Quick question re: London

Aziraphale

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question for anyone who lives in or near London, England (or who has visited recently). I can't find what I need from browsing the web. We are going to England for Christmas -- something we haven't done for twenty years (normally we go in the summer or fall) -- and I'm a bit unsure of what clothes to bring -- in particular, what jeans. Will I freeze if I wear cropped flares with short boots? Also, style-wise, will I look like a nutcase, or are cropped flares quite normal over there?

If anyone can offer a few tips on London street style for winter, I'd be grateful. Sorry to post and run, but I have had a truly mental term and it's the final two weeks, so not much time for relaxing. I'll check back in tonight. Thanks!

7 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was in London last week, Elizabeth - and shared what I packed. Perhaps you missed that? See pic.

From #31 onwards is me in London last week:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-my-trip

You will see it ALL in London. There are LOTS of tourists so it's hard to see what the locals wear when you are doing the main attractions. You see lots of tourists wearing black with sneakers. Same in Amsterdam.

My family lives in Zone 3 of London, which is a lot more local. People are fashionable and very practical with footwear. No one wears heels. I can't think of anyone I saw in high heels! They either change at the office, store, restaurant or venue, or stay in their flat to 1.5 inch shoes. I saw some 2 inch block heels and wedges, which can work too.

All colours and trends are represented. I am usually one of the few wearing loud brights - which is usually the case unless I'm in the Netherlands.

If you don't want to stand out - wear black or darks with sneakers or boots. I wear what I usually wear at home because that makes me happiest, and makes me feel my best. I packed cropped straights and flares with booties.

The weather there is very similar to our weather. Make sure you pack an umbrella or hood. Wrap up. Things in London are about walking on the street. Make sure you are warm and that your feet are happy.

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7 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Winters can be chilly, but London's very densely populated so it's unlikely to get really cold. Rainwear, comfortable shoes, scarf and a hat.

Style is always very diverse and nobody will look at you sideways for wearing your own thing. If you want to find out what trendy urban kids are wearing, I'd say look at what's on sale at Goodhood. This seems representative of what I saw there on my last visit at the end of the summer. Cropped jeans with flats looks like a good bet.

I like Angie's observation about footwear. It's not unusual for a woman in sensible shoes to be toting heels in her handbag, but don't feel you need to do this.

7 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I echo everything Angie and Liz wrote. But would like to add that I once visited London at the beginning of December (this was about 20 years ago - and the city is beautiful in the Christmas season!) and it was freezing and quite windy (which always makes me feel even colder, especially when I am outdoors for most of the day and evening). So I guess what I'm saying is that I would watch the weather forecast closely and pack accordingly.

7 years ago

Elle

Veteran

I echo everyone's comments about watching the weather forecast. My daughter spent a semester there and December was in the 30s and 40s and wet. So wearing cropped flares with boots will depend on whether you have skin showing and your tolerance for cold.

Have a great trip! Should be a lot of fun at Christmas time.

7 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Crops should work if the shaft of the bootie is high. If you can, wear warm socks - wool,or alpaca. If your feet are warm, you are good to go. A pea coat, gloves or fingerless mitts, a scarf, and hat just in case.

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My last trip to London was a very short one in the early fall, but the one before that was a longer winter trip. In early fall I saw lots and lots of sneakers with crops (mostly slim straights or BF but a few flares and culottes). Weather was freakishly warm, so there was no need to layer a lot.

In winter -- a few years ago, before crops were a "thing" -- I saw mostly skinnies and boots or Docs.

In the central city I saw a lot of black (as in most urban centres) but really, anything goes, and as Liz says, nobody cares. In terms of warmth -- during the winter trip, I was outdoors pretty much all day and it was unusually cold, so I layered. I was wearing booties, trousers (full length) or jeans, a camisole, shirt, sweater, leather jacket, and wool pea coat, plus gloves and sometimes hat. If I had been spending less time outdoors or if temps had been more typical I would have worn fewer layers.

I'd do what Inge suggests -- check weather in advance. Typically the weather would be really similar to Vancouver weather, so I'd probably just bring what you would usually wear, with perhaps an extra insulating underlayer if you intend to be outdoors more than usual.

I'd expect people will be wearing cropped pants as long as they can "get away with it" temperature wise, and then they'll stop -- much like here.

7 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I walked a lot in London and truly saw it all fashion wise. Also it full of tourists from all over and I guess that will be the case around Christmas too. Dress for yourself and the weather.

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

Just counted and realised it's 20 years since I was last in London. So no advice here. Have a great time!

7 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

So, bottom line: I won't look way out of place wearing cropped flares?

Angie, I'm afraid my visits to YLF have been very patchy for the past month...I have not read the blog for at least a week, maybe more. Thanks for the link, and I'm glad you enjoyed London!

7 years ago

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