Jacket/coat for London trip

[SymbollocksInteractionism]

Away to London this weekend with DH and DD.
Will be taking black jeans, converse (my favourite DM's are giving me blisters after an ankle injury!) Green tea blouse, white blouse, grey cropped jumper and black jumpsuit that can be dressed up and down.

Can mix and match the above items and only taking one small case.

What jacket should I take? I have a leather biker and long leather trench (will this be too warmWD25 7LR to wear through the day?)

I do have other coats/jackets but thinking it might be too warm for a proper coat. What does everyone think?

I’m in London and it’s been really nice - you’re lucky as the forecast looks great for the weekend.

I’ve been in just a jumper the last couple of days, but it does still feel cold in the evenings. So I’d probably say biker jacket but you might want to layer a bit in the evenings. I’d rather do that than take a warmer coat that’ll be too warm during the day (I think your others will be especially if you’re on the tube).

If the forecast is correct it's only going to be 15/16C this weekend so not that warm but if you're coming to do touristy things then you'll be doing a lot of walking so the full leather coat will be too much.

Despite it being sunny, before ten and after 4ish is still really cold, I was wearing a winter coat to travel to and from work yesterday and definitely needed it. Depending on your plans you might get away with a lighter jacket with a jumper? But if you’re going to be out and about after sunset I would definitely bring a proper coat.

I’d bring a mid weight jacket and scarf in case it gets cool in the evenings. It depends on how you feel the cold too

Honestly, unless you're really fussed about looking good (and I know this is S&B), my go to is a thin Uniqlo padded jacket. I can roll it up small enough to fit in my handbag and just pull it in when I need the extra layer! And maybe add a scarf in the evening.

@FindMeInTheSunshine

Honestly, unless you're really fussed about looking good (and I know this is S&B), my go to is a thin Uniqlo padded jacket. I can roll it up small enough to fit in my handbag and just pull it in when I need the extra layer! And maybe add a scarf in the evening.

This is exactly what I was going to say. A uniqlo down jacket is an absolute godsend for city stuff. I have a couple - a shiny black one with a hood, and a khaki one without a hood.

Thanks everyone.
I live in Scotland so used to it being a bit chillier anyway. I'll take the biker and a scarf for at night.

I love the leather trench but don't want to have to take it off and on all the time and I'll only be packing the absolute minimum.

DM and I are going next week. I was hoping my trench coat (not leather) wirh a lightish jumper under, would be enough for daytime and a blazer for the evenings. Weather looks cold next week so I'm a bit torn now

Ooh @gingercat02 I do have a camel coloured trench too, could be a good shout.

I'm thinking layers are the way to go so jumper and trench sounds perfect rather than being stuck with one thick layer.

Have a lovely time

I'm still wearing a winter coat to and from work in London as it's been feeling pretty chilly, particularly when the wind is coming off the river.

@Okeydoky it's just that funny time of year isn't it.
A temp of 17° will feel like the height of summer to me just now though 😁

It depends on how much you feel the cold. I’m surprised by Londoners saying they’re wearing winter coats on the commute by maybe the leave earlier and get home later than me I leave at 8 ish and it’s been lovely and sunny and warm enough to just wear a light jacket. It is cold when it gets dark but then unless you’re walking around a lot in the evenings you’re probably ok with a jacket - if it’s just to get to/from a tube station etc.

A leather trench would be a massive pain in the arse and is presumably heavy. I run hot but a jumper and mid-length trench will be fine, or your biker jacket. Not a long coat. You always regret it. If you are planning to do loads of walking I rethink the converse too unless they are trainer types or your not fond of your Achilles tendons.

*you're

Are you going to the Harry Potter Studio tour?

I went into London last weekend and it was chilly despite being 15c and bright sunshine.

Yes going to Harry Potter studio tour.

The converse are the most comfortable shoes I have just now. I injured my ankle a couple of months ago and now my usual old faithful comfy footwear are giving me blisters!! I'm used to walking though so should be ok.

Re those recommending Uniqlo - do you have the Ultra light down or the puffer variety &

• do they really squidge down
• look nice even if your above a 16 ?
• what is the sizing like
• really keep you toasty ?

Sorry to derail but I have seen these recommended before but I am unfamiliar with Brand

Thank you

And OP - Enjoy your weekend - especially HP - took DS a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed it

The uniqlo jackets do sound handy. I just don't want to spend any more money when I've spent enough anyway.

DD really looking forward to HP!

Off topic, but for those of you who live in London, is there a travel app for getting about and do you just use a debit card for public transport? (Clueless!!)

You can just use a debit/credit card to tape in and out of the tube or bus. Or your phone if you have google or apple pay set up.

Use Citymapper for transport info and yes your contactless for payment. Your DD is free if under 11 and you can get an oyster card and ask a person at a tube station to set it at young people's rate if 11-16 (maybe 18 I can't remember).

Sorry meant to say re uniqlo - mine are both ultra light down. They do squidge down very small. My black one is M and I think it comes up small, it fits me comfortably when I'm my usual size which is a 10 (which I currently am not, I'm a big 12) but my green one is L and I think it's quite a big jump up from the M - it's quite big on me and I'd say more like a 14.

I wouldn't wear them if it was freezing and really winter coat weather, but they are a lot warmer than they look given how thin and light they are.

Mine are both a few years old and slightly different style to the ones on the website now - the current ones all have horizontal quilting but mine are chevron which might be more flattering. But I still think they'd look nice on a size 16. It's worth ordering a few and keeping your favourite and returning the rest. They are just incredibly useful and versatile jackets and I think they look really nice.

@SymbollocksInteractionism do t do what I did and forget to tap out on the tube. It's far too easy to forget when you're trying to work out where you're going.

@BeaLola I'd also say that Uniqlo comes up small, and just ditto to everything @evilharpy said! If you can get to a store to try them on I'd highly recommend it. But, set yourself a budget first, otherwise you might come out with more than you intended!

I'd bring a light uniqlo padded jacket and maybe blazer or biker (but ensure you can fit a light jumper under both or even a more bulky jumper).

London now is nice during the day but can get cold at night.

Bring t-shirts/tops for the sun but you can easily pick up cheap ones in Primark or Zara etc

@SymbollocksInteractionism

The uniqlo jackets do sound handy. I just don't want to spend any more money when I've spent enough anyway.

DD really looking forward to HP!

Off topic, but for those of you who live in London, is there a travel app for getting about and do you just use a debit card for public transport? (Clueless!!)

debit or credit card or apple pay