London sightseeing - what to wear that's not jeans an trainers?

[cherrypiepie]

Jeans are so uncomfortable for me and feel so scruffy and also very hot!(size 16-18 with a prominent tum)

I like to be a bit stylish too but practical. I can't pull of cool at all-I'm 41 if that's relevant. I don't want to look like and exchange student (not that there will be any right now.)

I like midi skirts and sandals. But sometimes trousers are just more practical. Or should I just stick with skirts? I have bought some Tevas and test wore them for a few days.

We are going to Shoreditch, city, south bank and Covent Garden. Outside and walking everywhere unless it raining and then we will do do a few of the quirky museums. I have a cropped hooded anorak for the showers.

Or tell me I'm over thinking this and pack leggings and scruffy t shirts for the weekend

I like an A line denim skirt with sturdy boots or brogues for sightseeing. And a plain fitted t shirt.
Sounds fun, have a great time.

A button-through shirt dress, or a midi dress in a colour or pattern that won't show city dust with good trainers? Round where I work in central London, women I see in their late 30s plus, are mostly wearing loose or belted longer length dresses under a denim jacket, with either white trainers or lace-up shoes with (sparkly!) socks.

I recently went sightseeing in London and wore a midi dress and trainers. Had a thin jacket in my backpack to chuck on if it got chilly.

@FlibbertyGiblets thank you can't wait! Most excitement for the last two years.

Will my Nike AF1s be ok or are they now dated.

Very curious as to why you think sightseers have a discernibly higher status than exchange students!

You are slightly overthinking ... Unless you’re meeting people you want to impress, or being filmed for public viewing, no one else will really register what you’re wearing for sightseeing - it’s more important to be comfortable and dressed for the weather.

light long skirt, it's quite hot at the moment, jungly and sandals

Don’t wear anything too long and draggy if you are going to be going up and down stairs in buses, trains, museums etc.

@Edmontine I am much mistaken: it's a moot point as, at 41, that ship sailed long ago. There is no chance I will ever be mistaken for an exchange student.

@viques good tip I would have learnt the hard way.

@Nitgel I'm glad you said that as given the current weather talk it seems we would be in October. Quite jungly here ooop north. I shall leave the cashmere.

I've got a pair of the Magic Trousers that I kept seeing crop up online (sorry, am on tablet which won't allow me to link). They're made from a fabric like canvas but is super stretchy so fits size 10-16 and the y also do ones which fit 16-20 i think. Pull on style with a drawstring waist and sit just above the ankle. I've got a sandy camouflage print and had them on yesterday with white trainers and a t-shirt in a toning colour. Saw me through a 3.5 hour car drive yesterday in comfort. I'm definitely getting another couple of pairs. Far more comfortable than jeans so I would certainly look at something like that for sightseeing.

Londoner here and I vote for the scruffy t-shirt and leggings

Seriously, wear what you're comfy in if you're going to be traipsing around all day. Jeans, leggings, skirt, dress... Whatever you feel comfortable in. Pair with trainers and a light jacket and you'll be fine. I'm off sightseeing in another city next week and I'm packing trousers, a long skirt, plain tops, denim jacket, and white trousers if that helps.

I'd avoid any wide-legged trousers if you're using public toilets. Lightweight stretchy jeans or leggings would work. Or a dress but not a maxi for the reasons above, escalators etc.

I would wear harem joggers with cuffs at the bottom with a boxy t-shirt but that's what I wear most of the time!

That style of trousers means no clothes dragging on the floors of public loos or wet buses as the PP mentioned. I hate jeans too and am baffled as to why skinny jeans are always thought of as the comfy option.

Whatever you are comfortable in. For me it’s maxi or midi dress, trainers or vans and a cross body bag.
Light weight jacket or cardigan something you can scrunch up in a tote bag and isn’t heavy.
Made the kayaks of taking my leather biker last time when I was unsure on the weather. It was far too hot to have on and so heavy to carry. I almost left it when we stopped for lunch as I really didn’t want to carry it as well as our shopping.

Mistake not kayaks!!!!

Londoner here - don't overthink it. Wear what you're comfortable in. If you like wearing a skirt and it's comfy to walk around in it'll be perfectly practical for London.

Dress and Birkenstocks here. Light jacket in a canvas tote bag in case of rain/breezy river walk.

Thanks for all the tips -so a quick update!

I think my main problem has been being comfortable and looking sort of ok. I always feel physically uncomfortable scruffy and frumpy so ergo self concious when on these trips.

Not this time! I have felt stylish and comfortable!

Travel day was forecast torrential rain at both home and London so I wore some elasticsted jeans (next FYI)and a stripy t tucked in and Nike af1 with a cropped swing anorak.

I then changed into a Floral skirt and tevas when the rain stopped and went to sky garden and flat iron.

Day two was floral culottes and a t shirt (mistake as My sandwich attacked it) and then a floral maxi dress and denim jacket and then the rain came so back to outfit 1!

Tevas are unbelievably comfortable - have walked 6 miles and my legs don't ache.

Now enjoying the free g and ts.

I live in London, don’t overthink just wear what’s comfy for you, and you feel good in.

No one really cares what anyone is wearing.

Have a fab time

@cherrypiepie

Thanks for all the tips -so a quick update!

I think my main problem has been being comfortable and looking sort of ok. I always feel physically uncomfortable scruffy and frumpy so ergo self concious when on these trips.

Not this time! I have felt stylish and comfortable!

Travel day was forecast torrential rain at both home and London so I wore some elasticsted jeans (next FYI)and a stripy t tucked in and Nike af1 with a cropped swing anorak.

I then changed into a Floral skirt and tevas when the rain stopped and went to sky garden and flat iron.

Day two was floral culottes and a t shirt (mistake as My sandwich attacked it) and then a floral maxi dress and denim jacket and then the rain came so back to outfit 1!

Tevas are unbelievably comfortable - have walked 6 miles and my legs don't ache.

Now enjoying the free g and ts.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Let us know next time and us Londoners will let you know some special places to pop on the itinerary.

Thanks all! - I come each summer and Christmas so will pop a message on the chat board!

We had a day in London yesterday and I wore a midi dress and sandals. I spotted loads of dress/trainer and dress/ankle boot combos. Honestly wear whatever you are comfortable in. It was sticky and muggy with random showers - personally I would have been overheating in trousers

MIDI dress and trainers ( either Veja or Stan smithyh)