BLOG: Bobcat Abroad
Fashion-friendly and self-confident
By Heather Irish, Staff Writer
January 30, 2007 | 12:49 a.m.
One of the first things I noticed when I arrived here was the difference in fashion. People here, especially in London, are very trendy. I've even noticed that older women are more fashion-forward here than in the States.
I noticed this older woman was in these gorgeous jeans, heels, nice top and trendy jewelry one night at a local bar. Tights, printed tunics, boots, flats and headbands are huge here. Women wear a mixture of these in their daily lives. I've noticed that printed tunics/dresses that are reminiscent of the '60s mod scene (think Austin Powers) are very “in” here. As a girl whose fashion style is a bit more New York than London, I felt I needed to express my new sense of self and adventure. So I headed to Cardiff shopping centre to put a little more color and British funk in my casual wardrobe.
After I bought a couple of very cute additions for my casual/going out look -- textured, colored tights, cute flats and brown boots at H & M, Oasis, New Look and Accessorize -- I went to work in my New York-like work wardrobe. The first day of work, I walked in with my fashionable black waist length straight pants and a tucked-in, white Express shirt. Immediately, I saw this girl with textured tights, boots and a knee-length skirt with a lace-tied modern bustle. I was literally shocked at this really hip trendy outfit that we, as Americans, are taught to wear as casual or going out. Only the party planner and fashion magazine circles actually come to work taking that many fashion risks.
Even some of the Welsh Assembly Members, who are like our senators, will dress more fashion-forward. One female Assembly member came in a very tailored dark chocolate suit with these gorgeous Carrie Bradshaw-like coral colored shoes. While I haven't changed my work wardrobe, I've taken more risks in my fashion than I would have before coming here.
People say studying abroad changes you. I feel like I've realized the importance of taking some risks in my life. For example, I recently went on a trip to listen to the Welsh Affairs officer for the US Embassy in London speak. He spoke about the Welsh (UK)/American foreign policy. He had a Bush-conservative view that rubbed the interns' liberal views the wrong way. He later came up to ask us interns what we thought about his political statement. Unfortunately, we were left speechless, none of us willing to risk sharing our political ideas. It left an awful silence that was luckily ended by changing the subject.
On the train back to Cardiff, because of the exhaustion and a couple of powerful drinks, we let loose. We relaxed and sang Disney songs saying how many songs have political meanings. In between singing Pocahontas’ "You can own the earth and still, all you'll own is Earth until, you can paint with all the colors of the wind" and the annoying looks from some people on the train, a punk-looking guy was being extremely amused. We started talking to him and found out he lives in London and does PR for John Galliano, a major fashion designer. As a PR major and fashion maven, I was immediately star-struck, but tried to play it cool. It turned out that he was carrying this gorgeous blue fabric that was to be made into a dress in Cardiff. As we exited the train, he extended an invitation: next time we're in London, we should go to his Bond Street PR firm and ask for him, and he will give us a tour of the firm.
So what's the point of this long story?
Whether you're sporting cute bright coral shoes at work, speaking to a diplomat or singing Pocahontas songs on a Welsh train, it pays to be yourself. The confidence that you exude draws people to you. Sometimes it pays to take some risks. I wish I would have spoken up on my views to the Welsh Affairs officer. If you are confident with who you are and are an open-minded person, open to new ideas and changes, it will pay off. If I didn't make a fool out of myself on a train I wouldn't be getting a tour of a fashion PR firm in downtown London.