Brighton Street Style: How the weather affects Practicality and Personality

In this week’s article on Brighton Street Style, I am looking into how the everchanging British weather affects our clothing practicality and personality. Why we wear what we do when the weather is playing havoc (with our hair) and our heads.

I found with this week the abundance of colour and textures – maybe due to the mix of weather conditions here in Brighton over the past week. Mixing the current vintage styles with bright neon shades definitely represents summer and spring, potentially encouraging sunshine and blue skies to make a permanent appearance. Much like last time, the same 70s vintage vibes are here to stay; the neon yellow and pink are reminiscent of the Disco Age – not to mention the pink trouser, eye shadow, and hair coordination.

The same, hippie and John Lennon sensitivities are apparent too, the circular sunglasses, patterned prints, and sheepskin jacket – a classic British statement being the winter coat with sunglasses mix.

As mentioned in last week’s article, the infamous (but totally famous on the high street) ‘teddy bear coat’! Quite possibly the most versatile coat in, at the moment, not only does it complement any outfit – either vintage or contemporary – it can be seen in any and every colour. Making it the perfect outer layer for these transitional months from cold into warmer weather. Both practical and personable.

This neon look above also reminds me of an emerging trend: Y2K (the year 2000, for those of you who don’t know). This trend is bringing everything from cheetah print to neon and tiny sunglasses – and it’s emerging fast, and not only on the high street.

In this week’s article, the looks collected here all have attention to detail; and lots of interesting textures and details that really add to the overall outfit. Above, I’m drawn to the boots, most likely inspired off the famous Timberland boots (similar to that of stereotype builder’s boots) these are a chic twist and really add to the look as a whole. They are also unpredictable weather conscious, whilst delivering on visual appeal.

Another aspect of this look, and what is carrying current trends of the moment, is the bright, and yet again neon, purse echos the orange and pink tones of the coat – and brings another element of Spring into this look.

Back to the theme of this article, the weather. With the gorgeous sunshine we had, the back to the wind, rain and all other weather combinations I swear only Britain is able to conjure up – it has bought colour, particularly colours of Spring and Summer into people’s wardrobes. Mixing practicality, with personality is seen above with a classic winter coat; chic in style and shape, in a Spring shade of orange.

In this look below, I’m obsessed with the contrast of the youthful pink dungarees and sophisticated steel grey cashmere jumper with the silver necklace. This look is suggestive of changing weather and an easy outfit for days when the temperature and weather are not consistent.

Like last time, and potentially for a long time still to come, corduroy is a prominent part of Brighton street style. Not to mention again, the presence of dungarees. These blush-pink dungarees are a statement, a clear Spring and Summer colour reference.

Headscarfs are in right now, have a look in any of the vintage or charity shops in the Laines and you’ll be greeted by huge baskets stuffed with head scarfs and handkerchiefs – all that can be used as suitable head and outfit accessories to complete any seasonal look. This green headscarf, clear 50s vintage style, contrasts with the dungarees but makes an effortlessly cool look, which combines both the vintage vibes of Brighton street style and contemporary universal fashion.

Another garment that is making a huge come-back in current trends at the moment, is the classic: flared trousers. These are a must in the transitional weather period, high-waisted and long-legged, these will keep from freezing and will also look amazing in the Spring and Summer.

Again, the attention to detail is really eye-catching, the knotted at the front top is a nice detail, and adds another texture to the look. Cropped tops may be gradually making their way back into the Summer wardrobe and as it gets warmer, they will be noticed more and more.

The stripey trousers really give this outfit a Spring and Summer hint, and combined with the black top, bag, and chunky boots, the trousers lift the overall look. The length of the trousers is a win too, similar in style to the classic culottes trousers, these are a bit warmer and are nice gateway trouser into later Spring/Summer style.

Another constant detail that around at the moment, and I’m in love with it, is the colour yellow – and more specifically, it’s sunflower yellow or mustard yellow. Whether it’s yellow tops, skirts, jackets, bags – it’s everywhere and it is quite possibly the embodiment of the Spring/Summer aesthetic.

The two looks above highlight a crucial element to any transitional season look, for either male or female dress sense, and they are: layers. Layers are completely necessary when trying to put your personality and practicality into an outfit – particularly when the weather is being temperamental. Mixing graphic t-shirts, flannel shirts, denim jackets is a classic right now, and all three are a regular in any vintage retailer. Now that it can be too warm for a winter coat, layer-up instead.