Capsule wardrobe for 2 nights in London?

[L0stinCyberspace]

I'm going to London for 2 nights at the end of February and would like (ha!) To look stylish and relaxed. Size 12 pear shaped, I like casual elegant and sometimes slightly edgy clothes. I'm going sightseeing so lots of walking plus dinner out, musical, all the usual stuff.

Obs you can't see my existing wardrobe but I have a dark grey leather jacket as outerwear.

I'm hoping to manage a short trip too although later in the year than you. I've not been for ages, I'm excited and, before they start piling in, any 'no-one gets dressed up in London' posters can, with the greatest respect, get to fuck.

At the moment I'm planning to take:
A tweed blazer and / or Protected Species raincoat, basically something that's weather appropriate but that will also look ok in a smartish restaurant. Or, if the weather has improved enough for me to just swan about posing, my vintage Burberry raincoat.
Flat shoes / chunky ankle boots - I pretty much always wear them anyway so no decision needed.
My favourite jeans and / or trousers, which are Toast ankle length wide legs in a heavy canvas. Probably both. Nothing too smart but something that will look reasonably modern and presentable wherever I go.
Couple of jumpers. (I always take a spare.)
And then, because it's always too far (and I'm too lazy) to go back and change for the evening, one or two lightweeight, smartish tops that will just stuff into my bag if I don't want to wear all day. I like a silk shirt for this purpose and find it works in most places whether smart or casual

Not particularly edgy and probably not capsule enough for purists but hopefully the basic idea will translate even if it's not to your taste. I'm always looking out for other ideas too so I hope you get some more suggestions. Have a good time.

I'm going very soon and dithering a bit because of the weather. London is generally warmer than you'd expect but when it rains it really rains. SO, I need to wait until I see a forecast before deciding on a coat and can't really decide on clothes properly until I know which coat I'm wearing!

Current thinking is:
Day One: travel in - slouchy trousers with a side stripe, hoody, comfy rainers
change into - leather mini, tights, blouse with a floppy collar, 'nice' trainers for late dinner
Day Two - shopping, gallery and a 'posh lunch' - 'nice trainers', dressier sweatshirt thing, leather mini, tights
Evening - pub - jeans and the same floppy blouse from the night before, or a different blouse
Day three - will likely involve lots of walking - jeans, hoody or sweatshirt, comfy trainers / dress and 'nice' trainers to the pub/restaurant that evening
Day 4 - home - probably the same as day one
The problem with the above is I can't wear my leather jacket with the leather mini skirt, so if it's leather jacket weather, I'll need to think of something instead of the mini! Otherwise, I'll probably wear a long wool coat and be too warm, or a boring black raincoat and be too cold!

OR I've just remembered I could maybe wear a pink trench coat. I have so many coats and never feel like I quite get it right.

I agree with you Remus that the coat / jacket decision is the hardest and also the most crucial. It needs to be functional because I'll be on foot a lot but I always think that, if I can get that right, then I could wear any old shit underneath and half the time, people won't even see. A pink trench sounds good!

Very true about any old shit underneath!

I was immediately thinking - wait and see what the weather is like and then decide on the coat/jacket and build from there!

It could be really cold when you visit, or actually quite mild. I live in London and it’s sunny and pretty mild right now (was raining earlier) and I think you’d be ok in a leather jacket but is been so changeable recently.

But yeah aside from that for a weekend I usually would try and take things that can be worn with more than one outfit so eg chunky jumper and jeans for the day and then wear same jumper with a mini skirt in the evening, or the same jeans dressed up with a blouse in the evening. Definitely comfy shoes for the day - I’d probably go for chunky trainers or if it’s cold/rainy some chunky Chelsea boots.

Good clothes choices.
Chunky boots will look stylish and provide comfort when walking.

Remus outerwear can make or break an outfit. If you get this wrong - it all looks wrong. I would suggest you bring two skirts and choose dependent on the weather.

I too am headed to London and have similar dilemma despite living there for decades. Now I'm rural (and old) so nothing feels quite right. If it doesn't rain it's fine

@Lovinglife45

Good clothes choices. Chunky boots will look stylish and provide comfort when walking.

Remus outerwear can make or break an outfit. If you get this wrong - it all looks wrong. I would suggest you bring two skirts and choose dependent on the weather.

Looks like it'll be a raincoat and breaking the outfit!

@LaPampa

I too am headed to London and have similar dilemma despite living there for decades. Now I'm rural (and old) so nothing feels quite right. If it doesn't rain it's fine

Yes - it's the rain that's the problem. I can cope with cold but it's almost impossible to look nice in the rain!

That pink trench sounds lush- is it waterproof?

I’d wear my leather look leggings, trainers, a weather appropriate jacket and cross the body bag. That’s what I wore to see a London show a couple of weeks ago and it was perfect. I’d build my capsule around that.

@Crazykefir

That pink trench sounds lush- is it waterproof?

Sadly not!

I'm excited and, before they start piling in, any 'no-one gets dressed up in London' posters can, with the greatest respect, get to fuck.

Haha @Floisme I was expecting a few of those too! Love your outfit suggestions.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I like your trainer-reliance...which ones have you got?

I live in London and always carry a mini umbrella - walking around in a waterproof jacket is too hot and sweaty, and also doesn't look great.
But really, if it rains, you probably won't be walking very far anyway.
My very glam friend keeps a hat in her pocket rather than an umbrella, on the basis that it's her hair she's most worried about keeping dry!

Obviously will take a brolly. I have a plain black waterproof that's inoffensive and breathable, but would rather wear a nicer coat. And we'll be walking, rain or not!

@L0stinCyberspace Trainers are New Balance and Paul Smith. The first for comfortable walking and the second for looking a wee bit more stylish! 😂

I really like the idea of a hat (can't stand umbrellas) that I can fold up in my bag unless needed. I have a bucket one in waxed cotton - no Vera quips please, she's one of my favourite characters but I will concede it's not my most stylish accessory. Suggestions always welcome.

I’m just leaving London after a few days here, and it’s been drizzly, showery, sunny most of yesterday and ranged from mildly nippy to mild in temperature. I went to several exhibitions, a classical concert, a play, and ate out a lot — walked virtually everywhere as was staying in Mayfair. I lived in wide-legged jeans, trainers, jumpers and this Cos coat.

London is very much a place where no one cares what other people wear as they mind their own business so just wear what feels right and comfortable for you

Just got back from two days in London. We did a show, London Eye, meals out etc.
I took;
One smart pair of jeans
One smart cashmere jumper
Comfy everyday jeans
Brightly striped Polo neck jumper
Pretty silk scarf
Warm scarf
Teddy coat
Hat
Chunky Chelsea boots.

Living the dream SnakeLinguine - I love your coat.

Twiglets1 thank you but we know no-one cares, I don't think that's the point of the thread.

WE care and are interested in what we wear, so sod off with your no one cares. Spectacularly missing the point of the thread.

I’ve gone for: slouchy trousers and sweatshirt
Leather mini and blouse - dressed down with trainers
A mini dress - ditsy and flared
Wide leg jeans and jumper
All suitable for day or night depending on the amount of lipstick worn
Still undecided on coat but have a deeply silly baker boy hat which I like to pretend makes me look like Keira Knightly

I live in London and people do care. There are some very stylish people here!
I’d start with a belted tench, comfy boots, jeans and then layers like t shirts under cashmere etc. midis dresses for the evenings which can be worn with cashmere jumper over the top and said boots. Nice jewellery. Lovely leather crossbody bag

I can't believe you're not taking a leather jacket Remus - I mean I get why, it just feels all

My 'go to' is linen trousers, depending on the weather I can layer tights / leggings underneath, they can be worn for sight seeing or dinner somewhere smart.

When I was teaching this was my 'uniform' so I have four pairs.

Some sturdy ankle boots or good trainers for the sight seeing, something with heels for dinner?

A couple of scarfs / wraps that can make an extra warm layer or substitute for a cardigan for dinner.

I'd use the leggings and a T shirt to sleep in.

Assuming you are travelling by train.

Day one, travel in jeans and boots as these are the heavysest. I'd have a hat, brolly and gloves either packed or worn.

I'd pack in a rucksack, if you roll rather than fold things don't crease.

Get tot he hotel, drop bag, put o trainers and assess weather for hat / gloves / brolly

Take most things out of the bag, pack gloves, scarf, water bottle in rucksack and go sight seeing.

Back to the hotel to change for dinner, if you are eating where you are saying then linin trousers, smart T shirt or shirt, add heels and small bag.

Sleep in leggings and T shirt, laver trousers depending on weather.

Leave bag at the hotel or take it to station left luggage, go to show, back to station and home.