What the hell to wear in England?

[Burgerkingburgersarebetter]

Live abroad, very hot, still in shorts and flip flops.
Visiting England in a week. Dm tells me we can all wear shorts as still warm, but pack jumpers and hooded raincoats too

I'm so confused

What’s confusing? It rains a lot and it gets cold.

Your mum is also wrong; you’ll have no need for shorts.

Try looking at the weather forecast..... https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/u10q6cgzm#?date=2026-09-27

That’s Britain for you!

Wgich part are you going to? The south is still fairly warm, but rain is forecast. The north is cooler. You do see people in shorts still, but most people are in ‘transition’ clothes so maybe trousers and a T-shirt, with a jumper or jacket at hand.

It’s predicted to be late teens for the next 2 weeks. Jeans, tops, light jumper for evenings and a waterproof jacket will generally suffice

Try looking at a weather app. Revolutionary.

Shorts and sandals have definitely been in use for me this week in Sussex. We’ve had 25°+

That might all be about to change though. Where are you heading? Maybe just check the forecast for the area you’re going to be staying! If you’ve been living abroad somewhere warm for a while, then temps here are probably going to feel cool, compared to what you’re used to.

But generally speaking, your mum is probably right that you need jumpers, coats, wellies, sandals, shorts, hoodies, bikinis… just pack everything you own if possible. 😉

This is what's confusing me. My plan was jeans/trousers and long sleeved tops. She said also t shirts and shorts as still warm

Cornwall

She’s wrong.

It's warm here still and plenty of people wearing shorts. Will depend on whether you're a cold or a hot person what your choice would be.

I'd suggest jeans, ankle boots, light layers (cardigan/jumper/fleece etc), and a waterproof jacket. You definitely won't need shorts - I'm not wearing shorts in the current weather and I'm used to the cold here!

Where in England and what will you be doing? Visiting museums in London or walking in the Lake District?

Generally speaking, layers, so you can put on or take off as needed. And comfortable shoes. But you won't need a lot of very warm clothes.

And there are shops, so you can always buy anything you need.

Well I wore shorts today and a tshirt… there is some rain forecast this week where I live but mostly sunny. A light jacket it gets cooler…

Thanks for the helpful answers

I have obliviously checked the forecast, but it doesn't look like what my Dm is saying at all

ITA! We live in the South and it’s forecast nice for the next fourteen days, but the temperature will drop quite a bit in the evenings. I’d be thinking long trousers, plus a jumper/cardigan/sweatshirt/hoody to cover the evenings at least. A waterproof coat of some sort is always handy in England!

Of course, we can go out in March, when it’s freezing and see people in shorts; but they are a strange minority!

The North is noticeably colder by a few degrees at any time! It depends on where you are going?

I wouldn’t say it’s shorts weather. I’m in the south east.

Trousers and t shirts I’d say. Bring jumpers on the lighter end of the scale and a rain coat.

Trainers or other mid weather shoes rather than sandals or (other and of scale) boots.

Only taking small cases, don't want to buy more clothes Ideally.
Cornwall-walking, beach, cafes, playgrounds

You might get away with shorts on some days, but not in a "oh my, it's so hot, I couldn't possibly wear jeans" way.
Aren't you likely to feel the chill, coming from somewhere hot?

Bring a t shirt so if it's warm you'll have a short sleeved top and if it's cool you can stick a jumper over the top.

Sorry some people are being so rude and unhelpful - luckily we’re not all like that! It’s quite interchangeable and even the weather apps only give a rough estimate. I’ve been outside all weekend - yesterday I was in shorts, tshirt and suncream all over. This morning was shorts and tshirt and this afternoon I changed in to trousers and added a jumper. Thin layers will be helpful so you’ve got options. Have fun!

Just looked at Cornwall weather for the next week. Not shorts weather, but I would throw in a couple of T-shirts as well as longer sleeved tops, although if you’re from a hotter country, you may find it cool.

I’m still in skirts and vest tops-it’s lovely here in the south. I don’t get why you are quite so confused, English weather is varied, as it always has been. Pack a pair of jeans, a skirt/shorts and some layers.

Yes i'm thinking this too, I imagine us being cold, but Dc is always hot, maybe shorts for her in case, but jogging pants, leggings etc too

It is a confusing time weather wise.
It has been mid twenties in the SE and very humid, but chilly morning and evening. Cooler if you’re sitting still inside. So whatever you wear you end up really sweaty or really cold at some point of the day. Or multiple iterations of both.

I’m fed up of it now. I don’t really want to wear summery clothes any more.

You might manage in shorts in Cornwall but not a sure thing