Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit the UK. It stays so hot here in Washington, D.C. way too long into fall for me. So, it’s a welcome escape to real fall temperatures when I’m able to get to London this time of the year. Fall definitely starts earlier there, or what I would consider to be on time, ha! The leaves are starting to turn, you won’t be too hot or too cold, and there aren’t the huge crowds you see in the summer or around the holidays. It’s also still warm enough to dine outside with an extra layer! I’ve always loved London in autumn for the weather and the fun outfits you can wear while you’re there.
Today, I’m sharing a roundup of outfits and pieces you can pack to stay comfortable, stylish, and on-trend while you explore London – the best city in the world! I also included thoughts on how to dress in London to feel a little bit like a local.
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London Weather in Fall
Your London attire definitely depends partly on the weather. Once it’s fall in London, it starts to get dark earlier in the afternoon just like in the US. As for the temperature, September, October, and November in London get colder as the months go on.
Everyone always wonders about rain in London! There are certainly days where it rains all day. But, it’s more likely you’ll see spots of rain throughout the day, which is why layers and an umbrella are important.
September
You can still see warmer fall days in the high 60s in September, but it can also get colder at night. So, layers are key!
October
October in London is beautiful. It is typically in the 60s and 50s throughout the month. You can layer your outfit with a warm blazer, a leather jacket, or a trench coat on most days and be warm enough!
November
In my experience, November is when the weather in London truly feels colder. You definitely still get crisp days, but you also get days that feel damp and colder. You may find yourself needing a heavier jacket than a trench coat.
However, the last time I was in the UK in November I relied mostly on my trench coat. I layered it over my sweaters and button up, and I wore a thin wool blend scarf when I needed it. I also had a short wool jacket and a short leather jacket. But, this is why it’s so important to check the exact forecast for when you’re traveling!
Making the Most of Packing Space: What to Wear to London in the Fall
When I think about how to dress in London, I typically think about tailored pieces, classic and edgy pieces in the same outfit, and practical footwear that is somehow very cool. So, let’s discuss some pieces to pack that will help you get dressed more effortlessly in London! These outfit ideas include pieces that you can mix and match to maximize your outfits.
I always feel like my suitcase fills up way faster than I expect for a trip to London, so I try to pack things that I know I can wear more than once. Jeans and trousers are a great example. In general, I like to pack a few pairs of pants or skirts that I know I can wear more than once. One of my favorite tips is always to steam things when you can’t wash them because it will help them look and feel cleaner.
A Coat to Layer Over Any Outfit: Think Trench Coat or Wrap Coat
Okay, let’s talk specific pieces. The weather in London can be a little unpredictable this time of the year. While it’s obviously important to check the weather before your trip, don’t worry too much if it shows a lot of rain. During my trip, the forecast said it would rain every single day. But, it really only rained a tiny bit each day, which is pretty standard for London this time of the year in my experience. That’s why layers are key! So, my first suggestion is to pack at least one coat for an extra layer.
A trench coat like I’m wearing above, a wrap coat like I’m wearing above, an oversized wool blazer, and a suede jacket are all good options to pack. I try to pack one or two real coats when I need to be mindful of space. I wear one on the plane with me so it’s not really taking up space in my suitcase!
If you’re traveling later in the fall, you’ll definitely have cooler days so a heavier coat like my wrap coat might be important to pack. On my most recent trip, I packed a winter coat that I wore on the plane, a suede jacket, and a trench coat. I have to admit I did some shopping and bought a short wool coat while I was in London. They were all perfect for different temperatures and occasions.
Related: Cute and Comfortable Fall Travel Outfits
One Warm Layering Shirt To Wear With Any Jeans Or Skirts
In general, be sure to pack the most versatile pieces you own if you’re trying to save space when packing. Those pieces are typically your closet heroes that you wear all the time. They’re always on my packing list for London.
For me, these tops are typically neutral colors – like this layering top – whether the top is long sleeved or sleeveless. I always wear this grey sleeveless cashmere top so much throughout the fall because it’s an easy way to add warmth to your outfit. Or, you might have a few bright tops that you love to rotate through with a few different pairs of bottoms. No matter the color, you pack them for the same purpose! These layering tops are often the key to your outfits when you only have so much space in a suitcase – even in a checked bag – because they tend to hold their shape and they’re easy to style in multiple ways.
My neutral layering top above is perfect to wear under different cardigans and jackets, and it’s easy to dress up under a blazer at night.
One Tank Top or T-Shirt To Wear With Any Jeans Or Skirts
I also love to use t-shirts and tank tops as layering pieces under blazers or bulkier sweaters if it’s not too cold! These are also easy to pack and they really don’t take up space.
Two Button Ups for Daytime Shopping And Museums
A button up is an essential for London! I like oversized button ups in general because I can style them in different ways, but they still bring a tailored look to your outfit. If you’re looking for tips on how to style a button up, try it with a cashmere sweater around your waist. Or, you can wear it open with your layering sweater or layering tank top underneath. You can see how I styled a button up in both of these ways in the photos above and below!
If you prefer a blouse, be sure to check out the third top I linked below – the Chlo Shirt. It’s a beautiful silk option, and it’s one of my go-to tops to wear under blazers and short jackets.
A Warm Sweater For Daytime Exploring and Dinner
A warm sweater, such as a cashmere sweater or a wool sweater, is perfect to pack for London in the fall because it will keep you warm. You can style it in so many different ways, and it’s also one of those pieces you can wear for a full day where you’re doing different things. I like to style a sweater for brunch, shopping, and a museum day. You can definitely wear this type of outfit for dinner, but you could easily wear your sweater with a skirt and boots if you want to elevate your look for whatever you’re doing at night.
I’m wearing a different brown sweater in these two outfits, but I’d wear either sweater with both the jeans and the skirt! My suede jacket and loafers are the same in both outfits, so you can see how easy it is to transition this type of outfit from day to night.
Cardigan To Layer Or Wear Alone
Okay, I also like to pack a cardigan that you can wear by itself or with one of the layering tops. Basically, a heavier weight cardigan! I love how you can style this type of cardigan with jeans, corduroys, trousers, a skirt, or even with a dress. It’s so versatile, so be sure to wear it more than once. A cardigan always feels elevated, so you can wear it to pop into a cafe, do a little shopping, or just take in the beauty of London’s neighborhoods – that’s what I did in this outfit.
I would also wear this type of cardigan with a sweater skirt, leather skirt, or a slip skirt for dinner, a show, or afternoon tea.
One Pair of Loafers To Wear Everywhere
Loafers are the perfect pair of shoes for a city vacation. The loafers I’m wearing are probably the most comfortable pair right out of the box. I wore them all over London, and they are comfortable right away. Loafers are a great option because of all the walking you’ll do on a city trip. Plus, loafers are always in style in London! You can wear them to dinner with a dress or a skirt too if you want practical and chic shoes.
I also love to wear socks or sock tights with loafers to keep my feet warm.
At Least One Pair of Boots
It’s always good to have a pair of boots when you’re in London. Sometimes I pack these sleek leather boots because they have a heel but they’re comfortable to walk in. And, on some trips, I only pack my Chelsea boots with a chunky sole. It honestly depends on how I’m feeling! Both styles are in style in London! You can shop my exact boots here, and they also come in other colors.
Three Pairs of Jeans or Trousers
Denim and trousers are the most reliable thing you can pack for London. And, I mean that both for dress code purposes as well as weather. You can style both with endless options of tops, whether you go for a sweater, a blouse, or a so-called going out top. Trousers will always elevate your look, and denim is perfect for daytime looks and more relaxed dinners.
I love how these jeans are all unique and work for different outfits. Straight leg jeans, barrel jeans, and a pair of cropped denim are all the jeans you need for a trip to London.
One Pair of Fun Pants
Fun pants can be something like neutral corduroys or bright green pants – I own and love both! You can easily style these with your cardigan, a classic crewneck or turtleneck sweater, a button up, or a blouse. Basically, they also go with everything! I wore this pair of wide leg corduroys in the countryside, but I would definitely wear them in London too! They also come in other colors.
A Midi Dress for Dinner and A Show
A midi dress with knee high boots and your wrap coat or trench coat is a perfect outfit for dinner and a show! Of course, you’ll need a pair of knee high boots for this outfit. I will say that the jeans I shared above all work with knee high boots too!
You can never be too dressed up in London in my opinion, but a midi dress with boots is on-trend and elevated enough to wear anywhere without being overdressed. These two dresses are very different vibes, but I love them both. The green option is a corduroy, so it should have more warmth.
What to Wear to Afternoon Tea in London
Afternoon tea dress codes vary, but you can treat the occasion as a reason to dress up. You can definitely wear one of the dresses with knee high boots that I mentioned above for tea as well as how I originally suggested it for a show. But, a matching set is also a great option.
Sweater Skirt Outfit for Tea
I also mentioned rewearing a cardigan with a sweater skirt earlier in this blog post, and I had afternoon tea in mind! Afternoon tea is one of the most popular things to do while visiting London, especially if you haven’t been before. There are just so many places you can go, and there are so many different vibes you can choose from. My girlfriends and I enjoyed tea at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. The shop is over 300 years old! Be sure to give yourself time to browse the entire shop before or after tea. They have great souvenirs, like tea towels, dishes, candy, tea, and so much more. I’ve also enjoyed tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace. I highly recommend afternoon tea, and it’s really fun to dress up a little bit for it too!
I like to create my own matching set. For this outfit, you can rewear the grey cardigan with a skirt. In general, you can mix and match pieces you already own, or purchase things that will work together but also with other pieces in your closet. These grey separates are the perfect example.
How Do Londoners Actually Dress?
Londoners always look effortlessly put together in a cool way. They manage to make layers look chic and practical, and a lot of it is down to wearing pieces that have a tailored look. Oversized blazers are balanced out by straight leg jeans and sleek boots or flats. Trench coats are styled with scarves and tailored, barrel leg trousers.
Another one of my biggest style takeaways from my time in London is balancing edgy pieces in your outfits with classic pieces. It’s something I feel like Londoners do perfectly. For example, I always see women in London wearing silk skirts with chunky Chelsea boots.
You can have a lot of fun when it comes to how to dress in London. It’s one of the places where I personally love to try new outfits and ideas with my own personal style while being inspired by all the fabulous outfits you see while you’re there!
What Not to Wear in London
I typically don’t like telling people what not to wear because we all have our own unique style and things we feel good wearing. However, one of my biggest tips for London attire is to avoid wearing athletic clothes when you’re not actually exercising or commuting from exercising. Athletic clothes are just not something you see a lot of people wearing in the same way you see here in the US. You can also choose to wear loafers instead of sneakers for those busy days with lots of walking.
Okay, I think these are a good start for outfit ideas to help you pack for London! Don’t forget cozy socks for the plane and a warm and comfortable outfit to wear home! Click here to read my blog post on travel outfits. What’s on your packing lists for fall in London? Don’t forget to check forecast before your trip to help streamline your outfit needs! Let me know what you think!
Traveling to London in different seasons? Check out Outfit Ideas for Spring and Summer Travel and London winter outfits.
