What to Wear in London, England During Fall

Outfit InspoEuropeLondon in October

Oct 14

Written By Ashley Federoff

LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 11, 2025 | EST. READING TIME: 8 MIN

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?

A vibrant orange facade in Notting Hill during October, complemented by a burnt orange tree, showcasing the seasonal autumn colors in London.

The iconic black and white Tudor-style storefront of Liberty Department Store in London, framed by a picturesque October sunset.

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.

A tranquil water feature inside Hyde Park in London, surrounded by greenery and classical architecture, highlighting the serene atmosphere of a fall day in 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.

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.

The London Eye basking in bright sunshine, standing tall against a clear blue sky with the River Thames gently flowing below, captured on a sunny October day.

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!

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.

London Travel in Style - Houses of Parliament View

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Embracing London Chic - Black Leather Jacket

Structured Blazers

Sharp, structured blazers offer a polished touch to even the simplest staples, channeling London’s dapper, 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 h balances timeless British tailoring with modern-day edge.

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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.

Stepping Up London Style with Tall Boots

London Style Watch: Making a Statement with Tall Boots

Embracing London Chic: Tall Chunky Boots Trend

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 you 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.

London Look with a Slouchy Satchel Twist

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Embracing London's Relaxed Elegance with a Slouchy Satchel

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.

London's Edgy Street Style: Dark Lenses and Iconic Red Phone Booths

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Embracing London Chic: Dark Lenses on a Double-Decker Bus Tour

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.

Edgy Elegance with a Posh Headband in London

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London Style: Embracing Elegance with a Posh Headband

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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:

Girl in a stylish black leather jacket and boots posing in front of an iconic red telephone booth on a sunny October day, demonstrating what to wear in London.

You’re not going to believe me when I tell you I literally manifested the black leather jacket I’m wearing in this photo. Prior to this trip, I saw a photo of Grace Andrews wearing the same jacket on her Mexico City trip, fell in love, and then looked everywhere for this jacket—and I mean everywhere. Even Google reverse 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! Naturally this boutique doesn’t have an online storefront, so you’ll need to go on your own jacket wild goose chase, but Ten Shoppe was where my dreams came true! For a cropped dupe, find a similar jacket here ($39.99, paid link).

Wanting my boots completely on display as the focal point of this outfit, I wore my teeny Easton V Front Mini Skirt Black ($40) from Princess Polly. Pairing my leather jacket with this little black mini skirt created a cohesive, dark monochrome look.
For footwear, I opted for my Berkleigh Black tall boots ($129.95) from Steve Madden. 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 reminds me of Daphne’s purple boots from Scooby-Doo, and for this look they certainly took my ensemble up a notch!
My purse of choice was the Nico Bag Brown Distressed ($108) from Steven Madden as an edgier element to pull together this monochromatic ensemble. The velvet black posh headband (£10) adorning my head 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 of headband here ($5.99, paid link)!
Lastly, I accessorized with sharp black Prada PR A09SF butterfly sunglasses with dark lenses ($531) – which 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:

Girl in an abstract designer sweater and cargo pants posing in front of a vibrant pink facade in Notting Hill during autumn.

My greatest prized possession from my 3 days in Paris trip, an arte Antwerp Fighters Cord Embroidery Knit Beige ($264.68) I spied in the mens section of the Champs-Élysées Galeries Lafeyette. This is truly a lesson in never judge a book by its cover—or in this case, a sweater by its gender—as this interesting race track-inspired piece has become one of my chilly month staples! I was going for an effortlessly relaxed, cool girl aesthetic here and I’m convinced this sweater was the perfect finishing touch bringing it all together.

Navy baggy cargo pants (~$50) from Tenshoppe LA. These bottoms with a relaxed fit complement my equally slouchy satchel — a brown leather bag ($70) I purchased from the Nepenthe Phoenix gift shop in Big Sur. Since Tenshoppe doesn’t have an online storefront, you can find similar navy cargo pants here ($32.99, paid link) and a comparable brown leather tote here ($26.99, paid link).
I spied these Madrid Leopard sneakers ($60) from Steve Madden while 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 trying 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 you’re looking to branch 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:

Girl wearing a Burberry scarf and suede trench coat admiring the art at the Wallace Collection, capturing a sophisticated moment in London.

Hyfve long suede trench coat ($55) purchased years ago from a hometown boutique. I heard suede was in this fall which makes me chuckle since I’ve actually 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! You can find a long brown jacket with a similar silhouette here ($49.99, paid link).
Textured Tank Top in Ecru ($20) from Stradivarius. This not pictured paper mache white tank adds dimension with textured fabric and incorporates subtle flair via the frilled neck and hems.
Marine Straight Jeans in White ($44) from Zara are no longer sold online, but you can find a comparable pair of wide leg white jeans here ($37.99, paid link). A denim option that serves as a true neutral, pairing white jeans with a white top creates a crisp monochromatic look which contrasted beautifully with the golden brown tone of my suede jacket, bag, and sneakers.
To accessorize and stay warm at the same time, I wore a quintessentially British hand-me-down Burberry scarf. Find a significantly cheaper dupe here ($12.98, paid link).