What to Wear in London, England During Fall

LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 4, 2025 | EST. READING TIME: 8 MIN

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IN THIS GUIDE ✺

• Fall Climate in London

• What to Wear in London?

  • Black Leather

  • Structured Blazers

  • Tall Boots

  • Slouchy Satchels

  • Dark Lenses

  • Posh Headband

• What Are People Wearing in London?

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Get the London look! While this “look” isn’t as prescriptive as Rimmel’s old slogan implies, there are a few common attributes to incorporate into your fall aesthetic when visiting the city during the month of October.

Classic tailoring of quintessential heritage brands and traditional styles meets punk-inspired avant-garde designs on the London streets. But what does that mean when packing for your upcoming trip to one of the world’s shopping meccas?

Blend high fashion, structured pieces with hints of edgy street style in the eclectic yet posh fashion scene. In practice, this means pairing nicer pieces with vintage finds and high-street brands acquired from consignment shops. This mix-and-match approach means you might wear a wool trench coat with black leather jeans, or a tweed blazer with studded boots—either way, account for the unpredictable British weather and keep an extra layer (or two) handy! When preparing for your London trip, consider incorporating the following elements into your carry-on.

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Fall Climate in London

October in London brings cool, overcast conditions as enchanting autumn settles into the city. While sunny days do occur, they’re more frequently interspersed with rain and gray skies; pack insulating layers and precautionary winter gear like gloves for particularly chilly days. The cooler air is nippy, and the famous London mist often lends a mysterious atmospheric charm to the city’s iconic landmarks.

Daytime temperatures range from 54°F to 61°F (12-16°C), with nighttime drops to a chillier 46°F to 52°F (8-11°C). Some days are pleasantly sunny, while others bring light rain and occasionally heavier showers. It’s always a good idea to have an umbrella or waterproof jacket on hand, as routine rain falls on 11-15 days during the month, sometimes lasting for hours but often arriving in short, passing drizzles.

The winds add a brisk edge to the air, especially near the River Thames or in open areas like Hyde Park. While not as biting as winter winds, the cooler breeze makes the ambient temperature feel colder than it actually is. As such, a cozy scarf and jacket are recommended layers to add to any autumn outfit.

Despite the occasional rain, October offers beautiful, crisp days that are perfect for enjoying London’s parks, cultural excursions, and outdoor markets. With 10 hours of daylight—from sunrise at 7:30 AM to sunset fading just before 6:00 PM—you have plenty of time to explore, though the early nightfall means it's best to plan sightseeing for the brighter part of the day.

Embrace the autumnal atmosphere by taking strolls through leafy parks, visiting cozy cafés, and exploring the city’s many art museums during your stay in this vibrant shopping mecca!

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What to Wear in London?

Black Leather

Sleek black leather jackets, bottoms, or accessorizing bags embody the spirit of London’s rebellious 1970s punk scene. Londoners are known for blending individuality with timeless style, and black leather fits seamlessly into this bold yet versatile aesthetic. Whether a fitted leather trench coat or loose biker-style jacket is worn, these pieces add an edge while keeping you warm during the chillier autumn days.

Leather bottoms offer an effortlessly cool alternative, while leather boots complete the ensemble with a nod to the city’s punk heritage. Opt for minimal accessories to keep the focus on these iconic pieces which symbolize a subtly powerful rebellion against the ordinary.

Structured Blazers

Sharp, structured blazers offer a polished touch to even the simplest staples, channeling London’s posh fashion sensibility. Locals masterfully elevate casual looks with tailored pieces, and a structured blazer pays homage to the city’s quintessentially British heritage.

Whether you’re layering over a simple tee or pairing it with a contrasting loose dress, a well-fitted blazer instantly adds a sense of refined sophistication. Tweed, houndstooth, and wool blazers provide warmth in the crisp fall air while evoking the elegance of London’s high-fashion streets. Pair with leather loafers or boots to balance timeless British tailoring with modern-day edge.

Tall Boots

Knee-high boots blend high fashion with street-savvy edge, allowing you to tap into London’s diverse subcultures through your footwear. Depending on the style, tall boots evoke a variety of looks—from sleek and polished to edgy and rebellious. Riding boots nod to classic British equestrian style, while cowboy boots bring Western flair with a bold, adventurous spirit.

Channel London’s punk roots with combat boots, perfect for adding rugged edge to refined outfits. Whatever your preference tall boots effortlessly elevate, creating a powerful silhouette that’s equal parts stylish and functional for navigating the city streets.

Slouchy Satchels

Slouchy satchels balance out the more structured elements of London fashion. The soft curves and worn-in look provide a refreshing contrast to the tailored blazers, sleek trousers, and polished boots that typically define the city's sophisticated style. This easy-going accessory ensures you can carry all your essentials without looking too serious or rigid.

The unstructured shape ensures your effortlessly cool look strikes that perfect blend of functionality and fashion. A slouchy satchel lends a carefree, approachable element to an otherwise refined and neatly put together appearance.

Dark Lenses

Dark-lensed sunglasses not only protect your eyes, they also add intrigue to your look. The deep tint creates an aura of mystery while obscuring the direction of your vision, radiating cool girl nonchalance as you stroll through the bustling streets of London.

When paired with printed or textured frames, these sunglasses offer a unique blend of boldness and sophistication. Choose classic tortoiseshell or go for something more daring with animal prints or metallic accents—dark lenses surrounded by stylish frames elevate even the simplest outfits. This accessory adds an edge to your ensemble with a playful, enigmatic twist.

Posh Headband

Headbands keep your locks perfectly in place while evoking a timeless, polished look synonymous with London’s high-fashion scene. Often associated with British aristocracy and prep school style, headbands have long been a staple of refined London fashion. Channeling the Blair Waldorf aesthetic, these accessories add poise to any look.

From plush velvet and satin styles to those adorned with pearls or embellishments, this modern regal element ties in beautifully with tailored blazers and sleek coats. When out for afternoon tea, a posh headband is the perfect finishing touch adding functional flair to your autumn ensemble.

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How I Styled London Outfits

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Hopping across the pond for a quick London weekend jaunt, I styled 3 outfits with existing items I owned that played well with the city’s posh fashion scene—even going so far as to hit the airport without a hoodie on, something I’ve literally never done while traveling before!

My first day in London was conveniently the warmest and sunniest, meaning this was the perfect moment to power through with day one enthusiasm in my most exposed outfit, wearing:

• Racing Leather Jacket from Ten Shoppe, Cropped Dupe from Amazon ($39.99, paid link)

  • You’re not going to believe that I literally manifested the black leather jacket I’m wearing in this photo. Prior to this trip, I saw Grace Andrews wearing the same jacket, fell in love, and then looked everywhere for this jacket—and I mean everywhere. Even Google image search returned nothing of substance, so I gave up on my jacket dreams…until. A new boutique I walked into the next day had the exact jacket I was looking for, with only one $50 piece left in my size. If that’s not destiny, I don’t know what is! This boutique doesn’t have an online storefront, so you’ll need to go on your own jacket wild goose chase.

• Easton V Front Mini Skirt Black from Princess Polly ($40)

  • Wanting my boots on display as the focal point of this outfit, I wore a teeny black mini skirt to create a cohesive, dark monochrome look.

• Berkleigh Tall Boots from Steve Madden ($129.95)

  • Skin-tight leather with a rounded toe and square chunky heel was exactly what I was looking for during my quest to find the perfect fall boot, and I’d be lying if I said Steven Madden doesn’t always get the job done! This particular style is reminiscent of Daphne’s purple boots from Scooby-Doo, and they certainly took my ensemble up a notch!

• Nico Bag Brown Distressed from Steven Madden ($108)

  • An edgier element to pull together this monochromatic ensemble.

• Velvet Black Posh Headband (£10), Dupe from Amazon ($5.99, paid link)

  • This was ironically purchased during my last 3 day trip to London from Portobello Road Market! If you haven’t visited this outdoor market yet, find a similar style online.

• PR A09SF Dark Lens Butterfly Sunglasses from Prada ($531)

  • These retrospectively felt like the perfect choice considering they’re described as “a symbol of timeless elegance and sophistication”– and that dignified polish is what London fashion is all about!

Day two was a bit chillier and called for more leg coverage, leading me to pull together:

• Antwerp Fighters Cord Embroidery Knit Beige from arte ($264.68)

  • My greatest prized possession from my 3 days in Paris trip, I spied this in the mens section of the Champs-Élysées Galeries Lafeyette. A lesson in never judge a book by its cover—or a sweater by its gender—this interesting race track-inspired piece has become one of my chilly month staples! The perfect finishing touch bringing together an effortlessly relaxed, cool girl aesthetic.

• Navy Baggy Cargo Pants (~$50) from Tenshoppe LA, Dupe from Amazon ($32.99, paid link).

  • These bottoms with a relaxed fit complement my equally slouchy satchel.

• Brown Leather Bag from Nepenthe ($70), Dupe from Amazon ($26.99, paid link)

  • Purchased from the Phoenix gift shop in Big Sur.

• Madrid Leopard Sneakers from Steve Madden ($60)

  • I spied these walking through Nordstrom and was immediately sold—I mean $60 for a comfy, quality pair of sneakers is such a steal, especially in a bold print I’m not confident I’ll wear too often. I’ve been looking to up my style with interesting pieces that go beyond boring basics, but paying a lot for these items also worries me since they’re inherently less easy to match with other pieces—hence why Steven Madden is the ultimate, affordable choice when branching out with something bold!

Omitting the same pieces I wore the previous day, my third and final outfit called for a jacket and scarf given this was the coldest weather I encountered in London, leading me to style my:

• Suede Trench Coat from Hyfve ($55), Dupe from Amazon ($49.99, paid link)

  • Purchased years ago from a hometown boutique, I heard suede was in this fall which makes me chuckle since I’ve had this jacket since high school—this goes to show if you hang on to quality pieces the trend cycle will eventually circle back around so your old items feel new again!

• Textured Tank Top in Ecru from Stradivarius ($20)

  • This paper mache white tank adds dimension with textured fabric and incorporates subtle flair via the frilled neck and hems.

• Marine Straight Jeans in White from Zara ($44), Dupe from Amazon ($37.99, paid link)

  • A denim option that serves as a true neutral. Pairing white jeans with a white top created a crisp monochromatic look which contrasted beautifully with the golden brown tone of my suede jacket, bag, and sneakers.

• Plaid Scarf from Burberry, Dupe from Amazon ($12.98, paid link)

  • To accessorize and stay warm at the same time, I wore a quintessentially British hand-me-down scarf.

✺ ABOUT ME ✺

Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m determined to see the world. All of it. Are you coming with?

While I respect the digital nomads, van life, and the hardcore backpackers—that’s just not me.

I’m convinced I can travel and keep my job.

It’ll take a lifetime, but I’m going to make it to all 195 countries before my time is up—and I’m taking you along for the ride!

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