During my trip to Yorkshire a while back, I went along for a day at the York Races with my host, one of her daughters, and her daughter’s fiancé and friend. I had brought my bright coral dress to England expressly for this event. That morning, my friend tried on several of her long summery dresses, asking for all of our opinions before settling on her red flowery maxi dress.
Everything about that day was a welcome bombardment to my senses. It was hot, the British girls were out in their colored printed dresses and showing skin, and excitement surrounded each horse race. I saw a grown man dressed as a baby surrounded by his pals who were in button-down shirts, ties, and trousers. It was prime time for people watching.
Everything about that day was a welcome bombardment to my senses. It was hot, the British girls were out in their colored printed dresses and showing skin, and excitement surrounded each horse race. I saw a grown man dressed as a baby surrounded by his pals who were in button-down shirts, ties, and trousers. It was prime time for people watching.
Can you find the former jockey below?
And the baby-man?
At the end of the day, the Scottish band Wet Wet Wet gave a concert. It was fun to see my friend singing along and swaying to the music. She was in heaven. If you don’t know this group that was especially popular in the 1980s and 90s, like me you may at least have heard the song “Love is all around.” “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…”
Afterward, we stopped in the pub where my friend’s other daughter worked.
Pubs. British fashion. The York Races. Wet Wet Wet. Everything about the day was out of the ordinary for me. Americans share many similarities with the British, but we still have our distinct cultural characteristics.
I Say Oui 
Oh, this is awesome! Such a British thing… best way to catch a glimpse of the local culture, quite a unique experience. I sound super excited but I must admit these country-specific events are a treat for world traveler.
Love the dresses… as a photographer. Can’t imagine wearing any of these outfits, though!
Wet Wet Wet’s song brings back memories of the 1990s 😉
It was definitely interesting seeing the fashion after coming from Paris, which is more conservative fashion-wise. I myself wear a lot of color but would have worn those dresses differently than those girls did—without the super high heels, for example.
I think most of my American peers don’t know Wet Wet Wet, so they must have been much bigger in the UK, France, and other European countries! It was fun discovering their music.