London trip

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Off to London soon. I have lots of clothes and lots of ideas for what to wear. I’m also absolutely not here for anybody wanting to tell me that nobody gives a shit and only foreign tourists and provincial idiots care about what they wear.

What I am here for is wanting to know what YOU would wear for the following:

• A day that includes travelling, some sight seeing and shopping and a casual Michelin star lunch
• a theatre trip
• a casual dinner and pubs

I love talking clothes, so this is just an excuse to be nosy!

My only real contemplation points are shoes and coats, as ideally I only want one coat and one pair of shoes for the whole trip. Bags will be a Longchamp le Pliage and then a tiny cross body Longchamp plus a Westwood for the theatre, I think.

I should have mentioned that one of my favourite forms of sight seeing involves Victorian graveyards, so I will definitely need a coat!

This is fun! I actually have similar plans but in Edinburgh this week so this is kind of also my packing list.

Day 1 - either dark blue denim skinnies, chunky black boots and oversized cashmere jumper, OR navy wide leg trousers, Spezials and cashmere cardi.

Day 2 - I haven’t been to a theatre in ages so I’m not sure how dressy people go?! Either silky midi skirt, cardi and chunky black boots OR the wide leg trousers, trainers, cardi outfit above.

Day 3 - black/dark denim flare jeans, Spezials, lace trimmed cami (cream? black?) and cardi.

They sound kind of boring outfits but once you add jewellery and a nice bag it dresses them up a bit! For outerwear if dry I’d go with black wool bomber because that’s what I already own. Unfortunately it is forecast to be wet in Edinburgh this week so I shall be in my Uniqlo puffer 😆

Day 2 - I haven’t been to a theatre in ages so I’m not sure how dressy people go?!

In Edinburgh? nobody goes dressy up for the theatre except some for Scottish ballet or contemporary dance at The Festival Theatre or during the Festivals but it's dressing to be noticed rather than dressy.

Although answer above re Edinburgh theatres applies to The Lyceum, The Traverse and The Festival Theatre. It might be different for the Playhouse for musicals.

I didn’t go to the theatre last time I visited Edinburgh, but people were quite dressed down in restaurants and bars. It was mid-week though, which might make a difference. I seem to remember lots of cosy jumpers and cord skirts/trousers. I wore a jumper dress.

I’ve been to Trishna a few times, the food is great and you will end up very full. I think I’ve worn jeans and a ‘smarter’ top before when I’ve been for lunch, or a casual dress, black tights and boots for dinner. It’s not a really dressy place.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie could you give a quick review of Trishna please 🙏?

No style advice from me, but have a great time.

Jeans, band shirt and jacket (assuming in winter. Maybe with hoodie if cold

The travelling day:

Dark denim jeans (I like straight leg), regardez le ciel, soft leather ankle boots, dark navy whistles jacket, jersey cowl neck top - fuschia, soft cashmere gauze soft blue scarf. Coach tote and a simple small Radley cross body.

The theatre trip - the jeans with an nrby velvet shirt

Pubs and casual dinner, simple toast dress in jersey grey, cashmere scarf.

I've a black whistles jacket too and would also pack that.

I'd bring but not necessarily wear and if I wore it, might not wear a jacket, a Ralph Lauren reversible camel/navy rain jacket.

The boots are super comfy and would see me through everything but if I were having lunch in Marylebone I'd have to go to the Bobbie's shoe shop and if something took my fancy ........

I hear you @teacupzs but, if I took a second coat, I'd need to take the big suitcase and there are never enough large luggage racks. I'd probably end up having to stash it in a different carriage and then fretting about it all the way down. Unless I could get a good deal for first class which is roomier....

I think I might be overthinking this!

My go to city capsule wardrobe (being maxed out this week as I’m flitting between London, Paris and Madrid) is a pair of black wide-legged jeans, with a black and metal belt. They’re my heaviest item, so I’ll wear travelling. Shoes to travel in and wear out: very comfy flats with a contrast black/metal strap. I wear this with a men’s vintage shirt and a gold jumper.

I pack a black silk shirt, and a black polo top. Both of these work with the jeans to go out in evening, weather dependent. A leopard print quilted waistcoat that I absolutely love and turns this whole outfit into a vaguely Carine Roitfeld look. I also pack a sleeveless black, full skirted midi dress. The gold jumper I wore travelling out will go on top of this for day or evening. I also bring a vintage polyester shirt that looks great with jeans, or unbuttoned over the dress as a jacket, and weighs nothing.

This lot will easily get me through 5 days, with an additional pair of flats for the evening. I ring the changes with gold or silver toned jewellery.

Glad to know it’s good. Yes, I understand it’s not dressy, but I also don’t want to just turn up in jeans and a T-shirt, which is what I might normally travel in. Sounds like my alternative ideas would all be just fine.

I will try to remember. 😄

Nice lists @RosesAndHellebores and @Oriunda

My usual list involves a black tube dress, DMs, a black bias cut skirt or satin slip skirt and various black tops.

I do this kind of trip quite a lot. I’d wear black barrel leg jeans with a white shirt, tweed blazer and DMs for the day, and a satin and lace midi dress with the DMs and tweed jacket for the theatre and dinner. Casual drinks, probably the jeans again with a different top. I’d also pack my M&S cashmere zip up hoodie and a scarf in case I get cold on the train. Bag-wise I’d just use my demellier cross body all the time and not bother with a larger tote, just my overnight case.

I always regret wearing a mini dress to the theatre, because even with tights I find the seats are scratchy!

I was just thinking that I would probably wear a black maxi dress with flat black leather boots and ring the changes with accessories to suit the different situations you describe.

@WutheringTights Sounds good. I will need my larger tote to make essential book purchases!

@Pollyanna87 I generally end up sitting on my coat/jacket anyway, so have never encountered the itchy seat problem. :)

I only take one coat; it’s wet and miserable in London so this time it’s a vintage, reversible Weatherall in black or red. I might possibly stick in a blazer if I can fit it in for Madrid, as it’s several degrees warmer there.

Loving following along! But not sure what if my existing wardrobe I would wear. I’m still trying a few different things to see what suits me at this age and stage!! After several years of self employment in the fitness industry, and a home life which involves much dog walking and mud, I’ve got a job where I can wear nice clothes and everyone is very eclectic so nothing looks OTT.

I wore a tight black Manners London midi dress today with a checked shirt over it and felt pretty good; I paired it with flat leather shoes but if it had been dry I would have worn Adidas trainers. And my oversized denim jacket. In your trip, I think I would wear that for sightseeing/shopping. I have a corduroy cap I might add too, and a big scarf.

Travelling would have to be jeans. I don’t know if I have the jeans I would wear. My Levi’s ribcage wide legs are a paler wash, so more summery- I want them in a 70s traditional washed-out dark mid or indigo. But they look good and are insanely comfortable so perfect to travel in. Probably with the same flat leather shoes or adidas trainers, depending on the weather. I don’t know what top I’d wear because I only have very scruffy t shirts, or more formal shirts. in summer a black vest with a silk or cupro kimono over it. Possibly a leopard print blouse thing I got from Vinted, tucked into the jeans. Or possibly I’d be scouting Vinted for a silk or satin shirt/top and a nice boxy jumper which could also go over the dress if necessary.

Something similar with a clean top for pubs.

I would also have my Roake Studio Nicole jacket with me because I can’t do double denim, and it fits under the denim jacket for layering if it’s cold. London in autumn isn’t likely to need more warmth than all that.

Have a great time! Would love to hear or even see what you end up wearing.

Do you have a link to the gathered cuff jeans?

your outfits sound awesome.

Okay. I’ve just packed! If anyone’s interested, I’ve opted for:

dark slim flare jeans, Hush silk blouse (ancient) and black suede heeled boots for lunch (will travel in DMs and then change when we dump the bags before lunch)

silk mix All Saints maxi dress and suede heeled boots for the theatre

wide leg jeans and DMs for the second day / will change jumper to a lace Phase Eight top probably for pubs and casual dinner

trench coat

I’ve realised I have a real need for some more blouses to dress up jeans. It’s so hard to find nice ones.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie have a great time. I'm not sure where you are based but the weather has turned very cold down here. It was 4° at 6am this morning and still pretty chilly. Car says 9 but it feels colder.

You might want to pack a vest.

Thank you. The forecast isn’t bad but I will pack a vest and maybe change a long sleeved T-shirt for a sweatshirt too.

I just bought this from Roman to wear with jeans, love the shirred cuffs, it’s even better in real life, a true plum colour -looks good with grey, black and blue jeans