Just like in the summer, the Winter in London is also a very defined season that is cold as we know it. It is not as cold as Canada, and it can be very ‘supportable,’ but it is still a shock if you are coming from tropical lands.
That’s why it is important to know exactly what waters you are getting in and pack properly so you won’t regret having to buy extra clothes due to bad planning.
1. Weather Overview
The peak of the coldness is from December to February, but I normally start to feel cold from the second week of November. Even though it starts to get better in March, I still tend to feel chill in April.
(But I am from Brazil and very used to the hot weather, so I will feel colder than most people who grew up in Cold weather.)
From my experience, Temperatures can vary from 0℃ to 10℃, sometimes it can get negative and there may be occasional flakes of snow.
However, London weather is crazy and anything can happen, like it can rain all day and be less cold, or it can have an extra shot of snow.
The only constant here is that you should be prepared for the rain so bring your umbrella, wear your layers, and comfortable and warm shoes that are suitable to snow as well.
Here is the graph showing the average high and low temperatures in London during winter, both in Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F).
The data represents typical temperatures for December, January, and February.
2. Essential Clothing for Winter in London
In this section let’s take a look at great essentials that will help you out while staying in London in winter. Here’s a quick basic list of must-haves for total comfort and peace of mind:
Pro Tips to stay warm
- Use thermal base layers, sweaters, and a waterproof, insulated coat to stay warm and cozy.
- Bring a quality waterproof jacket, boots, and an umbrella to combat London’s frequent rain.
- Wear a Hat, Scarf, and Gloves
- Choose Proper Footwear
- Pack Quick-Drying Clothes
- Carry a Compact Umbrella
- Pack reusable or disposable hand warmers for extra comfort
- Use a water-resistant backpack or tote
Keep on reading because I still have lots of tips to help you travel like a pro to London this winter! It is very exciting, isn’t it?
Coat and Outerwear
There is no way around it, as you need to bring a nice Jacket, that is comfortable and warm at the same time. Here, you can opt for a Wool coat, puffer jacket, or trench coat for rain.
Layering Basics
Another good idea is to buy some layering basics such as Thermal tops, sweaters, and cardigans for warmth. You can get some Light, breathable layers to wear underneath your main clothes.
Bottoms
Get yourself some warm pants, thermal thick tights, leggings, or jeans. You will notice that some people will dare to wear skirts over there if you want to do that, but you are still sensitive to coldness, you can wear thermal leggings or tight.
Footwear
I love to wear Waterproof boots but I know they can be hard for some people to fit in a suitcase.
For this reason, if you need to save space, opt for waterproof runners or short boots (flat or heeled), for comfort and dryness.
Do not forget to bring your warm socks and thermal insoles.
Accessories
It is quite important to bring some warm extras to help you protect yourself from the wet and cold London. Here you have a few suggestions:
- Scarf, gloves, hat, and earmuffs for added warmth
- Umbrella for unexpected rain
- Woolen or knitted accessories for extra coziness
3. Winter Fashion Trends in London
If you are wondering how are the fashion trends in London, I think, from my own experience that people are very relaxed about that.
Even though it is not as relaxed as it is in Germany, I see that people do not really care about what you are wearing, as they are so concentrated in their own businesses
People tend to wear neutral clothes and pieces that are useful, especially during the day in the streets, people are more casual to functional, wearing their jackets and warm hats, gloves, and scarves.
In reality, there is a good mix of everything and you are free to use the style you want without having to deal with judgmental looks for the most part.
When you go to bars and restaurants, people will dress up a little more, depending on the establishment you are.
However, If you are planning to spend the night out in a nightclub, you will see a lot of girls wearing tight and short dresses, and they like to dress up for the night out.
4. Essentials for Exploring London in Winter
- Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the city
- Travel adapter for charging devices
- Compact, portable bag for essentials (wallet, phone, camera)
- Small travel-sized toiletries for easy packing
- Water Bottle: Drink Lots of water!
5. Beauty and Skincare for Winter in London
To keep up with the cold weather, bring with you some nice skincare products, to avoid dryness and keep your skin well-hydrated:
- Hydrating skincare products (moisturizers, lip balm, hand cream)
- Face masks or oils for extra hydration in cold weather
- Makeup tips for a dewy winter glow
6. Optional Extras
If you still have some extra space, I highly recommend you bring these commodities for an extra dose of comfort and well-being!
- Travel pillow for long flights or train rides
- Lightweight backpack for day trips and excursions
- A good book or e-reader for downtime
Final Takes
I hope you have found some useful tips to help you pack effectively and efficiently to London for winter. Is there anything that you liked in this post? Please leave a comment sharing with us what that is, that you will bring for sure with you!
