By Olivia Lambert *
When I went to London, I thought I was going to study fashion. I thought I would take note of trends, colors, silhouettes, and what people were wearing compared to the United States. I did notice those things. I noticed beige everywhere. I noticed designer bags on every corner. I noticed slicked back buns, relaxed denim, simple sweaters, and expensive jewelry layered over basics. But what I did not expect was how much those observations would make me question culture, consumption, and even myself.
Walking through Kensington, Notting Hill, Oxford Street, and even just spending an afternoon inside the Victoria and Albert Museum, I realized Londoners dress with intention. It is not loud. It is not overly styled. It is simple but very thought out. Long neutral sweaters, loose jeans, clean shoes, understated makeup. Then a statement bag or beautiful jewelry to finish it. It looked effortless, but it was not careless.
At first I just thought beige was trending. But the longer I stayed, the more I realized it was bigger than that. Londoners invest differently. Instead of constantly buying new trendy pieces, many seem to buy items they can wear every single day. A good bag. A structured coat. Jewelry that becomes part of them. It made me start thinking about cost per wear, something I honestly had not paid attention to before. Spending more money on something you will use for years suddenly made sense to me in a way it never had before.
It also made me reflect on how Americans approach appearance. In the United States, you cannot drive very far without seeing nail salons, cosmetic dentistry offices, and advertisements about enhancing your looks. In London, I saw so many luxury bags and Prada tops, but natural nails and less obvious cosmetic work. People still looked polished. They still looked wealthy. They just defined it differently. That difference really stuck with me. 
Studying abroad forced me to observe instead of just participate. At home, I move quickly. I buy what is trending. I follow what I see online. In London, I slowed down. I watched how people carried themselves. I paid attention to how they styled simple pieces. I noticed how confident they seemed in clothes that were not trying too hard.
It made me ask myself questions I had never seriously thought about before. Why do we in America feel pressure to constantly update ourselves. Why do we associate being put together with altering our physical appearance. Why do we consume so much so quickly. I do not know if one culture is more materialistic than the other, but I do think the priorities are different.
Another thing I noticed was balance. I saw people reading on the Tube. I saw people going to workout classes, walking instead of driving, spending time in museums, investing in hobbies. The artists we met talked about building their craft slowly and intentionally. It did not feel rushed. It did not feel like everything had to be monetized immediately. That was refreshing.
London is also considered one of the fast fashion capitals of the world, which surprised me. There is definitely consumption there. But there is also a noticeable push toward sustainability and resale. Being there made those global fashion conversations feel real. It is one thing to read about sustainability in a classroom. It is another thing to see how people actually shop, what they prioritize, and what they discard.
More than anything, studying abroad changed me because it made me independent in a new way. Navigating public transportation. Adjusting to different social norms. Being in spaces where I was not fully comfortable at first. It forced me to grow up a little. It made me more observant. It made me more confident. 
There is something powerful about being somewhere unfamiliar. You pay closer attention. You compare less. You listen more. You start to understand that the way you grew up doing things is not the only way.
If another student asked me whether they should study abroad, my answer would be yes without hesitation. Not just because you get to travel. Not just because you take pictures in beautiful places. But because it changes how you think. It challenges what you assume is normal. It shows you that culture influences everything from what we wear to how we spend money to how we define confidence. 
London taught me that beige is not boring. It can represent simplicity, investment, and quiet confidence. But more importantly, studying abroad taught me to look deeper than the surface. What started as trend spotting turned into self reflection.
I went to London to study fashion. I left understanding culture, intentionality, and myself in a way I would not have if I had stayed home. And that alone is why every student who has the opportunity should go.
Visiting the Vogue College of Fashion offices.
Olivia Lambert is a Junior studying Apparel Design and Production Management at Auburn University.
