What To Wear In London In Spring (+ Packing List!)

We love visiting London in spring since it’s a lot quieter (and cheaper) when compared to the peak summer season.

Of course, visiting London during the spring months can pose some challenges as the weather can often vary significantly.

We recommend you pack layers when visiting London in the springtime, so you’re able to add and take off easily throughout both the day and your trip as needed. These layers can be made up of;

• Trousers
• T-Shirts
• Formal Shirt
• Jacket
• Raincoat
• Shoes
• Hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Dress

We’ve gone ahead and broken down each of these items (and a couple more) in detail to help you refine your decision.

Trousers

The essential item to your London outfit is going to be a great pair of trousers.

Personally, we recommend either a pair of chinos or jeans that are durable, comfortable and have great pockets.

However, if you’re planning on spending time in a more formal setting, such as restaurants or at the theatre, then you’ll want to go for more fitted options such as skinny jeans or smart trousers.

T-Shirts

Next, you’re going to want a couple of great high-quality t-shirts. We ideally recommend packing a mix of long-sleeved and short-sleeved options.

This allows you to then adapt your layers depending on the weather conditions you experience throughout your trip.

Formal Shirt

Alongside a t-shirt, we also recommend packing at least one more formal shirt.

In most cases, this will come in the form of a button-up which can be paired with a skirt or a pair of trousers for more formal evenings.

Jacket

Temperatures in London can vary significantly in the months of spring (between 3° and 17° on average depending on the time of day and exact month of travel).

As such it’s a good idea to pack a jacket that you can use instead of or in addition to a coat depending on the weather conditions you experience throughout your trip.

We recommend looking for a jacket that is made from a thick and insulating fabric, such as wool or down, and that has a hood or other features that can help to protect you from any wind and / or rain.

Raincoat

While you typically won’t experience as much rain in London in spring as you would during the winter months it’s still highly likely to rain during your visit.

As such we highly recommend bringing a waterproof raincoat to keep you dry and protect you from the elements.

If you’re planning to layer your raincoat with long-sleeved t-shirts and a jacket then a lightweight, packable raincoat should do the job.

However, if you’re not sure about layering different clothing items throughout your trip then you may want to look at a heavy, down coat that helps to both keep you warm and dry.

Shoes

It’s highly likely that during your trip to London you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

As such we recommend looking for shoes with a sturdy and supportive sole, and that have ample cushioning to help reduce fatigue and keep your feet comfortable.

Sneakers, loafers, and oxfords are all good options for city walking. However, for added ankle support you may want to opt for some walking or hiking boots instead.

Hat

A woolly hat will help to keep your head and ears warm as you continue to explore all that London has to offer.

They also pack up really small and can therefore be placed in a day bag and worn as and when they are required.

We recommend looking for a hat that is made from a thick and insulating fabric, such as wool or fleece, and that covers your ears to provide maximum warmth.

Scarf

Despite the springtime months in London being warmer than winter, we’d still recommend packing a scarf.

The average daytime temperatures in London are likely to be around 13° while the average evening temperature will be around 5°. However, with a windchill, it’s likely that these temperatures will feel a lot colder.

Scarfs come in a range of different styles making them a fantastic accessory for adding personality to your outfit while still being incredibly practical.

Gloves

We also recommend packing a pair of gloves to keep your hands warm and protected against the cold.

There are many different types of gloves to choose from including; leather, wool, and synthetic materials.

Leather gloves are generally more expensive but are also very durable and can be treated to be water-resistant.

Meanwhile, gloves made from wool are naturally insulating and can be warm even when wet.

Finally, synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, can be a more affordable option and are often treated with moisture-wicking or quick-drying properties to help keep your hands dry.

Dress

A dress can also work well as an option for both formal and casual occasions when in London.

In the shoulder springtime months, a dress will predominantly be worn on an evening, dressed up with heels for a more formal look.

However, on milder days as summer approaches, you could also dress down the dress during the daytime with casual shoes and minimal accessories for a more relaxed look.