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What to wear in London

By PackTheLook · Updated 28 October 2026

London is relaxed about style — anything goes, from sharp tailoring in the City to vintage in Shoreditch. What matters is the weather: it rarely gets very hot or very cold, but it changes constantly and drizzles often. Dress in layers, bring a waterproof jacket rather than relying on an umbrella, and wear shoes you can walk miles in — the Underground involves a lot of stairs.

Pick your month

Average daytime high shown. Tap a month for weather, events and a packing list.

Jan 9° Cold, damp Feb 9° Cold, damp Mar 12° Mild, showers Apr 15° Mild, showers May 19° Mild, showers Jun 21° Mild-warm Jul 24° Mild-warm Aug 23° Mild-warm Sep 20° Cool, rainy Oct 16° Cool, rainy Nov 12° Cool, rainy Dec 9° Cold, damp

Dress code

  • No formal dress code in the city; smart-casual covers almost everything.
  • Some upscale restaurants, theatres and clubs discourage sportswear and trainers in the evening.
  • Cover shoulders for religious sites such as mosques and gurdwaras; Westminster Abbey and St Paul's are relaxed but respectful dress is expected.
  • A waterproof hooded jacket beats an umbrella on windy days.

Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins), 230V.

What to wear for…

Museums and galleries

Mostly free and very walkable — comfortable shoes and layers you can take off indoors.

West End theatre

No formal dress code; smart-casual is common and a jacket helps in air-conditioned theatres.

Afternoon tea and fine dining

Hotels like the Ritz require jackets and ties for men and ban sportswear and trainers. Check the dress code when booking.

Parks and markets

Weather changes fast: waterproof jacket and shoes that handle wet grass.

Winter (Dec–Feb) Jan, Feb, Dec

Damp and 2–9°C, with dark afternoons (sunset ~4pm). A warm, water-resistant coat matters more than heavy knits.

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Spring (Mar–May) Mar, Apr, May

Cool to mild (10–18°C) with frequent showers and the occasional surprise warm day. Layers plus a waterproof.

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Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

Summer (Jun–Aug) Jun, Jul, Aug

Usually 20–24°C with long evenings, occasional heatwaves near 30°C and the Tube becoming very hot. Light layers and something for cool nights.

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Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

Autumn (Sep–Nov) Sep, Oct, Nov

September is pleasant, then it cools steadily (11–20°C) and gets wetter. Waterproof outer layer and knits.

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Showing more covered picks for travellers from India.

For men

London menswear is relaxed but put-together: dark jeans or chinos, a knit or Oxford shirt, a waterproof jacket or wool coat and leather boots or clean trainers. In the City and at upscale restaurants, a blazer goes a long way. Shorts appear on warm summer days, but you'll want trousers by evening when it cools.

Common packing mistakes

  • Relying on an umbrella — London drizzle comes with wind; a hooded waterproof is better.
  • Packing for a warm summer and getting 14°C and rain.
  • Wearing new shoes — you'll walk a lot, including Tube stairs.
  • Forgetting smart shoes for posh restaurants and afternoon tea.

What's on through the year

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