Need Advice on Clothing for Fall Semester in London

<p>DD is doing fall semester abroad in London (from end of August till mid-December).
What are the must have clothes for this time of the year? What kinds of shoes/boots are appropriate for London weather? We’re looking for comfortable (and waterproof) shoes (she’ll be doing a lot of walking). Are there any particular brands you would like to recommend?
I don’t want her to over pack, but at the same time I want to make sure she has everything she needs.
Please, share your experience.</p>

<p>You might check on some travel sites as well to see what is recommended. However, the wet cold in England is a little different. She should plan to dress in layers, and if she wears wool, it stays warm when it is wet. Merrill makes some shoes that are waterproof and most of the catalog stores (LLBean, Land’s End) offer their own products.</p>

<p>Oddly there are flowers in London year round as it rarely gets below freezing but it is mostly a constant damp chill – 40’s and 50’s. Think of how impatients can last into Dec if its chilly but no overnight frost. However the sun rarely shines so it is mostly overcast even if it isn’t actually raining. Years ago I was on a beach in the south of England in July. It was barely breaking 68 degrees and the radio was describing that as a “heat wave”. Check online sites for Marks & Spencer, Harrod’s and Selfridges to see local fashions.</p>

<p>If your child doesn’t want to stand out as an American - wait to purchase winter coat and boots over there. Anything you purchase here will instantly tag you as a Yank. Although North Face is everywhere… And bring an umbrella (a year at Cambridge and it was my constant companion).</p>

<p>Converses/ugg boots/trainers are fine as far as footwear. also, in the rain, we wear wellington boots over jeans or with tights and a cute dress.
t-shirts, jeans…whatever you would wear in october, really!
if she wants to buy a coat here, tell her to go to Topshop, they have the best coats, or maybe Dorothy Perkins, which is also cute but cheaper</p>

<p>2bornot2bivy, if this girl looked in those stores to see local fashions, she would be laughed off the street.
Popular high street shops: Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Dorothy Perkins, New Look, H&M - have a look there for the sorts of things we wear over here.</p>

<p>Whenever my British cousins (early 50s) come to visit, they buy lots of clothes at factory outlet malls here. The twin sets at the Gap seem to be especially popular. Prices are apparently MUCH higher in the UK. </p>

<p>I would suggest that your D ask people who were there last year what they needed.</p>

<p>My older daughter has lived in London for 4 years and my younger daughter just finished a gap year in northwest England. My older daughter says she was cold for her first two years there! It is damp and central heat is much less than what we are used to. I would recommend a good raincoat with zip in/out lining and a hood. The rain is not torrential so I don’t think boots are really necessary. My younger daughter has Wellingtons that she used at home but they were very out of place in London. She also used heavy tights under her jeans/skirts or wore leggings a lot. Both daughters layer a lot - long sleeve teeshirt under a sweater under a blazer. Scarves, hats, and gloves!
Best wishes to your daughter - she will have a great time. BTW - London is a city and she will need to be careful. Last fall my younger daughter’s purse was stolen from under her table where she was having brunch on a Sunday near Borough Market. The embassy was closed until the following Tuesday at 2PM because it was Columbus Day! I do not know how it would have been managed without her older sister there providing backup funds. All of us are much more careful with our purses now!</p>

<p>Damp is definitely an issue. I felt like I was in a constant state of wet mold when I did a semester in London. Also the bottoms of your jeans get completely destroyed from the mud and dirt, even when walking around when it’s not raining, so be prepared to replace a lot of pants. </p>

<p>Think layers rather than heaviness. I was surprised frankly how mild the winter in London seemed after spending winters in New England, but it was definitely damper (more damp?). Polar Fleece and other fabrics that wick away moisture (think North Face type jackets) or wool sweaters, hats, and scarves are a must. My parents bought me an intense pair of Wellington boots before I went to London but to my surprise I hardly wore them, despite the many days of rain, mist, and drizzle.</p>

<p>sweaters, slicker and umbrella.</p>

<p>My son spent last fall semester in England and fortunately they had wonderful weather. He did say he was very glad he broke down and purchased very comfortable, waterproof Merrill hiking boots. He wore them constantly.
He also picked up a waterproof jacket from Land’s End that was warm to 40 degrees and roomy enough to put a sweater or a fleece underneath it.
A small daypack to stuff sweaters in if the day got warm and also to stash an umbrella in was important for day trips.
My son loved his time there! I hope your daughter has a wonderful experience!</p>

<p>Both of my daughters roll up their jeans a bit when out and about so they don’t get damp and muddy.</p>

<p>The best advice I can offer is to toss in a set of silk/light weight long underwear. The dampness in the air makes it feel about 10 degrees colder than it really is.</p>

<p>I spent a fall semester in London. I liked having a good quality, wool walking coat/pea coat for when the weather grew cold and wet, but you’ll see a variety of popular fashions on the street. I regretted not bringing my rain boots, but lets face it: they’re bulky and heavy and smell like rubber forever and ever. I used the room for other things and relied on a good pair of leather riding-type boots with just a bit of heel to them for walking around when it was icky out. If she’s a shopper, she can buy scarves/hats/gloves, etc. over there, and it might be a nice souvenir. An umbrella from day one can be a godsend, though, so do send her off with at least a purse-sized one.</p>

<p>Whoever mentioned central heat being not what we’re used to in the US was dead on. I ended up buying a uni sweatshirt (two, actually, lol) that I bundled up in for being inside my flat. Even with a duvet on my bed, I sometimes slept in a sweatshirt!</p>

<p>She’ll have a fabulous time though. I can’t wait to get back to London!</p>

<p>A waterproof jacket or trench/pea coat (with zip-in lining for colder weather) is a must.<br>
Always has an umbrella (the small folded type) in her bag along with a scarf.</p>

<p>Thank you so much for all your responses!
I was thinking layers too. She has NorthFace fleece and shell, but they both are short jackets…They might be sufficient for September and October, but I believe she will need something heavier (and longer!) for November-December. Found online Eddie Bauer WeatherEdge Girl on the Go insulated trench coat. At least it’s ¾ length coat.
I’m also leaning toward buying waterproof leather boots/shoes instead of rain boots, looking at Merrell brand, thank you for your suggestions.
It might be a good idea to buy a coat and boots in London, but I heard that things are much more expensive over there… She will be on budget. Besides, she is not really a shopper. She might buy some accessories, but I’d like to send her with essential clothes.
Still shopping for plane ticket too…</p>

<p>I love me some fashion blogs, and Academichic and CollegeFashion have done some great features:</p>