So I know that people in London wear normal clothes but I fancy talking about it anyway. Indulge me please.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I know that I can wear what on earth I want, and I know that nobody cares, but we're having a few days in London next week and the weather looks very changeable. I don't really want to buy new clothes and I will obviously bring a brolly but should I buy a pack-a-parka thing too? Warm and wet is so hard to get right imho.

I have got:
obligatory brolly
jeans
cigarette trousers
tube skirts - long, short, midi
jersey dresses
sandals
Converse
ballet shoes
various tops etc
cotton biker
leather biker (doubt I'll want that)
denim jacket

Anybody fancy styling me? Want tp pack as light as possible too. :)

Londoner here, def lose the leather biker jacket as it is too damn hot. Otherwise it all sounds fine. I am much scruffier than you I am ashamed to admit.

I really want to have a look at east London - it's not an area I know at all.

Not sure entirely what we're doing but the Portrait and National and Tate Modern are all on the list and possibly the Propaganda exhibition at the British Library (although dp less interested than I am in this) and the V&A I imagine. Maybe John Soanes and the Hunterian because I love them, and the Wellcome.

Sorry - meant to say please tell me more re East London. Can't really do bars, as we'll have two teens with us a lot of the time.

Remus - welcome to the avant-garde runway that is central London.

No one cares what you wear, trust me - but be a bit adventurous or you'll feel like you missed out.

No to rainwear. A cagoule might make you feel depressing, anyway that's what the five thousand South Bank bars are there for.

Yes to new friends, however. Bring a half empty bag for your shopping - the tail end of the sales is upon us and everything is dirt cheap.

God no, it wouldn't have been a cagoule. It would have been this sort of thing.

Londoners are quite scruffy!
London is pretty grimy/sweaty esp using public transport so I would take four tops, so you can change in the evening into something fresh.
Everyone I see seems to be wearing shorts and sleeveless tops.
There really are lots of lovely clothes shops here, you will wish you needed something...
I think the comfortable shoes really are the most important thing you will pack.
Medium length Swirly skirts are often cooler too.

I suppose I could dump dp at the Wallace for a while and nip to Selfridges. :)

HAve fun.

Just saw last post @ E. London.

If you go to Tate modern you are v. close to E. London. Cross over the millenium bridge, have a little admire of St. Paul's and then consult your A-Z (which you should buy - they are soooo useful, even if you have a google app on your 'phone).

You are basically in Bank and the City. You can go and stand in threadneedle st. and wonder if you're standing above the vaults, etc. And you can admire all the weird City shops: posh ones at Royal Exchange; "manly" meat shops on the walk down there.

Main thing, though, is to find a 26 or 55 bus stop (ask a tube person - they always know where the buses go from for some reason) and catch a bus towards Hackney.

You'll be taking the scenic route through Shoreditch and trendy E. London, towards Brick Lane, Bethnal Green and (near to) Victoria Park and the Regent's canal (which is a lovely place to end up for a sit-down. And it has a (v. nice) cafe in one bit of it, next to the large pond).

during the day, e. London (especially SHoeditch area) has quirky shops, at night it has many people and bars to stare at.

Sunday is Columbia Road day. Ask the bus driver where to get off, and follow the crowds (or consult your A-Z). You don't get off at the "Columbia Rd" stop! Lots of artisan bakers, shops that only open on a Sunday, and the crazy flower market.

Selfridges have the Room of Wonder at the moment (I think) where they are trying to have a sort of art cross-over thing.

I suspect you'd prefer Regent Street. I think it might have more of your kind of shops on it. And there's a branch of "Another Story" opened in the little road between Oxford Street and Liberty, opposite the theatre (what is the name of the theatre??) And Urban Outfitters is near Oxford Circus, too.

It is hot, hot, hot! Keep it cool, take a brolly and also swimwear. Then you can cool off at a lido or The Serpentine.

I'd take the shorts.

Will deffo be going to Liberty to fondle the Westwoods. Dp can cope with Liberty because it is always cool in there, and it is so pretty.

Would Shoreditch or Spitalfields be of more interest for teens, do you think?

Def Spitalfields for teens and also for those who like vintage-y stuff.

Thanks K8. And would Saturday or Sunday be better?

They're within walking distance of each other - Spitalfields is good on Thurs & Sundays.

Start at Petticoat Lane about 11, get the fear re overcrowding and slip to Spitalfields by about 1130, clutching coffee. Once you are done, cross main road (SHOREDITCH HIGH ST BY THE WAY, DP) & straight down Fournier Street (NOTE FAMOUS CHURCH ON CORNER FOR DP) to Upmarket and Downmarket in Brick Lane - teen nirvana -, do the shops in & around Brick Lane eg Old Truman Brewery boutiques (NOTING HUGUENOT HOUSES FOR DP), have curry and wander round Shoreditch till about 5 (NOTING FAMOUS PUBS FOR DP).

If DP really can't stand that - one of the most interesting walks in the world - send him for a trot round the city instead. Beautiful views on a Sunday.

Cos is next to Liberty, as is Banana Republic, and there are 3 Zaras within stone's throw. Bugger the Wallace Collection.

Your coat is nice...

Oh and bring cash with you - the cash machines always run out and you are dealing with stallholders. Stash in bra.

You'll be in my neck of the woods, Remus

Brick lane on Sunday would be good for DDs. Just round the corner from spitalfields.

I hate crowds, but otherwise that sounds like a good plan for Sunday. Is the famous church the Hawksmoor one?

Bugger the Wallace indeed - but I can always dump dp there for an hour. I'm not really bothered about shopping, although the teens want to go to Carnaby Street so Liberty will be a must then.

I will wave to you, Tethers.

Yy what Corygal said. There's a Cowshed spa at Shoreditch House if you get hot or stressed and need a pamper.

If you're in to vintage or have teens who are check if Judy's Vintage fair is in town on the Saturday. There is a Facebook page and a website.

Then leave teens there and head to Liberty beauty hall. Really the ret of London isn't half as nice

Yes it is that church - You'll recognise it at once. Go down that road - the Horrors live at no 16 I think, ideal star spotting - swing a left at the top ie into Brick Lane and you are off.

Rest in Liberty and Cos while teens are being rucksacked ruthlessly by 5,0000,0000 international teens in Carnaby Street. There is a nice big Jaeger on the next corner as well.

Of course, the Wallace takes aaaages - he could easily spend a day there. Very important Impressionists, you know.

Horrors?

Poor dp. There's only so long one can cope with The Laughing Cavalier! :)

I hope you have a cracking time.