I Walked From Mayfair to Notting Hill—London It Girls Are Wearing Loafers, Trench Coats, and Leather Totes
They have it figured out.
Meet me in London. A week ago, I was enjoying a view of Hyde Park from the private balcony of luxury hotel 45 Park Lane. I'd eat scones from my two-bedroom suite and peer out the panoramic windows to catch a glimpse of Big Ben. After a slow morning at the boutique hotel, you could find me shopping at Harrods, sipping tea at Claridge's, or catching a show in the West End. Can you tell I miss London?
Unfortunately, I couldn't fit Shakespeare's Globe or Buckingham Palace into my Calpak carry-on (despite the Mary Poppins–like capacity), but I was able to sneak something arguably just as great past TSA: London style.
London It girls know what they're doing, reaching for streamlined pieces that make it look like you tried way harder than you did (think elegant sweaters and polished footwear). The result is a wardrobe that feels intentional without being fussy, with timeless staples doing the heavy lifting. This was noticeable everywhere from the Tube and pubs to Carnaby Street and elevated restaurants, cementing the tailored aesthetic as a bona fide norm rather than a series of one-offs.
Everywhere I turned, I noted sleek shoulder bags, structured footwear, polished coats, refined pants, and preppy sweaters. The outfits weren't groundbreaking; instead, it was the styling that made them look pulled together. A simple knit cardigan looked instantly more refined with pinched loafers, while a good trench coat could carry an entire outfit on its own. While many cities feature similar silhouettes, it's all about how each one is styled—and Londoners have a way of making even the most common pieces feel fresh.
From Mayfair to Notting Hill, here are the London fall outfit ideas I spotted everywhere. All that's left to do is book a ticket to Heathrow.
Trench Coats
With England being the home of the Burberry trench coat, it's no surprise that this timeless style was everywhere. As soon as I walked into the swanky Mayfair hotel lobby, I clocked it styled with cigarette jeans and Mary Janes. A cropped version of the coat even appeared at the high-end Cut restaurant, proving its versatility.
Large Leather Totes
It girls know to go thrifting and vintage shopping in Notting Hill—and nearly everyone had a large leather tote thrown over their shoulder. Yes, it's genius for stashing the treasures you pick up along the way, but it's also a commuter essential in a walking city, where your bag becomes your lifeline.
Cinched Loafers
Riding the top of a double-decker bus, I had a bird's-eye view of London's best dressed pedestrians passing by below. Whether we drove by Big Ben or St. Paul's Cathedral, London natives opted for cinched loafers, finding the perfect balance between comfort and polish. Sleek trousers and tube socks often accompanied the footwear.
White Pants
Summer may be over, but white pants are here to stay. I spotted three different women wearing the alabaster-hued bottoms at The Devonshire in Soho. Whether they opted for wide-leg denim or silky trousers, the fresh pants added a refined touch to even the most casual outfits.
Heavyweight Cardigans
I got lucky with the London weather, with rain making an appearance on just one day. Still, the drop in temperature had Londoners reaching for their cozy layers. Rather than stuffy jackets and bulky puffers, they turned to simple, heavyweight cardigans. When it started to warm up, they simply shed a layer.
