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Weather and What to pack in London in July

Weather and What to pack in London in July

Old Jul 9th, 2003, 04:50 AM
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Weather and What to pack in London in July

Tried to search for past posts on this...but didn't find anything specific.

We are leaving this weekend for a 12 day trip that includes London, Kent and Normandy France. I have never been to the UK or France in the summertime (usually go off season in the winter months) - so I am wondering what to pack. Seems like everything I've read says average temps are around 70 to 75 degrees. I'm thinking that means shorts during the day -- but am wondering how cold it will be at night? Are pants and a sweater needed for chilly evenings?
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 05:03 AM
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Hi

If you go to http://search.weather.yahoo.com/fore...KXX0085_f.html

you will get a 5-day forecast for London. You can search for your other destinations as well.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 05:28 AM
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It's difficult to provide wardrobe advice for someone who thinks that 70 is shorts weather! I spent 3 weeks in London in July-August and never wore the shorts I'd brought.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 05:41 AM
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Only you can decide what you wear at a given temperature (and ignore anyone who tells you there's any kind of dress code for anything in London. Royal Garden Parties are just about the only summer event with any kind of code).

But right now, it's fairly warm - but feels far more uncomfortable than the temperature would imply. London's always full of people, air conditioning is rare, high humidity is very common, and public transport - especially the tube - is hell on earth.

Personally, I can't understand why anyone wears anything over a jacket or blouse. But if you're so sensitive that you find 55-60 chilly, then bring whatever will protect you.

Remember that the temperature may well drop, that weather between London and Normandy is always unpredictable (but frequently wet), and that even I can find Norman sea breezes bracing
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 05:49 AM
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I second the above advice. London can get very humid, and you will be even more hot and bothered in the Tube and even on the buses. Light, cotton clothing is the best. Carry a small, telescopic brolly if it looks like rain.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 06:27 AM
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Thanks for the input so far!! But I have to say I am a little confused by 'Anonymous'. He/she is telling me not to bother with shorts - but everyone else is saying it will be humid? and we will be using the tube to get around...

So I guess I need to be more specific. I have searched all the weather website -- but the ones I have found only give 'average temps'. What I am wondering is how cold it is at night? What are the temps at night vs. during the day. I haven't been able to find anything that specific on the net.

And Anonymous.... not wear shorts in 70 degrees and humid?? Jeez...where are you from? I spent all of last week in California and the temps were never above 75 and there were plenty of people in shorts and t-shirts (lol). Course at night it was only 55-60 so shorts were out of the question (that's why I'm asking these questions).

Thanks again!!
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 06:51 AM
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"Nice" shorts or capri-length pants for women should be ok. Pack a pair of long pants and a sweater just in case.

Only if you are going to Henley for the Rowing Regatta is it better to dress nicely, a summer dress and pretty sandals would be good, long pants for the men. Or of course meeting Royals in which case their office will send you a detailed list on what to wear/say/do

Please have a Pimms cocktail and strawberries with clotted cream for me!
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 06:51 AM
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I thought most weather sites gave overnight minimum, daily average and daytime maximum temps.

Certainly www.weather.com gives you that information over the next 10 days. Have you tried that one?
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 06:59 AM
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I am an American in London right now and have been for five days. Will be staying in London for the month of July and I wish I had brought more than one pair of shorts. It is quite warm with high humidity, but you still see people with sweaters and jackets and hats etc...( no
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 07:02 AM
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I guess I hit the wrong button. sorry. At night it really does not get cold, maybe a cool breeze through your unairconditioned hotel window if your are lucky. We have a fan that gets used during the night just to keep it cool. But it is not terrible. Not like the 92 that was forcasted for my homestate today. Bring what you feel comfortable wearing. Do bring sneakers (trainers). Most Londerers do seem to wear pants or jeans or dresses though. but it is your vacation so be comfortable
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 07:12 AM
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LOL, Bailey, since you asked . . . I'm from Boston. When we left here in late July 2001, the temperature was 95, and it gets plenty humid around here, so anything London had to offer felt positively crispy!

I happen to find that loose, lightweight pants are just as cool as shorts, since they absorb sweat and furthermore they prevent me from sticking to the seats on the tube! And I look less frumpy wearing long pants rather than shorts with my favorite clunky walking shoes.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 10:34 AM
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BaileyH, it's amazing what info you can get without ever leaving Fodors.

This address will give you climate info for London as well as sunrise/sunset and other things. Notice there is a Centigrade to Fahrenheit converter at the bottom of the page and 50mm is about 2 inches.

http://uk.weather.com/weather/climatology/UKXX0085

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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 03:27 PM
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Hi BaileyH,
I was in London in June and it was quite warm--usually in the mid 70's + and even mid 80's twice! I am female and wore capri pants, with short sleeve shirts or t-shirts everyday and also had some cardigan sweaters. I usually had the sweaters on first thing in the morning and sometimes in the evenings. The one night I had no sweater with me, it got chilly, but otherwise, it stayed very pleasant so that I would have been ok with our without the sweater. When it was windy, I tended to put my sweater on. My husband wore khaki pants and short sleeve polo shirts everyday.

It is hot and stuffy on the tubes and even on buses to some extent. We tried to avoid the tube in the afternoons and at rush hour. Most places don't have AC, but luckily, our hotel did. I was so happy for that! In spite of the heat, I saw very few people wearing shorts and I'm pretty sure the ones who did were Americans. They tended to also be wearing t-shirts with logos on the front and baseball caps (I'm not making this up). I felt better being a bit more dressed than that since I felt like London is not the place for beach-wear types of clothes, but that's just me.

We noticed lots of interesting outfits in London, and I can promise you that no matter what you wear, you certainly won't be the worst dressed! Personally, I was amazed at all of the females wearing tank-top shirts that showed WAY too much belly (and these were not little women either). It was not pretty.

Anyway, I would expect warm weather while you're there. Of course, you should wear what you'd be comfortable in and maybe consider wearing certain types of outfits based on where you'll be going.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 03:38 PM
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Having lived in London all my life, I haven't got a clue what the weather will be like next week (and nor have the weather people). Do pack a cardigan, but don't bother with shorts, unless you want to look odd or are young and gorgeous
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 03:47 PM
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If you want to take one pair of longish shorts for a picnic in London or touring in Kent/Normandy it would be OK.

But shorts in London really aren't really practical because you never know what you will decide to do - go to the theater - a last minute matinee for instance, or decide to stop into a hotel for tea. or take a boat trip - it is usually cool/breezy on the river even on warm days.

Take capris - or better yet, a floaty dress or skirt instead. Just as cool as shorts - maybe even more so - but acceptable wherever you decide to go.
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Old Jul 9th, 2003, 03:56 PM
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The hottest I have ever been in my entire life was in London in a July several years ago! And I am from Florida..most places have no A/c,it was humid and There I was with long sleeved shirts and sweaters. And trying to find something reasonably priced that looked good and wasn't "dreck" and didn't cost the earth compared with Marshall's! Impossible! I don't care how hot it is..shorts are not what you want...dirty Tube seats, hot sun on your legs,..wear s loose skirt or loose pants!
It has been exceptionally warm in London this year..talaked to a friend a wek or so ago and it was hotter than than here in FL! Those big buildings and concrete hold the heat!
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Old Jul 10th, 2003, 05:26 AM
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What fabulous responses!! I got such a chuckle out of these!

Sounds like 'longer shorts' (I'm only 27 - but the 'short shorts' girls are wearing these days scare me to no end) and capris and a few dresses will suit me well. I don't think we'll be going to any 'fancy' places - as my husband lived in London a couple years ago and so I think we plan to stay 'off the beaten path' this time around.

I got a chuckle out of the post about looking like an 'American' if I wear shorts. It kills my husband to part with his baseball cap for more than a few days. I guess I am one of those crazy folks who really doesn't mind standing out as an 'American' when I travel (although sad to say obviously in some areas of the world that isn't safe anymore). Proud to be from the USA and not afraid for people to know it I guess... also don't really mind looking like a tourist (obviously try my best not to be an 'annoying tourist' as I am from Washington DC and we have lots of those here 'Ah, let's stand in the middle of the street to try to get a picture of the monument' Ugh!).

Anyway - thanks much for the info - I feel more confident about my selections now! I didn't want to solely rely on the info I was seeing on the weather websites b/c as klar pointed out - they are often not right.
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Old Jul 10th, 2003, 05:26 PM
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We just got back from London a few hours ago and I froze the entire time. It rained every day and noone had shorts on. Even so, I loved London. Certainly ,pants and a sweater are needed for the evening. Have fun!!
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Old Jul 10th, 2003, 05:43 PM
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It's been warm and humid as heck over here in the UK the last couple of days!! But before that, it was in the 50's, so it's hard to tell you what to pack. Better include a little of everything!
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Old Jul 11th, 2003, 05:29 PM
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I agree that the tube can be unbearably hot. Carry a fan or something to fan yourself. They even have signs that say to get off the train if you are feeling sick. It seems to be a real problem.
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