Help - cocktails in London, need style advice

[Warandpeas]

What do cool, thirtysomething urban women wear on a Friday night trip to a cocktail bar in London these days? I am provincial and mainly clad in old jeans and a sweater. I have lots of “going out clothes” from ye olden days BC (before kids) but I reckon they’re pretty dated now. What is the “London look”? I don’t wear heels and will probably base my look around black skinnies and black Chelsea boots. Any advice?!

There isn't really a "London look"! Depending on what time you're going, the bars will be full of people who've gone out straight from work, so some people will be in office wear. There'll also be people who have just wandered in after a bit of shopping, so jeans, boots etc. Unless you're going somewhere that specifies a dress code, anything goes!

Black skinnies and Chelsea boots sounds good. What about a loose vest/cami and either black tux/relaxed blazer jacket or leather biker? That’s kind of my going out in london uniform. If I do more than that I feel like a provincial (which I am) glammed up for a big night in London.

depends where the bar is

Black skinnies and Chelseas sound fine as a base. I agree with PP, add a nice top and a blazer or biker jacket and you'll look fine. Plenty of Londoners go out for a drink without dressing up much or being into fashion!

Black skinnies with perhaps a nice silk shirt and blazer would be good, or camisole top underneath. Or depending on the area I do wear trainers and a top, unless it’s really posh they mostly aren’t too dressy.

Thanks all. It’s mainly southbank cocktail bars and happy hour so mainly a post work crowd versus a late-night club crowd. I think Zara blouse & skinnies and boots will do it. Been out of the loop so long I’ve forgotten what smart casual looks like...