How do u travel?

Mona

Have any of you travelled to England in summer? I am planning to (fingers crossed) and want to start thinking about a travel capsule. I would really appreciate any suggestions, tips or ideas.

13 years ago

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

Louise

Veteran

I Iive in England (UK there's only one England right?) I would suggest easily removable layers. The weather here can be pretty changeable so I'd plan for the warmest weather but add layers for cooler weather. Eg wear a sundress but make sure you bring a cardi or jacket in case it's cooler. It also depends where in th UK you're going generally the weather is warmer down south x

13 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I'm from the UK, too, and I agree with Louise. I live in the South of England (London suburbs) and today the weather is 50 degrees, cloudy and it has been raining, on and off. But it's supposed to brighten up later, and reach about 60 degrees, with sunny spells. Definitely wear layers! And bring an umbrella.

13 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I've just noticed you've said you'd be coming in the summer - well, pretty much what we've said still applies, but you may get hotter days, and need cooler clothes/sun protection/sunglasses.

13 years ago

Mona

Veteran

That sounds great, Ladies! I will be visiting my sisters in London. How many other YLF'ers are from there? May be we will have a chance to meet. Soooo excited! and thanks for the suggestions.

13 years ago

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I remember going to London in June one year and it turned out to be miserably cold at 60 degrees and rainy. I actually had to buy a wool sweater from Bennetton.

Expect the weather to change from one day to the next so definitely dress in layers and an umbrella will definitely come in handy. Blazers and leather jackets are perfect too.

13 years ago

Mona

Veteran

Thanks, citygirl. Do you think I will need blazers and leather jackets in August too? I am definitely taking an umbrella and rain boots.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've also been in the UK in the summer and experienced wildly varying weather. One day sunny and short-sleeve weather in Edinburgh and the next shivering in a turtleneck and jacket -- and that was in July. My experience in London was similar. So I would agree to be prepared with a variety of layers.

13 years ago

Mona

Veteran

Thanks for th input, Janet. I am certainly going to incorporate layers in my travel capsule. I am a layers and boots gal at heart so it should be easy.

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

I support Louise with layering. That way you will be covered for the changable weather as well as different styles.

13 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Have a great trip! I went to England and Scotland many years ago and loved it!

13 years ago

morethanbeige

Veteran

Enjoy! Sounds like a very good time! That would be so cool if you could meet up with other YLFers! I have been so wanting to do this!

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

My mom went in July a few years ago and compared to SF in the summer - foggy and chilly especially in the mornings and evenings. They spent days in London in trench coats.

Dream trip especially if you get to visit your sisters and catch up.

13 years ago

Irene

Veteran

Also, where are you from? I'm from Spain, so I'm used to a warmer weather and hot summers (hot HOT summers at about 30 degrees celcius in Barcelona). So UK is rather cold for me. If a londoner is going in strappy sandals and a cardi, I might need a warm jacket and closetoe shoes.

-spent a cold year in the south of UK!

13 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

boots for sure! I ended up buying a pair when I visited just north of London in June/July many years ago because all of my summer shoes left my feet cold and wet. Couldn't believe how much rain there was.....

13 years ago

Anonymous

I used to fly the London route and I was there every week. I remember it being a little on the chilly side for summer, but sometimes they have a heat wave come from out of nowhere and a lot of places didn't have central air conditioning. So you really should pack for a wide range of temperatures. Sounds like an exciting trip you have planned!

13 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

What Claire says is true - it can be hot - and many places don't have air conditioning (the underground in London, for example - most of that doesn't have air conditioning) so it can be grim. Obviously I am acclimatised to our climate, but if I were going away in August in the UK I wouldn't pack boots or a coat! If you are from much warmer climes and/or run cold, you might need them, though.

Whereabouts are you planning on going, mona?

13 years ago

Mona

Veteran

Thanks for invaluable feedback, everyone! I am coming from Canada but I run very very cold. Still not used to the cold weather. I always dress up in layers and don't wear sandals until June/July. Do you think I will need rainboots?
ButterflyLady, I will be visiting London City. Whereabouts do you live?

13 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Mona, I live in the suburbs to the South East of London.

If you feel the cold, then you will probably need a coat and boots (just watch, now there'll be a heatwave in time for the Olympics!), but as the South East is currently suffering a drought, as we haven't had much rain at all in the past two years, rainboots are unlikely! Of course, the drought could break at any time ... the joy of English weather - four seasons in one day and total unpredictability!

13 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i spent a old damp rainy august (!) in leicester north of london. i was miserable. i'm cold hardy, but not damp hardy. i don't think i've ever been chillier. not cold, chilly to the cone. does that even make sense?

vote for a few warm layers. a think silk undershirt and leggings would have been welcome, but nowhere to be found...because it was high summer!

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Yes! I've spent many a summer in England. My mom is English, so all of my maternal family is there, and my brother, my only sibling, has lived there for nearly 20 years now.

Over the years I've experienced all kinds of weather there. I've spent most of my time in the south of England (London and Surrey) and the weather can vary quite a bit. Some years I've gone and it's been cloudy all summer, and other times there has been a heatwave. All the advice about bringing layers is smart. I'd bring shoes that cover your feet as well as sandals. I don't know about rain boots. I bring them, but my cousins live on a farm, so I need them there. I've never worn them in London city in the summer.

It's probably not going to be particularly cold, but it might be cool. Spring jackets/sweaters/tank tops/tee shirts will do ya, I think. Hope you have fun! I love London.

13 years ago

Category