Wondering what to wear in London in October? As the city dips further into autumn, October experiences the best of the shoulder season weather.
Fall in London can be a little chilly and overcast – plus, this is the UK which means there’s always a chance of rain.
However, when the clouds lift the conditions are perfect for exploring London’s parks and wandering along the Thames Path. On nippier days, October in London means catching an exhibition, hunkering down in a pub, or browsing the shopping quarters.
But first – exactly what to wear in London in fall?
What’s the Weather Like in London in October?
October marks the middle of autumn in London. Although the start of the month can feel almost summer-like on some days, the average temperature gradually cools during this month. By the end of October, it will be noticeably chillier and days will be shorter and darker as winter looms.
The average daytime temperature sees highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F). Evening temperatures usually drop below 10°C (50°F).
October sees an average of 10 rainy days and is generally quite damp. This can fall on any day and be in the form of drizzle, light showers, and heavy rain.
When choosing what to wear in London in fall, waterproof outerwear is wise.
Sunrise is around 07:00 at the start of the month, gradually drawing later to around 07:50 right before the clocks go back. After switching back to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) at the very end of October, sunrise will be around 06:50.
Sunset is around 18:40 at the start of October and around 17:40 by the end. Changing the clocks brings sunset forward to 16:30 and it can feel dark around 16:00.
October is one of the best months to visit London. While the weather can be unpredictable, fall brings such beautiful conditions to the city. Expect to see autumnal colors in the parks, spiced pumpkin lattes on coffee menus, and the
What to Wear in London in October
In terms of what clothes to pack for London in October, you’ll need to consider the fickle weather patterns at this time of year.
Assemble warmer clothing for late-October visits and do keep an eye on the forecast in case a cold snap is expected. This guide to what to wear in London in winter has further tips that cross over with an autumn London packing list.
Weather aside, you can wear whatever you like in London. Londoners dress casually on the whole with jeans and sneakers being standard, even at the office and in restaurants.
Lots of Londoners do favor neutral hues – black clothing and camel or gray coats are perennial – but most aren’t afraid to experiment with bold colors and fun trends.
This is a diverse city where creatives, bankers, and tourists from all over the globe hang out in the same places. It’s rare that anyone bats an eye over clothing choices. The golden rule for what to wear in October in London is layers.
London is such a wonderful city to visit no matter what time of year, but autumn is a particularly nice time to enjoy all of the museums and historical sites.
1. Warm, lightweight coat
October is a variable month and the type of coat you’ll need differs from the start and end of the month. It also depends on the itinerary you have in mind.
Only consider taking a warmer coat towards the end of the month; a proper winter coat isn’t necessary in mid-fall. Even if it feels a little frosty, you’ll soon heat up and a huge coat will wind up tiresome when riding the Tube or dipping into galleries.
If you’re traveling to London in early October, you can take a thicker jacket or a lighter coat. Leather jackets (with space underneath for layers) work well in London as these help protect you from wind. Alternatively, a longer trench coat performs well with typical fall outfits and feels a little dressier.
If rain is forecast or you dislike carrying umbrellas, play it safe with a raincoat. This packable hooded raincoat doesn’t take up much space and should squeeze into your luggage and day bag.
If you’re thinking of tackling London’s outdoorsy activities you might want to swap this raincoat for a shorter jacket.
This water-resistant puffer jacket is easy to pack and insulated without the risk of feeling swaddled. It’s exactly what to wear in London in October for kayaking, horseback riding in Hyde Park, Go Ape, or other unusual things to do in London.
2. Waterproof footwear
One thing to know about visiting London: you’ll spend a lot of time on your feet. London is extremely walkable and exploring the city’s neighborhoods and parks is a major part of any London itinerary.
Pack a decent pair of boots that you can wear for an extended period. Waterproof boots are best for what to wear in London in autumn when rain showers are common. Ankle boots tend to be more comfortable.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Dr. Martens boots in London. The timeless brand produces classic lace-up boots and Chelsea boots in black and brown shades to suit all outfits.
If you’d rather save your pennies to spend at the restaurants in East London, you can find bargain boots in your favorite store. These Chelsea boots by Nordstom are just the ticket for London.
Loafers are an alternative (or extra, if you have room). These penny loafers are waterproof and comfy for daytime sightseeing or could be saved for evenings.
Using the Underground to get around is a quick and affordable way to explore London and a great way to stay dry between sites on a rainy autumn day.
3. Jeans or trousers
Everyone wears jeans in London and they’re perfect for what to wear in London in October during the day or at night.
You can go right ahead and pack your go-to pair – whether they’re bootcut, skinny, or torn to tatters. If you’re planning on wearing jeans most of the time, just make sure they’re comfortable and will see you through damp and windy weather as well as hot spells.
Er on the side of caution with uber-baggy ones. These trend for all the wrong reasons if you misjudge the depth of a puddle. Opt for a pair of London-friendly jeans that’ll tuck into your boots.
You can also get away with wearing cargo pants or don a pair of cigarette trousers as an alternative. Most places are casual but you might need smarter clothing for fancier restaurants and bars.
4. Leggings or jeggings
A pair of smarter leggings is a cozy pick for clothes to pack for London in October.
These fleece-lined dress pants behave like slacks but feel like your favorite leggings. The fleece is only inside, so nobody will know – and you can wear them everywhere from the wilds of Hampstead Heath to the bistros on The King’s Road.
If you want the comfort but aren’t ready for fleece, these stretchy jeggings are fabulous for a London city break.
5. Transitional knitwear
An autumn London packing list is the perfect occasion to debut your cozy fall knitwear. You won’t need to pack insanely thick or wooly jumpers at this time of year but you’ll want ones that cover your arms.
Pack lightweight tops made from natural fibers, such as cashmere-blend sweaters and wool-based turtlenecks. These will keep you warm and avoid feeling sweaty while riding the Tube or stopping for coffee.
The evenings can get pretty chilly in October in London, so be sure to pack plenty of layers to keep you warm.
6. Fall-friendly skirts and dresses
Skirts and dresses of all lengths and styles are equally appropriate clothes to pack for London in October. Just wear whatever you’d usually wear at home and make sure they work with the current weather forecast.
If you prefer skirts and dresses, you’ll need to pack a few pairs of tights for colder days and evenings. Stick with trusty black tights or opt for colorful tights to liven up your capsule travel wardrobe.
7. Base t-shirts or tanks
Don’t forget a t-shirt or two when picking out what to wear in London in autumn.
Pack a couple of cotton t-shirts in different colors to use as a base underneath sweaters and shirts. Who knows – you might manage to lose the outer layers in the afternoon.
8. Evening tops
Include one or two nice tops for what to wear in London in October at night. Restaurants will be warm and pubs will be hot so you can choose lighter fabrics or sleeveless tops.
A classic blouse goes great with jeans while a versatile black turtleneck vest works with any trousers or skirts.
Wear comfortable shoes that will be easy to walk in all day regardless of the weather since most of the best streets in London are cobbled.
9. Jumper dresses or pinafore dresses
Jumper dresses are awesome for what to wear in London in October (and winter).
Coming in all different styles and lengths, they’re versatile enough to wear during the day and at night – you can dress them up with accessories. Plus, they work great if you’d prefer to wear leggings but want to feel a bit more dressed up.
Mango’s ribbed sweater dress is fun for autumnal sightseeing and pub crawling in London. Available in three classic colors, this French Connection wrap sweater dress is a dressier option.
Pinafore dresses are also a playful choice for an autumn London packing list. You can throw a button-down overall dress over your knitwear or t-shirts to add a touch of color and extra layer.
10. Autumnal scarf
While a serious winter scarf isn’t strictly necessary on a London packing list for October, it can be useful when temperatures fluctuate. Plus, bear in mind evenings are cooler yet you might still find yourself clutching a pint on the streets of a packed-out pub.
Choose a lightweight scarf based on the latest forecast. Cashmere or a material that mimics the soft fabric is better than ultra-chunky wool at this time of year. This super soft plaid scarf is available in a medley of colors and works perfectly in the shoulder season.
When the weather turns in London, you have tons of great pubs and restaurants to keep you warm and dry.
11. Sunglasses
It’s not the sunniest month to visit London but even so, the low autumn sun can be fierce. Plus, rays can often bounce off skyscrapers along the riverfront and give your peepers a nasty sting.
Keep them safe by slipping a pair of polarized sunglasses onto your London packing list for October.
Explore beautiful and colorful neighborhoods like Notting Hill and Covent Garden.
London Packing List for October
As well as choosing what to wear in October in London, you’ll need to make a note of these travel essentials.
12. Small day bag
Bring a small bag to carry your daily essentials around during the day. Stick to a bag that’s comfortable and light – your usual bag will suffice.
Herschel’s heritage canvas shoulder bag is the right sort of size to carry around on the Underground and in museums. It’ll fit your scarf, camera, and bottle of water but there’s no risk of overpacking. The Longchamp Le Pliage backpack is a comparable option.
As with most big cities in Europe, pickpocketing is the most likely crime to affect travelers so choosing a secure bag such as these will help keep your gear safe.
13. Evening bag
Carry a smaller bag for the evening, one that you can keep out of the sight of opportunistic thieves. This leather crossbody bag or this cell phone pouch should be all you need for dinner or cocktail lounges.
14. Umbrella
Some parts of London get extremely windy which doesn’t help when you’re being pelted with rain. Protect your clothes with a windproof travel-sized umbrella. If you forget your brolly, you can buy these easily enough in London for a couple of pounds.
Explore the cool shops, restaurants, and bars around Camden. It’s also home to some fantastic thrift stores so you can pick up some warmer clothes in case you didn’t pack enough for the constantly changing weather in London in October.
15. Lip balm and face cream
The wind and cooling weather can also dry out your skin, so you’ll want to carry a decent lip balm, moisturizer, and hand cream.
Dr Paw Paw balm is awesome as it can be applied to lips, cuticles, and joints.
Beauty by Earth’s face moisturizer protects your skin from the harsher elements and spares you a shiny forehead on the Tube.
16. Credit card shield
So many places in London are cash-less nowadays and most card terminals are contactless. It’s wise to slip a RFID blocking card into your wallet to protect against an accidental payment or potential scams.
17. Water bottle
Tap water is safe to drink in London. Download the free Refill app to find water fountains nearby – these are commonly found in museums too.
Seeing as it’s easy to get tap water on the go, all you need is a small bottle. This BPA-free stainless steel bottle comes in three sizes and keeps liquids ice cold or hot to suit.