Ditching My Leggings for London: What I Packed for 3 Months Abroad

At home, in the colder months, my wardrobe consists of leggings and sorority sweatshirts. In the summer months, alongside most of my peers, my go-to outfit is a pair of running shorts and an oversized comfort colors T-shirt. But, I knew these casual outfits weren’t going to cut it in London. So, much to the surprise and shock to my friends, I started wearing outfits that didn’t involve leggings. Here’s what I wear instead. 

Jeans

Jeans have been my go-to essential. They’re perfect to wear to class, or in the evenings while socializing with friends. I packed a mix of black jeans and non-ripped jeans that I can pair with multiple tops to create a variety of outfits. 

Jackets 

It rains a lot in London, so I was sure to pack a rain jacket. If you’re studying abroad in London, I suggest packing another more fashionable jacket as well, such as a leather jacket, a denim jacket or a fuzzy jacket. It gets cold, but it rarely dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so I don’t think a heavy winter coat is necessary. Plus, it’s very hard to fit in a suitcase. 

Sweaters 

Sweaters are a great thing that you can wear often and style many different ways. While I packed some, I may have splurged and bought a few that I love at Primark since being here. Primark is a great place to get trendy clothes at an affordable price. Sweaters are great to mix-and-match with jeans as well. 

Shoes 

As far as shoes go, I suggest packing booties and trendy, comfortable walking shoes. Booties look great with my go-to jeans and sweater combo, and can be worn during the day and out to dinner or a show at night. Since it rains in London, try to get a pair that are water resistant like these. During the day, since I tend to do a lot of walking, I stick to my Adidas Superstars since they look cute and are comfortable to walk in. Whatever shoes you choose to bring, try walking in them a lot beforehand to ensure you don’t waste space in your suitcase with shoes that end up giving you a ton of blisters. 

Other Essentials 

The item that I use the most is my cross body bag. It’s great to hold my wallet, my headphones, gum and more. Also, I don’t feel like I’m lugging it around since it rests across my body. It’s also a safe way to carry around your essentials since your bag isn’t behind you. 

Packing for studying abroad can seem like a huge challenge. If you’re like me and dress super casual at home, think about packing outfits that you would wear on a day trip to a city. Additionally, pack pieces that can be worn together and mixed-and-matched. In the end, have fun with it and let your personal style shine through when packing for studying abroad!