Aug
25
2009
By
Allan Johnson
for Valet.
 
37°

London's average low in December.

Prepped for School

Question
I'll be studying in London this semester and I don't want to look like a tourist. I'll be there through the winter and I'm hesitant to pack too many items of my current wardrobe.
- Ryan, Cary, NC
 
Answer

We asked our London-based writer Allan Johnson, for some suggestions to help you get your Brit wits about you.

"To say Topman is synonymous with British student fashion is an understatement. Thankfully, it's available stateside, so you'll have no problem arriving at Heathrow looking like a local. A knitted cardigan will be an indispensable part of your uni wardrobe, paired with some dark denim. The English love a tailored look, so if you want to rid yourself of the tourist vibe, ditch the roomy clothes in favor of a sharper cut. The, once you get settled in, pop into All Saints Spitalfields, a temple of edgy London fashion, to add a pop of punk to your London prep look. You'll be glad to hear that London doesn't get nearly as cold as most expect. Look for a classic British car coat, like this one from ASOS.com—the best kept secret among style-loving UK students. As for some of the more surprising British men's fashion trends of the year (think harem pants), well ... we'll have to get back to you on those."

 

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