Wondering what to wear in London in July? In this guide we will tell you how to look stylish in the heat when sightseeing around this amazing city.
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Weather in London in July
Summer is in full swing in London in July. Therefore packing for the summer weather is essential in July. But how hot is London in July?
How hot is London in July?
July in London is actually the hottest month. Generally speaking the daytime temperatures in London however in the early 20s C (low 70s) at the beginning of the month rising to mid 20s (mid 70s) by the end of the month.
Remember if your visit covers two months be sure to check out our other London monthly guides. The weather does change in London month to month, and you never known when there are some special events that do require at alteration to the dress code.
Is it rainy in London in July?
London can be rainy whatever month you visit. July is certainly not the wettest month in London however you can still get rain in July.
While you can get rain on almost 14 days in London, you will only get significant rain i.e. over 1mm of rain on about 6 days in the month.
Therefore waterproof shoes and jackets really aren’t the primary concern for your summer packing list. However all our London packing lists no matter the time of year include a compact umbrella because you never know in England.
How do Locals Dress in London In July
Londoners know that July can be hot in the city. Therefore you are likely to see lots of warm weather attire however this presents itself in many different ways from loose flowing dresses to shorts and t shirts.
Therefore you can dress however you feel most comfortable for the heat.
However personally I always have a pashmina or lightweight cardigan with me incase the weather should quickly cool.
Note: if you are traveling to other cities and regions in the UK be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
London Dress Codes to be Aware of
The truth is, not many places in London have strict dress code. Even in religious settings such as St Pauls Cathedral or Westminster Abbey dress codes aren’t as strict as they are in other places in Europe such as Italy for the Vatican City or in the Sagrada Familia in Spain. However we do recommend you being modest in these places out of respect.
Another place that people worry about dress code in London is in the theatre. While some people do dress up to go to London shows, you will also see people in more formal wear or even in fancy dress dependent on the show. However feel free to dress how you are comfortable and to suit the rest of your day’s itinerary.
Therefore the only real places you have to worry about dress codes in London are at some of the higher end and Michelin Starred restaurants. Some of these have a smart casual dress code so it is worth checking out our what to wear to dinner in London guide as well as your chosen restaurant to check you comply.
Afternoon tea is also a place where you can expect dress codes to be enforced. for a full guide on what to wear to afternoon tea in London for specific location dress codes as well as outfit inspiration for every season.
Considerations for London July Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include in your London July packing list, we thought it would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and silks are better for the temperatures you will experience in London in July. These type of fabrics are more breathable and reduce sweat which are perfect for England in July.
We recommend sticking to this type of fabrics where possible.
Nothing that Drags on the Floor
Although maxi dresses are my personal favorite cut of dress, I recommend checking that none of your clothes drag on the floor.
The reason for this is that you will be using lots of escalators on the London Underground and you don’t want your skirt or dress getting caught in the mechanisms.
What to wear in London in July
So now you know what to expect from the weather, what should you wear in London in July?
What to wear in London in July for women
Skirts and dresses
For me the best things to do wear in London in July during summer is a skirt of a dress.
Unlike more conservative countries in Europe, short skirts and dresses are fine to wear in London. Personally I like to wear items of a midi or maxi length but this is personal choice.
But if you like short items you should feel free to wear short skirts and dresses in London.
Skirts and dresses also work for day and night in London and can be easily dressed up or down to meet dress code requirements.
Trousers
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. On most days in London in July jeans will be too warm so I tend to wear looser fitting linen and cotton trousers. However if you want to wear jeans then there is no reason why you can’t from a dress code point of view.
Shorts
Although locals who are going into the office won’t be wearing shorts, shorts are common place in London on both international and local tourists. Therefore if you want to wear shorts in London of any variety feel free.
Denim Jacket
- Standard
- Size Up
- Non-stretch
You definitely won’t need a coat in London in July however we always recommend taking a jacket.
I personally opt for a denim jacket in July as this is the perfect weight of jacket. It is commonly worn with dresses and skirts as well as more casual outfits so works for every occassion.
Blouse
Loose blouses are perfect for London in the summer for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They can be dressed up or down for night and day, and work in almost all venues.
T Shirt
I always pack a few t shirts when visiting London no matter the season. Short sleeve t shirts tend to be the perfect sleeve length for those visiting in Summer.
Also you will usually see a range of t shirt styles from plain, patterned, graphic to slogan so just pick the style of t shirt you feel most comfortable in.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my London packing list even in Summer. It can act as a scarf to dress or a a more casual outfit but is a useful extra layer on cooler nights and days.
I never travel to anywhere in Europe without one. Shop pashminas here
PJs or Nightie
Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are essential for England in summer. Though some hotels will have air conditioning, airbnbs will not usually have air conditioning. Therefore you will want lightweight nightwear and loungewear with you just in case your accommodation does not have this.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright in London so I definitely wouldn’t go in July without a pair of shades that offers good UV protection.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
Top Tip: We recommend packing sneaker socks and some odour eaters if you have room in your case just in case your feet do get sweaty when wearing sneakers to sightsee around the city. There is nothing worse than stinky and sweaty shoes.
What to Wear in London in July Packing List for Men
For men visiting London in July we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:
- Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen. Jeans can be too hot for the day however can be good for evenings in July.
- Shorts
- A Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night are perfect for July. Polo shirts are also good in London for very warm nights in London.
- Blazer / Linen Jacket – perfect for smarter restaurants in London where you may need a jacket such as high end afternoon teas.
- Shirts – mix of long and short sleeves is perfect for this time of year.
- Sunglasses
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
- Pjs
- Underwear
Best Shoes for London in July
Sneakers
London is a relatively casual city. And most Londoners will walk a lot around the city. And as a tourist you will inevitably be doing a lot of walking too. Therefore you will find that most locals and tourists will wear sneakers on the streets of London.
You won’t feel out of place in sneakers or trainers on the streets of London. They are great on uneven surfaces and cobbled streets but also can cope with lots of walking. For this reason I recommend wearing sneakers on most days in London.
However please note that some of the more upscale restaurants will not allow sneakers / trainers so do check your restaurant dress code. Also it is common for nightclubs in London to say no sneakers.
If you want to know what to wear in London at night check out this post.
For this reason I tend to wear sandals in London in summer.
Sandals
Sandals are great for London in July. They are perfect for restaurants and if you pick a pair with good arch support are good for walking in the heat.
If you want a shoe with height in London wedges are the best bet. They cope well with cobbles and won’t get caught in escalators etc.
Stilettos are definitely on my what not to wear in London list. However I wouldn’t wear wedges for days you are doing lots of walking.
What to Pack for London in July (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to London what else should you pack for visiting this amazing city in Summer?
We recommend
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in London.
- Sun Screen
- Travel lip balms.
- Aloe Vera / Aftersun
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Power Pack / Battery recharger
- Travel Adaptor for electronics
- Crossbody bag – anti theft type.
Note: if you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. However toiletries are very easy to buy in London in supermarkets or the beauty chains such as Superdrug and Boots. Therefore we would recommend leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival. It will
What to wear in London in July FAQs
Do I need coat in London in July?
Given the weather in London in July you shouldn’t need a coat. However you can get cool days and cool evenings even in July.
For this reason we recommend bringing a jacket with you for London in July. Feel free to bring any style you like but you will see many denim Jackets in London this time.
Do you need a raincoat for London in July?
London isn’t overly rainy in July and you should be able to miss rain showers by ducking into shops or attractions. Even on very rainy days you should be able to make do with a compact umbrella.
For this reason I don’t think it is necessary to bring a raincoat with you July. I personally never have one with me in London in July.
Instead of a raincoat just bring a lightweight jacket and a compact travel umbrella.
Do I need swimwear in London in July?
You will only need to bring swimwear to London in July if:
- you are staying at a London hotel with a pool (there aren’t that many) – our favourite one that does have a pool is One Aldwych. The pool plays music when you swim underwater.
- you plan on visiting a lido in London to go outdoor swimming – my favorite one is at Hampstead Heath.
- you are traveling to another place in the UK or abroad where you have access to the pool or are going to the coast such as Brighton, Bournemouth or Cornwall.
If none of these things apply to you then you should be safe to leave the swimwear at home.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in London in July that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them as locals to London!