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.

Being very risk averse in crowded place, at this time of year I tend to forgo a handbag and wear a parka with inside pockets. Not terribly stylish, but warm and waterproof. Mine is a 3 in one so I can separate it if the weather warms up.

I really don't like parkas, but a coat with inside pockets is a good idea, as not carrying a bag at all would be better for my shoulder.

I was in Leicester Square last week , I wore cord leggings , boots , long sleeved top and my Parka , it was bally freezing !

There is a lot of animal print about , not just leopard . Don't know if that's your thing or not .

Padded foldway jacket ? Like those Uniqlo ultra light down jackets ?

I never use an umbrella , hate them , and I worry that other peoples brollies will catch my hair or glasses .

Can anyone help me find a long jacket or coat with zipped inside pockets? I can't find anything that mentioned inside pockets.

No I'm not a fan of animal print.

I don't use umbrellas either!

Second-hard Barbour? They have them. Loads of men's jackets and coats seem to. I've never had a coat or jacket with them. I always wear a cross body bag inside my coat.

Not at a price I can afford 😂

You need to check back what the temperature will be at the end of March .

Last weekend I was out in the garden , it was 15c
On Thursday it was 5c down to 1c overnight ( I;m in east London but went Up West )

Otherwise you could end up buying a coat you don't need !

Definitely. It's going to be 15C again on Wednesday. Jacket weather.

Yes definitely, it was the same here, so no idea what to expect, will keep a close eye on the weather forecast.

I love this answer.

Hate it when people say no one cares or wear what is comfortable.

These tops are pretty and would look good with jeans. https://www.fatface.com/style/su397538/e80125
https://www.fatface.com/style/su439089/ad1779

White Stuff also have a few nice tops, some of them in the sale.
https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5081/jessica-shirt/DARK_NAVY.
https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5387/pauline-embroidered-top/DENIM_MLT

Cotton jersey is probably the best fabric for tops, it won't crease too much but won't get too hot either.
Somewhere like mountain warehouse might be your best bet for a mac with pockets.

Asda have some amazing coats in my opinion!

some have “internal mobile phone pockets”

I was pleasantly surprised that a couple of my coats from Cos had inside breast pockets. I don't know if they always tell you on the website. They're not zipped though.

That's still coat weather for me.

I live in central London and it’s already jacket weather for me. This weekend I’ve mainly been wearing a thin red asymmetrical jumper with baggy blue jeans and a cashmere camel blazer, with red (handmade) trainers. If you’re walking / hopping on and off the tube, it’s easy to overheat wearing a coat. A jacket is more suitable.

Wear whatever you like and you’ll fit in here perfectly!

I follow this woman on her blog, she creates colour co-ordinated wardrobes. She is American and uses US vendors but you can get great ideas from her.
https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2025/03/the-sixth-of-six-paintings-twelve-months-march-2025.html/

Here's a nice jeans and tops wardrobe, not fussy. You could take away one of the bottoms and add a denim skirt or dress and be good to go!

Unless you are going to very swanky restaurants, you don't need to dress up. I live in an outer London borough and our shopping centre (big one - it has a john lewis) is full of casual clothes shops like Fat Face and White Stuff. My girls love visiting family in Birmingham and Glasgow and really notice how people make an effort when they go out and how there are high street shops that sell glamorous clothes, because you certainly won't find them here!

If you can't find a coat or jacket with inside pockets you could buy a small nylon cross body bag like this one to wear under your coat

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Crinkled-Nylon-Small-Organiser/dp/B06Y162H91/ref=asc_df_B06Y162H91?mcid=756514c4d317391483e3329d94de30c6&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697327018460&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12849868155681572694&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9195022&hvtargid=pla-477042913597&psc=1&gad_source=1

I bought one to take on holiday last year and it was brilliant.

Uniqlo cord bag. Fits loads in but small and can fit under a coat if coat is open.

I agree with others that londoners don't worry about whether anyone is smartly dressed. However, I also find that wearing something fresh and new can impact my own enjoyment of a trip! So if that's the same for you I would get a couple of new tops in springtime colours rather than grey - blue/green/pink/lilac/yellow whatever suits you. M&S has loads

E.g.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-frill-detail-blouse/p/clp60715901?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/floral-lace-detail-v-neck-blouse/p/clp60731668?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-modal-blend-printed-t-shirt/p/clp60680109?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Some wide leg jeans, white t-shirt with a stripy shirt over it or a light jumper, comfy trainers and medium weight jacket. As per other posts people wear anything in London, but people are right, it is quite casual these day and I am guilty of it too.
Too early for linen trousers and would stick to jeans.
I'm still wearing a coat this week but it is suppose to warm up.

Come and enjoy. It's a great city xx

In my experience Londoners are generally more scruffy than people in other towns. Certainly dress up if you want to, but don’t worry that we’re all super dolled up all the time and looking down on anyone who isn’t.

Just make sure your shoes are comfy and you’ll be fine. Have fun!

If you're going to museums and galleries @Nosebooper be aware they are often over-heated and very warm, especially the cafes in them.

I'd suggest layers.

So maybe a smart long-sleeved T shirt or jersey top and a cardigan over it?

Or a thinnish jumper and a warm coat.

Loads of people are still wearing down coats, or trench coats if it's warmer.

I think if you wear a smart coat you can get away with everything else casual.

Jeans are fine as are trainers.

Thanks 😊

Both my coats are wool and although smart I think they'll be too warm. I'm looking for an alternative but don't like trench coats.