Nottingham and fashion. You may not think our city can stand up to the like of Paris, London and Milan, yet when you scratch the surface, Nottingham does have strong links to the industry.
From world-famous designer Paul Smith to high-ranking fashion courses at Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham has its own stamp on the fashion world. Throughout the year we have been showcasing the very best of Nottingham style in our Nottinghamian newsletter.
Each Thursday, we take to the city streets to get the low down on people's outfits and style. To round off 2022, we have compiled the best street style we have seen in Nottingham from August right through to December.
Read more: The Nottinghamian: Ambulance workers walk out and Victoria Centre consider changes
Expect to see summery outfits as we kept cool in record-breaking temperatures to people wrapping up in as many layers to keep out the cold.
Dopamine dressing
Felicity Hills, 24, looked and kept cool as she headed to work on a hot August morning. Felicity said she went for a comfortable look. She described her style as comfortable, dopamine and bright colours. Felicity said: “I would wear something more extravagant with more bright colours if I wasn't heading to work.” She gets her style inspiration from people she follows on Instagram including lovers of bright colours influencers Felicity Hayward and Ruby Rare.
Outfit breakdown:
- Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters
- Top - was originally a dress from Zara that Felicity brought from Vinted and cut into a top
- Trousers - H&M
- Shoes - Vans
- Bag - the tote bag was gifted
Keeping cool
On a hot summer's day, Zoe Harper stood out from the crowd as she was strolling through Hockley with her bicycle. The 26-year-old wore a pair of yellow dungarees, paired with a black T-shirt and trainers. Originally from Hastings, on the southeast coast, Zoe said: “I just wear anything I can find or what's given to me. I am not influenced by anything.” She focuses on ethical choices when it comes to clothes and says she is against fast fashion.
Outfit breakdown:
- Top - gifted from a friend
- Dungarees - Lucy & Yak
- Socks - Bamboo
- Shoes - Nike
All in black
Bram Bankcroft wore an all-black outfit as he headed to work. The 24-year-old barista described his look as 'grandad style'. He said: “I wear whatever I want to wear. I buy from vintage stores and online boutiques, Olive and stuff like that.”
Outfit breakdown:
- Hat - Dr Martens
- Coat - Hopkinson
- Top - Ploynor
- Trousers - Olive
- Shoes - Dr Martens
Standing out
On a dark and drizzly day, Kath Shipman stood out in her bright-coloured outfit. The 74-year-old described her style as 'old in body but young in mind'. She said she buys clothes as long as they are in bright colours. Kath, originally from Nottingham and now living in Selston, said: "I just like bright colours and I like to keep up with the latest styles even though I am older." She gets her inspiration from looking online and in shops. She added: "As long as it is not too young looking for me, I will buy it. My daughters even borrow my clothes."
Outfit breakdown:
- Blazer - Marks and Spencer
- T-shirt - Sainsbury's
- Jeans - Marks and Spencer
- Shoes - Tesco
- Bag - Debenhams
Alternative couple
Elissa Blaire, 22, from Long Eaton, was in the city showing Stefan Stoica, 24, from Spain, the sights of Nottingham including a visit to the Haunted Museum. The pair looked very original in their outfits, which they both described as 'alternative'. Elissa said her inspiration comes from whatever she likes the look of and Stefan added: "Music has something to do with it as well." They both said their music taste is metal and 'rough around the edges'. Stefan said: "It sums up our style." When asked the one piece of style advice they would give, Elissa said: "Wear whatever you like and own it."
Outfit breakdown:
Elissa
- T-shirt - F&F
- Hoodie - band merch from Impericon
- Fishnets - F&F
- Shorts - F&F
- Boots - New Look
- Bag - Superdry
Stefan
- Hoodie - Impericon
- Trousers - Zalando
- Trainers - Nike
Handmade
Jane Morgan showed off a retro look as she headed into Nottingham for the first time since the pandemic. The 71-year-old from Mapperley Village looked very stylish in her 50s-inspired outfit. She summed up her style as: "Just trying to enjoy life, I love clothes and fashion." Jane likes 1950s clothing, which is reflected in her look and makes a lot of her clothing by hand. She said: "I sew, so I find patterns and fabric I like." Her love of sewing started when she was very young and her favourite creation was a dress with old film stars on. Jane finds making her own clothes rewarding and her outfit that day reflected her love of the craft as the fabric on her dress has sewing sayings printed all over including 'my soul is fed by needle and thread' and 'fabric goddess'.
Outfit breakdown:
- Cardigan - Banned Retro
- Dress - "A tribute to sewing" made by Jane using fabric from Cornwall
- Shoes - New Look, with butterfly patch added by Jane
- Handbag - a present
Pretty in pink
Lesley Tring stood out from the crowds on a warm September day in a beautifully patterned dress. The 64-year-old from Keyworth described her style as 'smart casual'. She gets her inspiration from various shops. She said: "I browse online but I do come to see the clothes and the fabrics in the stores." Lesley usually wears dresses, trousers and tops but does not like to wear skirts. In the winter she opts for leggings and a tunic over the top. When asked to give one piece of style advice, she said: "Just dress according to your size."
Outfit breakdown:
- Dress - Marks and Spencer
- Shoes - Ecco
- Socks - Primark
- Bag - Marks and Spencer
Casual
Nick Hill, from Redhill, wore a casual outfit. When asked how to describe his style he said: "I have no idea, I guess casual." The 48-year-old's outfit inspiration comes from 'whatever is in the wardrobe'. He said: "I like the skater look mixed with a bit of casual French chic." Nick's piece of style advice is to not look at other people and 'do not feel uncomfortable just to look good'.
Outfit breakdown:
- Hat - TK Maxx
- Jacket - White Rose
- T-shirt - Next
- Trousers - Next
- Shoes - Vans
Layering
Fashion student Hannah McCafferty described her style as 'grungy but classy'. The 20-year-old, from Stoke-on-Trent, said the inspiration behind her outfit choice was because she 'was cold this morning'. Hannah gets her style inspiration from Instagram and Fashion Weeks in Milan, New York and Paris. Her style advice is: "Wear whatever you want because it could become a trend." Hannah prefers to shop online rather than in stores and gets most of her outfits from ASOS.
Outfit breakdown:
Hoodie - ASOS
Jacket - Depop
Trousers - ASOS
Shoes - Dr Martens
Bag - Rough Trade
Black and white
Josie Lawlor, from Woodthorpe, stood out in her black and white outfit. The 46-year-old described her style as 'trying to be in with fashion as much as I can at my age'. Josie gets her style inspiration from what other people are wearing online and in person. She tends to buy her clothes from a mixture of charity shops, car boots and clothing stores. When asked to give a piece of style advice, Josie said: "For me, I would opt for something that I know looks good on me."
Outfit breakdown:
Top - H&M
Jacket - George from a charity shop
Skirt - Monki from a charity shop
Shoes - Adidas from a car boot
Bag - Marks and Spencer
Colourful couple
This colourful couple were spotted in their bright outfits. Naomi Wright and Euan Lees are from St Anns and both have a love for fashion. Naomi described her style as 'thrown together' but she likes the colour blue so that forms most of her outfits. Describing his style Euan said he takes a 'pretty structured' approach and likes to use colour and pieces that work together that 'come naturally' to him. The 34-year-old coffee shop owners say they get their style inspiration from places they have been, music they listen to and TV shows and films they watch. They gave a shout-out to Wild Clothing in Hockley, where they source some of their vintage pieces. When asked to give one piece of style advice, Naomi said: "Wear good socks, socks can make an outfit." Euan added: "Do not be scared of using colour in your outfits, splash it on and see what works."
Outfit breakdown:
Naomi
- Jacket - a shop on Instagram
- Jumper - Monki
- Jeans - Lucy and Yak
- Trainers - Converse
Euan
- Cap - Vintage
- Jacket - Native Youth
- Sweater - Vintage 70s cable knit
- Trousers - Vintage 80s work pants
- Trainers - Last Resort
Colour first
Simran Varghese perfectly described her style as: "Comfortable but rugged and colourful always." The 25-year-old, from Aspley, studied in Nottingham as a student. She gets her style inspiration from social media, movies and TV shows. Simran's style advice is to 'be colourful and don't be boring'.
Outfit breakdown:
- Jumper - Zara
- Jeans - Vintage
- Trainers - Nike
- Bag - Sports Direct
Smart casual
Claire Louise looked stylish as she visited Nottingham from Northern Ireland. The 47-year-old salon owner described her style as 'smart but casual'. Claire gets her style inspiration from the internet and magazines. She said: "I usually go for soft colours and depending on how I have my hair is how I decide on my outfit for the day."
When asked to give one piece of style advice, Claire said: "Do not dress too young, keep to your age bracket." Claire was in town shopping and added: "I love visiting my hometown of Nottingham, I love all the shops they have here."
Outfit breakdown:
- Coat - Zara
- Jumper - Primark
- Jeans - Primark
- Trainers- Adidas from Schuh
- Bag - Guess from Houston's in Northern Ireland
Warm
Ruth Hardiman wore a 'warm' and 'classic' look. The 82-year-old said: "I usually, like a lot of people, see something and try it on then buy it." Ruth, who is originally from Manchester and lives in The Park, likes to shop in stores rather than online as she finds trying on clothes helps her decide if they are worth buying.
She usually buys from smaller shops but Ruth also enjoys browsing John Lewis. Ruth added: "I was always a fan of Country Casuals and I do like Max Mara." Over time, Ruth says her style has changed. She said: "I think I wear more layers now with older age." When asked to give a piece of style advice, Ruth said: "Always try it on and check the colour and care. But try it on is my big one."
Outfit breakdown:
- Coat - Debenhams
- Scarf - A gift
- Trousers - charity shop
- Shoes - Sketchers
- Bag - River Island
Orange
Danniella Yeo stood out against the crowds in Nottingham city centre. The 55-year-old, from Selston, described her style as 'loud and flamboyant'. Danniella gets her style inspiration from the internet and likes to shop at Joe Browns, Next and Marks and Spencer. When shopping, Danniella said: "I don't really go with anything in mind. I go for something that grabs me or something that is different and not boring." Danniella's piece of style advice is: "Do whatever you want to. Do not be constrained, we die too quickly to be boring."
Outfit breakdown:
- Coat - TK Maxx
- Jacket - Next, was white and Danniella dyed it orange
- Top - TK Maxx
- Scarf - TK Maxx
- Jeans - Next, was white and Danniella dyed it orange
- Shoes - Embassy London
Grown up alternative
Gemma Flinders wore an all-black outfit whilst visiting Nottingham. The 30-year-old, from Cambridgeshire, described her style as 'grown up alternative'. Gemma gets her style inspiration from people she follows on Tik Tok but added: "Generally, I like to wear stuff that makes me feel good." She said: "I am a big sucker for Dr Martens, I get my clothes from anywhere. A bit bad but from fast fashion places like ASOS, New Look and H&M." Gemma likes to wear clothes which are not restrictive such as smock dresses. When asked to give a piece of style advice, Gemma said: "What what makes you happy and do not care what anyone else says."
Outfit breakdown:
- Coat - H&M
- Dress - New Look
- Boots - Lamoda
- Bag - Zara
Punk infused
Brothers Alex and Will Sabey, from Derby, showed off their punk and 60s-inspired style between their music classes. They both described their style as 'post-punk, 60s and retro'. Alex takes his inspiration from 70s punk bands and as well as 60s groups. The brothers say bands like The Ramones, The Beatles and The Kinks all have an influence on them. Twenty-four-year-old Will's piece of style advice is: "Do not fear what anyone thinks." Alex, 26, added: "It is not just what you wear, it is how you wear it." They get their clothes from a range of places. Alex said: "I usually have an idea in my head, then find it".
Outfit breakdown:
Alex
- Hat - Braderie
- Coat - eBay
- Jumper - Depop
- Jeans - eBay
- Shoes - eBay
Will
- Coat - eBay, was Alex's coat first
- Jeans - eBay
- Shoes - Atom Retro
Street
Vianh Do stayed warm in a layered outfit. The 21-year-old health and social care student described her style as 'random'. She gets her inspiration from online websites, TikTok and fashion magazines. Vianh said: "I like smart style mixed with street. Basically I look at my wardrobe and look at what I want to put together that day."
When buying new clothes, Vianh tends to go for jumpers and shops 'more for the top half'. Vianh, who is originally from Norfolk, likes to shop at vintage stores too. Her style advice is: "Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable."
Outfit breakdown:
- Jacket - Cow
- Jumper - SCRT
- Jeans - ASOS
- Shoes - Converse
- Bag - Vans
Nottingham's street style is featured in the Nottinghamian newsletter every Thursday. To keep up to date with the latest Nottingham news and features, sign up here or in the form below.
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