Dissecting street style

Having attended fashion weeks in all the three fashion capitals of the world, I’ve realised that each of these dynamic cities have a unique character, flavour, personality and handwriting of their own. While Paris represents an oxygenating air of unparalleled sophistication and luxury, Milan is the metaphor for impeccable craftsmanship and bold stylistic experimentation. London, on the other hand, is a delectable dichotomy of English aristocracy and high street brands.

London is the Mecca of chic 

London is a delightful bundle of contradictions. Each part of the English capital represents an inherent character of its own and one associates it with a certain genre of dressing. While in the picturesque Notting Hill, one sees a melange of boho chic and punk, thanks to a panoply of musicians, who lend this multi-layered trait to it. Other areas in Central London like the posh Mayfair is home to classic fashion. Some restaurants in London observe a strict code of dressing and one can’t wear jeans and trainers even though sneakers have become luxe and au courant. Also, one sees a certain amount of formality, which one conforms to. However, even the English aristocracy today has warmed up to the all-pervading influence of the high street brands. All in all, Londoners don’t shy away from embracing colours unlike the rest of the Europe.

Parisians have individualistic flair  

Parisians love the understated palette of black, navy and ivory. The French capital has always been the epitome of haute couture and luxury. The very mention of ‘Paris’ springs to mind the larger-than-life grandeur of the city and the iconic French King Louis the IV and Marie Antoinette, who defined and refined the very idea of opulence. When one sits down to debate and analyse Parisian chic, androgyny stands out. Gender fluid dressing is the heart of the Paris street canvas. Perhaps it’s the individualistic flair of Parisians, which make other cities like New York copy French style. 

Milanese are daring dressers 

Milanese men and women love sporting colours and exude an unmistakable air of flamboyance. Italians always make an effort to dress up which is quite visible. Italian women like to play with fashion and flirt with accessories and aren’t scared of bold prints. Italians have always been known for their cuts and fits and hence it’s not surprising to see a lot of tailored clothing. Italian men are daring dressers too and they can totally pull off a pair of striking red trousers.