Wondering what to wear in London in November? Although November in London is still Fall/Autumn, the weather is definitely starting to feel more Wintery. In this guide we will tell you how to pack for London in November for sightseeing, the Fall weather, dress codes, dinner and more.
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Weather in London in November
London in November is still technically classified as Fall. Or autumn as we would say in Europe. However there is definitely a Wintery chill in the air. But how cold is London in November?
How cold is London in November?
Fall weather in London means that you can expect changeable conditions. Generally speaking you can expect the temperatures to range from around 12°C / 53°F to 7°C/444°F.
And of course the later in the month you travel the cooler it will be. Also depending on the level of wind and rain, it can feel much cooler, especially at night. So layers are definitely needed when traveling to London in November.
And 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 November?
London can be rainy whatever month you visit however November is one of the rainiest months. Generally speaking there are around 10 days of rain in the capital in November so it is worth having some waterproof wear and of course a travel umbrella with you.
Does it snow in London in November?
To be honest, snow in London is quite a rare occurance whatever time of year you are visiting even in November. If you are traveling in Early November there is next to no chance of seeing snow, especially anything that settles.
And if you are traveling to London in Late November snow is still rare. Therefore you really shouldn’t worry too much about snow when packing for London in November.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do Locals Dress in London In November
Although November is Fall, you will see local Londoners slowly transitioning to their Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe as the month progresses. This means adding additional layers and coats.
Note: if you are traveling to other cities and regions in the UK be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
- What to wear in the Cotswolds
- What to wear in Cornwall
- What to wear in Oxford
- What to wear in London in Winter
Also any Londoner will tell you it is always a good idea to keep an umbrella with you whenever you visit, but especially in the shoulder seasons.
London Dress Codes to be Aware of
Contrary to popular belief, not many places in London actually have strict dress codes. The four main places you may be worried about a dress code are:
- religious settings i.e. St Pauls Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey,
- London theatre shows and concerts in places such as the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Opera House
- fine dining restaurants and
- at afternoon tea / high teas in London.
And the truth is that some of these places do have dress codes and some do not. We will look at each of these and let you know if they have dress codes and what you should wear to them.
London Church Dress Codes
Unlike churches in Italy and Spain, not many churches in London have dress codes that are strictly enforced.
If you want to visit some of London’s most famous churches such as St Pauls Cathedral and Westminster Abbey for instance then we recommend dressing modestly out of respect even if there isn’t a specific dress code that is enforced.
However this is not likely to be a problem as most Fall Capsule wardrobes have lots of layers that cover knees and shoulders or includes tights.
London Theatre Dress Code
Another place that people worry about dress code in London is in the theatre. While some people do dress up to go to London theatre shows, you will also see many people casually dressed especially at matinees.
There are also some shows where people dress up in costumes i.e. Rocky Horror Picture Show for instance.
It is more common to see people dress up at the Royal Albert Hall or the Royal Opera house, but there are few shows where dress codes are enforced.
London Restaurant Dress Codes
The truth is that some of the higher end and Michelin Starred restaurants in London will have dress codes.
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 where one is stipulated. 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 November Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to pack for London in November, it is worth pointing our some key considerations such as:
Waterproof Items
Rain is a common occurrence in London in November so having a lightweight waterproof jacket with you or at least an umbrella is a good idea.
What to wear in London in November
Best Shoes for London in November
Sneakers
Sneakers are my number one shoe for London no matter the month due to the amount of walking you will be doing. Both locals and tourist will wear sneakers in London so they won’t mark you as a tourist and are definitely the most comfortable shoe.
Also you don’t need to worry about the type of sneaker you need to wear as you will see all sorts of styles from bright white, sports trainers to more fashion sneakers. My advice is to wear whatever is your most comfortable pair for walking.
My favorite brand of sneakers for walking are Hoka and AllBirds. I personally avoid white sneakers in November due to the wet and risk of discoloration however this is just a personal style choice.
Also for this time of year a waterproof sneaker such as an Ecco is a good pick for rainier days.
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.
Ankle Boots
As the weather is changeable in London in November we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker.
We recommend an ankle boot over a knee high boot, not for any style or dress code reason but for ease of packing.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
If you want to know more about how to pack boots for travel check out this post.
Note: even though London can be rainy in November you won’t need wellies in the city.
What to wear in London in November for women
Skirts and dresses
I like to wear a dress when traveling, especially for nights out in London. However for November in London you will need something a bit thicker and I like something with longer sleeves.
As a result for me there is nothing better than a sweater dress for London in November.
And we would never dream about going out in November in a skirt or dress without wearing a thick pair of tights too.
Click here to shop skirts and dresses for London.
Trousers
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. As November is getting cooler we recommend picking thicker trousers made of heavier fabric.
Jeans are perfect for sightseeing during the day. I would recommend picking smarter jeans such as black jeans or dark blue jeans that are more fitted or skinny jeans however you will see all sorts of styles of the streets of London. So it is most important that you feel comfortable.
If you want a smarter pant then we love a regular black pant (we love the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel) or a thick wool pant.
Click here to shop trousers for London.
Coat
November is probably the first month in London where you will need a thick coat as opposed to a jacket.
Blouse
Blouses are perfect for London in the Fall for both sightseeing and going out to dinner. They are a versatile layering item and can be dressed up or down depending on where you are going. Click here to shop blouses.
T Shirt
I don’t think I ever visit London without a t shirt on my packing list. Given the weather in November we recommend packing a mixture of both short and long sleeve basic t shirts.
Layers
For London in November layers are going to be your best friend. For a week in London I will usually pack:
- a cardigan,
- a hoodie, and
- smart sweater.
I like to stick to neutral colors as a personal style preference in London in November. I particularly love to pack a camel cardigan along with a smart merino wool sweater. However again there are no best colors to wear in London.
Pashmina
A pashmina is always on my London packing list especially in Fall.
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.
PJs or Nightie
Thicker pyjamas and nighties are an essential for anywhere in England as November.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright in London even in November so I always have sun glasses on my packing list.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
What to Wear in London in November Packing List for Men
For men visiting London in November we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:
- A Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night are perfect for November.
- Shirts – a button down shirt is a great choice for smarter restaurants in London.
- Sunglasses
- Trousers – jeans are great for sightseeing in November. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners. Wool trousers are another good choice.
- Coat – smarter ones are more in keeping with local styles however as a tourist a waterproof coat may be more useful.
- Layers – such as a hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the coat.
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner – we recommend a pair of waterproof ankle boots.
- Pjs
- Underwear
What to Pack for London in November (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to London in November what else should you pack for London in November?
We recommend packing the below of London in November:
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in London but especially November.
- Universal Travel Adaptor – one that is compatible for UK plug sockets.
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
- Crossbody bag – one with plenty of zips that can put off pick pockets is best when at London’s main tourist attractions.
- Reusable Water bottle
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack / Power Pack / Battery charger
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
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 such as Tescos and Sainsburys of which there are many express versions across the city or the beauty chains such as Superdrug and Boots. For this reason we would leaving the toiletries at home and buying them on arrival to save on space in your suitcase.
For more info on packing light for London check out our guides on using the 5 4 3 2 1 packing technique or using the sudoku packing method.
What to wear in London in November FAQs
Do I need coat in London in November?
Given the weather in London in November you will need a big coat. In fact this is the first month where you will need coat instead of just a jacket.
Do you need a raincoat for London in November?
A waterproof jacket is a great choice for London anytime of year, however you will need something thicker for the weather. a
Do I need swimwear in London in November?
It is unlikely you will need swimwear for London in November unless you are staying in a hotel with a pool.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in London in November that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them.