clothes for late sept.-oct. in london.

Waterproof shoes. Clarks has some with great soles for lots of walking. The English don't dress dainty...so think country life with short lined rain jacket with hood from one of the sports brands. I found that layered fleece tops are the best for packing as it is light weight and does not wrinkle. A nice cardigan over a turtleneck will do when you want to dress up. Take one skirt that matches just in case you want to feel a litle more dressy. Any kind of dark pants will do. Don't take jeans unless they are lighter weight. I like knit pants because they are more comfortable for travel. Take a scarf that you can wear on your head. You might even have some warm days in September...but October will have rain.

You could have nice, clear, dry and warm days. You could also have damp, cool- almost cold, rainy days. And you could have both in one day. Layers are what you need to plan for. You may get mild, rather dry weather or you could have cold, windy, rain, or... all of it in one day (lol).
Here's what I usually take: Wear on plane: black cotton-blend pants, T-shirt and a long-sleeved "big shirt" {button up that can look a bit like a jacket and worn alone or over Ts}, water resistant jacket/ coat with hood, black walking shoes (water proof or resistant). Pack in carry-on suitcase: 2-3 pair black or khaki cotton-blend pants (I am allergic to wool and rather hot-natured), 4-6 T-shirts(some long sleeve, some short)1 or 2 "big shirts", optional cardigan/fleece that go with all of above, 1-2 scarves, 4-5 bras, enough undies for at least 1 week (often enough for entire trip) same with socks, hand wipes, stain wipes, first aid "kit" in a baggie- (band-aids, small packets of Neosporin, dental floss, Advil or Aleve, Benadryl, Dramamine, Nyquil gel capsules, etc.), sewing "kit"( various colors thread wrapped around a small piece of cardboard, 2 needles, buttons, safety pins), medications, medical info sheet, copy of insurance info, 3-1-1 bag with deodorant, perfume, shampoo (use for laundry too), lipstick, chap stick, toothpaste, etc., another quart baggie with eye shadow, blush, powder, comb, brush, tweezers, razor, clippers, etc. , "feminine supplies" if needed, wash cloth in a baggie, Totally optional- phone, charger, adapter plug, camera & charger, extra memory cards for camera, paper & pen, extra shoe liners, umbrella, day pack. Hubby gets by with a bit less - no need to duplicate first aid/sewing kits, etc. My suitcase will weigh about 14-15 lbs. and his will weigh 10 or a little less.

Carry on. Use travel cubes. Patagonia Torrentshell jacket that I've worn for years. Always layer. Not a skirt wearer. Wear jeans on the plane, pack 2 pair pants, (1 capri, 1 full length) 3-4 tops, 2 of them wrinkle free no iron shirts from Coldwater Creek, extra pair of light weight shoes, (Keens) 3 pair Smart Wool socks, 2 Land's End light weight ThermaCheck fleece. Also pack Capilene long underwear which doubles as leggings and PJ's. Scarf, gloves. Camera, camera battery, charger, adapter, extra memory card, iPod Touch, charger, headphones, travel journal, Bic ballpoint pens from the 99 cent store, 2 small pencils from IKEA or a golf course, door jamb, rubber stopper for the bathroom sink, small roll of gaffer's tape, 4 clothespins, 2 carabiners, film canister full of different sized safety pins and paper clips, 1 scotch tape, ziplock bags rolled up and secured with some rubber bands, couple of large garbage bags, twist ties, earplugs, glasses, chums for the glasses, glass case, prescription for glasses, wristwatch, small nail clipper, coin purse, travel wallet. Pac Safe Metro Safe Shoulder bag. 2 Nivea creme travel tins, minimal makeup, new toothbrush, 2 travel sized toothpastes, 4 shampoos, 2 conditioners, 2 mouthwash, kleenex packets, dental floss, packets of antiseptic towelettes, moleskin, a few bandaids, Airborne, Alleve, Qtips, safety razor. Some Altoids. Both the small and large tins are great to use later. Passport is in money belt. Take a zip drive with emergency contact and medical info. Carry in money belt. Everything nicely into Mr. Steve's traditional classic backdoor bag which has been a mainstay for a decade now. Have a wonderful trip. BTW don't work for any of the brand name companies I've mentioned. Simply wanted to be specific.

Oh my gosh, you three are wonderful!!!!! Can I send my size and you all buy all my things for Me. To wonderful. I will be using things from all of your replies. Can't thank you all enough. I am sitting here in Houston, Tx. in flip flops, shorts , and t-strap shirt, with air conditioner on 76 degrees. So you all helped me with the U.K. fall weather clothes.

thanks, Ron, I had thought of an umbrella, will look for that brand. I thought of a vest, guess I was not to wrong.

I would leave the umbrella and vest at home and instead bring a waterproof jacket/parka with a hood and a fleece jacket to wear underneath if need be. Just a little more versatile. :-)

I totally agree with leaving anything heavy home...London is damp...do not bring anything that will get soggy and not dry easily. Fleece will give you warmth without the weight. I'm from Seattle and London is even damper in October! A collapsing Umbrella would be best...but if it's windy forget it!

Like Kathleen and a few other posters,, I am used to cool and damp weather similar to London . Down vest,, bad,, it gets wet and smells weird. Fleece sweater/jacket/ shirt good,, there are alot of styles now available so its not all the old zip up or half zip. Waterproof rain coat good, its almost certain to rain during your 21 days,, in fact, I 'd bet money on it.
Silk undies are a good idea, they are super thin and soft, can be worn as pyjamas or as an extra layer when it gets chilly, and damp 5 degrees is way chillier then dry 5 degrees!They also take up next to no room in suitcase.

Thanks, I have already started looking for a fleece jacket . jana

An insulated vest, filled with goose down is good. It is not likely to get wet if it is worn under a jacket. Or, a warm vest made of an other material would be less balky, easier to put in a carry-on bag.

In 2011 we were in London and Liverpool at the end of September and early October. It drizzled for a few hours on one day. The rest of the time it was in the high 70's and well into the 80's. This was certainly an aberration as we were told they had had no summer. I'm just saying this to balance all the poor weather gear suggestions you have been receiving. I'm in the UK often and have never felt the need for waterproof shoes unless I'm hiking, and then wellies work best. Just think layers so you will be prepared for all possibilities.

Thanks Wray, for telling me your experience. I am getting the idea to take raincoat, fleece jacket, and my t-shirts and khaki's and good walking shoes and couple of longsleeve shirts. I can always buy there! Thanks to all of you for your help!!!