No sooner had I gotten off the plane in Glasgow than I began coveting boots. Well, actually, boots and coats. Oh, did I mention scarves? In fact, what I wanted was the whole look: A pared-down silhouette that allows Scotswomen to look like models even as they bundle up against the chill. So, I decided to figure out the recipe, stalking booted beauties as they ambled about the city on a gorgeous fall day.
According to my photographic analysis, the walking uniform features five main ingredients:
- Boots, which can be black, brown or colored, short or tall, but typically feature fur or buckles or some other distinctive feature.
- A body-conscious flared, eye-catching coat — no polarfleece or puffy ski jackets for these gals.
- Black, gray or colored leggings or stretchy skinny jeans (called “jeggings” by the fashion press here).
- Some type of long sweater or top, preferably cabled if it’s a sweater, in a quirky pattern if it’s a top.
- A fabulously long, fluffy scarf.
I noticed the trend as soon as I got here, of course (I mentioned in a previous clothes-oriented post that I’m ridiculously fashion-conscious in foreign cities) but at first I thought the Scotswomen had just developed their own quirky uniform. But once I’d been here a few days, I realized the eminent logic behind this combo; it’s absolutely positively perfectly suited for walking. (In fact, I think fashion-conscious hikers in the states might want to think about tossing their voluminous REI trail pants and heavy boots in favor of this more feminine take.) Here’s why.
- Leggings or stretchy skinny jeans give you plenty of freedom in the legs to stride along, no wide-leg pants flapping about your ankles; no belt cutting into your waist
- A long coat gives you plenty of coverage; no wind whipping up underneath. And you don’t have to worry about people behind you looking at your bum.
- If you choose boots with a lug sole and plenty of cush in the step, you have nothing to fear from puddles and cobblestones — both of which are everywhere in Scotland.
- If your scarf is long enough, you can wrap it around your head and ears when the wind whips up. Which it has a tendency to do here.
See? Perfect for walking. And the Scottish do a lot of walking. Boy, do they walk. In fact, I’d honestly say, if you don’t like to walk, don’t come to Scotland. You’re not going to like it here. One of my a-ha moments my first day here? Oh, this is where my family gets the walking thing. (My mom was Scottish.)
Not only can you not get around in Scotland without walking long distances, and walking all day, but the Scots take it as a point of pride to disregard distance. “Oh, it’s just a wee bit over there,” was a common response when I asked directions – only to find my destination was actually halfway across town.
And of course, there are reasons for this, too. In the country, you’re likely to look out your hotel window and see a spectacular beach — but you’ll have to go around or across three golf courses to get there. (The Scots do love their golf.) And in the cities; well, think about it. These cities have been here since the 12th century. They weren’t built for cars, and certainly not for parking.
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| Striding with stroller and tot in tow |
One more thing: I have to say the Scottish are among the thinnest, fittest-looking people I’ve ever seen. (At one point I confess to wondering if Scottish women didn’t favor leggings and tunics simply to show off their skinny legs!)
Although The Scotsman carried a front page story last week decrying rising rates of diabetes tied to rising rates of obesity, I simply didn’t see it. So I went back and checked the numbers, and, well – that dramatic rise they’re worried about? It brings them to 4.1 percent of the population. That’s not good, of course, but try 8 percent, folks; that’s what we’re dealing with here in the U.S. today, with the CDC estimating that at current rates, one in three Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime, losing an average of 15 years from their lifespan.
So let’s all buy some tall, rubber soled boots, stretchy leggings and cozy scarves and get walking. We’ll get fit, and we’ll look fabulous doing it.
I'm not a particularly hefty girl, but I DID feel like a MOOSE when I was overseas. Since this look was VERY in when I was in high school, so far … I'm avoiding it for fear of being an anachronism.
I have two pairs of black boots that I just love. One has a hint of a heel and the other about 2 1/2 inches for those days when you just gotta have a some height. This was so much fun to read.
Now you've gone and made me want boots. Again. I never find any that fit right, but I keep looking anyway.
I love a culture that incorporates lots of walking into the day. Just wish American culture would change in that direction.
Interesting! I visited in the summer and so clothing was much different. There is a fabulous, wonderful shop called Ness that sells the most beautiful modern wool plaids. They make scarves, bags, and clothes.
Roxanne, I too felt a tad hefty next to the Scottish gals, but what I liked is that they all seem super fit and healthy, not waifish and frail. And the cold air sure puts pink in your cheeks!
Dear MarthaAndMe, I too stumbled into Ness and fell in love. Unfortunately the exchange rate put their clothes out of my reach, but i certainly lusted. So nice to see the bright colors and soft natural fabrics; quite different than anything we have here.
I'm jealous. I'm dying to go to Scotland sometime soon. I remember reading that the Australians also tend to dress towards fitness and comfort and away from fashion. Interesting that this is a Scottish tendency too.
Oh, you really have put the travel bug into me now. I was not aware of the supreme health of the Scottish – the walking has to have something to do with it, no? I'm packing my boots and scarves and booking the next flight!
I love boots!!
I love it that this post is bringing all the boot-lovers out of the closet, so to speak! I'm a boot fanatic too; I wouldn't even want to admit publicly how many pairs I've collected over the years….
Loved visiting Glasgow several years ago. I have to say that their uniform is similar to what I wear hear in Boston (for 8 years I didn't have a car so it was walking and subways everywhere), except I made the mistake of buying boots with a bit of a heel. Flat boots are really in right now, so I'm craving something more sensible, but at the same time, I have a hard time justifying yet another pair of boots.
My hairdresser for the past 25 is Scottish and she's the most kick-arse styling gal I know, so your post doesn't surprise me.
I'm coveting a pair of boots myself, now that the weather has turned. Gotta love a walking town. So want to go there…
I'm short and stocky and my legs have always been thick, even when I was a size 4 teen – so boots have never really felt right on me. I do agree, though, that people overseas are so much healthier than we are here and walking every where has a lot to do with it!
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Great pixs, wonderful blog! We just got rid of our snow in late May so looking good while keeping warm is a must here if you want to go outside.
Lifecell