There are a lot of people in London. In fact, I was told today by a very official BBC source that there are more than three people in the United Kingdom and at least two of them must live in London (although what this means for Wales I have no idea). I really enjoy watching them as I go to work in the mornings. I especially like seeing what they have to wear. Now that’s it’s starting to get colder, we’re getting into my favourite fashion accessories: scarves, boots and gloves, and Londoners are making full use of them. While generally I just feel vaguely jealous at the women I see on the bus and the tube who can dress themselves properly, I’m also picking up a lot of ideas for my own wardrobe.
Because I have no money (but I can’t really complain about that anymore can I? Everyone’s in the same boat now…) I have to decide carefully which articles of clothing and accessories to buy. Someone’s jumper might catch my eye; or I’ll watch for nice sweaters as I’m in desperate need of them. As always, I find myself most conflicted about the footwear. Do I borrow the style from the woman with the tall, tight-fitting boots, the teen with the slouched boots, or just get something upsettingly boring and practical but will keep my feet warm and dry?
Possibly my favourite kind of outfits to study during my commute are children’s school uniforms. Honestly, these things are almost disturbing in their rigour and complexity. I’ve seen six year old boys and girls with their blue shorts or skirts and tights, black shoes, blue blazers, white button downs and matching book bags walking to school with their mums. The best part, however, are their little hats. What school thought it would be a good idea to make young children wear hats with uncomfortable straps under the chin every day? This is stolen from St. Mary’s Primary School website:
Girls (Y1 – Y6)
Plain navy blue coat or anorak.
Yellow and navy ties (to be worn with long sleeved blouse).
Plain white long-sleeved blouse (winter) or short-sleeved blouse (summer).
Plain navy blue cardigan/jumper or sweat shirt with school badge.
Plain navy, white or grey socks or tights.
In Winter, plain navy blue skirt or navy blue pinafore dress or long navy trousers (no leggings, jeans or corduroy trousers).
In Summer, any plain style dress in traditional blue and white check gingham with short sleeves and collar.
Plain navy, white or yellow hat (optional straw hat in Summer). In hot weather children should be encouraged to wear their hats during each break time.
Plain navy blue or navy blue and yellow scarf of regulation design.
For wet weather, a packable navy blue raincoat i.e. cagoule.
And, as if that weren’t enough….
Footwear
Black, brown or navy shoes (or sandals) with laces, straps, buckles or Velcro with flat heels.
Trainers, boots or open sandals are not to be worn in school.
Suitable strong winter shoes are advised after October half term. Wellingtons or long boots should be worn to school in the snow and indoor shoes brought to change into.
I’ve left out the sections on required hair style, jewelry (no digital watches allowed… these people must not be very happy), PE kit, and other items. I would take a picture but that would be somewhat creepy.
In any case, as I go to work in the mornings I love seeing what people are wearing. I either get great ideas for my own wardrobe, or marvel at what people make their children wear.
I don’t really care what people wear on the way home because I’m too tired to pay attention.
Meaghan Fitzgerald is a marketer and entrepreneur building and growing consumer and gaming products and experiences. A Silicon Valley native, she started her first company, DormWise, in 2006 which she later sold in 2009. Meaghan spent 7 years in London in early stage consumer startups, two years at Xbox as a product marketer for Minecraft, and is currently the head of product marketing for VR experiences at Facebook and Oculus. Meaghan writes here about business, technology, gaming, and marketing. She has been named a top