Today I want to share my London spring packing list with you. If you’re planning a trip to the city this season and you want a local’s tips for what to put in your bag, read on for A Lady in London’s seasonal essentials for the UK capital. These items will help you stay comfortable in the fickle British weather, travel light, and arrive looking (and living) like a local. I’ve included a free downloadable checklist, too.
Spring Packing List for London
The weather in London is always unpredictable, but in spring it’s particularly capricious. I grew up in California, and the UK isn’t my native habitat. The ever-changing climatic conditions were a surprise to me when I moved to the city.
During my first spring in the UK I always got it wrong when it came to clothing and accessories. But after living through countless springs in London I have firsthand advice to share with you. I hope it will prevent you from making the same mistakes I did.
Whether you’re new to unpredictable weather or just new to the British weather (it has a mind of its own), this guide will help you pack like a local and stay warm, dry, and comfortable while you’re traveling.
If you haven’t seen my general packing posts yet, it’s a good idea to start by checking them out. From my guide to how to pack for London to my blog post about what to wear in London, I’ve covered a lot of topics. I’ve also created packing lists for winter, summer, and autumn.
If you’re not familiar with the London weather, spring can last from late February to mid-June. Most years the city starts to thaw in March, warms up by the second week of April, and stays settled into the season until the end of May.
If you want to learn more about the spring climate and monthly temperatures, have a read through my blog post about the London weather. It has additional details about what to expect in months like March, April, and May.
1. Spring Coat
The first item on my spring packing list is a coat. As with all other seasons, spring in London requires a good outer layer. It’s probably the most important article of clothing you’ll bring with you, and it’s worth investing in a quality one.
I like to wear a trench with lining in the spring. It keeps me warmer than my light summer jacket but not as toasty as my heavy winter coat. If it’s cold outside, I can button it, belt it, and wrap a scarf around my neck. If it’s warm, I can tie the belt in back to keep it open. It keeps me dry in the rain, too.
A trench is great for dressing a look up or down depending where I’m going and what I’m doing. It’s versatile enough to go with anything I wear, and it’s oh-so-British. If you need one, you can get the one I recommend here.
2. Sneakers
The next item on my spring packing list for London is a good pair of sneakers (call them trainers if you want to sound like a Brit). I swear by these lace-up shoes when the weather warms up and it’s too balmy for boots but not quite hot enough for sandals.
Not only do sneakers keep my feet warm and dry in sudden rain showers, but they’re also great for walking. Flat shoes are essential for London, especially if you’re treading on cobbles or if it’s wet or snowing (yes, it can snow in April).
I always have a pair (or five) of sneakers on hand. They’re comfortable, versatile, and come in all kinds of styles. If you want my advice, you can get the ones I recommend here.
3. Spring Scarf
The next essential item on my packing list is a scarf. One of the best ways to keep my body temperature steady when temperatures fluctuate is having something to wrap around my neck. This is particularly true when it goes from sunny and pleasant to windy or rainy in a matter of minutes.
A scarf is also a good accessory for adding color to an outfit. I like light, bright scarves for spring. They get me in the mood for the season, and they’re versatile accessories. They’re useful for styling an outfit or dressing up a casual look.
I have spring scarves in all shapes, knits, weights, and colors, and I love pairing them with my outfits. If you want to do the same, you can get the ones I recommend here.
4. Light Sweaters
Under my trench coat and scarf comes a spring sweater (say jumper if you want to sound like a Brit). I love classic styles and seasonal colors, and I like to mix and match them with my other clothes.
London can be chilly through mid-May (and even mid-June some years), and a light sweater is just the thing to keep me warm and stylish at the same time. I’m a sucker for cashmere, both because of its softness and because light cashmere is the perfect weight for spring.
I have lots of spring sweaters in other fabrics, too. If you layer them (see below), you can ensure you’ll be comfortable whether it’s warm or cold outside. If you want to see the kinds of sweaters I recommend, you can find them here.
5. T-Shirts
Next on my spring packing list is T-shirts. These basics are essential for any month in London, but in the shoulder seasons they come into their own as layering items.
Because the British weather is so fickle, it can be warm one minute and freezing the next. Layering my clothing in spring helps me stay at a comfortable temperature no matter how high or low the mercury gets.
Depending on the weather forecast, I wear my sweaters with short or long-sleeved T-shirts underneath. They’re perfect for both for style and for when it’s so hot on the tube I have to de-layer as soon as I board a train.
If you want my advice, you can get the long-sleeved T-shirts I recommend here, and the short-sleeved T-shirts I suggest here.
6. Dresses and Skirts
Other great spring essentials for London are dresses and skirts. Not only are they fun for the season, but also versatile for day and night.
Whether you go with monochromatic ones or sundresses and skirts with bold prints and floral patterns, you can’t go wrong. Long ones are great for cooler days and nights, and short ones are perfect for when the weather warms.
Dresses and skirts are great for days when you need to smarten up a day look for evening, too. Add a few accessories, and you’ll be set for the night. If you want my advice, you can see my recommendations for spring skirts here and seasonal dresses here.
7. Jeans and Trousers
Next on my packing list are jeans and trousers. Given the variable nature of the London weather, having a variety will ensure you’re prepared for any temperature.
I love jeans. I wear them almost every day, spring or autumn, rain or shine. And between March and May they’re the perfect things to wear with light sweaters and sneakers.
I have other spring trousers, too. I like medium-weight ones that are durable enough to withstand the rain, warm enough to resist the cold, and light enough to breathe when temperatures rise. If you want my recommendations, you can get the jeans I recommend here and the trousers I like here.
8. Tights
Given how well they layer, tights are another London spring essential. Not only are they perfect if you want to wear a dress or skirt on a chilly day, but also if you want a thin layer under your jeans or trousers on a freezing one.
You can have a lot of fun with spring tights in London. From colors to textures and patterns, there’s no shortage of styles to choose from.
Given spring brings an abundance of flowers to London, you can join in the fun and get some in yellow, pink, and purple hues of daffodils, magnolias, cherry blossoms, and wisteria.
I always have a mix of classic black tights and colorful accent ones in my closet. You can’t go wrong whatever you choose, though. If you want my advice, you can get the ones I recommend here.
9. Umbrella
It rains a lot in London. No matter what time of year you visit, it’s likely you’ll get caught in a downpour or a drizzle. An umbrella is one of the most important things to pack in spring, and many locals (including myself) never leave home without one.
Given how often I lose them, I always opt for a balance of price and quality. I need one that won’t cost a fortune, but isn’t going to blow inside out as soon as the wind picks up (and it does more often than not).
I also swear by umbrellas that are small enough to fit in my handbag. There are a lot of mornings when I can’t tell whether it will rain or not, so having a compact one means it won’t burden me if I don’t need it. If you want my recommendation, this one is just the thing.
10. Sunglasses
The next item on my list is a pair of good sunglasses. As much as it rains in London in spring, it can be very sunny too. From one day to the next (or one minute to the next), the weather might call for an umbrella and then sunglasses.
I always have a pair of sunglasses on hand in spring. As with my umbrella, I keep them in my bag at all times. They’re lifesavers on bright days, and they’re great accessories for styling an outfit.
My sunglasses have strong cases that stand up to a bit of battering in my bag, and they have great classic frames. If you you want my advice, you can get the pair I recommend here.
11. Bag
Given there’s so much layering in spring, the next item on my packing list is a bag. A good one is perfect for holding my umbrella, a sweater or jacket I’ve taken off when it gets warm, a scarf I’m keeping in case the cold sets in, and accessories like sunglasses. And my camera, of course.
Good bags come in all shapes and sizes, but I like a lightweight one that won’t weigh me down as I walk all over the city. I swear by the large Longchamp Le Pliage tote bag. It’s roomy, light, durable, waterproof, and above all, it packs so well it barely takes up any room in my suitcase.
This bag revolutionized my London life and travels (it’s been to over 100 countries with me). I honestly don’t know what I would do without it. If you want to follow suit, you can get one of your own here.
London Spring Packing Checklist
As promised, I’ve created a downloadable London spring packing checklist. It has all the items I listed in this blog post, plus links to my general packing tips. You can get it here.
How to Pack for London in Spring
I hope you’ve found my London spring packing list helpful, and that you’ll be all set for your trip, sun or snow.
The most important thing is to check the forecast before you travel and pack accordingly. If it’s going to snow in March, my winter packing list can help you plan. If it’s going to be scorching in April, my summer packing list can give you good ideas.
Above all, London is a great place to be at any time of year. There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. If you bring the right things, you’ll be prepared for anything the British weather has in store for you.
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