Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What other city has highly fashionable women walking around? NYC? Where else? I don't think DC is unique in this regard. Find me super fashion forward HOARDES of working women in another city please. Sure, the fashion magazines and art careers are most likely more fashion forward. Outside of those, show me a city where office drones dress fashion forward. I'll wait.

Tokyo, Copenhagen

Let's try an American city. My argument is that this isn't a DC thing. It's an American thing.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry the dmv area women’s fashion is HORRIBLE!!

Women here consider an Ann Taylor dress, kate spade watch and purse and Tory Burch flats with a balayage hair in loose waves the epitome of being stylish.

Like ewww? For the most educated and wellnoff part of the country why is everyone here southern sorority girl??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from London and I think there's not much difference in the way that people in offices dress between the two cities. The main difference is that in London there are many more people doing non-office things (from models to musicians to whatever) and those people tend to look a lot more fashionable, which makes the whole city feel more on trend. Also, London is very different to NYC or Paris, in which women seem to me to be much better groomed, whereas I find Londoners to be less groomed but more edgy with their clothes and more likely to be wearing an unusual new trend.

I still find myself more drawn to British high street brands (Whistles, Jigsaw, Hush etc) than the US equivalents, and buy a lot online from there, so I guess I'm still straddling the two cities in terms of fashion.

As a Londoner, please tell truthfully, what is the collective British opinion on Boden? As an American, I feel like I could be mistaken for a chic Brit when I wear it. Hahaha... or is it "so basic"?

I confess I don’t really know what “basic” means (and this thread didn’t really clear it up for me!) But in this Londoner’s opinion, Boden has a reputation for being a bit frumpy and “mumsy”, if that’s a word here. It’s not fashionable but will nod to the current trends in a safe and comfortable way. That said, there are often one or two pieces each season that will get picked out by fashion magazines and bloggers. I think it’s conparable to how J Crew is perceived here.

I believe "basic" means uncreative, status quo, boring, traditional, sort of plain, maybe several steps behind interesting fashion. Very common, for example everyone carrying :



Perfect! As a 43 year old Mum who goes to J Crew to buy something out of the window when I suddenly need something "nice", I guess Boden is right on for me!! Haha I am NOT stylish, wear scrubs to work, and hoodies and jeans rest of the time. I feel so fancy in a plain JCrew sheath dress. Boden seems more tweedy, and looks very colorful. The models look overtly joyful, not cool and standoffish. But less overtly college girl sexy librarian than JCrew. Boden looks more like a woman with serious middle class business to accomplish would wear it. I love how we buy into the marketing of the catalogs, which are basically graphic novellas.

I love the British point of view. Seems so sensible and straightforward. But are you like SF people- chic, very cool, wear leather and don't smile much? Boden seems like you are excited to go to your mossy country home and have tea or something.

Cheers!

Yes, that is exactly what Boden is like. You live in a nice (posh but not expensive-posh) London suburb and have a weekend home in Gloucestershire (you would never call it the Cotswolds). You have an Aga stove and a Land Rover, and several large labradors (or golden doodles or whatever). You'll wear your floral jersey Boden dress with Hunter wellies and a Barbour jacket in the country, and then with a leather jacket and Supergas when you're in London.

Lol, this description of “basic” in London is what would be considered HIGHLY fashion forward for this area! The women here would wear that and think they are so cool.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm from London and I think there's not much difference in the way that people in offices dress between the two cities. The main difference is that in London there are many more people doing non-office things (from models to musicians to whatever) and those people tend to look a lot more fashionable, which makes the whole city feel more on trend. Also, London is very different to NYC or Paris, in which women seem to me to be much better groomed, whereas I find Londoners to be less groomed but more edgy with their clothes and more likely to be wearing an unusual new trend.

I still find myself more drawn to British high street brands (Whistles, Jigsaw, Hush etc) than the US equivalents, and buy a lot online from there, so I guess I'm still straddling the two cities in terms of fashion.

As a Londoner, please tell truthfully, what is the collective British opinion on Boden? As an American, I feel like I could be mistaken for a chic Brit when I wear it. Hahaha... or is it "so basic"?

I confess I don’t really know what “basic” means (and this thread didn’t really clear it up for me!) But in this Londoner’s opinion, Boden has a reputation for being a bit frumpy and “mumsy”, if that’s a word here. It’s not fashionable but will nod to the current trends in a safe and comfortable way. That said, there are often one or two pieces each season that will get picked out by fashion magazines and bloggers. I think it’s conparable to how J Crew is perceived here.

I believe "basic" means uncreative, status quo, boring, traditional, sort of plain, maybe several steps behind interesting fashion. Very common, for example everyone carrying :



Perfect! As a 43 year old Mum who goes to J Crew to buy something out of the window when I suddenly need something "nice", I guess Boden is right on for me!! Haha I am NOT stylish, wear scrubs to work, and hoodies and jeans rest of the time. I feel so fancy in a plain JCrew sheath dress. Boden seems more tweedy, and looks very colorful. The models look overtly joyful, not cool and standoffish. But less overtly college girl sexy librarian than JCrew. Boden looks more like a woman with serious middle class business to accomplish would wear it. I love how we buy into the marketing of the catalogs, which are basically graphic novellas.

I love the British point of view. Seems so sensible and straightforward. But are you like SF people- chic, very cool, wear leather and don't smile much? Boden seems like you are excited to go to your mossy country home and have tea or something.

Cheers!

Yes, that is exactly what Boden is like. You live in a nice (posh but not expensive-posh) London suburb and have a weekend home in Gloucestershire (you would never call it the Cotswolds). You have an Aga stove and a Land Rover, and several large labradors (or golden doodles or whatever). You'll wear your floral jersey Boden dress with Hunter wellies and a Barbour jacket in the country, and then with a leather jacket and Supergas when you're in London.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess they're too busy getting their educations and working to stay up to date on fashion.

Huh. I have an MBA, a full-time job, two kids, a husband, and a dog. I shop in NY mostly, and in Paris, Berlin and London when I get there a couple of times a year. But I grew up in NYC, so my idea of what looks good may be different from someone who grew up in Ohio.

How nice for you that you get to take multiple shopping trips A YEAR in New York, Paris, Berlin, and London. The rest of us have only the time, money, and inclination to hit up the Pentagon City Mall Ann Taylor 2x/year.

Anonymous wrote:Can the folks who think DC women are basic/frumpy/whatever please post some pictures of conservative, but stylish work outfits? Help us not offend you with our terrible fashion choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess they're too busy getting their educations and working to stay up to date on fashion.

Huh. I have an MBA, a full-time job, two kids, a husband, and a dog. I shop in NY mostly, and in Paris, Berlin and London when I get there a couple of times a year. But I grew up in NYC, so my idea of what looks good may be different from someone who grew up in Ohio.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What other city has highly fashionable women walking around? NYC? Where else? I don't think DC is unique in this regard. Find me super fashion forward HOARDES of working women in another city please. Sure, the fashion magazines and art careers are most likely more fashion forward. Outside of those, show me a city where office drones dress fashion forward. I'll wait.

Tokyo, Copenhagen

Let's try an American city. My argument is that this isn't a DC thing. It's an American thing.

I wouldn't classify them as super fashion forward, but I noticed a lot well dressed office drones in south florida like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The women wore prettier and more flattering clothing than I see on women here during warm weather months.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of women here who think that putting effort into your appearance, doing your hair, enjoying fashion, etc. somehow takes away from your intelligence. It’s like you can’t be smart AND enjoy beauty things.

No, that's not it at all. There are a lot of women in DC who don't prioritize fashion and don't feel like they need to do more than look professional, because they have been raised and educated in a way that does not center on their appearance. But we don't gaf if you decide to dress up or have fashion as a hobby. Truly we don't. Just don't lecture us about being "basic."

It is clear that you do gaf.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of women here who think that putting effort into your appearance, doing your hair, enjoying fashion, etc. somehow takes away from your intelligence. It’s like you can’t be smart AND enjoy beauty things.

No, that's not it at all. There are a lot of women in DC who don't prioritize fashion and don't feel like they need to do more than look professional, because they have been raised and educated in a way that does not center on their appearance. But we don't gaf if you decide to dress up or have fashion as a hobby. Truly we don't. Just don't lecture us about being "basic."

You just proved my point. Again, just because one puts effort into their appearance and shops at non-mall stores and enjoys beauty does not mean they were raised and educated to “center on their appearance.” What utter poppycock.