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

London is magical in the wintertime, from Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland to the glittering lights of Oxford Street there’s so much to see and do. However, much like the rest of England, London can get cold and wet fast.

When visiting London in winter you should look to use layers to keep you warm, we suggest this is made up of;

• Trousers
• T-Shirts
• Formal Shirt
• Jacket
• Raincoat
• Shoes
• Hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Thermals
• 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 a 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 winter months. 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

Rainfall in London peaks during the winter, averaging around three inches per month. As such it’s highly likely that when visiting London in winter you’ll get wet, in some cases, very wet.

We, therefore, 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.

🧍‍♂️Best Choice For Men: These Sketchers classic fit sneakers are both incredibly comfortable and stylish.

🧍‍♀️Best Choice For Women: These low-rise Converse are super comfortable and come in a range of colours.

Hat

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

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

We recommend packing a scarf when visiting London in winter since it can help to keep you warm and protect your neck and face from the cold, especially since you’ll likely be spending a lot of time outdoors.

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

🧍‍♂️Best Choice For Men: This plaid scarf (buy it on Amazon) is super stylish and perfect for keeping warm.

🧍‍♀️Best Choice For Women: This long scarf (buy it on Amazon) is available in a range of different colours and styles.

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.

Thermals

If you’re visiting London in the height of winter (December / January) then you may experience below-freezing temperatures (especially in the evening).

This can make walking outdoors and seeing the sights that London has to offer incredibly uncomfortable. However, thankfully an additional thermal layer can help to keep you warm.

Dress

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

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

However, on milder winter days you could also dress down the dress with casual shoes and minimal accessories for a more relaxed look.

🧍‍♀️Best Choice For Women: This casual crewneck one-piece provides shoulder coverage, comes in a range of colours and has pockets!