I’m traveling to Europe for this first time ever! We’re starting the year off studying abroad for three weeks exploring the markets of London which gives me the opportunity to create an exclusive travel and fashion guide for your next winter trip to London.
While I live in Florida almost full time, I am a Michigan girl at heart. Thankfully I had a closet full of warm clothes at home which made packing for this trip a little easier. I usually travel to warm destinations giving me much more room for clothes in my suitcase whereas sweaters, pants, and jackets take up a lot more space than swimsuits and tank tops.
SWEATER WEATHER
Photo Location – Tower of London
London is pretty chilly in January but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up! Undeniably Boutique has the best vacation clothes for all seasons – this sweater dress was perfect for any occasions keeping me warm and stylish with the thick material and turtle neck.
To elevate the look I paired it with fleece lined tights from Amazon (these are a MUST). I wore them as tights and as a second layer under trousers to keep me warm. I recommend bringing more than one pair as I wore them almost everyday under my outfits. I opted for comfy Target booties and a scarf to finish the look.
I used my Brixley bag as a purse for the entire trip as it is versatile and safe. There are five different ways to wear it! While London has efficient public transportation and beautiful opportunities, it is well known for pick pockets. The Brixley bag was perfect for keeping my items secure and hidden under my coat and on the front of my body. There’s even a pocket for your phone!
FEELING LIKE A TOURIST
FIND FIT HERE
Photo Location – Kensington Gardens
The one thing I forgot to pack was a winter hat to keep my ears warm. Considering I only had a couple hours to pack for three weeks in London, I’d say that’s pretty good! I saw locals wearing earmuffs and fluffy bucket hats so I bought earmuffs from the Camden Market at the beginning of the trip and I wore them almost everyday.
I wanted to look cute while staying warm at the Kensington Palace and Gardens so I wore fleece lined tights under my cargo pants and a body suit. Pair the cargos with almost any long sleeve top or sweater for a cute and comfy fit. I wore the Target boots for comfort and Brixley bag for safety again! The scarf is from York Mercantile in Sturgis, Michigan.
LEATHER IN LONDON
SHOP THE FIT
Photo Location – Borough Market
We spent several days checking out different markets in London and despite the weather they are ALL outside. I was so excited to pull out my new leather pants from Aerie and pair them with the fleece lined tights to keep me warm. The long sleeve turtle neck is a staple from Meijer (Midwesterners know what I’m talking about) and I bought them in grey and red. The puffer vest from Dry Goods definitely pulled the whole look together!
SUNNIES IN WINTER
FIND THE FIT
Photo Location – St Paul’s Cathedral
I tried something new and wore tights under my leather shorts from Undeniably Boutique and a red sweater from Meijer for a pop of color. Throw on a cute, fringe scarf for style and comfort. The sunnies were cute for pics but unnecessary as the sun set at 3:30pm everyday.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
FIND THE FIT
One more outfit in the fleece lined tights. I truly couldn’t get enough of them. They were warmer than “long underwear” I used to wear under my hunting clothes. This ribbed dress was the perfect material to stay warm in London. I’m 5’2 and the length was perfect! I wore this outfit for a New Years Eve party and received endless compliments. The neckline cutout is unique and not too revealing. These were the dressiest shoes I brought, but you could dress this up with heeled booties.
OTHER PACKING SUGGESTIONS
FIND LUGGAGE HERE
The London locals dress to impress wherever they go! Warm clothes are essential in January; however, packing bulky items can be difficult with airline weight limits.
- Winter coat – I took my coat off for almost every photo but it was necessary every time we left the house. Most people wore dressy, pea coats.
- Brixley Bag – pick picketers are REAL and all over London! Bring an anti-theft bag or Brixley bag as you can easily hide it under clothes and hold it on the front of your body
- Tote bag – Locals bring tote bags everywhere to avoid paying for bags at the store. Stylish and essential!
- Umbrella – It rains almost everyday
- UK power adaptor & portable charger
- Scarf, hat, gloves
I’m greatful for the opportunity to explore London and travel to Europe for the first time but I recommend going when it’s warmer!