https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:46:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414973 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:59:36 +0000 Meredith 1414973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good point Elle. Just saw someone get charged $200 for an 8 lb overage. Shiny, you're a great mom for helping your daughter prepare for such a fun adventure. You might want to budget a bit for a fancier dress just in case. When I studied abroad in England there were many formal events/dances in the spring term. Not sure if all of the universities have them, but good to keep the possibility in your radar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414972 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:52:37 +0000 Elle 1414972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I echo the advice to get a good raincoat/umbrella.&nbsp; Both my children did a semester in London and found they also needed good, flat walking shoes. The distance between bus and underground stops is much farther than in the US.&nbsp; But since the styles are different there and there are wonderful stores, she can probably fill in any holes.</p> <p>A side note:&nbsp;&nbsp; You may have already heard this, but airlines are very strict about suitcase weight limits.&nbsp; 50 pounds means 50 pounds exactly and the least bit of overage will cost you a lot.&nbsp; We weighed my daughter's the filled suitcase at home and then had her repack..&nbsp; No problem with my son's packing</p> <p>What a wonderful experience for her.&nbsp; Enjoy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414916 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:33:17 +0000 rachylou 1414916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ya, I would so travel light, so as to shop in London and not overburden myself on the way back. Maybe another pair of trousers, short ankle rainboots (style factor really), and raincoat. </p> <p>But to be honest, haha Gail, I think London is where I gave up on umbrellas. I'm all about the rain suit now </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414908 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:07:51 +0000 Gail 1414908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am English and worked in London. I can say UMBRELLA UMBRELLA UMBRELLA . I never went anywhere without one unless my coat had a hood.<br />Raincoat /trench, warm socks and waterproof footwear. For some reason the rain over there seems to look not be much but because it can be a&nbsp;&nbsp;misting sort of rain you get soaked! I have lived in the USA since 1986 and I can honestly say my feet have never been as cold here as they were when I grew up in the UK.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414886 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 18:09:07 +0000 Diana 1414886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What fun! I did not study in England but my husband did a masters at Oxford while we were dating, so I went there a lot. I would say it's not as cold as Boston but often damper. I don't think she needs a puffer if she runs warm (heck, I live in boston and I don't own one). I'd probably bring a wool coat for colder winter days, and a waterproof trench. Possibly also a leather jacket if that's her style. Don't forget a warm scarf, gloves, and hat. I personally would not be comfortable in gear (like, ski jackets, etc) unless I was actually hiking or skiing or whatever. For everyday wear, casual-but-not-ratty would be fine. Flat shoes for sure - lots of cobblestones (esp in Oxford!), like Boston but older and hence more uneven!</p> <p>When I was in London this past spring I saw loads of young women in opaque black tights and shorter skirts (often with flats) so that would probably be a safe bet too for dressier events.</p> <p>ETA: my one must-have for London would be the trench. If you can find one with a liner, she could prob wear it for all but the coldest of days there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414818 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:31:52 +0000 Angie 1414818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>London's weather is just like Seattle. Make sure DD packs umbrellas and weatherproof boots.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414730 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 05:07:34 +0000 Debbie 1414730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is exciting. When my daughter went to Italy she wished she had brought more walking shoes. When I went over I took another pair of Docs and Converses. Make sure she has warm socks. When my daughter went to London she said her feet almost froze even with her regular socks and boots.<br /> She will have a great time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414721 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 04:50:06 +0000 Suz 1414721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have her try that dress, Jennifer. Elizabeth P has it and she is busty and she loves it. Also, it is short but nowhere near as short as it looks in the photo -- I am your DD's height. I only wear it with tights so it is a non-issue for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414676 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 03:03:42 +0000 shiny 1414676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy - I am inclined to agree, I suspect her tastes may change, as they did when she went to college initially. So I'm telling her to just plan to go shopping while she's there and gets a sense for what everyone else is wearing. That would be my own personal dream plan, but she's not a shopper like I am. (Well, she loves clothes shopping if I'm with her to play her personal stylist). I still doubt she'll opt for heels but who knows.. maybe I'll be surprised when I arrive in March!&nbsp;</p> <p>Suz, she's 4 inches taller than me so borderline petite/regular. She wears a regular, not a petite, in BR. She's much bustier than I am, with much broader (swimmers) shoulders. Way tinier teeny tiny waist. And more muscular lower body. More hourglass than I am, but shoulders/bust give appearance of an IT. Has *much* better luck than I do in the pants &amp; skirt department. The two pieces you picked out -- would not work on her because she's quite busty. She does however like shorter skirts/dresses. Actually maybe that dress would work on her, sized right, because of the cut of the neckline. BR fits her very well.&nbsp;</p> <p>I personally love burgundy but I don't think she owns anything in that color. She looks fabulous in blues because her eyes are quite blue (whereas mine are more hazel). Her hair is more naturally white-blonde (though has grown darker with age, just saying if she highlighted, she's truer to a platinum than a honey or caramel or strawberry like me).&nbsp;She gravitates towards tomato or true / lipstick red which looks amazing on her. Clearer colors, rather than murky like I &nbsp;wear.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414670 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:57:09 +0000 Dimity 1414670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A semester in London! What a great opportunity. The capsule looks very versatile and practical while being fun too. I found that when I moved countries that things were often slightly different, in terms of styles and also colours and the way things were worn, so she might want to pick up a few pieces when she gets there. However, if lots of people are coming from other countries, then there will probably be quite a mix of styles around anyway. Hope she has a wonderful time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414664 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:49:06 +0000 Anonymous 1414664@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How exciting for you and your DD. We stayed near colleges in Ireland and college students seemed more dressed up than in the US ...heels and such. She will need to see what the style is on her campus. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414663 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:48:27 +0000 Suz 1414663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, she is one super lucky girl!!&nbsp;</p> <p>What's her body type, Jennifer?&nbsp;</p> <p>I think a black or navy or charcoal dress is probably most versatile, though burgundy would be lovely, too, if it suits her.&nbsp;</p> <p>Couple of thoughts -- If her body type will suit it, this little jacket (Ummlila also has it) is turning out to be a true workhorse for me and it is eminently packable and dress up or downable. It would make a great separate piece for a theatre capsule.)&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, this BR dress (for more casual but also crossover) is really great.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414657 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:28:18 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1414657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like black or charcoal for a dress. Red is always gorgeous but in a smallish capsule maybe too much of a standout. I have a theater girl and her go-to dresses are often burgundy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414653 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:10:31 +0000 shiny 1414653@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>unfrumped, the rain pants is excellent suggestion that I wouldn't have thought of! We're hoping to take her to a weekend in Scotland when we visit in March (have yet to book). I do think she has a pair. These are the kind of things we might forget to pack. Thanks!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414651 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:07:44 +0000 shiny 1414651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>UmmLila, I'd love to get her a dress -- something she could wear to work with one of her toppers over,&nbsp;or as is out&nbsp;to the theater (she's an English major and taking Shakespeare this semester&nbsp;so theater will be big part of her activities). I have been on the fence - would you do&nbsp;black or red?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414641 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:54:31 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1414641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>maybe an additional bottom piece or a dress (like a long sleeve ponte) would fill it out a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414628 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:46:56 +0000 K.M. 1414628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>shiny, very true about umbrellas. I've gone through many over the years and a couple years ago I got one at a US train station that was a bit heavier (and also longer) than the usual tiny lightweight. It lasted through many windy commutes. (Would still have survived if I hadn't lost it, as is the fate of all umbrellas...)</p> <p>Maybe a regular large umbrella with some sort of carrying strap? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414623 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:40:43 +0000 unfrumped 1414623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I'm so interested in this!<br />I'm also thinking of recent fourm advice re: Europe as so much of a walking and commuting environment, so, waterproof boots or Gortex hikers.<br />Recently focusing on what to wear in Ireland and of course rainwear, good rain parka or trench, hoods may be needed, also rain pants are popular to pop on over regular , as umbrellas are not enough. This might not be right for London so would see what is the weather-proofing recommended for that city and surrounds. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414622 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:38:48 +0000 shiny 1414622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>She has rain boots with fleece liners. I keep telling her ... rain and wind!!&nbsp;</p> <p>Is there such a thing as a strong but portable umbrella? Aren't they either or? Ha!</p> <p>This is good for the checklist... adding!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414617 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:31:25 +0000 K.M. 1414617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a beautiful capsule! Your daughter is lucky! And a semester in London is a wonderful opportunity.</p> <p>You might already have this, and it's not as much about fashion, but... wellies for the inevitable rain! And a good, strong but portable umbrella (tho she can get one there too). My memory of winter in London is lots of rain and wind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/london-semester-abroad#post-1414605 Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:18:35 +0000 shiny 1414605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My youngest leaves in two weeks for a semester abroad in London. She'll be there until May.&nbsp;She's also doing an internship 2 days a week, and traveling as much as she can on her 3 day weekends. I've already got her outfitted for the internship with business casual clothes, and I've got her luggage and all that stuff for traveling. She has a good 3/4 length black wool coat.&nbsp;</p> <p>We'll be going to see her in March so I can take her shopping to&nbsp;replenish as needed as the temps warm up (I think she needs a trench which we can find later), but it would be great to get suggestions for what we should be sure she should pack!! We don't have a lot of time to shop online or offline, and space is at a premium,&nbsp;but your help is greatly appreciated to ensure we haven't forgotten anything crucial.&nbsp;</p> <p>She's super über college kid casual/sporty/ hoodies and jeans type, though in recent years has taken a liking to swingy skirts and dresses too.&nbsp;When she was home over Thanksgiving I took her shopping and bought her a capsule of business casual clothes for the internship, all from BR, with an eye to "you could wear this every day, not just on the job.. just wear it with jeans instead!"... because I suspect her tastes may change a bit&nbsp;once she's over there. &nbsp;</p> <p>Her internship&nbsp;capsule color theme is black, grey, red, white -- see pic. She already had the two blazers, the black and the grey, from H&amp;M, which she does wear with jeans and tee shirts. Figure type: similar to her mom but way more busty, broader shoulders, much tinier waist, and 4 inches taller. She does not like high heels. And she runs hot-- we went out today in freezing rain and she wore a sweatshirt, left her puffer behind.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>