First Trip to England - help, please?

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I'm terribly excited - DH, myself, and one of my best friends are leaving for England on Friday! This is my first trip, but DH has been several times - he spent a semester studying in Durham in '86, and loves the UK so much that he's been back every 2 or 3 years since then. We're going to be visiting friends in London with possibly a couple day trips planned by our friends, and then we'll be spending 3 days in Kent (staying in a B&B in Canterbury and going out from there).

I've been grilling DH and our London friends with all my questions, but there's one thing I've not gotten answered. I'm trying to figure out what kinds of clothing to pack, and I'm wondering what is appropriate to wear around London, and is it any different when we get into Kent? I'm trying to bring as little as possible with me.

I've heard that trainers/tennis shoes are not really appropriate, and DH says he's never seen anyone wearing sandals. I'm a little worried about what to wear on the days when we'll be doing a lot of walking, but I don't want to be offensive. What kind of footwear is most common? Is there anything that I should avoid?

And are jeans okay? One friend says yes, the other says no. I was also told that Khaki trousers aren't right either. We're going to a London Chamber Orchestra concert one night - how much do people dress up for concerts? Skirt and blouse or trousers and nice shirt?

Thanks for all the tips you can give me, and any other advice on how to not be offensive or otherwise embarass myself or our hosts!

 

[wideeyes]

Jeans, trainers, sandals are fine, you can wear what you best feel comftable in. people will be wearing sandals when it hot, and lots of people will be wearing trainers, people just wear what they like,

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Bring something dressy for the concert but other than that we're having a bit of a heatwave at the moment so sandals are OK (but not with socks, that is a definite no no. No one follows a dress code really, just bring what you would normally wear.

 

[alisonbestford]

At the moment the weather has been around 30 degrees - but that could quite easliy change overnight......

If the weather holds it will be terribly hot and sticky in London

Sandals, trainers, jeans, khaki trousers, shorts, whatever will be fine but, as Wendy suggests, bring something dressy for the concert.
Either a top and skirt or smart trousers will be great.
Don't forget to bring a light jacket / fleece....... oh, and an umbrella..............

Have a great trip

 

[SammieG]

you will find London a few degrees and a lot stickier than Kent..
but the weather is unpredictable. I would bring a range of clothing and footwear for rain or shine, and layers of clothing so you can peel off or wrap up if we have a cold snap.

There is one thing about the British weather... its really changeable!

Someone once said.. if you dont like the weather.. just wait a minute!

In London, as you would NY or any other major city.. anything goes! We are less conservative in general than you Americans.. and you can wear just about anything.
Jeans would be fine for a concert if they were smart jeans.. but hey.. people will be wearing all sorts so dont worry too much!

Have fun. London is a great city!

 

[kkymmy]

Yep I tend to agree...definately carry water or a mini fan around with you in London, especially if you are using the tubes (subway) they can get unbearable at this time of year.

Trainers are good if you're spending a day on the London tourist routes and jeans are a must for days when you're all over the place but not doing anything too formal.

As long as it's not sportswear, anything will be fine for the concert.
If you get the time, get the subway to Camden Town and take a walk to (and up) Primrose Hill...it's set in a lovely quiet area of Camden, over the road from London Zoo and there are some fantastic views of London from the top. Camden markets are also good for unique art and craft shopping!

Enjoy!

 

[mehmetdan]

I currenlty sitting in an un air-conditioned office in Central London - it is baking hot! Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. No one will be offended trust me - I am sure you will be more surprised when you see what other people are wearing or not wearing.

Hope the weather continues for your visit.

PS if it is hot make sure you have a bottle of water for the London Underground!

 

[kkymmy]

rather you than me my dear! i love london in summer when im out at Hyde Park/Primrose Hill for picnics and stuff but I cant stand the tubes or the oxford st/ regent st mayhem in this weather!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

In London, as you would NY or any other major city.. anything goes! We are less conservative in general than you Americans.. and you can wear just about anything.
/QUOTE]
May I ask in what way are Americans more conservative than us. I don't want to do anything I shouldn't when we go.

 

[alisonbestford]

In London, as you would NY or any other major city.. anything goes! We are less conservative in general than you Americans.. and you can wear just about anything.
/QUOTE]
May I ask in what way are Americans more conservative than us. I don't want to do anything I shouldn't when we go.

Well, no topless bathing or letting your kids play in the water areas in their undies..............for a start
I once got involved in a thread which lasted many pages about small children playing in the water fountains in vests and pants if their parents hadn't taken bathing costumes.

 

[katytrott]

Well, no topless bathing or letting your kids play in the water areas in their undies..............for a start
I once got involved in a thread which lasted many pages about small children playing in the water fountains in vests and pants if their parents hadn't taken bathing costumes.

That is one reason I love the states so much. Here, as soon as the we get a bit of sun, all the white beer bellies are out and the girls in their bikini tops (some also with white beer bellies ) and this is wandering round towns, shops, the theme parks, anywhere really.

I don't think you need to dress any different in London to you would in the states. Same for Kent. I would dress comfy like you were touring round WDW. I would however, dress up to the concert, skirt etc. But I wouldn't bother with ball gown, may feel overdressed then

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Thanks, everyone! I feel much better about our packing options! You've all been very helpful.

I just can't wait to go! Each morning I've been waking up and thinking "in x days I'll be waking up in ENGLAND!!" DH and I are picking out books for the plane that take place in London or Kent, getting our gifts for our hosts, taking requests from friends and family on things they'd like us to bring back for them (so far it's been three requests for specific teas, five requests for favorite biscuits, and 3 requests for certain books published in the UK but not in the US).

I hope this will be my first trip of many!

 

[kkymmy]

I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time! Be sure to take back lots of wonderful photos!

 

[SammieG]

In London, as you would NY or any other major city.. anything goes! We are less conservative in general than you Americans.. and you can wear just about anything.
/QUOTE]
May I ask in what way are Americans more conservative than us. I don't want to do anything I shouldn't when we go.

as Ali says... yes no topless sunbathing..probably be arrested for that and god forbid if you ever allow your 5 or 6 year + old boy into the ladies restrooms or even worse the swimming pool changing rooms! - I mean they might see the door of a cubicle!

Child nudity is extremely offensive to many Americans. We wouldnt think twice about letting our toddlers run around naked around the pool or on the beach, but many Americans feel this is extremely inappropriate. Even toddlers wearing underwear rather than swimwear might cause a few eyebrows to be raised around the fountains or pool areas.
If you are getting your child changed into swimwear, its not appropriate to do that around other people..

Also sleeveless tops (tanks) as they call them, are seen as quite inapproapriate in some restaurants for adults.

get the picture. I suppose if I had to sum it up, some Americans seem a little prudish to us. No offense to you great Americans.. we love your country and are happy to modify our loose European behaviour!

I often worry what would happen if some of the more extreme people from the USA spent a day at a beach in St Tropez!!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

as Ali says... yes no topless sunbathing..probably be arrested for that and god forbid if you ever allow your 5 or 6 year + old boy into the ladies restrooms or even worse the swimming pool changing rooms! - I mean they might see the door of a cubicle!

Child nudity is extremely offensive to many Americans. We wouldnt think twice about letting our toddlers run around naked around the pool or on the beach, but many Americans feel this is extremely inappropriate. Even toddlers wearing underwear rather than swimwear might cause a few eyebrows to be raised around the fountains or pool areas.
If you are getting your child changed into swimwear, its not appropriate to do that around other people..

Also sleeveless tops (tanks) as they call them, are seen as quite inapproapriate in some restaurants for adults.

get the picture. I suppose if I had to sum it up, some Americans seem a little prudish to us. No offense to you great Americans.. we love your country and are happy to modify our loose European behaviour!

I often worry what would happen if some of the more extreme people from the USA spent a day at a beach in St Tropez!!

This is very true in some parts of the country more than others. The south-east and mid-west in particular tend to be more conservative than other parts of the country. As an example of this, I used to work for a national ministry organization, and staff in the South-East would NEVER even go near any alcoholic drinks, deserts made with alcohol, or even go into a bar. Didn't matter if they were working or on personal time. On my team in the midwest, we didn't drink during working hours, but on our own time it was fine. We were still careful about going to bars, but it wasn't such a big deal to go to a bar with a friend once in a while. On the West coast, some of the staff would go drinking during work hours, or have drinking parties with clients. It was totally different in each part of the country.

California (where I live now) is more "permissive" by conservative standards, so there are some nude/topless beaches and it's more common to see small children being changed in public. However, there are always people around who are ready to be horrified by the sight of a child in their underwear, so in general it's better to err on the side of caution. The funny thing is that some of the same people who are offended by seeing kids in their underwear don't mind the skimpy, flesh-exposing fashions worn by teens...

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Have to say I won't be going topless, the boys wouldn't go around in their undies in public, only just manage it in front of me bless them. Will have to watch about tank top t shirts, I found a site that makes up Disney t shirts (I was going to get one for the MNSSHP which we plan on going to and I liked that style). Will have to watch Ashley doesn't go in the 'ladies' with me he prefers it to the 'mens' (who can blame him!). Gosh, I never realised people could be this easily offended. Thanks for the advice.

 

[catherine]

I hope that you have a great trip!

BTW DH is from San Jose and I lived there for 10 years!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I hope that you have a great trip!

BTW DH is from San Jose and I lived there for 10 years!

That's so fun! I love bumping into people on the DIS who have lived/currently live in the same places as I have lived.

Well, I took everyone's advice and I'm now all packed up! I'm bringing my smallest suitcase, and I even managed to leave a little extra room for souviners. I've got my change of clothes, PJ's, meds, & toiletries packed in my carry-on just in case my suitcase ends up in Tokyo instead of London. I've packed Canterbury Tales to re-read, DH has packed Jane Austen's Persuasion, I've loaded my mp3 player with music for the flight, and now all I have to do is WAIT until Friday and try to get some sleep (I'm so excited I've had a hard time sleeping the past few nights)!

Thanks again, everyone! Your advice really helped me make my packing decisions.