’s “London Fashion Week vs. New York Fashion Week: What’s the Difference, Really?,” photographer Cobra the Snake says that Brits experiment with style, while New Yorkers are evenly split between fashionistas and jeans-and-a-t-shirt people.

I decided to bring some London glam back to Evanston, especially after thrifting a leopard print Moschino shirt, a ‘70s Gucci crossbody, and a diamond hair clip that says “GIRLS.” Similar to London, Evanston residents follow a dress code too. When I glam it up, I get stares. In London, a skirt, chunky sneakers, and stacked accessories went unnoticed.

Image via Emily Burns

In Evanston I hear “Ooh, you are dressed up” or “Do you have something important today?” Maybe it’s just because I live on a college campus where the go-to outfit for students students is some sweatpants and a hoodie. In London, the streets are decorated with graffiti, most museums are free, many bars and cafes are decked out with themed art, and fashion is taken seriously.

Image via Emily Burns

Image via Emily Burns

Image via Emily Burns

I think more people would play around with the clothes they wore if we promoted it more as a form of self-expression and if American culture had a deeper connection to art. Personally, I’ll continue to accept the awkward stares I receive as I walk down Sheridan Road in my pleated green midi skirt, chunky dad sneakers, and Billie Eilish-styled jewelry!