I have 2 full days as a stopover in London on my way to a physically active (cycling) tour of Egypt. In London I will be doing typical touristy things during the day, getting around by walking and using the tube, and evenings I will be in my room or at a very casual local restaurant no more than a couple blocks from the hotel. I do not want to bring a bunch of extra items just for 2 days in the colder weather and am trying to figure out how to make my Egypt wardrobe work.

My upper tops layers I have some combos figured out with t-shirts, very light merino sweaters etc. Also, I will bring light gloves, scarf, and hat, and a small folding umbrella. I am struggling with (hopefully diminishing) plantar fasciitis and will be wearing whatever shoes are currently causing me the least pain. And, I will check the weather right before departure. I just don't want to be caught at the last minute having to buy clothes, dig through my closet, or completely rethink my wardrobe.

What to wear on the bottom--my choices from what I am using for Egypt: A pair of looser, lightweight knit slacks that I wear on the plane for long flights because they are as comfy as pajamas, but they are for warmer weather and don't break the wind at all. Lightweight, gauzy, cotton slacks that I would definitely need long johns under. To the bottom of the calf, nylon supplex, travel skirt. https://www.macabiskirt.com/collecti...skirt-charcoal
Layering options I could use with any of these bottoms--light weight silk long johns, knee high wool socks (my compression socks for the plane), boy cut undies that I can pull down almost to my knees. I suppose I could wear a pair of knee-length yoga pants under the skirt. Or, would I be better off just biting the bullet and bringing an additional pair of slacks appropriate for London weather?

Outerwear--my choices: An unlined, goretex, hooded, hip length windbreaker. A hip length, very light fill down jacket. These 2 could be layered together or worn alone. A knee-length, polyfill, hooded coat that I normally wear when it's about 45 degrees--it's a travel coat so compresses fairly small, but there is no water resistance. A knee-length, lightly lined dressier looking raincoat type with a hood that I normally wear when it's lower 50s to 60 outside.

From what I am choosing between, what are your thoughts on the best choices for bottoms and outerwear? I don't want to be under-dressed so I am freezing, and I don't want to be roasting when inside (I am assuming that London is like Paris in the winter where many buildings are overheated). And, I don't want to haul a bunch of extra clothes to Egypt.

Thanks.

My choice would be silk longjohns and the short goretex jacket.

Check temps week before, they'll show 10 days ahead. I'd def bring the Goretex waterproof + down jacket to fold up after London, w silks top and bottom which would be ideal pj's in Egypt and as base layers in London. I'd get Uniqlo base layers in their Heattex-- superb (but so reasonably priced) to wear on the plane and skip the ones that sound like pj's. We've had our Uniqlo layers for 15-20 years with no wear/tear! Superb company.

The Goretex and the down jacket could be very useful. Layered or apart. Windproofing is important.
Wicking thermal underwear - could be useful at night in Egypt too.
Good socks, maybe a beanie type hat you can cover your ears with. Gloves too, even cycling gloves will help. Maybe some hand warmers to help out?
Do you have a Buff or similar neck gaiter? You can use it in cold weather instead of a scarf, and in Egypt to help with any dust/insects. I use Buff's merino wool for that rather than breathing in man-made fabric.

The weather could be anything -- even a week before, the forecast could change quite a bit. I've been incredibly lucky my last 6 or 7 wintry trips to London (mostly in Nov/Dec but also Last January). It was downright warm a couple of the trips and none were frigid. Most trips my puffer coat or puffer jacket were too warm. Only opened my umbrella maybe 3 or 4 times total over the whole span.. But then last week apparently it was Arctic cold - even snow. and windy. So you won't really have a good idea what it will be like until a few day ahead.

Silk long underwear is a great option - warm, takes up almost no space in the luggage, and dries very quickly. And you can use it for PJ's during the rest of the trip. Besides your outerwear Main things would be gloves/scarf/socks plus a warm headband or knitted cap (as long as my feet and ears are warm I can stand a lot)

Maybe just hope the good weather gods shine down on you as they have for me

Current 14 day forecast has London at Max 4C min 2C and a slight north wind on February 1st.
Of course a lot can change over a fortnight.

I hope the shoes that deal with your PF are also good in the rain, if that's in the forecast.

I'm a skier, so I've tried lots of different base layers. Silk is not my first choice, although I sometimes wear a silk top under a sweater that would be a pain to clean. I think you have the upper body figured out with the light merino sweaters but don't wear a cotton t-shirt under them. You probably know this, but cotton absorbs body moisture and doesn't release it, so you can end up with a damp, clammy shirt next to your skin. If you want another layer, wear a silk undershirt and/or a second merino sweater, or a base layer top in one of the man-made fabrics that is designed to wick moisture. I have some base layers that are nice enough to wear alone. And won't the evenings in Egypt get cool enough to want a warm layer or two? Or am I just a wimp?

I would bite the bullet and take one pair of warm trousers and have something you can layer underneath if needed. Tights, silk, whatever. Somehow "cold" in London feels colder than at home. Again, maybe I'm just a wimp. My favorite pair for cold, wet weather are wind resistant, water repellant and have some stretch. Made by Kuhl.

You'll only be there 2 days. No one will know or care if you wear the same thing both days.

Would you consider taking a warm jumper and thick trousers and leaving them in London? You could get something second hand but practical at a charity shop before leaving home or take something old you already have.

Many thanks! Great ideas here, and some of them just sent me digging through my clothes.

I found a smartwool headband that I could also use as a narrower neck gaiter. And, on top of that I can always wrap around one of the light weight, non-wool scarves I will be bringing for visiting a Muslim country. I already was planning on bringing the lightweight merino wool t- shirts and sweaters because they are good in warmer weather too. About a year ago I invested in merino knits for travel, and they have worked very well for many different temperature ranges.

Yes, it will definitely be cool in the evenings in Egypt, so I will need some warmer clothes for then. The gore-tex and light down jacket combo it will be for outerwear, and I am guessing I will actually get some use out of both of them in Egypt. I frequently use the silk long johns for pajamas on trips.

The thrift shop idea is a good one, but I think I will instead just bring a regular pair of slacks that don't take up too much room in my suitcase. It's less hassle than going to the thrift shops now.

I know what everyone says about wanting warm and dry feet. Right now I am practicing using my new, over-the-counter-from-the-podiatrist orthotics with my well-broken in waterproof trail runner type boots. They have served me well on many trips, and I am hoping to bring them along.

And, frankly, I really don't care too much about what I look like for this brief stay in London. I just want to be comfortable.

That's the right attitude for clothing on any trip. The locals won't notice or care, and even if they do so what? You'll never see them again.
Have a wonderful trip. You have come a long way from your first nervous bike riding holiday without your husband. He would be so proud and you are truly an inspiration.

I'd thrift shop it myself, we call them charity shops in the UK and there are a lot. We also have Primark which is a very cheap clothing shop which might do as well. When you leave the UK just hand back to a thrift shop.

I bike ride into continental Europe and take and throw away my falling apart older clothes.

I don't see it mentioned where you're coming from but if it's a cold weather city you'll need warm clothing to the airport and when you head back home. Isn't that enough for the two days in London?

hetismij2 Thanks for the positive words. It's a long journey to adjustment when after a half of a century one is a single rather than part of a couple where there is a built in travel companion.

Traveler_Nick That's the rub. I have cold weather clothes because I am from a super cold city in the US, but I am wintering in Florida. So I will be moving from warm to warm with just the brief London interval.

And, I had heard to be prepared for some cooler evening weather in Egypt. But, I just took a look at the weather in Cairo and Luxor. It's not exactly tropical. Lows dip to close to 50 every night. So, I think those warmer slacks I will be packing for London will be getting some use in Egypt to.

I appreciate the help.