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Heading to London for Christmas

Chris987

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DH and I just decided to visit London over Christmas. We had
been hemming and hawing and finally decided. Haven't been there in 20 years! We’ll probably go a few days before Christmas and be home by New Year’s Eve, with day trips maybe to Oxford etc. As I think about what to pack, I’m going to start with Angie’s capsule from her recent trip to the Netherlands and London, and take some additional inspiration from Style Fan’s Montreal capsule.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....n-montreal I absolutely LOVE having some real examples to work with! Thanks so much to Angie and StyleFan...

I’ll be adding a few more layering pieces since it will be a little bit colder than when Angie went, plus the coats I expect to take are not super-warm, and I do expect to be outdoors a lot. I'll also add a couple of dressier pieces to have options for restaurants and Christmas day church services. We hope to be able to go to St Paul’s Cathedral but I hear the lines are very long.

I have studied Angie’s postings from her recent trip http://youlookfab.com/2016/10/.....-day-trip/ and http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-my-trip and also Aziraphale's posting where she asked what London street style is about http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-re-london. I will find it very easy to wear the dark colors that sound like they are typical. I’ll post the full capsule at some point.

I have a few specific questions.... …

I think a bit of snow, slush, rain is possible in London in late December but most likely there would not be a lot. I’m planning to bring one pair of warm boots (uggs shown in finds - super comfy for all day walking) that can work in snow/slush and an umbrella, but otherwise will bring warm non-waterproof outerwear and leather sneakers. (plus scarves/hats) Does that sound reasonable?

Angie I think you said you loved having both a wool overcoat and a puffer jacket….can you talk a bit more about why you loved having both? I’m thinking of taking a dark blue overcoat and a raspberry puffer jacket.

I'm doing lots of google searches of things to do but would love to hear from any fabbers on Christmas traditions in London.

UGG 'Cecile' Waterproof Boot (Women)

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Janet

(website)

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I'm trying to figure out the same thing! We will be in Prague for Christmas, Paris the week after, and London for a couple of days the first week in January!

So I'm going to listen in and take notes if you don't mind.

Chris987

Veteran

Sure Janet! Also, if you haven't done so, be sure to read Aziraphale's posting (I included the link above) where she asked a broader question about street style in London in Dec. I bet Prague will be colder than London but that's just a guess.

JAileen

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Chris, a couple years ago we were in Istanbul in winter. It was damp, it rained, it snowed, it was windy. I'm mentioning this because we were outdoors all day, and I froze, until I layered my jacket under my coat (!) and bought a wool cap. The hood on my coat wasn't warm enough. Istanbul is further south than London.

Suz

(website)

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Ooooh!!! SO much fun. It will be wonderful!

I was in London in February or March a few years ago, in a very cold season, and have some tips which I did mention in Aziriphale's thread but if you want more let me know!

Chris987

Veteran

Ok...sounds like I should be prepared for temps like I would have here at home in New England...hats/gloves/scarves and toppers under coats. I think I read your posting Suz...something about a dozen layers...:-) or not far from it. I'll go check again.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How FUN. A very good start, Chris. I like that you're bringing some dressier pieces too.

Euro and Asian city travel capsules are my specialty. I have shared a lot over the last 10 years, so if I can help in any way - let me know. (Your feet are the most important part to dress well here).

Cerinda

Veteran

Chris, I loved Christmases in London! Have a piece of proper Christmas cake for me: boozy cake made with DRIED fruit (not petrified, dyed, candied fruit), covered with a layer of marzipan and royal icing AND served with cream. Please DO wear the silly paper hat in the Christmas cracker at your plate at Christmas lunch. And try to get tickets to a "panto" or Christmas pantomime -- raucous silly productions found everywhere from pub function rooms and village church halls to posh theatres.

Anonymous

You're going to have a wonderful time! I echo Suz and JAileen about the temperatures. Admittedly a big city can be warmer than out in the sticks but our UK weather forecasters are predicting a Winter with colder temps this year. You will definitely need layers, gloves and a hat if that happens. I remember going to the Tower Of London in late January one time and it was 2 Celsius with a windchill... I was freezing!

Oh and why not have a day trip to my neck of the woods

Chris987

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Thanks Angie, Cerinda, and Diane.

Diane thanks for mentioning the temps... 2C degrees is 35F (being an American I do F) which is what I'm used to in the winter even with wind. We get several weeks that are colder than that, sometimes MUCH colder. Hats/scarves/gloves are totally normal for me, I don't go outside without them in the deepest part of winter. Good to know that my plan to bring them is the right one.

Diane, we ARE looking for some day trip ideas, one possibility is Oxford. What neck of the woods is yours?

Anonymous

I'm a fair bit further north just outside of Wolverhampton Chris,, so rather out of your way

Chris987

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Ha Diane, I just looked on a map, yep you are pretty far away from London. Does your town have a castle or a cathedral? That could be a reason.....don't all towns in the UK have one or the other?? .

Cerinda thanks for that list! The christmas cake thing sounds like the "plum pudding" i used to make every Christmas many years ago. Flour, cinnamon, other spices, suet, dried fruit or citron (which is that petrified stuff you said is a NO..hah) and you make it way ahead and pour a little rum or whiskey over it (and one for the cook) every other day for a few weeks. I served it with hard sauce which is butter with a bunch of sugar mashed into it. I will definitely look for Christmas Cake in London and a panto performance. The christmas crackers have appeared in the US so I've had them but more fun to do it in London.

Angie, thanks I would love to take advantage of your expertise...let me get a capsule together..and I'm already doing some searches to find older postings like your trip to Japan a few years ago. So much great info!!!

Anonymous

Haha...sadly no cathedral in Wolverhampton...nor Birmingham which is the next big city.
Btw...I love Christmas cake and plum pudding.

Ornella

(website)

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Chris, if you like cathedrals, then the one in Lichfield is amazing and somewhat in Diane's neck of woods. So, there's your reason
On the subject of cathedrals, close to London is a small town St Albans. Gorgeous, charming, could be a nice option for a day outside metropolis and there is a beautiful cathedral there too.

Cerinda

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Chris, what about a daytrip to Canterbury? Stunning choir --both musically and architecturally. You might enjoy London's Westminster Cathedral, too (the Roman Catholic seat, not the abbey).

Chris987

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Great ideas Cerinda and Ornella, I've done a bit of choral singing in my life and adore the sound of voices in a gothic cathedral......could make you believe in God even if you didn't otherwise....and love the architecture too. We have nothing even remotely like this in the U.S. except a few copies...so thanks for the ideas!

RobinF

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Ooh sounds wonderful! Have fun planning!

Elizabeth P

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What a wonderful thing to do! I remember as a child going to England for Christmas, and it snowed... which it never did (at that time anyway). So much for getting away from it! Great advice above for what to take/do.

Eliza

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Sounds like a great trip. I have been known to use a breathable waterproof spray on travel footwear and sometimes even jackets to increase versatility. It works pretty well. (I am careful about the fumes, though.) I am also a big fan of waterproof booties by Aquatalia, etc. I find that a well-fitting, comfortable pair for a city visit eliminates the need for gear footwear. Layering really helps and my trusty Uniqlo always go with me in cooler weather. England often has a cold dampness that is penetrating.

This year I am trying Uniqlo Blocktech pants for the first time. They have a bit of a sheen, but are meant to keep the wind out. It is howling here today and with the Heattech knee highs, I definitely see a difference. Also tried the Heattech pull on straight legs in black (like a brushed twill) and dark denim look. These are warmer than typical jeans and lack the "noisy" sheen of the Blocktech, passing as regular casual pants.

Have a wonderful time.

Aziraphale

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Me too, Chris! I'm leaving today! London at Christmas -- woohoo! I'm just having my coffee and then I'm going to go finish packing.

Have a great trip!

Chris987

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Eliza thanks for the recommendations. I'm definitely bringing some underlayers as well as multiple other layers, and my primary outerwear will be a waterproof coat with a quilted lining. The only all-day walking footwear I have at the moment that is also warm and water-resistant is more sporty than fashionable, but it's on my list to get something more like Aquatalia boots in the future. For now I'll go with what I've got.

Good to know that the dampness is pervasive.. Here in New England the winter temps are usually colder than I see as average temps in London but it tends to be a bit on the dry side when it's really cold,. In any case I will be well prepared! .

You have a great time too Aziraphale! I'd say we should try for a meet-up but I think that could be very tricky....DH and I will not have cell phone service and we are going to do a lot of our planning when we get there...plus we are going to Oxford for a few days too. We will have to compare notes when we get back. I think some other fabbers are also going to London in late Dec/early Jan so we can have a big London trip report party!

BrieN

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Chris, are you taking a coat that you haven't included in your finds photos? Waterproof and quilted?

Chris987

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BrieN the one I was thinking of is a raincoat with a quilted lining, from Eddie Bauer, and it IS in my finds, hmmm at least I thought it was but I didn't find it so I just grabbed it again. See below

Women's Girl On The Go Insulated Trench Coat

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BrieN

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That coat looks just the ticket if you get one or two of those wet and cold-to-the bone days.
Have a wonderful time.

Joy

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Have a wonderful Christmas trip and report back with photos to share your experiences with us.

Louise

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I'd definitely recommend layers though it has been quite mild here in the UK so far though I do usually find February and March are much colder. Definitely bring a scarf and an umbrella xx

Staysfit

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Have a wonderful time Chris! It looks like you already recieved plenty of good travel wardrobe advice. My trips to London have been in the summer and occurred more than 20 years ago. Any suggestions I have are either for the wrong season or out of touch with current travel trends. I have been reading any post about travel that appears on the forum because my top wardrobe goal for 2017 is to create a 4 season travel capsule. Who knows? Maybe I will be heading to London again in the near future?

Chris987

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Thanks ladies for all the lovely postings. I have to finalize my travel capsule today so I can do any necessary laundry before packing. Will post pics at some point..