What to wear in London

There’s nothing quite like the Great British weather and it can be just as unpredictable in London as it is in the countryside. Even though you could be wearing sunglasses one minute and reaching for your umbrella the next, there are lots of ways you can plan ahead when deciding what to wear in London.

Checking the average temperature for the month you are visiting London can be a good indicator of how hot or cold it will be during your visit. However, temperatures can drop or rise much more than the average due to heat waves or extreme cold spells. One way to always stay prepared is by layering your outfits.

London fashion includes so many different styles, so nothing is off limits! Whether you’re dressing up or dressing down, embrace your own personal style and have fun with your outfits. 

If you are packing light when travelling to London, make sure you don’t forget:

What to wear in London: Spring

March, April, May

Average temperature between 11°C - 15°C

Weather: Bright and warm to mild and rainy

Blouses, shirts and t-shirts are great for the spring and floral patterns can brighten up your wardrobe, getting you in the mood for summer. Pair with ankle length jeans, midi-skirts or culottes on warmer days and add a thin jumper, cardigan or tights if the weather gets a bit cooler.

If you will be walking around a lot, choose a pair of comfy shoes. Brogues, ankle boots and trainers are great for the spring, but there might also be days when you need a pair of wellies if the rain starts to pour or sandals for when the sun is shining.

We don’t call them April showers for nothing! The weather in a London spring is typically mild and rain is common, but you could also experience cold wintery weather or hot sunny days.

The weather can change a great deal between March and May and also from one day to the next. If you’re staying with us for the spring, choose some statement pieces that you can mix and match to create new outfits. Packing lots of layers is a great idea as you can take them off or add them depending on the weather.

Remember it could still get chilly! To stay warm and dry in London in the spring, we’d recommend wearing a trench coat, rain mac or light jacket.

What to wear in London: Summer

June, July, August

Average temperature between 18° - 25°C

Weather: Hot and sunny to humid and stormy

Here comes the sun! When the temperatures soar, make the most of it with cute summer dresses, skirts, shorts, strappy crop tops and sandals. On cooler days, a light pair of jeans with a t-shirt and a thin jacket will be a great choice. Heels might be ideal to dress up an evening outfit, but stay comfortable during the day with trainers, pumps or a good pair of flat sandals.

When summer arrives in the capital, you no longer need to rely on a thick coat and some days the temperature can reach more than 30°C! Dressing for summer in London means lots of colour and light fabrics, but you still need to be prepared for a chance of rain.

Always check the weather forecast before heading out for the day as you may need a light jumper or cardigan for later in the evening or a thin jacket or rain mac in case of a change in weather.

Whatever you choose to wear in the summer in London, have fun and experiment with bright colours and cute accessories.

What to wear in London: Autumn

September, October, November

Average temperature between 11° - 15° C

Weather: Mild and dry or wet and windy

As the leaves start to fall and morning frost begins to appear on the grass, autumn is coming so you need to know what to wear in London. The weather in autumn in London is similar to spring, but with crunchy leaves lining the streets rather than colourful flowers.

Customise your outfits to complement the autumnal colours with shades of rusted orange, deep purples, khaki greens and dark blue. Pack your favourite jumper, jeans and a light coat with some ankle boots. Or, pair a dress with a cardigan, tights and knee-high boots for a simple and stylish look which will work for both the day and night.

Choose key items that you can add layers to or mix and match your outfits to create new looks. Be prepared for blustery days with scarves and gloves and consider wearing a coat with a hood to combat the wind and rain, as an umbrella probably won’t hold up very well if it is windy.

The important thing to remember when you are deciding what to wear in London in Autumn is to plan outfits which you can add layers to. The temperature can be much lower or higher than the average so if you remember key pieces like scarves, jumpers and t-shirts, you can layer up or down and be prepared for any weather.

What to wear in London: Winter

December, January, February

Average temperature between 2° - 10° C

Weather: Cold and icy to mild and bright

Even though it might be chilly, you can still be stylish with thick long sleeve jumpers, cardigans, jeans and boots, and accessorise your outfits with a hat, scarf and gloves. If temperatures get really cold, you can also wear thermal layers underneath your outfits so you can stay warm and look great at the same time.

During the festive season and the New Year, it can get pretty chilly in England’s capital, so you want to stay comfortable, warm and dry. If you don’t know what to wear in central London in winter, it can be difficult to find the right balance between being far too cold or just right.

If you will be shopping or visiting lots of indoor attractions, you might be best to wear a thick winter coat over a lighter outfit. Shops and attractions will be heated and large crowds will make the area warmer so make sure you can remove layers. That way you can stay warm outside and still be comfortable indoors.

Equally, if you will be spending the day sightseeing outside, you don’t want to risk getting too cold. Although it isn’t always freezing, temperatures can drop below 0 and it does snow sometimes so bring a thick, warm coat and some sturdy boots with good grip in case it gets icy.

The most important thing to remember when deciding what to wear in London is to dress for comfort and think about the weather. If you are visiting London to go sightseeing, stay casual, comfortable and stay prepared for any weather with layers and waterproofs. If you are having dinner in a fancy restaurant or are going to see an opera, it is a good idea to check the dress code so you can plan your outfit accordingly before you visit London. 

Make the most of your visit with a bus tour around London with Tootbus. This is a great way to see the sites and you can explore the city on one of our tours, whatever the weather.