LEEDS
As Leeds is the cultural capital of Yorkshire and England’s third-largest
metropolitan borough, a Saturday night there has never been solely the
preserve of born Loiners. At the premiere of the Northern Ballet’s A Tale of
Two Cities at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, audience members are drawn from
Wakefield, Halifax, Bradford and beyond. Next door, at jazz-and-cocktail
joint the Wardrobe, middle-aged couples from Selby share bar space with the
city’s music students and super-fly funk aficionados. Nearer the city
centre, Mission nightclub, housed beneath three railway arches, is one of
hundreds of potential destinations for the teeming night-time trade. Demand
far outstrips supply, though: Mission staff admit that on Saturdays, finding
reasons to turn people away is a more pressing issue than actually promoting
the club. BM
The club: Jamie Wilson, 18, student
“I bought this top today, while going around town thinking about what I was
going to wear tonight. I think about what I’m going to wear more than most
people should. I saw this and thought it was a bit different. It was £45
from Aqua Couture. But I’m into metal music, so usually I’m in band
T-shirts.”
The bar: Gary Hartley-Farrar, 28, hairdresser, and Megan Williams, 35,
yoga teacher
Gary: “I bought these tops today from a boutique called Aqua Couture. I don’t
buy stuff from chains, because in a small place like Leeds, everyone ends up
wearing the same thing. The vest was around £70, the top was £90 and it was
£120 for the jeans. Because I like dancing, I like being able to move in
what I wear as well as knowing that I look hot in it.”
Megan: “I’m always wearing jeans or yoga clothes, so when I go out, I want to
feel sexy and feminine. This dress is by Diane von Furstenberg. I got my
shoes from a boutique in New York for £30. When I go out, I wear stuff I
feel good in. But I’m single, so I suppose there’s an element of wanting to
look attractive, too.”
The bar: Neama Firth, 37, hairdresser
“I’m into my hotpants at the moment; I’ve got about six pairs. These are
leather, from Topshop. I think I’ve got nice legs, so I’m making the most of
them because, you never know, I’m 37 and might get fat next year. My shoes
are Prada, from Harvey Nicks. They’re timeless and last for ever.”
The ballet: Janet Burgess and Ian MacMillan
Janet: “We wouldn’t go to the cinema like this, but the ballet is special. We
cross-check with each other… Does the jacket look all right? Is this top OK?”
Ian: “A tie is very much me, I have to say. I’m ex-airforce, so it’s just a
thing I grew up with. Formality feels natural to me.”
The ballet: Kate Duffy
“People don’t dress up any more, but that’s been the case for the past 20
years. Dressing the way that we used to takes time and discipline, but no
one has discipline today. Youth rules the world, and everyone else has to
follow. I shop at TK Maxx a lot now, but this top is Windsmoor and the one
underneath is Per Una.”
LONDON
Whether your Saturday evening involves an intimate dinner party, a glamorous
black-tie ball, or a raucous night of cocktails and karaoke, the question of
what to wear matters. Starting in a south London Victorian semi, with a
couple of bottles of fizz, a group of friends discuss the dinner party
uniform, the effects of bigger bills on their wardrobe and the virtues of a
linen shirt. At the Alliance Ball, a charity event for Unicef in Battersea
Park, the women dip strawberries into chocolate fountains and reveal where
they bought their dresses, while the men bemoan the rigours of wearing a
tuxedo. Meanwhile, across town, at a flat in Marylebone, girls and boys
discuss, through a haze of mojitos, daiquiries and bum notes, why choosing
an outfit can be hard. AS
The Ball Sally Whitaker, 22, and Rebecca Richmond King, 25
Sally: “I bought this dress for £90 from a vintage shop, and wore it at my
graduation ball last year. This is the perfect opportunity to wear it again.”
Rebecca: “I must have bought this dress four years ago, but I accessorise it
with different shoes and belts to update it.”
The Ball: Joanne Caille, 45, school kitchen worker “My dress is from an
Eastbourne shop – Posh & Becks – specialising in glamorous
dresses. It was £150, in a sale at half-price. My bag and shoes are new as
well, but from Next. I spent two hours getting ready and really pampered
myself. I am always in jeans and jumpers, so this is a lovely change.”
The Ball: Adio Almusa, 42 “The kilt is my mother’s tartan. She was from
Glasgow, and she bought me the whole outfit for my 30th birthday. I wear the
kilt with nothing underneath. It’s a tradition for me to wear my kilt to
this ball. I’ve been wearing it here for the past five years, so people
expect it. It’s more comfortable than a tuxedo – it’s easier going to the
toilet as well.”
The Dinner Party: Dominic Warren, architect
“I’ve worn this linen suit to every function since I bought it, from a work do
to a funeral. It’s a German make – Oskar. I’m wearing it with a linen shirt
from Boden and some leather booties – I never wear shoes. Most of my clothes
are from Boden or Gap, and my wife orders them. I don’t buy anything without
her say-so.”
The Dinner Party: Helen Healy, 43, picture editor, Lloyd Anderson, 53,
works for British Council and Oliver Bennett, 49, journalist
Helen: “This is a Marc Jacobs dress bought in a sale. I used to buy loads of
cheap things in Primark and H&M, but I’ve started buying decent items in
sales and have revived a lot of key things in my wardrobe.”
Lloyd: “My shoes are Paul Smith, the shirt is Bamford’s and the jeans are Red
Herring. The embarrassing thing is this is a special outfit for tonight. I
planned to wear a knackered old T-shirt, but I have gone upmarket for the
evening.”
Oliver: “I’ve had these jeans and shoes on all day. I changed my shirt and put
on a V-neck. I buy ‘hard-working separates’. I’m not sure what that means.”
Cocktails and karaoke: Carlos Santos, 26, works in the City “My jeans
are Diesel and the jumper is Lyle & Scott. This will sound weird, but I
feel more comfortable in my suits during the week than in my weekend
outfits. I can’t think of anything worse than having to pick something to
wear each morning. I have five nice suits, lots of shirts, it’s all easy,
and I know I look smart.”
Cocktails and karaoke: Liz Moss, 25, human resources, Talia Felber, 25,
TV production and Rosalind Todd, 26, pharmacist
Liz: “This is my staple outfit – it’s what I wear when I hate everything in my
wardrobe or I feel fat. It’s just a Topshop dress with a belt, black tights
and heels, but it’s flattering.”
Talia:“My best feature is my legs, so I wear loose tops and skinny trousers or
leggings to highlight the bits I like. This is typical – skinny jeans,
leotard from American Apparel and a top from Urban Outfitters.”
Rosalind: “I bought this dress in Topshop on a birthday spree last week. My
husband will kill me if he finds out how much it was. It’s simple, fun and
girlie.”
The Alliance Ball is run by Bovis Lend Lease and Stanhope
BRIGHTON
It’s where hens roost, stags rut and gay men play. It’s Brighton. And it’s
never more deliriously Brighton than on Saturday night. It’s not even 9pm
and already there’s some trouble. Mo, the doorman at the Heist Bar, has
turned away a crowd of leery lads in football strips. Inside it’s all
twentysomething couples. This is a cocktail bar, not a pub – no shorts and
no short sleeves. A stagger down the road is Oceana, a recently renovated
“mega-club” on the seafront. Over-23s cram the flashing disco floor, where
Boney M is playing. Ghetto doesn’t get going till midnight. It opened
recently at the end of St James’s Street, the gayest street in the gayest
town in Britain. Situated in a cellar, it’s underground in every sense.
Everyone is under 25 and their piercings flash on the dancefloor.
The club: Cassie Eales, 28, PR manager “You’re talking to Girls Aloud –
we did their pop video experience today! Our theme is black and pink: fun
and sexy. Normally, I’d wear Miss Selfridge or Jane Norman, but nothing too
girlie. Saturdays, I support Reading FC, then I and my fiancé, Graham, go
for a meal. I don’t wear this to the football! I love my hens – we’re
amazing!”
The Bar: (from left) Amanda O’Grady, 41, rave organiser, and daughter
Kelly Dutton, 22, waitress
Amanda: “We go out together once a month. I live my life by Einstein’s
principles of rhythm, connectivity and balance. The Clash are my heroes, so
they’re on my T-shirt. I don’t need to be sexy, but I can’t help it.”
Kelly: “I’m not embarrassed by my mum; she dresses way cooler than me. I’m
quite casual in O’Neill surfwear, but I’m showing a bit of tit. If I pull,
she looks the other way.”
The Bar: Scott McCall, 24, hairdresser
“Fashion is my passion, it’s what I live, breathe and dream. Every day, I plan
my outfits to make a big impression. I love Chanel, but Vivienne Westwood is
a goddess to me – I love her! Fashion sets you free: you can be yourself or
whoever you want to be.”
The club: Mohammed, known as MO, 28, doorman
“I’m not a bouncer; I’m a doorman. I’ve done this door for four years. I know
all the wrong faces. I don’t chuck people out – I stop the wrong ones coming
in. I like to keep it all cool. Black’s the only colour for a doorman.”
The Bar: Karl Gray, 25, construction worker “Brighton’s an electric
city. I’m from Hastings. We have a big night here every month. I buy new
clothes each time I go out as it makes me feel confident. Your clothes say a
lot about you. Everything I’ve got on is new from Topman. I wear Cool Water
by Davidoff, and I got the scorpion tattoo ‘cos I like it, but I’m Pisces.”
The club Nicola Everett, 27, childcare worker “I’m gonna be Mrs Mills
in a month – WOOHOO! I’m not a nurse, but I love this little PVC get-up.
There’s 11 of us. We’ve all got to dress up as the first letter of our name.
I’m Naughty Nurse. Me and my man are usually in on Saturday watching telly.
I love him! I always dress down; jeans and that. Except tonight! WOOO!”
The club: Paul Gadd, 27, postman
“It’s my last night of freedom – see, it says that on my T-shirt. I don’t care
about clothes; I just wanna have a good time. I make a gorgeous woman. Go
on, ‘ave a feel! I’m from Surrey. This is my first night out in Brighton and
I’m lovin’ it. Doo, dooo, dooo, dooo. Ah’m lovin’ it! Like the McDonald’s
advert!”
The club: (from left) Brad Dykes, 22, designer, Fiona Pruen, 22, DJ,
Will Paterson, 21, designer
Brad: “I’m wearing an LA Dodgers cap ‘cos I just finished being a go-go boy in
West Hollywood. My look is cheap but I’m not. I think Will and I look good
together.”
Fiona: “You’re staring at my tattoos? You can stare. I want people to stare.
Right now I’m femming it up a bit and going rockabilly chick. I’ve taken
some of my piercings out and I’m not getting any more tattoos – for now.
eBay is my wardrobe. Who wants to look like everyone else?”
Will: “I’m a Berlin boy now, but I’m here for the weekend for Brad. This Nike
top cost £1.50 and the jeans were 50p from a charity shop. My belt was £200
from Ralph Lauren. I like mixing real and fake so you don’t know what’s
what.”
WORCESTER
By day, Worcester is a quiet cathedral city, but like anywhere else, it’s a
party town on Saturday night. Early evening is tranquil, almost sleepy, as
couples head out to restaurants (Brown’s is regarded as one of the best),
but by mid-evening things are hotting up as boys and girls head for the
pubs. True night owls queue to dance their way into Sunday at Tramps
nightclub, or head to raucous house parties around the city. Either way,
they’re relieved to shed the monotony of the weekday suit and tie.
The restaurant: Craig Smith, 31, business manager, and Amy Pearce, 26,
training co-ordinator
Craig: “I feel more polished in a suit, so this brown pinstripe from Next was
an easy choice, with a pink River Island shirt. I’ve always wanted a pair of
well-made brogues; these are from the Savile Row Company.”
Amy: “I’m wearing a feelgood outfit: M&S sandals and a red
wrap dress from East. This is my belated birthday meal, and it’s a nice
excuse to dress up.”
The restaurant: Louise Punt, 35, HR manager, Andrew Punt, 35,
management consultant
Louise: “I wanted to dress up, but still feel comfortable. The jumper is
French Connection, the vest top Jigsaw, the jeans are Gap and my shoes and
bag are from Prada and Mulberry.”
Andrew: “We’re visiting our friends Stephen and Natalie, so I dressed smart
but casual. The shirt is from a shop called SW71 where we live in Bath, and
my watch is by Tissot.”
The restaurant: Natalie Smyth, 35, recruitment consultant, and Stephen
Smyth, 37, marine underwriter
Natalie: “Andrew and Louise came up for the weekend, so I bought this Zara
top. I like to get good designer pieces and mix them with everything else.
The shoes are from Prada.”
Stephen: “I’m wearing Diesel jeans, a Thomas Pink shirt and shoes from a shop
called Jade in Birmingham. It’s my usual look for anywhere nice.”
The nightclub: (from left) Charlotte Badham, 18, nursery assistant, and
Michelle Brady, 19, shop assistant
Charlotte: “We had drinks at home and did our hair and make-up together. My
shorts and shoes are New Look and the top is Next. We’re all over the place
tonight. We’re just out for a good time, really.”
Michelle: “My shorts are from River Island, the top’s from Bank and my shoes
come from New Look. I always go to cheap, trendy places, like Mark One,
where I got my bag.”
The house party: (from left) Michael Zyla, 21, unemployed, and Max
Duchoik, 23, factory worker
Max: “We both dress like this; you know, street-cool. This is a G-Unit hoodie,
Triple jeans and Adidas trainers. The cap is 100 per cent Polish, like me.
We look the best; everyone else around here looks like chavs – we go for the
gangsta look. Michael’s English isn’t good, but he’s wearing a Yankees cap
and Nike trainers. We’re having a party tonight; get wasted, get a girl…
Later? We’ll still be partying when you’re in bed.”
