London - clothes

[Anonymous]

DH just surprised me with a trip to London for our 10 year anniversary - over July 4 holiday. Haven't been in years. Weather looks like it could be rainy chilly. What should I take? We will go out for great food but not necessarily swank establishments. Premium denim will work, right? Love any feedback from folks who've been recently, especially in summer.

[Anonymous]

Wear the same things you wear here, but bring things that layer well.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I would definitely do differently from the US is skirts instead of shorts when you don't want to wear pants (called trousers in the UK, "pants" refers to underwear). Pretty much only Americans wear shorts in Europe, though you might not care about that.

Also, when London is hot it's very sticky...so bring at least one or two things that will work if the weather shifts. Denim is generally fine in London, but you might want a go to evening outfit that isn't denim...some places have dress codes and overall people are more dressed up.

[Anonymous]

Just got back yesterday. It was in the 60s and 70s with lots of rain. But I've also been there in summer when it's been quite warm. Bring a good rain coat and umbrella. Otherwise just plan for layers. Some people were wearing cashmere sweaters on the damp, chilly days. Jeans are fine in most restaurants. London is heavy on black jeans. The other thing that seems to be particularly in is platform, high heel loafers (kind of like loafer pumps, hard to describe but tons of people wearing them), although not sure they'd be too comfortable for walking.

I wore normal DC spring clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wear the same things you wear here, but bring things that layer well.

basically my plan, though white jeans are my go-to summer pant and am now thinking could be too cool and wet for them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I would definitely do differently from the US is skirts instead of shorts when you don't want to wear pants (called trousers in the UK, "pants" refers to underwear). Pretty much only Americans wear shorts in Europe, though you might not care about that.

Also, when London is hot it's very sticky...so bring at least one or two things that will work if the weather shifts. Denim is generally fine in London, but you might want a go to evening outfit that isn't denim...some places have dress codes and overall people are more dressed up.

thanks. usually wear skirts over shorts - or a dress, so okay for me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I would definitely do differently from the US is skirts instead of shorts when you don't want to wear pants (called trousers in the UK, "pants" refers to underwear). Pretty much only Americans wear shorts in Europe, though you might not care about that.

Also, when London is hot it's very sticky...so bring at least one or two things that will work if the weather shifts. Denim is generally fine in London, but you might want a go to evening outfit that isn't denim...some places have dress codes and overall people are more dressed up.

Um, no, this is absurd and ridiculous. I live in Europe, and my DH is British, and I can assure you that plenty of people in Europe wear shorts! In fact, I see MANY British girls/women wearing shorts: they even wear them in the Fall/"Autumn" with tights. Seriously, wear whatever you wear at home. In London, you'll see MANY people wearing all of the things that your American friends (who were in Europe once on a honeymoon or school trip 30 years ago, or who read books like French Women Don't Get Fat and think they are sophisticated to believe the far-out-of-date observations of what is "common" in Europe) tell you that Europeans don't wear.

[Anonymous]

You definitely need at least two fascinators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I would definitely do differently from the US is skirts instead of shorts when you don't want to wear pants (called trousers in the UK, "pants" refers to underwear). Pretty much only Americans wear shorts in Europe, though you might not care about that.

Also, when London is hot it's very sticky...so bring at least one or two things that will work if the weather shifts. Denim is generally fine in London, but you might want a go to evening outfit that isn't denim...some places have dress codes and overall people are more dressed up.

Um, no, this is absurd and ridiculous. I live in Europe, and my DH is British, and I can assure you that plenty of people in Europe wear shorts! In fact, I see MANY British girls/women wearing shorts: they even wear them in the Fall/"Autumn" with tights. Seriously, wear whatever you wear at home. In London, you'll see MANY people wearing all of the things that your American friends (who were in Europe once on a honeymoon or school trip 30 years ago, or who read books like French Women Don't Get Fat and think they are sophisticated to believe the far-out-of-date observations of what is "common" in Europe) tell you that Europeans don't wear.

Op here. Chill. Out. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

take your normal clothes plus

a rainjacket

a sweater

We are going that same weekend and we go every year that week - so really you're probably in for similar weather to here, maybe a bit cooler with the occasional chance of rain.

Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only thing I would definitely do differently from the US is skirts instead of shorts when you don't want to wear pants (called trousers in the UK, "pants" refers to underwear). Pretty much only Americans wear shorts in Europe, though you might not care about that.

Also, when London is hot it's very sticky...so bring at least one or two things that will work if the weather shifts. Denim is generally fine in London, but you might want a go to evening outfit that isn't denim...some places have dress codes and overall people are more dressed up.

Um, no, this is absurd and ridiculous. I live in Europe, and my DH is British, and I can assure you that plenty of people in Europe wear shorts! In fact, I see MANY British girls/women wearing shorts: they even wear them in the Fall/"Autumn" with tights. Seriously, wear whatever you wear at home. In London, you'll see MANY people wearing all of the things that your American friends (who were in Europe once on a honeymoon or school trip 30 years ago, or who read books like French Women Don't Get Fat and think they are sophisticated to believe the far-out-of-date observations of what is "common" in Europe) tell you that Europeans don't wear.

Op here. Chill. Out. Seriously.

PP could have been nicer but she's not wrong.

It doesn't get more British than Marks & Spencer.

http://www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/shorts?intid=WW_DLP_LEGO_6_TEXT

Here are wide variety of shorts and pants for sale at Monoprix in France

https://www.monoprix.fr/pantalons-shorts-femme-800008/page-3

[Anonymous]

Layers! The weather changes on a dime. Also make sure you have non denim and non sneakers. Some places don't allow either for men or women.

[Anonymous]

Don't wear workout clothes; only the American tourists are decked out in Lululemon tights, tanks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't wear workout clothes; only the American tourists are decked out in Lululemon tights, tanks, etc.

This is not true! There are PLENTY of people walking around in workout clothes in UK, many of whom don't ever work out. My British DH laughed when I showed him this thread, and I have to thank you for your...entertaining...misconceptions because he's also really depressed right now about Brexit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't wear workout clothes; only the American tourists are decked out in Lululemon tights, tanks, etc.

Council estate denizens also go about in workout wear. Civilised Brits don't.