We will be in London Dec 1-6th. Obviously will check the weather forecast as it gets closer. but curious if a lined raincoat plus sweater is enough or are we into light to moderate weight winter coats already?

We do not plan to be out walking more than we have to - as visitng people plus theater plus museums.

thanks

Luckily, London is not Siberia. The best thing to have is an umbrella! We may have a cold snap but generally I would not go overboard on the winter clothes. A sweater and lined raincoat will be fine - unless you are from somewhere really hot!

I've been in London in Dec when high temps were in the low 50's F and when it was low 30's F. So you really can't tell. But as long as you have layers to wear under it, the lined raincoat should be fine. Be sure to take gloves/scarves/mufflers and/or a hat.

A lined raincoat won't be warm enough, they're simply designed to provide protection from rain when worn over a suit in the autumn/spring/early summer.

Wear a wool/cashmere or plain wool blend full length coat or three quarter length coat (which are very much in vogue this seasons) with a scarf, and a pair of fine leather gloves (lined). If you don't like the formal style of full length coats then wear padded nylon jackets (Prada Sport do simple, and smart ones) or a leather/sheepskin coat.

I would wear my black wool that comes to the knees and carry an umbrella if it rains or my little jacket from Paris that is really thin but some kind of ski insulation, but in a silky outershell. So it is really light and warm. This is handy when going into museums and shops and having to carry your coat around with you.
And you will walk more than you think you will, it never fails

I would carry a warm coat. You will probably need it.

I guess I don't understand what the others mean by a "lined raincoat". I have all sorts of coats, but my lined raincoat is the warmest one besides a heavy wool coat that I never take on trips because it is too bulky and if it gets wet becomes useless.

A raincoat with a zip out liner is often warmer than a wool coat because the extra layering provides more insulation.

i agree that a wool coat is too heavy and bulky and not always that warm in my experience. but many lined raincoats only have a very thin zip out lining. where do you find one with a thicker lining?

also long coat versus shorter coat?

I happen to own a long rain coat with a wool lining. It's not a zip-in, it's almost like a coat unto itself that fits inside the very thin water-repellant outer shell. But that's not the usual I grant you.

All I can suggest is to check the forecast before you go. A raincoat with a thin lining isn't going to keep ME warm if the temps are in the 30sF, even with a sweater or two underneath. On the other hand if temps are more moderate, in the 40s or low 50s, that might be fine, with layers on underneath.
If it were me and I were uncertain, I'd take a wool winter coat even if I weren't planning on a lot of walking. There's still the walk to the Tube, or the wait for the taxi, unless you have a car and driver the whole time.

I'd also be equipped for rain--umbrella and waterproof shoes or boots.

(D**n this site -- I got logged out twice while trying to post this -- I sure wish they'd fix these glitches!)

Anyway - My lined rain coat (actually it is a button out rather than a zip out) is from Petite Sophisticates (Casual Corner sister brand). It has a micro fiber outer w/ hood and a wool/acrylic blend liner with full sleeves. The liner sleeves make a big difference in really cold weather.

My other favorite travel coat is one that is a knee length sort of a micro fiber ultrasuede-ish on one side and a 100% wool plaid on the other that is fully reversible. This one was tailored in London for Saks 5th Avenue and is the ultimate travel coat -- a rain coat AND a wool coat in one. But that one set me back a week's salary even at the Off 5th Saks outlet.

I was in London on business the first week in December last year. I took a lined black raincoat - the raincoat is nylon and lightweight and the lining is wool and very warm. Contrary to M kingdom's caution, the coat was perfect for the London weather at that time. You can't avoid walking outside and, while there was no heavy rain, there were one or two days with drizzle. I was interested to note that, by and large, Londoners did not use umbrellas in the drizzle. Something with a detachable hood would come in handy.
Best advice is to look at the 10-day forecast before you leave but it is doubtful you will need a heavy winter coat.

..I am from New England and have spent time in the Winter in London. Last time I had wore a "sort of" trench coat with a wool zip in lining. The outer coat cut the wind and the inner lining kept me warm. I obviously layed undernath (BUT I dont think I ended up looking like frosty the snowman..whoops woman). I found I was never cold even when the weather was nasty..

..whoops I am jetlagged and made a mess of the grammer..I wore the coat in london and certainly didnt "had wore".

My little wool coat from Saks is the softest lightest wool that is not heavy or bulky and is certainly very warm. Like the difference in a wool sweater and a cashmere sweater.
Knee length is all you need.
That is what I usually wear in Paris and in London, especially because I have gone so many times with dire warnings of rain and have ended up never needing an umbrella much less a rain coat. So I would hate to be schlepping around a long rain coat when it is sunny all day.
Forecasts are great but I have gotten up in the am in London to fog and damp and by lunchtime it is sunny so be prepared for any kind of weather in a day.
You must be getting really excited , less than 2 weeks!!