Need clothes for trip to london

[Nosebooper]

My wardrobe is very tired and a little scruffy! I have a 3 day trip to london at the end of the month and need something new to wear, in low budget but happy to use vinted if needs be. We're sightseeing and eating out.

I'm 60, size 16, 5 feet 7, usually live in jeans and jumpers/tops but want to look a bit more upmarket I guess!

I have jeans I like, so mainly looking at tops/ jumpers and coat/ jacket. No idea yet what the weather will be like! I do have a Weird Fish rain jacket, but not keen on it anymore.

I'll be wearing trainers or ankle boots from Rieker to protect my painful feet.

Any suggestions? With links if possible.

TIA.

Jeans and a blouse perhaps, London is more casual than further north though slightly smarter than us out west I find.

Maybe look for a cotton jumper? Either stripes or a nice bright plain one?

The clothes you do have sound perfect, if you do want to buy something then how about a Mac or new comfy shoes?

I'd go with layers because you'll be in and out of tubes, restaurants, museums etc. I usually wear a cotton shirt like this when I'm out and about in the day and add layers like a gilet or jumper. Uniqlo do nice inexpensive jumpers in merino wool. I'd just get a plain hooded black or navy mac to wear.

As a former Londoner who now lives out in the boonies, but still goes into town regularly, I would suggest a trench coat, or a long, oversized wool coat, depending on the weather. Will pull your jeans and a top into a smart outfit.

Jeans and a nice, tidy top does, unless you are going to somewhere ridiculously smart or poncy. Trainers are acceptable too. I'm a total scruff and get into most places fine.

It sounds like OP is looking to buy a few new things with this as a good excuse. It’s just a bit awkward when you don’t know what the weather is going to be like, as different coats need different things underneath.

Also it depends on where OO is likely to be eating. I’d want a nicer dress for a restaurant in Chelsea than I would in Kings Cross, for example.

I'm looking online at macs at the moment 😊 My trainers are comfy so will hopefully be ok

I wish I were going! I'd wear my new Uniqlo C wide leg balloon trousers and take a few T shirts, cotton shirts and (in case we went somewhere swanky) a silk shirt, plus a knitted tank top and maybe a jumper too. Then for added warmth and/or smartness a short, boxy 1960s jacket that's a similar shape to the Toast one linked upthread.
Maybe jeans as a spare, probably straight leg as the Uniqlos are quite wide.
Then layer everything up or down depending on temperature.

A trenchcoat on top. To be honest I think trenches have little or no practical use but it's a second hand Burberry and I like to pose in it. (I assume we'd just dive indoors if the weather turned bad).

Flat shoes, probably Dr Martens (I don't like or own any trainers but, if I did, I'd take them instead).

Link here to the Uniqlo trousers. I'm not specifically suggesting them but they dress up or down and I think they'd work most places. (Sorry it's ridiculously long):
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E477512-000/00?colorDisplayCode=57&sizeDisplayCode=026&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Skimlinks&awc=6771_1742148771_5f56bf5fe6f7b60dea62316832d9b98c&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=0&sv_affiliate_id=78888

😅 I'm not actually, I'd rather save my money for whilst I'm in London. I doubt we'll do any shopping there. We're doing museums and galleries mainly, nothing posh planned foodwise, although may try to go up the Shard for a drink.

It's the tidy tops I don't have really.

I've not a lot of choice re footwear due to painful feet, so it's trainers or chunky ankle boots.

Jeans are straight.

Ok I have this shirt, distressed straight jeans or indigo slight boot cut or black skinny jeans, a long ish coat (black and grey small check). Contemplating this tank top!

What was it you said - tired and a little scruffy? Could you iron the shirt? The tank top is pretty depressing.

OP, I am similar age, size and height to you. Live and work in London. Absolutely no one will care what you look like. However, I assume you care and will be taking and posing in photographs, so want to look and feel 'good'. Weather in London right now is chilly, it might get better by the end of the month, it might not. My suggestion is to think 'style' and concentrate on co-ordinating coat, shoes/boots/trainers, bag, scarf, hat (if you wear these). You probably won't need gloves unless the weather really turns. Single-breasted belted trenchcoat with blazer underneath as a layer. Or if you'll be wearing jeans/trousers, a short trench or peacoat will probably be warm enough. Barbour do nice peacoat style jackets. Or a denim jacket. If you're buying a new coat or jacket, I would try and find one with an inner pocket.
Trusty Le Pliage shoulder bag, or similar zipped tote, rather than a crossbody if you're busty.
Under your coat or jacket - button up blouses or shirts - cotton/satin/silk - will work well with the blazer. Cami vest underneath your top, also for layering (I think Primark still do these). If too warm for a blazer, consider a V-neck sleeveless jumper/sweater vest over your top. I haven't mentioned jumpers as I find it very difficult to find jumpers that are stylish + warm + inexpensive, that suit me, so I layer instead and keep the jumpers and hoodies at home or for going to the park.
Tu v-neck

Amazon sleeveless v-neck

Scarf - you probably won't need one that's too woolly, but a nice long one looks good, woolly or not.

Hope this helps, have a fab time!

I did a similar trip in January and just upgrade my basics and felt a bit fresher! More polished - what shape jeans do you like a I got mine from Vinted

Stick to a colour palette and add a single bright colour. So at the moment I am creams and minks with lilacs and sage.

2x new jeans (Vinted) black and blue new look Yasmin
1x thin black long sleeved top plain t shirt (Tu)
1 animal print long sleeve t shirt (primark)
2x mink and lilac plain stretch t shirt (primark)
Plain Short Cardigan v neck or round mink(new look)
cream primark Borg fleece
maybe a dress if going somewhere fancy
boots (tu)
trainers (adidas)
coat (tu)

I get multiple of the item in two or three colours and switch out in a capsule. I’m now Avoiding prints and fussiness.

id get a lightweight hooded parka

Yes will of course iron the shirt before I wear it!

I'm not a fan of trench coats. I'll take my wool coat with me. Or my denim jacket.

I only have a cross body bag and due to shoulder pain couldn't really carry a shoulder bag. I do know what you mean though.

I have black and pale grey camis. Quite like the TU sleeveless jumper.

Can anyone suggest a good non wooly scarf please?

I would nip into Uniqlo on Oxford Street while there.

Last time I went I think I:
Wore a long checked coat and a Vivienne Westwood scarf
travelled in jeans, pink sweatshirt, DMs

Packed:
black merino jumper
bias cut midi skirt
Wore these with my DMs out for dinner then around and about the next day
Blouse - wore this with the jeans that I travelled in to go for a casual dinner and the pub
Striped merino jumper- Wore with the same jeans for gallery, lunch and travel home.

I’d take nicer dresses if going to the theatre or posher restaurants and either smart trainers or flats to change into.

I didn’t bother with trainers - just my DMs
It only rained a bit, so I was fine with a brolly rather than a raincoat.

How about a couple of new striped shirts and a couple of striped tops ? M and S to make it easy . Yup I love stripes. Also if you want something a bit different how about a suedette shirt like this? These would all go with jeans. Casual but a good look . It has been cold here .

You will need more than a denim jacket. What is your coat like?

Denim jacket unlikely to be warm enough, unless there's unnaturally warm weather.

Before you spend money on a scarf, bear in mind it's already too hot to wear one some days already (I'm in London).

If it's springlike - like this -
Lightweight scarf Lightweight scarf Silk scarf
If it's cold - something like this -
Pashmina

Might get the silk one actually!

Uniqlo have a sale on their website at the moment, with some nice tops.

Cotton knit - nice with jeans and a classic spring look https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E471218-000/00?colorDisplayCode=00&sizeDisplayCode=003

This looks like it could be a useful basic
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E476548-000/00?colorDisplayCode=03&sizeDisplayCode=003

I rather like this outfit - comfortable but a bit more interesting than jeans and a shirt
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E476596-000/00?colorDisplayCode=03&sizeDisplayCode=003