British Cuisine

2 Charles Chaplin, Peter Sellers, Benny Hill, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean are examples of famous international comedians -and all of them are British. But why has British comedy been so

successful? One answer may be that humour and laughter are very important to the British. The traditional image of a British person for many foreigners is a conventional and reserved person who doesn't show any emotion. However, perhaps because they are generally reserved people, they use humour to deal with life and all its problems .Everybody in Britain is expected to have a sense of humour. And the British use humour and irony in situations which might seem very strange, almost frivolous, for other cultures. Professors giving serious lectures at university often start off with a joke to get people relaxed and interested. Business people mix humour and statistics when making important presentations. Some doctors try to get a laugh to relax their patients. Even priests tell jokes in church! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Shopping

Top 5 British Fashion Brands

If you know anything about looking good, you probably know about the top 5 British fashion brands. These label-makers and trend-setters from across "The Pond" have been featured on some of the most exclusive runways in the entire world. Revamp your entire wardrobe with these famous British fashion brands.   When you want to look your best, you cannot go wrong with these top British fashion brands. These well-known names are some of the finest collections you'll find in your search for high-quality couture. If you want to dress to impress every single day of the week, you're going to need at least a few pieces from these British fashion brands.

Ben Sherman. Known for carrying a more casual style than anything else, Ben Sherman has everything you need when you want to look amazing while walking down the street. The specialized Beatles Collection is perfect for anyone who wants to channel their inner John, Paul, George, or Ringo, and their iconic Union Jack shirts are great for showcasing national pride without looking gauche.

Burberry. One of the more high-class British fashion brands, Burberry is the de facto clothing choice for the rich and famous. Their eponymous bags and scarves are known for their subdued style, while the women's coats can be described as nothing less than luxurious.

French Connection. This British fashion brand is known for its eye-catching logo of FCUK. The collections here display a sort of subtle elegance with their darker tones, vintage-inspired designs, and body-complimenting construction.

London Fog. If you're looking for clothes to wear to the office, then this is your British fashion brand of choice. Their trousers and collared shirts all scream sophistication, while the women's skirts and suits give off a vibe of having control without seeming domineering.

Dr. Marten's. From sandals to boots, this British fashion brand is great for all of your footwear needs. Their boots are sturdy yet stylish, combining the best features of comfort and usability for men, women, and children of all ages.

Burberry Group is a British luxury fashion house, manufacturing clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories. Its distinctive tartan pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. Burberry is most famous for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by founder Thomas Burberry. The company has branded stores and franchises around the world, and also sells through concessions in third-party stores.

London Fog is a large manufacturer of coats and other clothes. The company was founded in 1923 as the Londontown clothing company by Israel Myers. During World War II, the company was known for making waterproof clothing for the United States Navy. Following the war, the company partnered with DuPont to make material for use in raincoats. These coats, which were the first to have a patented removable liner, were sold in Philadelphia, where they were a big hit. The company went public in the 1960s. By the 1970s, the company had its own stores, and was manufacturing not only raincoats, but also other types of clothes and accessories. At the time, two-thirds of all raincoats sold in the United States were London Fog. London Fog expanded internationally during the 1990s, selling in places like the United Kingdom and China. The original location of the London Fog Factory was in the Meadow Mills area of Baltimore, Maryland. The factory was then moved to Eldersburg, Maryland on Londontown Boulevard.  In 1994, the company left their 465,000 square feet (43,200 m2) of building space in Eldersburg for Darien, Connecticut. Iconix Brand Group bought London Fog in 2006.

Selfridges celebrates 100 years of shopping: The first ever mall

On its first day of business, 100 years ago this month, customers queued round the block to enter a brand new shoppers' paradise in the heart of London. Harry Gordon Selfridge's Oxford Street department store created quite a sensation. More than a million people visited in the first week, and no wonder - they had never seen anything quite like it before. Selfridges was the first of its kind. A vast expanse of consumer heaven, everyone was welcome - even those who'd only come to window shop. Customers were welcomed by smiling staff who'd undergone three months of training in the "Selfridges Way". Previously, stores were austere places. Shoppers would be escorted in simply to buy. Browsing was forbidden. Selfridge changed all that. For the first time shopping became a pleasure and not a chore. The American entrepreneur stumbled on his concept accidentally on his first visit to London. Walking into a shop, he was confronted by an assistant. "Is sir intending to buy something?" the young man asked. "No, I'm just looking," replied Selfridge - only to be told: "Then 'op it, mate." So Selfridge planned his perfect emporium. It was to have everything under one roof - including the kitchen sink. He even coined a phrase for his new venture: "The customer is always right." So March 15, 1909, was a red letter day for shopping. The parfumerie was put at the front - a forerunner of today's store layouts - and customers were welcomed with music and encouraged to spend the whole day at the cosmetic counters, hairdressers and restaurants. Women, who were only just beginning to enjoy walking alone without gentleman escorts, wanted something more - and Selfridges became the perfect day out. Selfridge invented January Sales and the Bargain Basement.

He even advertised with the slogan "Why not spend the day at Selfridges?" and boasted he'd made the store London's third biggest attraction after Buckingham Palace and the Tower.

Selfridge died almost penniless in 1947 aged 89. Bad investments had left him a broken man. But the legacy of the man who made shopping fun lives on in Oxford Street...

2009 BEST SELLERS

Marc Jacobs' "Stam" quilted bag, from £850

Ysl Touche Eclat ( women's and men's under-eye concealer), £23

Herve Leger bandage dress, from £1,000

Ysl patent "Tribute" platform shoes, £500

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Kid Robot doll, £750

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Aussie Bum men's underwear, from £15

Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic returns to fashion, for example, in nineteenth century Europe. Roman Catholic clergy wear a type of cape known as a ferraiolo, which is worn for formal events outside of a liturgical context. The cope is a liturgical vestment in the form of a cape. Capes are often highly decorated with elaborate embroidery. Capes remain in regular use as rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas masks used in twentieth century wars. In modern times, comic-book super-heroes, such as Superman and Batman, are often depicted wearing capes. In fashion, the word cape usually refers to a shorter garment and cloak to a full-length version of the different types of garment, though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In raingear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.

In full evening dress, ladies frequently use the cape as a fashion statement, or to protect the wearer or the fine fabrics of their evening-wear from the elements, especially where a coat would crush--or hide--the garment. These capes may be short (over the shoulders or to the waist) or a full-length cloak. Short capes were usually made of, or trimmed in, fur; however, because fur is less accepted as a fashion accessory in modern times, other expensive materials are substituted for it, with an opulent lining and trim. Typical fabrics used are velvet, silk and satin. Capes are still authorized as an alternative to the more utilitarian trench coat for U.S. Army officers in mess dress, formal evening uniform.

Caped overcoats were popular for men during the Victorian era, with some caped Ulsters featuring multiple layered capes, and the Inverness coat (both formal evening and working day variants) had a cape. The Inverness coat is no longer commonly worn, and the Ulster lost its cape in the 1920s.

The Brogue is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations (or "brogueing") and serration along the pieces' visible edges. Modern brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary shoe originating in Scotland and Ireland that was constructed using untanned leather with perforations that allowed water to drain from the shoes when the wearer crossed wet terrain such as a bog.  Brogues were traditionally considered to be outdoor or country footwear not otherwise appropriate for casual or business occasions, but brogues are now considered appropriate in most contexts.[4] Brogues are most commonly found in one of four toe cap styles (full or "wingtip", semi-, quarter and longwing) and four closure styles (oxford, derby, ghillie and monk). Today, in addition to their typical form of sturdy leather shoes or boots, brogues may also take the form of business dress shoes, sneakers, high-heeled women's shoes or any other shoe form that utilizes or evokes the multi-piece construction and perforated, serrated piece edges characteristic of brogues.

History

Modern brogues trace their roots to a rudimentary shoe originating in Scotland and Ireland that was constructed using untanned leather with perforations that allowed water to drain from the shoes when the wearer crossed wet terrain such as a bog. The word "brogues" originates in the late sixteenth century and is a derivation of the Irish and Scots Gaelic "brōg", taken from the Old Norse "brók" meaning "leg covering". The word "brogue" was first used to describe a form of outdoor, country walking shoe in the early twentieth century. At that time the brogue was not considered to be appropriate for other occasions, social or business. Over time perceptions have changed and brogues are now considered appropriate in most contexts, including business. Brogues continue to be most common as leather dress and casual shoes and boots, but can also be found in many other forms including canvas and leather sneakers and high-heeled women's shoes.

A cardigan is a type of machine- or hand-knitted sweater (or jumper) that ties, buttons or zips down the front; by contrast, a pullover does not open in front but must be "pulled over" the head to be worn. The cardigan was named after James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, a British military commander, following his service in the Crimean War. Cardigans are available for both sexes, but they have become popular for men in recent years due to rise of fashion houses incorporating the traditional garment in men's fashion runway. Plain cardigans are often worn over shirts and inside suit jackets as a kind of less formal waistcoat or vest that restrains the necktie when the jacket has been removed. Its versatility means it can be worn either in casual or formal settings and in any seasons, but popularly during the autumn and winter months.

The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic (and more specifically Gaelic) heritage even more broadly. It is most often made of woollen cloth in a tartan pattern.

Although the kilt is most often worn on formal occasions and at Highland games and sports events, it has also been adapted as an item of fashionable informal male clothing in recent years, returning to its roots as an everyday garment.

The kilt first appeared as the great kilt in the 16th century, a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak draped over the shoulder, or brought up over head as a cloak. The small kilt or walking kilt (similar to the "modern" kilt) did not develop until the late 17th or early 18th century, and is essentially the bottom half of the great kilt.

Styles of kilt wear

Today most Scotsmen regard kilts as formal dress or national dress. Although there are still a few people who wear a kilt daily, it is generally owned or hired to be worn at weddings or other formal occasions, much the same way as tuxedos in America, and may be worn by anyone regardless of nationality or descent. For formal wear, kilts are usually worn with a Prince Charlie or an Argyll jacket. (Commercial suppliers have now produced equivalent jackets with Irish and Welsh themed styling.)

Kilts are also used for parades by groups such as the Scouts, and in many places kilts are seen in force at Highland games and pipe band championships as well as being worn at Scottish country dances and ceilidhs.

Contemporary kilt

Contemporary kilts (also known as modern kilts and, especially in the United States, utility kilts) have appeared in the clothing marketplace in Scotland, the US and Canada in a range of fabrics, including leather, denim, corduroy, and cotton. They may be designed for formal or casual dress, for use in sports or outdoor recreation, or as white or blue collar workwear. Some are closely modelled on traditional Scottish kilts, but others are similar only in being knee-length skirt-like garments for men. They may have box pleats, symmetrical knife pleats, or no pleats at all, and be fastened by studs or velcro instead of buckles. Many are designed to be worn without a sporran, and may have pockets or tool belts attached.

Kilts are sometimes referred to by enthusiasts for their daily use as male unbifurcated garments or "MUGs", though strictly this term also covers other garments such as sarongs which are regarded as viable alternatives to trousers (bifurcated garments). In 2008, a USPS letter carrier, Dean Peterson, made a formal proposal that the kilt be approved as an acceptable postal uniform—for reasons of comfort. The proposal was defeated at the convention of the 220,000-member National Association of Letter Carriers.

Female athletes, especially lacrosse players, often wear kilts during games. These athletes typically wear compression shorts or spandex under their kilts because during the contact sport, players often fall over and potentially expose their underwear. Kilts are popular among many levels of lacrosse, from youth leagues to college leagues, although some teams are replacing kilts with the more streamlined athletic skirt. Mens kilts are seen in many places in popular contemporary media, without attention necessarily being drawn to them. For example, in the Syfy channel (US) series, Tin Man specifically in episode 2, at time index 53 minutes, a tertiary character of a farmer who gives the main characters shelter is seen to be wearing a tan leather kilt, of modern fashioning, with large pockets, and a button front. Other side characters later in the miniseries are also shown wearing kilts, as a sort of working peasant garb. This, along with trends in the fashion and Gothic communities have led to a popularization of the kilt as an everyday form of attire, appropriate for any man or woman, wishing to choose an alternative to pants, shorts, or skirts. Some of these (marketed by companies like Utilikilt, Freedomkilt, Lip Service, and Tripp NYC) are made of PVC or Polyester-Cotton blends, however, this also makes them more affordable to the average consumer.

Royal Ascot

Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races, the same number as Newmarket. The course is closely associated with the British Royal Family, being approximately six miles from Windsor Castle, and owned by the Crown Estate.

Ascot today stages twenty-five days of racing over the course of the year, comprising sixteen Flat meetings held in the months of May and October. The Royal Meeting, held in June, remains a major draw, the highlight being the Ascot Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July. Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne.

The Dress is strictly enforced, for Ladies only a day dress with a hat or fascinator is acceptable with rules applying to the length of the dress and ladies must not show bare midriffs or shoulders. For gentlemen a black or grey morning dress with top hat.

Over 300,000 people make the annual visit to Berkshire during Royal Ascot week, making this Europe’s best-attended race meeting. This leads to a split among racing fans, some of whom are glad to see racing in the spotlight, and getting more attention, while others do not like the meeting despite the quality of racing.

There are 16 Group races on offer, with at least one Group One event on each of the five days. The Ascot Gold Cup is on Ladies' Day on the Thursday. There is over £3,000,000 of prize money on offer.

Июнь 17 - 21, 2008

A celebration of sporting tradition and style – Longines cements the relationship as the “Official Timekeeper” at Royal Ascot

Building on the debut in 2007 Swiss watch brand Longines is delighted to continue the role of Official Timekeeper at Ascot Racecourse. All Ascot flat races including those taking place at the celebrated Royal

Meeting are timed by Longines, a relationship which is set to run until the end of the 2009 flat race season. In addition Longines is also a co-sponsor of the Royal Ascot Fashion show.

Royal Ascot Week is undoubtedly the UK’s most popular race meeting and as ever attracted an elegant crowd in show-stopping hats. The timing of the races was entrusted to Longines throughout the week as thousands of race-goers watched from the magnificent racecourse, and across the country on the extensive BBC and “At the Races” TV coverage. Longines clocks were also placed around the racecourse, and will remain there throughout the season.

The Royal meeting is seen as one of the biggest dates on the fashion calendar. Second to the racing fashion has always played an integral part in the events history. Royal Ascot took the logical step last year to introduce a fashion show into the events proceedings and this year with the support of some of the biggest names in fashion: Phillip Tracey, Vivienne Westwood, Mathew Williamson, Amanda Wakeley and Gieves and Hawkes the show was an even bigger spectacular off the racecourse.

The fashion show was held in the Bessborough restaurant combining luxury and elegance, fine dining and the very best of British fashion. Longines were proud to be a co-sponsor with a magnificent visual presentation of the very latest men’s and women’s watches running throughout the intervals.

Longines’ association with Royal Ascot and Ascot Races enhances the brand’s rich sporting heritage and elegant positioning.