Brighton is a melting pot of different peoples, traditions, dialects, races, skin colors and ideas. It has been that way since the Renaissance when, according to one scholar, “the city fathers” made Brighton “a most beautiful meeting place for the heirs of Charles II.” Much later in the 19th century, the writer defined Brighton as “one of those bright places in England which have been so long neglected that they deserve an improvement.” True enough, Brighton has undergone many “improvements,” some of them quite recent. A few of the improvements include:
Traditional British English: “Bristol’s cosmopolitan tradition has been strongly influenced by Victorian fashion. The city’s bistro cafes are trendier than ever. Traditional dress is still fashionable at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where fashionable boutiques sell everything from tailored suits to handcrafted jewelry. The Arts Council has helped upgrade the arch of St. Lawrence and refurbished the Hotel Interior, which is frequented by trendy locals and tourists.”
Informal Brighton: “Bristol has a cosmopolitan tradition. Its cosmopolitan culture is strongly influenced by Victorian fashion. The city’s bistro cafes are trendier than ever. Traditional dress is still fashionable at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where fashionable boutiques sell everything from tailored suits to handcrafted jewelry. At the Brighton Arts Council, you can see trendy shops, cafes, theatres and restaurants.” As stated earlier, trends in Brighton have shifted from formal to casual ever since the Arts Council helped renovate the historic hotel Interior.
Trendy But Not Cheap: “Everyone’s looking for a bargain, but not everyone is looking for cheap. There are a lot of great bargains to be had in Brighton, with the area’s famous Internet shopper market providing one of the best places to find discounted clothing, accessories and more. You don’t need to live in Brighton to appreciate that everything’s cheaper when you shop online; there’s no need to drive anywhere, no need to fight lines and you can find anything in your size.” From a September 2021 Brighton Now article titled “Brighton Becomes a Fashionable Destination” by Sarah Bond.
Informal But Fashionable: “The most recent trend to hit Britain is definitely informal chic. Brighton is embracing this fashion forward approach, with stylish shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques opening on nearly every corner. People everywhere are wearing vintage and thrift stores, vintage labels, and even more unusual shops that specialise in weird or unique fashion items. “You can buy pretty much anything you can think of in Brighton”, says Sarah Bond. “There’s even a small street market taking place now where people sell antiques and unique gifts.”
Whether you want to dress up or dress down, follow the latest trends, take part in fashion competitions, attend events, or become a trendsetter – Brighton has got you covered. Brighton offers something for everyone. Brighton, despite its rather dreary exterior, has long embraced the hippy lifestyle, and you’ll find an abundance of interesting venues and activities if you’re into the latest styles in fashion, music or just about anything else.