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Bon Voyage!

em

I am spending a week in London in May. I haven't been out of the country in a decade and for some weird reason am having trouble figuring out what to pack...even though I 1) spend a lot of time in NYC and that's the same and 2) it's London, not the Outer Hebrides!

I thought it might be nice to have tea at a swanky hotel, but the website said, "No trainers," and that set me off on indecisions.

As soon as I figure out more questions to ask, I'll post. Thanks for listening!

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Joy

Veteran

Be ready for rain. Thick soled or waterproof shoes for puddles.

Joy

Veteran

I have never seen anyone in sneakers in the British Isles. I’d leave anything like that at home.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I hear ya! For 8 years we lived in Florida. Even before that we visited my parents there at least once a year. But for our trip there last year, first time we traveled after Covid began, I could not for the life of me picture what one wears there, or how I could possibly get by without a topper, lol.

I’m sure you know all The Rules to pack a travel capsule—start with shoes, pick yer palette, several tops per bottom, etc. Start there, mechanically, and see if you don’t get into the swing of it.

UK Fabbers can comment on sneaks in the Isles, but for the swanky hotel, why not a swanky outfit, no trainers?

JAileen

Veteran

How. wonderful! I haven’t been in years, and even then, pre YLF, I didn’t wear any sneakers. I don’t think I even wore jeans. I tried not to look like a tourist. I’m sure I did, anyway. I’d probably prefer the Outer Hebrides, BTW. I’d like to go to Shetland, and some other sheep/wool/knitting places. Also, Finland.

Joy

Veteran

I agree with JAileen. I never take jeans either. Too heavy and take too long to dry. Take a sweater. Merino or cashmere.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh I am jealous! Last went to the UK in 2010. The swanky hotel sounds fun, what about flat boots? Still OK to walk in but no chance to be mistaken for trainers…

Runcarla

Veteran

I’ve been to the UK three times - 4 weeks each time. Miraculously (!?) we experienced hardly any rain - like 2 or 3 days. The trips were the entire month of April, mid July to mid August, and the entire month of September. We travelled by train most of the time, and a little bit in a rental car.

Here’s what I packed and some outfits from the September trip (cooler weather - 3 rainy days.) The other two trips were before I joined YLF. Everything in a roll aboard. As you can see, I brought trainers and jeans.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ule-report

Before Covid, I was planning a 2 week trip to the UK for May 2020. I had tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show, etc. The trip got cancelled, but this was my proposed travel capsule.

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-uk-in-may

What you pack ultimately depends upon activities planned.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like great fun! I have been to London a few times, and I am sure I wore jeans. Possibly not sneakers/trainers/sports shoes because I don't generally. I am sure some more knowledgeable voices will chime in!

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. Wow. This is a thought - I don’t know that I’ve done a ‘city vacation’ in like 13 years. The lifetime of Lilypup! It may be even longer, because I avoid cities unless I’m just going to stay in someone’s house to visit them. And looking back, I’m not sure I’ve ever took sneakers. My go-to was always a walkable flat shoe - and my best was a pair of silver and white that could be dressed up. Kinda like the attached picture, but that pair had a white sole.

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rachylou

Veteran

Um… but that said… uh… I always took the opportunity in big cities to shop for clothes! Lol!

Uh… ok… actually, I’ve managed to buy nice clothes camping too, passing thru cute towns… lol! Incorrigible!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jaime, same with me. We were in London the week before everything shut down. I didn’t take sneakers because that’s not what I wear, but they certainly are a normal part of what normal people (not me) wear.

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cat2

Veteran

Doing a city vacation right now. London does black for the city, brown for the country. Bring walkable shoes that aren’t trainers, real trousers rather than jeans and your nicer sweaters and you will blend in really well. If you are a pear, I can make some shopping suggestions…

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I haven’t been to London in ages due to covid but my brother lives there and he lives in trainers but then he’s not going to a swanky hotel(very jealous!)
As you can already tell from these comments Britain is known for its somewhat unpredictable weather. May can be be cold and wet or boiling hot or anything in between.That’s why no British person has a tiny capsule wardrobe,we need to be prepared!
If you are going to sightsee a lot you don’t need me to tell you that you need comfortable walking shoes but they don’t have to be trainers.A lightweight waterproof,then layers that you can adjust depending on what the weather is.There’s a reason the cardigan was invented in Britain!And a big enough bag to carry your layers in as you take them on and off would be useful as well.

Staysfit

Veteran

It’s been a few since I was in London……LOL! I’ve been there three times. The last time was 29 years ago. At that time I only packed skirts and no trainers! I remember wearing Reikers, very comfy for walking and mine were dressy enough to go anywhere.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm also planning a trip to the UK, but to visit home rather than as a tourist - yet I'm also stuck on what to pack... COVID has made me forget what it's like to travel, lol!

I'm guessing if you consider NYC the same as London, then your main activities will likely be shopping & city sightseeing, right? My absolute top item for blending in would therefore be an opaque pair of black leggings or tights - people wear them with everything, from the ubiquitous hooded khaki parka to ditsy floral sundresses

As for the hotel, flat shoes should be OK (we aren't an overly dressy nation) but just make sure they have good grip - the staircases leading up to those places are often no joke! In fact, that's pertinent advice for any footwear you bring with you, trainers or not - cobblestoned alleys & wet concrete after rain are also common slipping hazards!

We do indeed wear trainers (or sneakers, as you call them) in the UK, but it's what you pair it *with* them will tip us off as to whether you're a tourist or not - such as white tube socks, a bum bag ('fanny pack' lol) & baggy shorts. Unless you're younger folk who can pull off 'normcore' chunky 'dad' trainers with aplomb If you're unsure, you're likely better off sticking to simpler slip-on style plimsolls than anything with multicoloured shoelaces. A cohesive colour scheme can also do a lot to make up for casual items (see previously mentioned khaki parkas: worn with black leggings, brown boots, a cream jumper, light wash denim shorts/ chambray shirt & a burgundy scarf, you'd fit right in!).

Another vote for practical outerwear too - my raincoat gets lots of use back home, even if just tied around my waist because it's suddenly too hot to wear it in the middle of the day I'd therefore advise wearing layers - @Cardiff's right that cardigans are popular for a reason

Lana

(website)

Veteran

You’re going to have a great trip! London is fun and I think in a lot of ways there is more variety in clothing and style than NYC.

What shoes do you wear at home? I’d start with that - the most comfortable shoes for walking - I limit myself to 3 - one for hard core walking all day, one comfortable slightly dressier, and one waterproof boot for sloshing around. I would bring a fashionable pair of sneakers for walking (not the chunky running shoes), a pair of Doc style or combat waterproof boots, and a more sleek looking boot or closed toe shoe, but that’s what I wear normally. I wouldn’t recommend sandals for the city, it can be dirty. Once you’ve got your shoes sorted, you can build your capsule from there.

Jorja

Here’s a blogger who’s packing for London & Paris in April with sneakers and a very thorough description of what she’s packing and why! Have a great trip.

https://unefemme.net/what-to-p.....pring.html

RobinF

Veteran

Reading with interest - we are planning a trip to London for September. We were supposed to go September 2020 so fingers crossed it happens this year! I know I'll need comfy walking shoes or boots and a good, packable raincoat but that is as far as I have gotten.

kkards

Veteran

do you follow Susan from unefemme? i know a lot of fabbers do, and Inge featured her a couple of years ago.
https://unefemme.net/
https://youlookfab.com/2018/07.....at-topper/

anyway she and her husband are off shortly for 2 weeks in Paris and a 5 days in London, and she just posted her packing/travel wardrobe. she's also just back from 2 weeks in London on a work trip, and she posted about what she packed and wore for that. (and she said she regretted not bringing sneakers on that trip).
anyway, i definitely recommend checking out her blog and packing recommendations

em

Hi all! It's not that I don't know what to wear, it's that...

If I were home and I was going to go shopping, I would wear flesh colored underwear and easy to get in and out of clothing.

If I were home and going on a hike I would wear jeans and sturdy shoes.

If I were home and going to a museum I would wear chinos and stylish sneakers.

If I were going to the theater I would wear a dress and 3 inch heels.

The thing is, when I am home, I would be a FOOL to try and do that ALL IN ONE DAY.

Which is why I can't figure out what to bring.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The time I was in the UK it was HOT. And so were we. So, yes, layers that can stand alone.
Em, I smiled as you explained all that in one day.

Sal

Veteran

I think there has been a casualisation of dress codes everywhere and when travelling sometimes you just do the best you can.

I try and look smart and blend, but there are days I have worn my Asics running shoes and jeans and known I look like a tourist. But it's hard to have the perfect thing for every occasion on hand in changeable climate.

I think those sneakers you pictured would be fine for 95% of occasions especially with trousers or a dress. I would argue they were laceups not trainers if I needed to. With black or navy or olive trousers/chinos and a shirt or blouse or smart knit and scarf I think you would be fine for a high tea.

These types of dress below can be very dressy or very casual. I would wear the black with sandals or with sneakers or with heels or boots layering as needed over or under.

If going to the UK I would take two layering merino top or similar as well as a light smart jacket (I took a nano puffer and the gold bomber below to Italy in April) and something rain proof. You can always buy or take a travel umbrella if you need.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

That’s a very busy day—have fun!

The shoes you posted sound great. Pick a couple other ideal/very flexible pieces and then, as you work out outfits, you’ll see what else to add.

Zaeobi’s hiking with monkeys outfit & Lana’s rainy day come to my mind as inspo. Personally, I’d wear a dress + boots for all of the above.

Runcarla

Veteran

You might like to check out this midlife UK blogger https://www.midlifechic.com/ and the outfits she wears for some travel style inspo.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Ahh I completely understand your dilemma, don't worry! I agree with @Sal that things have become more casual than before, you don't need to be dressed up to the nines for high tea! That murky 'athleisure' middle ground reigns supreme these days, so I wouldn't bring anything at (either) extreme of the spectrum - no need for spindly heels OR chunky laceup 'dad' trainers.

I think @Stag's got the right idea with a dress & boots, though I'd probably bring ankle booties rather than kneehigh ones (for easier packing). You could wear it with merino base layers, opaque black leggings/ tights & a 'mid' casual topper (e.g. a bomber in luxe fabric as @Sal showed) if it's chilly, or even just a pashmina in a natural fibre if you're unsure (they tend to breathe better for milder & colder weather alike, plus they can be wrapped in a variety of ways for under a coat vs attending the theatre).

Out of the suggestions above, items like tights/ pashminas/ bombers would probably be the lighter to bring than chinos/ coats - so I'd probably pack *more* of the former items for variety's sake (so one version can be already hung dry whilst another is being washed in the sink), rather than carrying fewer of the heavy latter items.