Dress Like a Local: What To Wear in London

Thanks to London’s brisk winters (and springs, falls, and sometimes even summers), coats stay on year-round—not just November through February. Londoners tend to view their jackets as outfits in themselves. Timeless outerwear options include a tan Burberry trench coat (ideal for the fall showers), handcrafted by tailors in England; or a classic waxed Barbour jacket, which have been produced in northern England since the 19th century.

Once you’ve got your outerwear in order, there are plenty of options to showcase your outdoor style during some of London’s best outdoor activities, which range from open-top bus tours to speedboat rides on the Thames River.

Anyone living in London will instantly recognize classic hipster apparel—especially those residing in trendy East London, where the concentration of these fashionistas is particularly high. Classic accessories include retro glasses (the bigger, the better); brightly-colored beanie hats; chunky trainers; and vintage items such as leather jackets and corduroy trousers—likely to have been bought from a secondhand store in Shoreditch.

In fact, Old Spitalfields Market is the perfect place to grab yourself a fashionable bargain; you can combine a visit with other East End highlights on a walking tour.

Though London is one of the flattest areas of England, a large portion of its residents wear attire more suitable for scaling Mt. Everest. Brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, and Carhartt have become ubiquitous in London—outdoor staples range from branded tees and larger-than-large puffer jackets to thick shirt jackets (or shackets) and hiking boots.

If you do want to put your outdoor gear to the test, though, you can always head out into the countryside on a day trip to the Cotswolds, where leafy hiking trails abound.

One thing you’re sure to notice about London is a penchant for looser-fitting clothing, especially when it comes to jeans and dresses. Restrictive skinny jeans have (thankfully) been replaced with mom jeans—an ideal choice if you’re planning on sampling iconic British dishes such as fish and chips or a Sunday roast.

For the inside scoop on what to eat in London and where, opt for a food tour that covers culinary hot spots such as Borough Market and Soho—you’ll be thankful for a looser fit as you tuck into the city’s eats.

Related: Food in London: 11 Quintessentially British Dishes and Where To Try Them

London-born designer Mary Quant is credited with inventing the sharp, chic miniskirt, a look that defined the fashion of the sixties. Today, the short skirt is still what locals wear in London, particularly on Carnaby Street near Soho, which was hailed as the fashion and music epicenter of the city in the 1960s. Today, you’ll find a range of designer stores and vibrant decorations on this pedestrianized zone just off Oxford Street.

Insider tip: Dive deeper into London’s mod history on a music-themed tour.

You’re unlikely to hear the clomp and clatter of stilettos on London’s streets. The capital favors the much comfier clog, including Birkenstocks and Crocs, which have gone from hippie wear and gardening shoes to fashionista favorites. Pair these supportive soles with some loose-fitting combat trousers and you’ll have the ideal outfit for riding a bike around London’s leafy parks such as Hyde Park and St. James’s Park.

Insider tip: London is the largest city in the UK, and it’s known for its pedestrian-first design, so you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Besides Crocs and Birkenstocks, comfortable gym shoes are also a must if you plan on exploring the city during the colder seasons.

London served as the stomping ground for some of punk’s earliest and most influential bands, so it's no surprise that the high-octane musical genre left its mark on the city’s fashion scene. Tartan prints have never gone out of fashion and continue to adorn expensive woolen scarves, pleated skirts, and everything in between. Meanwhile, leather and studs still reign supreme in fashionable districts such as Hackney and Camden, where you’re all but guaranteed to spot a mohawk.

Insider tip: For the ultimate insight into London's subcultures and alternative music scene, explore Camden Market on a walking tour.

In London, vestiges of royal history are everywhere, from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London, so it’s the perfect place to inject some elegance into your look—especially if you’re visiting regal landmarks or browsing high-end boutiques on Regent Street.

If you’re looking for inspo, don’t worry: You’ll find plenty of royal fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the world’s largest museum of applied arts, to give you some ideas. Tailor your experience to suit your fashion interests on a private V&A tour.

No guide to what to wear in London would be complete without mentioning the classic suit, a staple of Britain’s fashion scene for hundreds of years. The epicenter of London’s suit scene is the sartorial hot spot of Savile Row, where many businesses have been in operation since the early 1800s.

To see some world-class tailoring in action, take a walking tour that reveals the secrets of Mayfair. It’s one of the capital’s most affluent districts, and you’re sure to see some luxury fashion in the area.

Although it originated in France, gingham crops up regularly on the British sartorial scene. And while you're most likely to see it on a picnic blanket or bow ties, the timeless print is a staple of London's summer look, whether you wear it on a dress, a skirt, or a smart top.

And no activity is better suited to this quintessential pattern than afternoon tea, which London, unsurprisingly, does better than anywhere else in the world. Nibble scones while cruising the River Thames or opt for the ultimate tea time at Kensington Palace.

Related: Know Before You Go: Experiencing Afternoon Tea in London