{2025} The Ultimate Guide to Packing for Summer in London

Packing for a trip to London this summer? Worried about rain? Don't want to look like a tourist? You've come to the right place. Your favourite Anglophile and Europe travel expert is ready to teach you everything you need to know about packing for a busy summer visit to London!

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Packing for a summer trip to London?

Big Ben (SPC)

There's nothing quite like London summers. Warmer temps, excited Brits bursting outside, and gorgeous English sunshine are all worth the fairly large crowds. Sample London life on summer days in the Royal Parks, visit Buckingham Palace (it's not always open, though the King has expanded the opening times since taking the throne), and take advantage of the one season in London with...less rain. You'll want an extra layer on all but the warmest of warm days, but, in general, you can expect excellent weather.


But you aren't here to hear me wax poetic about how much I love London. You're here for my top tips on dressing for that wonderful city. London is a large, diverse city that's absolutely brimming with tourists, especially in central London, where tourists spend the majority of their time. London fashion, like the London population, is diverse and exciting. You will absolutely see your fair share of eccentric dressers. You will likely feel comfortable dressing much like you would in NYC...with a few exceptions that we will dig into. You'll also be struck by how traditional the UK is, with Barbour coats, boots, and tweed still abounding when you travel outside of the cities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Packing for Summer in London

Does it rain a lot in London in the summer?

Yes and no. Summer is the driest time you can visit England, but it has that rainy reputation for a reason. If you're there for 10 days, I guarantee you will have at least one wash out day and at least one sort of drizzly afternoon.

How hot does it get in London in summer?

"Hot" is all relative. Coming from the extremely humid Midwest, I found London lovely in the summer. The average high in London in July is 75, with an average low of 59, and an average of 7 days of rain. And don't let the average temperature numbers fool you - the sun isn't too hot, and with the not-infrequent rain chances, summer in London is lovely.

Do most places in London have air conditioning?

Again, it depends, but you are far less likely to find air conditioning ("AC"/"aircon") in London than in a major city in the United States. Unfortunately, with rising average temperatures, you could find yourself a bit toasty on occasion, during a heat wave. Large chain hotels, luxury hotels, restaurants, department stores, museums nearly all have AC. As it's mostly a concern for your hotel, I'd definitely confirm on the website or call to confirm AC, if you're concerned about it.

A note on dress codes in London

Though you're unlikely to see religious or modesty-based dress codes in the UK (you won't), you will run into dress codes at West End theatres, clubs, and 'posh' restaurants. They aren't terribly stringent, but be sure that you have: non-denim pants (or dress, etc. Just something that isn't jeans or shorts) and "real" shoes that aren't sneakers. You'll also see prohibitions on baseball caps (which you likely won't be wearing anyway), and track suits (again, likely not on your list of London essential items).

A few tips for dressing in England

• Keep those shorts long.
• No athleisure, please. And that includes baseball caps.
• Keep the logos to a minimum.
• No distressed denim, unless you're much younger and cooler than the myself and the majority of people who read this blog.
• No flip flops.
• When in doubt, bring a jacket. And a small umbrella.

{2025} The Ultimate Guide to Packing for Summer in London

Ok, let's get to it. I'll walk you through the specific items you'll want for summer in London! And, after that, my packing list for 10 days in London in the summer.

Comfortable Walking Shoes for Summer in London

No matter what time of year you visit London, I can guarantee you'll be doing a lot of walking. Far more walking than you expect. And I'm not going to let you miss out on seeing a single sight because of blisters!  Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. The best shoes for London in summer? I'd say a trio of:

• ankle boots
• sandals
• sneakers 

No pool/beach flip flops please. You aren't at the beach, and people in any large cities, let alone in London do not wear flip flops to walk around. You will stand out and your feet will get filthy. As far as sneakers, keep the logos to a minimum, go with a sleeker silhouette, and a neutral color (no neon, please).

Too short....or not too short?

Should you wear shorts for summer in London? You can - you will see some people in shorts - but I wouldn't. It's simply not that hot. I'd wear light-weight pants (cropped, or with a wide leg so they aren't too tight), or skirts/dresses. Brits do wear shorts, but not like we do and CERTAINLY not as short. If you must wear shorts, wear chinos and keep them on the longer side. NO cut-off denim. NO athletic shorts. NO shorts that reveal your booty (I hate that I even have to write that. Let's wear pants, y'all, no matter where we are).

A light jacket...even in the summer?

Yes. Trust me, there will be cooler days, and a few rainy days, when you will want a light jacket or trench coat, regardless of the time of year or the warm weather you're anticipating. The Brits, like all Europeans, wear more layers than Americans, so you may want a jacket to fit in, as well.


Bizarrely, I see a ton of travel bloggers recommending wearing a leather jacket for summer in London? I would very strongly caution against this, as unexpected rain truly does appear at the most surprising times.

Rain gear? Absolutely.

There's a reason the Brits have upwards of 50 words to describe rain. It happens a lot. While you shouldn't have too many "wash out" days in the summer, you will have at least one, and you're likely to see a few short showers or drizzly afternoons. Obviously keep an eye on the weather forecast, but I'd bring a jacket, waterproof shoes, and a small umbrella. If it's a really rainy day, you can likely borrow a nice umbrella from your hotel, and return it at the end of your trip.

The right purse for London summers

Whenever I'm a tourist in a big city, I have to resist the urge to bring my nicest, favorite bag. Yes, you'll probably do a bit of shopping in London - at least looking in the windows at bags that cost as much as cards on Bond Street- but I wouldn't bring your usual designer bag, especially if it's large, heavy, or a tote.


For your time in London, try to carry as little with you as possible. While tourist pickpocketing isn't as much of a problem in London as it is in some European tourist hotspots, it's still an issue as in any city and you should be smart. Also, carrying around too much is exhausting. On a daily basis, opt for a bag containing only your Oyster card, credit card, hotel keys, ID (leave passport at the hotel), hand sanitizer, medications, and cell phone.
If there's a chance of rain (there usually is), I'd include a small umbrella either in your bag or your pocket.
The best purse for me is always a crossbody leather bag.

A few easy dresses

Both for evenings out and for exploring London during the day, I would include a couple dresses for summer. I've definitely worn the ones I've brought, albeit usually with a jacket or trench coat.

{2025} Summer in London Packing List {10 Days}

• 3 pairs of comfortable walking shoes (ankle boots, pair of sneakers, and boots/loafers)
• Leather, crossbody bag that fully zips
• 1 neutral belt
• 4 short-sleeved shirts/nice blouses/cotton t-shirts
• 1-2 dresses
• 1 pair of ankle-length, cropped jeans
• 1 pair of black pants/ joggers
• 1 pair of longer shorts or a skirt
• 1 wrap or scarf
• Pair of sunglasses
• Small travel umbrella
• Light jacket/ trench coat
• Travel set for return flight
• 10 pairs of socks, underwear, etc.
• Reusable water bottle
• Toiletry bag
• Medications
• Travel documents
• Small amount of converted cash
• Chargers/converters/ear plugs

Thanks for Stopping By!

I so appreciate you taking time to stop by my little blog to discuss my favorite topic in the world, the greatest city in the world: London.

There's nothing quite like summer months in London and I know you'll have a wonderful time.

Have a pint for me and don't forget to wave to Kate.

​And while you're here, I hope you'll take a few minutes to explore the many free resources I've created over the years. I'm passionate about helping Americans enjoy their time "across the pond," especially in the UK. I'm sure you'll find plenty to assist you in your travel planning!