Fashion in Kent

The only places I've been to so far in the UK are London and around Kent county.  I couldn't help but notice that compared to New York, the fashion was very different, and not in a good way.  I have a vivid memory from standing at a crossing on Fifth Avenue this summer, admiring the outfit of the girl in front of me (I noticed her, honestly, because she had a Birkin bag).  That was my 'aha' moment - I understood street style.  I look at The Sartorialist and Jak and Jil religiously (along with Tommy Ton's work featured on style.com, so I'm pretty sure I know what good taste is.
The town I'm living in has a total, complete, and utter lack of style.  The people are quite tacky (I'm sorry, but it's true).  I was almost frightened to see what the people at my school would wear, but they're very well turned out.  I have to wear a suit every day, but girls are very conscious of their blouse choices, shoes, and accessories.  Coming from a school where girls in Hanes t-shirts, yoga pants, the haphazard scarf and Uggs would pass for dress code, I truly appreciate this.  I have a few accessories, but I rarely use them, mostly out of laziness.  I always wear earrings and a watch; it's just a little more effort to put on my Chan Luu bracelet or pearl choker (I did today!)
When I visited the local outlets on Saturday, I wasn't struck by anyone's fashion choices.  Quite honestly I don't even remember looking carefully because I knew I wouldn't find anything interesting.  I did, however, get to visit Ted Baker's outlet store.  There was a lovely wallet but I just bought a new one for $66 (Kate Spade online sale!) so I wasn't going to spend £30 on a new one (as much as I wanted to).  There were some very cute things there, but mostly sort of tacky things.  The girls I was shopping with were taken by things like butterfly necklaces and they wanted to visit the Next outlet...yeah.
On Sunday, I went on a trip a little farther away to Maidstone.  My friends were ecstatic to shop at Primark.  Quelle horreur!  I likened it to Wal-Mart's clothing when describing it to my mother.  I was pleased to find Fremlin Walk, which has H&M, Zara, Topshop, the like.  I was also thrilled to have a tomato, mozzarella, and pesto toastie from Pret (how lovely that tasted after my school's food!)  I ended up buying a deep green buffalo leather crossbody bag from Zara on a whim, but I'm quite happy with it.  It was £30, so nearly $50, but I think it's worth it.
I'm trying to reinvent my style, partially because I've been influenced by the thought the girls at my school seem to put in their clothes.  I could be completely off, and they're just throwing on whatever and they happen to be buying the right things.  I bought two tops and a skirt at H&M.  H&M in Europe is infinitely better than their stores in America, let me tell you.  I spent £40 or something, but I think I got some decent purchases.  I'm trying to take risks, trying on things I would never dare to before.  Because if I look at my closet, I have things that could be cute on their own, and some cute outfits, but a lot of the things I bought because I liked them, not because they'd go well together.  Now I'm putting more thought into what the outfit would look like.
Despite the lack of style in the areas around me, I'm trying to forage through.  Right now, I'm wearing navy wide-leg J.Crew pants that are set slightly above my hips, a pink H&M belt, and a fabulous leopard print Perfect Shirt from J.Crew (that I also wore to school today with my black Banana Republic suit.)  I may not be spending a fortune on my clothes, but I would willingly do so if I had the money.  I love clothes, and I love fashion.  I've been prompted by my weeks here to take control of my personal style, and I fully intend to do just that.