Some may think this is a dumb question-but I am going to ask anyway. My sister and I are going to London in March and I understand the temp will be about 40 degrees. Being from Southern USA - that is cold to us. I will most certainly dress in layers-but what kind of coat should I go for? This is the problem-we will be outside walking around quite of bit, but will also stop to shop, visit museums, etc. I don't want to freeze while I am walking around, but don't want to be hot when I go inside and really don't want to carry a coat around inside - what do you have any good ideas to this problem?

Get a coat or jacket with a zip out lining. At least you can use it without the lining at home (maybe?) Museums & shops have coat checks.

I took a wonderful Gap black microfiber blazer-style jacket to London. It had a very light nylon filling so it broke the breeze and provided warmth. It was plenty warm over a sweater and if was esp. cold I added a thin silk long-sleeved undershirt.

In London, layering is the best idea to keep warm, IMHO. It would be good to get something that repels water, but if you do, make sure it is breathable fabric.

I took a rainjacket to London last Sept/October. I didn't wear it once...it was too hot! You know what they say about carrying an umbrella..

I swear by my nearly ankle length black water repellent Jones New York "rain" coat. There is no "warm" lining, but I can wear it over a blazer/jacket, sweater or any combination of tops to keep warm. Without a lining, it is lightweight enough to just carry if it gets too warm. It can also be rolled up and stuffed in a bag (so it gets a bit wrinkled). A neck scarf and gloves would help too.

a trenchcoat with a zip out lining would be good--mine goes with me every trip (I'm a southerner, too)

We visited London in April a couple years ago. I brought a microfibre raincoat with a detachable hood. It has raglan sleeves and is big enough to go over sweaters or blazer. It worked out perfectly.

Spent a week in London last March, (2003) was cold, windy and rainy so I was very glad I packed the old faithful London Fog with zipout lining. Never once took the lining out. And I'm from the Midwest!

Coming from a tropical country I have difficulty getting an idea of how cold winter can be. My family and I will be in Europe between Dec 18 to Jan 3, coming in Rome and ending in London on a guided tour. This is what I am considering, innermost layer - wool thermals, followed by longsleeved t-shirt, wool lightweight sweater and finally, a leather jacket(short). I will have leather gloves, woollen scarf and hat. I will also have a thin lightweight raincoat(plastic I think) in case it rains. Is this overkill or would I be freezing my butt off?!

all very good ideas. thank you. sounds like a microfabric raincoat with zip out lining is the way to go. Very GLAD to hear that museums have coat checks! And when I go shopping, I guess I can get a shopping bag and put the raincoat in the bag. Thanks everyone!

Dear mpchan
Depends on whether you are warm or cold natured. You might be a bit warm with the wool thermals if you plan on being in museums, shops, restaurants, etc. If you are cold natured, instead of wool thermals, have you ever tried silk? I understand these are VERY warm, thin and lightweight--might be easier for packing. My experience with weather is that it's often colder and wetter in November than December.

mpchan, a leather coat gives very little warmth, and can be ruined by rain. A longer,lined raincoat works better. the trouble with having your warm thermals layered next to your body is that you can't get them off in overheated stores or restaurants.

I agree fully with patg. I will be visiting Paris in February and I've never visited in winter and I've never visited NYC so I don't really know what the coldness is like. But San Francisco is sometimes pretty cold, 30's and 40's like last winter, so I guess some days may be similar in Paris.

I got this Jones New York coat which feels thick enough as it has a lining and its water resistant. I am not sure if it breathes well however. But it is long enough for either pants or skirts.

Underneath I plan to layer silk underwear and merino sweaters/turtlenecks. If the weather does not rain and the temps go to the 40's or 50's then I plan to to wear the same with a leather jacket.

My suggestion would be, whatever material you end up choosing, make sure your coat/jacket covers your butt. I think it makes all the difference in the world - especially when you sit someplace - on a bus, or train or bench..... Just my thought.

Great suggestions. I wish I can get silk thermals. Unfortunately, where I come from (Sabah), the shops here do not stock them nor even heard of such a thing. I was hoping to get away from using those quilted coats that are so bulky and heavy and finally decided on a leather coat teamed with thermals and woollen sweaters. Then as I monitored the temperatures in Europe lately, I'm beginning to worry that a leather coat may not be warm enough! Now, I think I will have to bring along a lined raincoat as well and wait till I get to Europe to see whether I'll need to wear the thermals or not. And here I am trying so hard to reduce my packing to fit a 26" rollbag on a 16 days trip!

mpchan-Mail Order!
LLBean has all sorts of cold/wet weather clothing, Orvis, go through cataloges, maybe even Victorias Secret.

I was in London the last week of March/first week of April and we had one day of sunny 70 degree weather, two days of rainy, windy 45 degree weather and the rest were cloudy and 55-65 degrees. I was comfortable in my trenchcoat-style coat, but needed to layer with sweaters for the colder days. I WISH that my coat had a hood though. The cold, wet wind was very uncomfortable and I'm not a scarf person. I also recommend packing lightweight gloves for chilly days. Plan to bring enough clothes so that if you have to let something hang to dry in your hotel, you have something else to wear! The hotels are not exactly toasty warm.

beany

http://www.wintersilks.com/ for silk longjohns....

Hi g,

I wear my Inverness cape with a tam. My lady wife has a reversible Acquascutum that she wears.

Both garments are perfect for the chilly, drizzly British climate.

Wool thermals - or thermals of any kind - sound like complete overkill unless you'll be skiing all day or going to antartica. If you go with all those layers you'll be fainting from the heat when you're indoors. A good raincoat with the possibility of a blazer and/or sweater underneath shoud be fine for temps in the 40's.