Must-have clothing items for Northern England?

[halfpintmama]

Hello! We’re relocating from the southern United States to Northern England in the next couple of months. The climate is obviously very different and I have no idea what we absolutely must have in the sense of clothes/shoes for the day to day in England. We are coming from a very warm climate ☀️ 🌵 and are so not use to cold and wet. Jackets, boots, etc are obvious needs, but what kind? What am I looking for?

Don’t buy hunter wellies - they’re terrible. In Harrogate yoi’re On the right side of the Pennines so much less wet than Lancashire. Your usual casual warming clothing will be fine. Harrogate is lovely

I think if you move to Harrogate you will need to dress mostly in Joules

If you go to Leeds it will be a whole different thing.

I would recommend:

Chunky jumpers
Plenty of long sleeved tops
Warm coats
Wind proof jackets
Scarves and wool hats
Flat cap (preferably tweed)
Shoes and boots which will cope well with rain
Plenty of umbrellas
A few pairs of gloves
Smart casual outdoorsy clothes from shops like Barbour

OP

Why the heck are you doing this??

If you’re coming to the UK, head down south. Trust me.

No OP DONT go down South
Very unfriendly and grubby
(kikistarted it)

Fin you can get a decent knee length, hooded rain coat in Texas get it! They’re the holy grail in UK, can’t remember the other specs MN want but have a google and you’ll find lots of mentions of rain coats.

Very jealous you’re getting to leave TX and head to UK. One day. One day.

If it helps, I've just come from somewhere hot (like minimum winter daytime temp is somewhere in the 20s - so seventy-something F), and am currently in the UK.
My suitcase packing is jeans, a smarter pair of trousers, socks, thick socks, cami vests, very thin sweater tops ( like this maybe ), with a chunkier jumper for when I go outside. A windproof, waterproof coat. Gloves and hat. Trainers or boots. Tights to go under jeans on cold days!
I'd start with a very basic wardrobe, maybe purchased in the US. And then top up in the UK. It is very hard to get decent cold weather stuff at sensible prices in hot places, in my experience.

I don't worry too much about fashion tho.....

You'll also need a mid calf length, pleated, red tartan wool skirt to wear with a dark jumper, for that essential "Kate" look at daytime social gatherings, eg Vicar's wife's coffee morning, CO's wife's charity lunch.

Harrogate is the South isn't it?
Not the REAL North like Newcastle and Scotland.
Seriously though there isn't much difference weather wise between the North and the South so you'll be fine in Winter clothes (smart ones for Harrogate obviously).
Ignore those who've suggested flat caps and whippets - you need a bobble hat and a golden retriever for Harrogate and a onesie for out of town shopping

I'm from the north - near Liverpool but have been Harrogate many times. I wouldn't be seen dead in joules or Boden - we are much more fashion conscious up here 😂

Go to Zara, top shop, flannels, all saints etc.

Only big parka if you're a walker - even for the school run we are all about nice wool coats - just add a brolly if it rains!

As for wellies .... Never!

I'm on the coast of Newcastle/Tyneside. It really isn't the frozen north up here (!) perhaps just a degree or two colder but the wind can be quite bracing on the coast. Further in land and higher up (County Durham, Northumberland) we do get a fair bit of snow in winter.
A long, warm puffa coat is essential as is a good pair of walking boots but you won't be needing them all the time.
I was brought up in the Cotswolds, can't say I've noticed much of a difference in what clothes I need. The Cotswolds often gets more snow in winter than we get up here!

Skins - better than thermals
Decent slippers in the house
Long warm coat and scarf and hat - preferably with a waterproof lining - look in the outdoor shops like Blacks.
Gloves

Decent long Pyjamas and dressing gown

I'm from the real north (Northumberland) 😆 and as long as you've got a warm waterproof coat , gloves and decent waterproof boots you'll be fine !

We live in Harrogate.

When I’m not at work I mostly wear long sleeved dresses (try Hush) or jeans and a jumper. Layers are better - today I had on a vest, a long sleeved t shirt and a cashmere jumper. Ankle boots are essentials, ideally waterproof. Wellies are great for on the stray, in the park or further afield. Walking boots are useful for proper walking, along with a cagoule (try mountain warehouse or go outdoors).

In the summer most people are in jeans and a t shirt with a lighter jacket, or a short sleeved dress and bare legs. Converse, Adidas gazelles and superga are all very popular.

I own 4 coats - a smart, warm wool pea coat for work and smart occasions (try M&S, Hobbs, Reiss); a waterproof trench coat for warmer wet days (Hobbs again, Seasalt); a super warm parka (try north face or Canada goose; and a lightweight jacket for summer - some people go for leather or denim, I have a canvas one.

Scarves, hats and gloves are useful to layer up on colder days too.

Clogs

Thick socks, good waterproof boots and a fleece lined waterproof jacket. Lots of snuggly throws for snuggling under indoors, I'm about 30 miles north eastish from Harrogate, and they do me well- good luck!

I'm laughing at the no coat on a night out. A few weeks ago it was howling wind and rain and I was going out out (meal, bars, club) and my dad commented "you should wear a waterproof"
Me "when you people watch in a bar, I know you do this, have you EVER seen a woman in town wearing a nice dress and a waterproof?"
Dad "no"
Me "there you go then. No coat"

Oh! Worth looking at the blog www.katgotthecream.com for ideas, she is Harrogate based and lovely.

I live in the North. My big warm coats come from Lands End, but they have a UK and US website.

I have a North Face coat for really cold weather, a Michael Kors one (from TK Maxx) for normal and a sherling one for when I'm trying to look glam while keeping warm. I'd agree with PP who said it's mainly mild and damp, rather than properly cold (in comparision to places in USA which get huge amounts of snow).

One of these things is not like the others, one of these things is not quite the same...

Indeed. 😂

@halfpintmama. Just get a sensible sturdy waTerproof coat from somewhere like Rohan. ( take advantage of their frequent sales) Harrogate is not the bloody arctic and is practically the Surrey of the North . ( not remotely a good thing)

Just wear more clothes if you feel the cold. This winter on that side o't hills is very mild. Plenty of cheap camping shops to pick up fleeces etc. Use local shops rather than online.

Buy really really good walking boots and look after them, rather than those dreadful designer wellies.

In fact avoid naff designer anything - generally offputting and possibly Social suicide depending on your circle.

Make sure your dog is exceptionally well trained.