What to Wear in London in July: Real Outfit Ideas + Packing Tips

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Planning a summer trip to London and wondering what to wear in July? London weather can be a little tricky, even in the middle of summer. When we visited in July, our mornings and evenings were mostly in the 60s, while the afternoons warmed up into the 70s. We had mostly cloudy weather, some sunshine, and one rainy evening after dinner.

The biggest thing I learned is that July in London is all about lightweight layers. You probably won’t need a heavy coat, but you will want pieces you can easily take on and off throughout the day, especially if you are sightseeing in the morning, walking a lot in the afternoon, and heading back out again for dinner in the evening.

My sister Crystal and I stayed in London for three full days and wore jeans, lightweight jackets, blazers, trench coats, T-shirts, linen pieces, and comfortable sneakers most of the time. Below, I’m sharing what we actually wore in London in July, what worked well, and the outfit pieces I would pack again.

What to Wear in London in July

For London in July, I recommend packing comfortable walking shoes, lightweight layers, breathable tops, jeans or linen pants, a light jacket or trench coat, and a compact umbrella. July can feel warm during the day, but mornings and evenings can still be cool, and rain is always possible.

Our most-worn pieces were white sneakers, straight-leg jeans, linen pants, lightweight jackets, T-shirts, and easy bags that kept us hands-free while sightseeing. London is one of those cities where you can dress casually and still look polished, so I focused on outfits that were comfortable but still cute enough for photos, restaurants, and afternoon tea.

If you want to shop similar pieces before your trip, these are the items I would start with: a lightweight trench coat, comfortable white sneakers, linen pants, straight-leg jeans, a casual dress, a light blazer or denim jacket, a crossbody bag, and a compact umbrella.

London Weather in July

Weather-wise, July is a great time to visit London. During our trip, the mornings and evenings were usually in the 60s, while daytime temperatures were mostly in the 70s. We did get caught in some rain one evening after dinner, but most of our trip was partly cloudy with a few sunny moments.

A couple of years before this trip, we visited London in May, and the weather was significantly cooler. July felt much more comfortable for walking around the city, especially in the afternoons.

That said, London can have heat waves in July, and that actually happened the week before and the week after our visit. I always recommend checking the forecast right before your trip so you can adjust your outfits if hotter weather is expected.

What to Pack for London in July

When packing for London in July, I would think in terms of outfit layers instead of packing only summer clothes. A simple T-shirt with jeans and sneakers can work really well during the day, but you may want a light jacket or trench coat in the morning or evening. Linen pants and dresses are great for warmer days, while jeans are still comfortable when the weather is cloudy or mild.

I would pack a mix of T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, linen pants, one casual dress, one lightweight jacket, one trench coat or blazer, and comfortable sneakers. A compact umbrella, sunglasses, travel adapter, portable charger, and hands-free bag are also helpful to have.

I would not overpack heavy coats, thick sweaters, bulky rain boots, or too many dressy shoes. London in July can be warm, but it did not feel like a beachy summer destination to us. We were happiest in outfits that felt casual, polished, and practical for walking.

Best Shoes for London in July

Comfortable shoes are one of the most important things to pack for London. We walked a lot every day, and many of the areas we visited had uneven sidewalks, cobblestone streets, stairs, and long walking routes between attractions.

We both wore comfortable white sneakers several times during the trip. Crystal loves her Cole Haan sneakers because they are lightweight and have a clean, minimal look. I wore my Adidas Stan Smith sneakers, which gave me extra support and still looked stylish with jeans, trousers, and a trench coat.

If you are planning to walk around London all day, I would prioritize sneakers over sandals. A cute pair of sneakers can still look polished, especially with jeans, linen pants, or a casual dress.

Shop Our Favorite Walking Sneakers

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Shop Our Favorite Walking Sneakers 〰️

Sightseeing Outfit for Changing of the Guard

For our first full day in London, we booked a tour to watch the famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony. The tour started at 10:30 AM and involved being outside and walking around for about an hour and a half. The weather was cloudy and in the low 60s, so we both decided to wear pants with light layers.

walking to the meet-up point

lots of walking on the tour

I wore my favorite trench coat, which felt like the perfect London piece. A trench coat is smart to have in London in case it starts to rain, and it also looks classic and polished in photos. I bought my trench coat from Anine Bing a few years ago, but there are many similar styles available from Quince and Mango.

Crystal wore a fitted blazer, jeans, a T-shirt, and comfortable sneakers. Her outfit was a great formula for London because it looked put-together but still felt comfortable for walking and sightseeing.

Westminster Abbey Outfit

After our Changing of the Guard tour, we headed back to our hotel to rest for a bit. Later, we went to Westminster Abbey around 2 PM. The weather was still cloudy, but the temperature had risen to the low 70s.

Inside Westminster Abby

Exiting Westminster Abbey

I changed out of my black pants and wore ankle-length denim from Madewell with a white T-shirt. Crystal wore a cute graphic tee with jeans and her blazer.

This was another good example of why layers work so well in London. In the morning, we were happy to have jackets, but by the afternoon, a T-shirt felt more comfortable. The nice thing about lightweight layers is that you can still look stylish without feeling too dressed up or too casual.

Hampton Court Palace Outfit

On our second day, we visited Hampton Court Palace. We knew this day would involve taking the train and walking around the palace grounds, so comfort was the priority.

Excited to explore Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace Entrance

It was cloudy and in the 60s when we left our hotel, but by the time we reached the palace, the sun started coming out. I ended up wearing a similar outfit from the previous day and simply changed up my accessories. One great thing about London’s July weather is that you may not be sweating as much as you would in hotter summer destinations, so it can be easier to rewear pieces.

Crystal wore linen pants with a tank top and denim jacket. Linen is a great fabric for London in July because it feels breathable and comfortable, but the downside is that it wrinkles easily. If you don’t mind a few wrinkles, linen pants are a great option for sightseeing because they feel relaxed but still look elevated.

London Photoshoot Outfit

On our third day, we scheduled a photoshoot through Airbnb Experiences. The earliest time we were able to book was 10 AM, and the temperature started mild before rising to the mid-70s. This ended up being the warmest day of our London trip.

The iconic London Bridge

Secret photo spots

Since we were walking around many iconic London spots, we both wanted to wear outfits that looked nice in photos but were still comfortable. We both dressed in layers with a tank top underneath our top layer.

I wore a washable silk tank with wide-leg jeans and sneakers. Crystal wore an oversized olive green jacket over a rib knit tank top. These outfits were comfortable enough for walking but still looked cute for photos around the city.

If you are planning a London photoshoot, I recommend wearing something that moves well, layers easily, and feels like an outfit you would actually want to wear for several hours. London has so many beautiful backdrops, so simple outfits with nice layers photograph really well.

Borough Market Outfit

Later in the day after our photoshoot, we headed to Borough Market. The temperature started to drop a little, so we made sure to bring light jackets.

Crystal wore a jean jacket over a linen button-front dress, and I changed into jeans with an oversized blazer. This was a great casual outfit formula for Borough Market because it was comfortable, easy to walk in, and still looked polished.

Crystal excited to try her grilled Cheese sandwich

So much variety at the market

For Borough Market, you definitely want comfortable shoes. You will likely be standing, walking, and eating as you browse the stalls, so being hands-free is also helpful. A crossbody bag, phone strap, or small backpack works well. A tote bag is also useful if you plan on buying treats or food items to take back to your hotel.

Best Bags for London

For London, I recommend bringing a bag that is comfortable, secure, and easy to carry for long sightseeing days.

I used the Pacsafe Citysafe CX Backpack, which worked well for travel days and sightseeing. It felt secure and had enough room for essentials like a water bottle, camera, portable charger, and light layer.

Traveling via Eurostar from France to London

For lighter sightseeing days, we also liked having a crossbody option. Crystal used a Bandolier phone case strap, which was especially convenient for taking photos, checking maps, and keeping her phone close while walking around the city.

For markets like Borough Market, a small tote can also come in handy if you want to bring food items, snacks, or souvenirs back to your hotel.

What to Pack for Rain in London in July

Even though July is summer, you should still be prepared for rain in London. We only got caught in rain one evening after dinner, but we were glad we had light layers with us.

A trench coat is one of my favorite pieces for London because it works for light rain, cooler mornings, and photos. If you do not want to pack a trench, a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella would also work.

I would not pack bulky rain boots for a July trip unless heavy rain is in the forecast. Comfortable sneakers and a compact umbrella should be enough for most summer sightseeing days.

Our London Luggage

We packed everything in our Away suitcases, including the Medium and Expandable Carry-On Away Suitcase, along with my Pacsafe Citysafe CX Backpack. I think this is a great luggage combination for traveling around Europe, especially if you are taking trains or moving between cities.

For a more chic travel look, I also recommend the Lo & Sons Sherborn Duffle Bag instead of a backpack. This bag feels elevated but still packs a ton of smart features that make travel feel so effortless. It is a great option if you want something that looks more polished while still being practical for flights, train rides, and hotel check-ins.

If you are looking to save money, Quince has similar suitcase options at a lower price point. I also recommend packing in a way that leaves a little extra space for shopping, especially if you plan to visit markets, boutiques, or department stores in London.

My Favorite Hat Travel Hack

If you are planning to bring a hat to London but do not have room to pack it, I recommend using a magnetic hat clip. I used the TOPTOTE magnetic hat clip to carry my wide-brim hat, and it clipped easily to my bag.

This is one of those small travel accessories that makes packing easier, especially if you want to bring a hat without crushing it in your suitcase.

London in July FAQs

• Is July a good time to visit London?

  Yes, July is a great time to visit London if you want warmer weather. It was much more comfortable than our previous May trip, especially in the afternoons. Just keep in mind that July can still bring clouds, rain, and occasional heat waves.

• Is London cold in July?

  London was not cold during our July trip, but the mornings and evenings were cool enough that we were happy to have light jackets. We experienced mornings and evenings in the 60s and daytime temperatures in the 70s.

• Do you need a jacket in London in July?

  Yes, I recommend packing at least one light jacket, trench coat, denim jacket, or blazer. You may not need it during the warmest part of the day, but it is useful in the mornings, evenings, and on cloudy or rainy days.

• Do you need an umbrella in London in July?

  I recommend packing a compact umbrella or bringing a light rain layer. We only had rain one evening, but London weather can change quickly, even in summer.

• Can you wear jeans in London in July?

  Yes, we wore jeans several times in London in July and felt comfortable. If the forecast shows a heat wave, you may want to pack more linen pants, dresses, or lightweight trousers instead.

• Are shorts okay in London in July?

  Shorts are okay if the weather is warm, but we personally preferred jeans, linen pants, and dresses. Those pieces felt more versatile for sightseeing, photos, restaurants, and cooler mornings or evenings.

• What shoes should I wear in London in July?

  Comfortable sneakers are the best shoes for London in July, especially if you plan to walk a lot. We wore white sneakers throughout the trip and they worked with almost every outfit.

Final Thoughts on What to Wear in London in July

London in July was one of our favorite summer city trips because the weather was comfortable for walking, sightseeing, and taking photos. The key is to pack lightweight layers and comfortable shoes so you are ready for cooler mornings, warmer afternoons, and the occasional rainy moment.

If I were packing again, I would bring trench coats, lightweight jackets, T-shirts, jeans, linen pants, a linen dress, comfortable sneakers, a secure bag, and a compact umbrella. Those pieces gave us enough variety without overpacking, and they worked for everything from Westminster Abbey and Hampton Court Palace to Borough Market and our London photoshoot.

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