British Female Fashion

We might speak the same language as our sisters across the pond, but are we fluent in our fashion vernacular? There are some things women can be counted on to obsess over globally (gorgeous shoes and the perfect little dress that makes you feel like a million bucks pop to mind), but past that? To dive into what makes a British girl tick, style-wise, we sought comment from designer, a Brit who's currently based in Manhattan to work on her eponymous label. During a British-themed breakfast held to celebrate her third collaboration, we worked at figuring out the sartorial sensibilities of a classic English rose.

__ 1. Value investment buys.__

"In London, there's more of a focus on shopping for traditional investment pieces with history," mused. Be it an item that she knows she'll have forever (like a great trench coat) or something from a fashion house that's been around for hundreds of years, the Brit's shopping spoils are meant to last the test of time.

2. Just say no to athleisure.

The athleisure trend hasn't taken root as firmly in the U.K. as it has here. Whereas spending a full Saturday in leggings and a tank, workout class or not, isn't likely to get you any second glances stateside, the look would stand out more overseas.

3. Trench coats are everything.

British girls are 99.99 percent more likely than American women to own a trench coat. Reference our very first point. "Everyone in London owns a trench!" told us.

4. Go for bold outerwear.

hasn't noticed the same coat game here that she sees when she's home in England, revealing Americans to be more prone to sticking with basic cuts and colors. Meanwhile, London ladies love the bright shades and prints that create statement jackets.

5. Layer, layer, layer - artfully.

"British women layer more due to the weather. They do a lot of cotton shirting under sweaters and dresses. I love the look, which is why the cotton shirt is a staple in each of my collections."

6. Mixing and matching? Not so much.

In the U.S., we're more likely to mix it up and indulge a new persona every time we get dressed. Brits, on the other hand, typically embrace more uniform dressing, identifying a style that resonates with them and sticking with it.

7. Shop antique jewelry.

she isn't drawn to a lot of statement jewelry, instead shopping for subtle antique picks. Our theory as to why? With hundreds of years on us, English shoppers might have easier access to fantastic markets and an early education for shopping vintage.

And how are we similar? says she notices women on both continents swapping purses out for different seasons and embracing the trend toward tinier bags. We've all collectively gotten better at high-low mixing too, helped in large part by the amount of designer collaborations we're seeing.

"Both American and British tastes have become more open-minded when it comes to shopping. People know they don't necessarily need to splurge on high-end designers to make a statement," she said. "Collaborations between designers and brands have helped deepen the pool of options, offering shoppers styles that are accessible while still looking like they came straight off the runway."

We love shopping but confirmed it's just as exciting of a time to be on the creative side of the equation too. "The shoes and bags [from my Aldo Rise collection] are progressive yet classic, designed for women who embrace their femininity while pursuing their goals. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out."

We love 'em too, though there's a particular zodiac sign who's really going to love them...