American Vs. European Style

[enrichi]

I think that it could be very fun to take a popculture look at it and sort of compare across the lines that way. Look at things that America has always celebrated as its culture (bear in mind, I'm not American and this is all from an outside looking in, so if this offends anyone, I am really really sorry!) things like Hollywood Glam, Jazz, Blues, Swing, Punk (Yeah, that's a whole other argument, but a lot of people will say it's American not British. Argue it whatever way you want!) I would be really interested in looking at things that America has always promoted in itself and the music that accompanies it. It seems like every great popculture movement has a soundtrack, so pick them out and have fun with it!

 

[Lena]

Originally posted by helena@Sep 13 2004, 05:28 PM
without cultural differences the world would be a very dull place with little variety. what i would rather say is that we should celebrate our cultural differences rather than ignoring them. Thats why I think that there is merit in discussing the differences between european and american style - as I am convinced there are differences which, in my opinion are primarily based upon cultural differences. Arguably it is crutial in acceptance of those differences that we really understand what the cultural or social difference beween peoples is.

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of course, cultural differences do exist and are welcome
like ultramarine mentioned, American designers are focusing on practicallity, modernity, Europeans seem more 'artistic' and love 'details' so this reflects on the way people dressed.

what really annoys me is the way the cultures are judged in contrast, creating a kind of barrier between people and nations.. i find this allienating in a time that we should go for unity, acceptance and deeper understanding.

 

[Mettchen]

thanks for all the answers guys it has been very helpfull, started a lot of thoughts in my mind. thanks again

 

[bismarck]

I know mettchen finished her article a while ago, but I feel that this is an interesting subject.

I'm American, and I've never been to Europe, although I've managed to go to Asia and other parts of North America, so I have a little bit of perspective on non-US culture. If New York and Paris are the capitals of fashion for their respective countries, and Paris the fashion capital of Europe (obviously this can be easily argued, but when we talk about European fashion, I'm sure we never mean Finnish fashion or German fashion, etc., although there might be some very stylish people there; ...and Paris is Paris, it's been an object of fantasy and high reputation for so long above most other countries), then I can't say that American and European fashion is too different. There are people who prefer comfort and utility everywhere in the world, and there are also nauseatingly trendy and flashy people all over the world, so I don't think that America or Europe reigns in either of those fields.

If any, the differences would probably be that America is less formal, and Europe is more classic since it is built on centuries of culture and history. Americans definitely introduced a lot of things, like sportswear, hip hop culture, and a casual, pared down approach to dressing (although I think we've gone a bit too casual). It wasn't unusual at all for women to go out in dresses a few decades ago, in any part of America climate allowing, but now it's a bit of a curiousity. Perhaps not in certain parts of the country (New York and other big cities), but overall in this country, there's a low tolerance for...non sportswear casual, I guess I'd call it. And a high tolerance for pajama pants, sweatshirts, ...uggs.

There should be a thread on Asian versus American fashion. I know so much more about Asian than European...I've actually been there for one . Asian casual fashion, in Beijing and even less big cities like Guangzhou, has a lot of room for casual dresses, and women wear high heels as a norm, although shorts and sneakers are also okay. From what I've seen and read on the Internet, Europe is much the same. Oh man, if someone from Europe or who visits Europe wants to comment, please feel free, definitely.

 

[Bambam]

I can only speak for the two countries I've lived in - United States and France.

From my observation, the French:

- Tend to have less clothing altogether.
- Tend to wear pieces more often - quality vs. quantity.

while Americans...

- Tend to have MORE clothing, but not as many "classic" pieces.
- Tend to be more casual.
- Are afraid of wearing the same thing multiple times - some rewearing fear.
- Prefer to blend in?

 

[lamby]

I don't know where the whole idea of Europeans sitting in cafe's reciting poetry, wearing chic clothing, smoking cigarettes came from & why so many people seem to have it in their head, but from somebody who's lived in France, England, Russia [european part] & Italy, not every single european is oh-so-chic. Quite a number of them walk around in flip flops, pants, and shirts...and it's not always tres chic, IMO.

As for America, I certainly think saying 98% of us have no style is a huge generalization. Where have you been in America? Every single state & every single large city in it? To say that alot of women have no good style from their mothers is a big generalization aswell. I grew up on Park Avenue & there's plenty of women and their daughters [& sons] who have fabulous style. It may sound conceited, but I think I have pretty good style [ I've been told quite a bit ] & my mother is one of the chicest dressers I know. Go other places in NYC, there's alot of wonderful dressers. Go to Houston, TX. There's lots of sloppy people, but it's hot as sh*t down there. There's also alot of really stylish people there. Every city has people who don't dress that great, & then really stylish. I think it's alot the same for Europe. There's difference, some of them have clothing than Americans, and some have closets jam packed with the tackiest sh*t I've ever seen. To lump people together like that is nutty.

 

[artemis14]

Interesting topic. As a first-generation Euro living in the U.S., I have to say that I agree w/Bambam about the quantity vs. quality thing. Americans like to have tons of clothes, while Europeans tend to be more meticulous about the quality and details of their clothing instead of having a whole closet of kind of "eh" stuff. Of course it's impossible to generalize, and that's not my intent because there are always exceptions (there's plenty of well dressed Americans out there as evidenced by TFS!) I also think Europeans just take alot of pride in their appearance- they would never go run errands in sweats (at least not in my neck of the woods) or look sloppy. Just my humble opinion...

 

[eternitygoddess]

like ultramarine mentioned, American designers are focusing on practicallity, modernity, Europeans seem more 'artistic' and love 'details' so this reflects on the way people dressed

Yep. NY fashion week is about wearable clothes while Milan and Paris are always driving fashion forwards.

Jennifer Aniston is a good example of good American style.

Europeans (I have in mind the French) tend to be more chic and elegant.

 

[DizzyLizzy]

I can only speak for Europe. I live in Germany and travelled a lot to our european neighbours.
IMO there is the same discussion about style in all the different european countries.

Most german girls don’t have a classic way of dressing. They just change their style nearly every season. At the moment this emo-thing is ending and I wonder what will come next.
I’m not only writing about 14 years old girls, but also about young women which try to be dressed modern. For this reason nearly every(!!!) girl/woman wears skinny jeans.

About an age of 25 or 30 they only dress in this "classic" way. Expensive jeans, polo shirt or/and cardigan by lacoste, ralph lauren...that's it.

 

[grayeyes043]

THe question is way to open-ended b/c you have to consider that fact that English fashion can differ from Russian fashion from Italian fashion and from Swedish FAshion and likewise it can differ from West Coast FAshion, Southern FAshion Midwestern FAshion, and Eastern SEaboard fashion.

She should be more specific about what she would like to talk about and the paper would be very easy to write.
What part of fashion do you plan on focusing your paper on...male/female/children/ plus size/ and etc...

 

[greeen]

I think the issue here in America for the most part is that a large majority of us tend to get caught up in the whole "dress your age" and then it all goes to hell. 15 year olds don't have to wear denim pleated minis and 45 year old women don't have to wear unappealing mon jeans and penny loafers, but people fall into that mentality that this is just how you're supposed to dress if you fall into this age bracket. I feel like the same often applies when culture and gender come into play. A lof of it has to do with fear as well, like Tang stated.

Just my 2 cents though.

 

[baguette]

I agree most of American have bad style.
But, thank goodness I live in New York.

 

[Rebel Yell]

Okay I would NEVER ever say this out loud but I don't really like the whole casual/preppy 'American' style...and I don't like labels like Abercrombie and Fitch and stuff...sorry! I can really tell the difference in terms of style when I see an American or European...just very DIFFERENT...not drastically but it's hard to explain. And no offense but the teenage girls all seem to kind of dress the same, this sort of Californian beach girl look/emo-girl look/paris hilton-ish look...not trying to be judgemental here, I just tend to get that vibe when seeing Americans. Europe, not only Paris/Milan/London the fashion capitals, but elsewhere is still different from America, the sense of style differs.
Just because other european countries are not known to be fashion capitals does NOT mean their style should be worse?!, which many Americans seem to think. I talked to a few people and they'll be like, OMG I WANNA GO TO PARIS AND MILAN and they will have completely different assumptions of other European countries and their style, etc.
From what I've observed European girls/women put some effort caring about their looks, and they do like to own 'classic' pieces but wear things in a way it appears 'elegant' and 'chic', sort of very polished and not messy/casual kind of look. Also a lot of people are trend followers, but I don't feel that it is as extreme as Asia or America perhaps, because Asian people I think don't only follow a trend, they LIVE and BREATHE it, and they are always talking about 'style icons'-celebs like Nicole Richie.
And yes, it could be said that Europeans like Italians would rather make an investment buying garments they truely cherish, even though it's pricy, than just buying a load of cheap stuff that won't last long..(ofcourse this also differs between people)

 

[Yanka]

It's really hard to talk about these matters becuase America is so huge and diverse and so is Europe. Can one really compare, say, a typical 25 year old from Iowa and a typical 25 year old from Bucharest? Who's more stylish? Do people from Kiev and Lissabon dress at all similiarly? In my experience, not at all. But they are all techically European. I think a more specific thread would make more sense, like Parisian vs. New York, Milan & LA or something...

 

[litchickuk]

the different climates betwen europe and america is a good reason for why the two have vastly varying styles.
European style is more cultivated and classic but Americans have a better way with colors, patterns and kitsch touches
A blend of the two continents would create the perfect balance

 

[marjorieayap]

In general, from what I have seen, some of the girls in Europe are more outgoing with their choices. And some are more formal and put together.

 

[mesmeri]

You could look at street fashion photos and even put in some for reference. These websites are great:

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com
http://facehunter.blogspot.com
http://streetpeeper.com

 

[sleazie ninja]

As for America, I certainly think saying 98% of us have no style is a huge generalization. Where have you been in America? Every single state & every single large city in it? To say that alot of women have no good style from their mothers is a big generalization aswell. I grew up on Park Avenue & there's plenty of women and their daughters [& sons] who have fabulous style.

Exactly what percentage of this country grew up on Park Avenue? Approximately how many of the states and their within large cities have you experienced first hand? In this regard, I doubt that even as a fellow American, many people in this country could even begin (or care to) identify with your experience. No hate. I'm an elitist effer myself.

I agree most of American have bad style.
But, thank goodness I live in New York.

There are plenty of people that live in New York with "bad style" -- just go to the Upper West Side or Bedford Ave on a Saturday afternoon.

Okay I would NEVER ever say this out loud but I don't really like the whole casual/preppy 'American' style...and I don't like labels like Abercrombie and Fitch and stuff...sorry!

One of the sweet (and validating) ironies of the Abercrombie phenomenon (speaking as one of the seemingly several dozens of Americans "with style") is that when the A&F store opened in NY, there were noticeable mobs of Europeans that were buying the stuff up by the truck load.

It's really hard to talk about these matters becuase America is so huge and diverse and so is Europe. Can one really compare, say, a typical 25 year old from Iowa and a typical 25 year old from Bucharest? Who's more stylish? Do people from Kiev and Lissabon dress at all similiarly? In my experience, not at all. But they are all techically European. I think a more specific thread would make more sense, like Parisian vs. New York, Milan & LA or something...

This post is spot on. Grouping together 300 million people under 1 category of style is inconceivable. If anything, there are only pockets of style, and certainly not limited to large metropolitan cities. I live in LA, and I'd say that 99% of the people here have no clue about their personal style. Whereas, there are currently cities like seattle and omaha that are pushing the envelope in terms of progressing past the "American" fashion ethos.

I can only speak for the two countries I've lived in - United States and France.

From my observation, the French:

- Tend to have less clothing altogether.
- Tend to wear pieces more often - quality vs. quantity.

while Americans...

- Tend to have MORE clothing, but not as many "classic" pieces.
- Tend to be more casual.
- Are afraid of wearing the same thing multiple times - some rewearing fear.
- Prefer to blend in?

If I were to write a paper in the same vein as the OP's intent, I would focus on the age old dichotomy of "quality vs. quantity."

I don't know where the average European purchases their clothes, but in this country, regardless of what city you are in, there are places called: Walmart, Pac Sun, Wet Seal, Costco, etc., where the majority of Americans purchase their clothes. It's much harder to be "fashionable" when you are bombarded by the sheer volume of crap that is readily available on every street corner, shopping mall and megastore in the US. Instead, one must make an effort to search out clothes that stand apart from the masses of American consumerism. Whereas, in my mind, it is probably easier to be fashionable in an environment, i.e., Europe, where mass-produced crap is not the norm, but rather frowned upon with disdain.

 

[Bel]

Americans are so, so much better at anything distressed and have a better understanding of how to do casual. In Paris I saw a few distressed items in stores and they all looked wrong somehow.

But our formal wear is sh*t, think of prom dresses.

 

[Lilliana]

hmm I guess around 70% of both Americans and Europeans dress boring to simply ugly. I don't think that there are more fashionable people in Europe than in the US.
But in Europe there seem to be more - rather unconcious - dress codes. I.e. in my town nobody would think of going to uni in sweatpants, unless wanting to make a statement, but surely not because they wouldn't like to rather because they would be stared at.
As to the quality/quantity discussion I have the feeling it's influenced by the french wardrobe thread. Being european and having lived in many european cities I can say that enough people like to go for quantity. And most Teenagers here are trend victims as well (mostly getting the trends from us/uk by the way).
So what I want to say is being fashionable is rather a question of personality and or income and status than being european or american.

As to the fashionable 30% there really seems to be a different feeling to it. hard to explain. this is of course a gross generalisation, but there is something so clean about Americans (not meaning that europeans are dirty ), it's something with the clear cuts, high quality fabric - cottons? - one colour pieces, dunno, a no fuss approach. and I agree they do distressed/ironic usually much better.