Wondering what to wear in London in October? In this guide we will tell you how to pack for London in October for sightseeing, dress codes, the weather, dinner and more.
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Weather in London in October
London in October is classified as Fall. Or autumn as we would say in Europe. As such the warmer weather is firmly behind you and you can expect traditional Fall weather with changeable conditions throughout your trip to the UK. But how cold is London in October?
How cold is London in October?
Fall weather in London means that you can expect changeable conditions. Generally speaking you can expect the temperatures to range from around 15°C / 59°F to 8°/46°F.
And of course the later in the month you travel the cooler it will be. We recommend packing layers but not transitioning into a winter weather wardrobe just yet.
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 October?
London can be rainy whatever month you visit however October is one of the rainiest months Generally speaking there is around 71mm of rain in London through October which tends to fall across 15 days. Therefore it is a good idea to have some waterproof top layers and some waterproof shoes with you.
And whatever month you are visiting London it is always a good idea to have a compact umbrella with you.
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 October
There are two things that all Londoners like myself know. Firstly, you can get rain at any time of year and secondly layers are key to good London outfits no matter the month you are visiting.
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
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 worrried about a dress code are:
- religious settings
- London theatre shows
- fine dining restaurants and
- at afternoon tea.
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.
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.
See our dedicated West End post for more details.
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 October Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to pack for London in October, it is worth pointing our some key considerations such as:
Waterproof Items
As you can expect rain at least 50% of the time in London in October it is worth having a lightweight waterproof jacket with you or at least an umbrella.
What to wear in London in October
Best Shoes for London in October
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, however you also can’t go wrong with a plain white sneaker as they go with everything. One of my favorite pairs of white sneakers is the Adidas Cloud Foam shoes.
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 October we recommend having a leather boot with some waterproofing as well as a sneaker. Click here to shop ankle boots.
Note: even though London can be rainy in October you won’t need wellies in the city.
What to wear in London in October for women
Skirts and dresses
Therefore I tend to pick maxi or midi length items for London in October. My personal preference is a midi as I think they pair with boots and tights better but this is personal preference. Click here to shop Fall dresses for London.
Trousers
If skirts and dresses aren’t your thing then trousers are a great choice. Depending on the time of month you are traveling will depend on the type of trousers that are best.
Personally I think jeans are the perfect trouser for October in London. Although you may not want to wear these in fancier restaurants, many people will wear jeans in London to dinner.
Jacket
Coats are not required in London in the summer. However a jacket is always a good idea.
Any style of jacket will do but you can never go wrong with a denim jackets in London. However as London is quite rainy in October a waterproof trench is another good pick especially as the month progresses. Click here to shop jackets.
Blouse
Loose blouses are perfect for London in the Fall 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 that you will be visiting. Click here to shop blouses.
T Shirt
I don’t think I ever visit London without a t shirt on my packing list. As the weather is quite changeable in October we recommend packing a mix of Long and short sleeve t shirts.
Layers
For London in October I would pack layers such as cardigans and sweaters.
Usually for October I will have a cardigan, a hoodie, smart sweater and a waterproof jacket with me for a week in London in October.
Pashmina
I don’t think any of my European packing lists don’t have a pashmina on. For me they are the numebr one travel accessory. 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 pjs are are better choice for October.
Sunglasses
The sun can be bright in London so I always have sun glasses on my packing list.
Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
What to Wear in London in October Packing List for Men
For men visiting London in October 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 October. Polo shirts are also good in London.
- Shirts – mix of long and short sleeves is perfect for this time of year.
- Sunglasses
- Trousers – jeans are great for sightseeing in October. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners.
- Blazer / Linen Jacket – perfect for smarter restaurants in London where you may need a jacket such as high end afternoon teas.
- Waterproof jacket – October is rainy – you need a waterproof.
- Layers – such as a hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket.
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner – we recommend a pair of waterproof ankle boots.
- Pjs
- Underwear
What to Pack for London in October (Non Clothing)
Now you know the clothes you should bring to London what else should you pack for visiting this amazing city in October?
We recommend packing the below of London in October:
- Compact Umbrella – essential for any month in London but especially October as there is around 15 days of rain in October.
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
- Travel Adaptor for European plug sockets.
- Crossbody bag – anti theft type.
- 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 October FAQs
Do I need coat in London in October?
Given the weather in London in October you shouldn’t need a big coat. However you can get cooler days and even cooler evenings. Also given the rain a waterproof but lighter jacket such as a waterproof trench coat is a good addition to your packing list.
Do you need a raincoat for London in October?
A waterproof jacket is a great choice for London in October as you get rain 15 days of the month
Do I need swimwear in London in October?
It is unlikely you will need swimwear for London in October unless you are staying in a hotel with a pool.
Do you have any questions about what to wear in London in October that we haven’t answered here? Then pop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer them.