EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear in London in Winter (Street, Tube and Rain)

“London in winter is rarely brutal. It's damp, grey and changeable, then suddenly far too warm on a packed train. The trick isn't the thickest coat you own; it's layers you can peel off in ten seconds and boots that don't mind a puddle.”Her take

What is London weather like in winter?

Cool and damp more often than freezing. Most winter days are grey, with drizzle or showers, wind funnelling between tall buildings and pavements that stay wet. Hard frosts and snow do happen, but snow rarely settles for long in central London.

It also gets dark early. In December it's dark by mid-afternoon, so a day of sightseeing quickly turns into an evening of restaurants, theatres and pubs, all of them warm. That's why the real challenge is moving between cold outside and heated inside, not surviving extreme cold.

How do you dress for the cold street and the hot Tube?

Layer thin rather than thick. A heavy chunky knit under a padded coat is perfect on the pavement and miserable on a crowded Underground platform. Several thinner layers let you open up quickly and cool down without carrying half your outfit.

Make the scarf your thermostat. Wear it wrapped on the street and loosen it or slip it into your bag as soon as you go underground. Unbutton your coat on the escalator down, not once you're already too warm on the train.

• Base: a fine thermal or long-sleeved top that doesn't show at the neck.
• Middle: a fine-knit jumper, a cardigan or a shirt under a knit, rather than one very thick layer.
• Outer: a coat that's easy to open and carry over your arm.
• Adjustable: a scarf, gloves and a hat that fit in a coat pocket or bag.

Which coat length works best in London?

Around knee length is the sweet spot for most people: warm enough on a windy street, short enough for stairs, escalators and a busy train. Here's how the main options compare.

• Hip-length quilted or padded jacket: light and easy on the Tube, but leaves your legs cold on a windy day. Good for casual sightseeing.
• Knee-length wool coat: the most versatile choice. Warm, smart enough for dinner and the theatre, and easy to carry. Wool copes with drizzle but not a downpour.
• Long, mid-calf wool coat: the warmest and most elegant, best for evenings and cold snaps. Can feel heavy in a hot carriage.
• Trench coat with a liner or a knit underneath: handles rain well and looks very London, but needs serious layering on a cold day.
• Long puffer: very warm and usually water-resistant, but the bulkiest to carry indoors. Best for a cold snap or a lot of standing outside.

What shoes should you wear in London in winter?

You'll walk far more than you expect, on wet pavements, wet leaves, stone steps and the odd cobbled lane. Choose leather boots or trainers with a rubber sole that has some grip, and make sure they're already broken in before you arrive.

Leather ankle boots and Chelsea boots are the classic London choice because they look smart, shrug off rain and go from a gallery to dinner. Leather or water-resistant trainers work for daytime. Untreated suede, canvas and thin leather soles don't cope with a wet day, so treat suede with a waterproofing spray first or leave it at home.

Do you need an umbrella in London?

A compact umbrella is worth carrying, but don't rely on it alone. Wind between buildings and on bridges can turn a flimsy one inside out, and crowded pavements make a big one awkward. A coat with a hood or a water-resistant finish, plus a hat, gives you a back-up.

On a day of heavy rain, swap the wool coat for a trench or a water-resistant jacket, and tuck a dry scarf in your bag rather than letting the one around your neck get soaked.

What should you pack for a week in London in winter?

Build everything around one coat and two pairs of shoes, in colours that all work together. Navy, black, grey, camel and one accent colour cover sightseeing, dinners and the theatre. Smart casual is the norm almost everywhere, including most theatres and restaurants, so there's no need for a separate formal wardrobe.

• One knee-length coat and one lighter water-resistant layer.
• Two pairs of dark trousers or jeans and one knit dress or skirt with opaque tights.
• Three or four fine knits and two long-sleeved tops or shirts.
• Two thermal base layers.
• Leather ankle boots plus leather trainers or loafers.
• A wool scarf, gloves, a hat and a compact umbrella.
• One dressier top or a silky shirt and simple jewellery for evenings.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Thin layers you can open in seconds, a knee-length coat, grippy leather boots, a scarf as your thermostat, and an umbrella with a back-up hood.

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