The 10 Unwritten Rules of Brit-Girl Style

First off, what does British style really look like? We're an eclectic bunch, to say the least, and trying to pick apart the codes that fasten our country's outfitting outlook together is tricky. However, here at Who What Wear, we spend an inordinate amount of time poring over street style looks (there's no denying London street style remains among the most inspiring in the world) and investigating the daily getups of our favourite influencers, editors and industry girls.

All that research has led us to believe that there are some key factors the cool girls of Britain share in common. Our findings show that while they may not wear the exact same piece or trend, the way they approach dressing is similar. Certain tricks come up time and time again, and you can spot a stylish Brit girl's attitude a mile off. Keep scrolling to see what we mean, and shop some suitably British pieces to boot.

1. NO TREND IS TOO HARD TO TRY

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(Image credit: The Street Pie)

Style Notes: This is the nation that birthed the infamous "Hug a Hoodie" campaign, so is it any wonder we've been styling out the idea way before the whole athleisure craze took hold? We've been hugging our Fruit of the Loom sweatshirts for years now.

2. YOU'VE ALWAYS WORN YOUR BOYFRIEND'S CLOTHES

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Style Notes: Way before boyfriend jeans were a thing or bomber jackets were best when they were oversize, British girls were stealing the wardrobes of the men in their lives.

3. YOU HATE MATCHY-MATCHY

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Style Notes: There's only one girl who really loves matchy-matchy in this country, and that's the Duchess of Cambridge. The rest of us prefer a more casual approach day-to-day.

4. HAIR-BRUSHING IS NEGOTIABLE

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(Image credit: Style Du Monde)

Style Notes: Every outfit looks cooler with scruffy hair. And that is basically science.

Related: Spring/Summer 2017 Fashion Trends: The 7 Looks You Need to Know

5. YOU VALUE CLASSICS, BUT YOU DON'T WEAR THEM 24/7

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Style Notes: White tees, trench coats, ballet pumps… these all go a long way in the UK, but it's all about using these classics to offset something more exciting. 

6. YOU DON'T MIND SOMETHING SCRUFFY

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Style Notes: Being a bit dishevelled in clothing as well as in hair is key to the true Brit girl. Nothing says I've got a life beyond clothes, and I'm naturally, achingly hip quite like looking a little rough around the edges.

7. YOU'RE THE FIRST TO TRY SOMETHING NEW (AND POTENTIALLY WEIRD)

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(Image credit: The Street Pie)

Style Notes: Ankle cuffs that resemble some kind of posh security monitor? Yup, we've already made these Attico creations sell out in the UK. This just goes to show that no crazy creation is off the menu for British girls.

Related: The 5 London Fashion Week Trends You Can Take Away Today

8. YOU WEAR THE DRESS; THE DRESS DOESN'T WEAR YOU

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Style Notes: Dresses are great—we can all agree there—but in the British Isles, it's all about YOU styling the dress up or down, and not letting it overwhelm you. Forget uncomfortable or difficult frocks; hip girls here know that they're best worn casually, and preferably over jeans in 2017.

9. SNEAKERS ARE THE SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Style Notes: Just where would we be without our humble trainers? Commuting would be a nightmare, we wouldn't wear dresses as much and our feet would never stop hurting. Long live sneakers.

10. YOU HAVE AN UNCONTROLLABLE URGE TO WEAR LEOPARD PRINT

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(Image credit: Style Du Monde)

Style Notes: When in doubt, this favourite roars loudest. Print trends come and go, but since Kate Moss—the Brit icon to end all icons—has been wearing leopard spots nonstop for decades, we don't see why one would ever question it. Whether head-to-toe or just via a simple accessory, this classic is never far away.

Shop some of our top Brit-style pieces in the gallery below…

Related: From London to L.A., Everyone Cool Is Wearing This Outfit

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.