London in the spring can be the perfect time to go sightseeing (warmer than winter and the tube trains aren’t stiflingly hot yet), but the weather can be unpredictable. When we were up last weekend it was a gloriously sunny day but pretty damn cold, only a few days after Londoners had been enjoying unseasonally warm temperatures of 25C.
Luckily I got my outfit almost spot-on, but to be honest I would have liked a pair of gloves. (My feet stay perfectly warm without socks from all the walking, but my hands really suffer…!) I wore enough layers – roll neck under my floral scuba t-shirt, longline blazer – and the and white and silver brogues were both comfy enough to last me all day through a great deal of pavement-pounding. The hat of choice (I feel naked without one these days!) was my cotton flat cap which I like with the curls because it stops it looking too masculine – like adding florals under a blazer. I’ve mentioned before I’m a fan of outfits with both masculine and feminine aspects, especially good if you’re worried about looking too masculine chic.
If you like to be comfy when sightseeing (who doesn’t?) but don’t want to wear sports shoes, spend as much as you can on a pair of stylish lace-up flats that have a cushioned or rubber sole. You’ll get comfort without having to sacrifice style from a good quality leather upper and support for your feet while you’re pounding the pavements.
Do you have any great tips for what to wear sightseeing? Do share in the comments!
Blazer: Asos | Roll neck: Asos () | Floral t-shirt: c/o George at Asda | | Brogues: c/o Kelya Shoes () | Flat cap: Debenhams () | Sunglasses: c/o Lulus () | Bag: Accessorize ()
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P.S. Like this post? You might also like seeing the flatcap styled another way on another trip to London last year!
Photos: Silver Londoner | Linking up to: Visible Monday, Let It Shine, Share in Style, Monday Mingle, Style Sessions, Turning Heads Tuesday, Trend Spin Link-Up, What I Wore Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, Passion for Fashion Friday, Friday’s Fab Favourites
I always wear my flat shoes or sneakers or flat boots when sightseeing. Every time I go shopping for a whole day, or go abroad I post all my outfits on my blog. Difficult though, trying to look nice with flat shoes when you love high heels.
Greetje
Gah I TOTALLY agree with you, Greetje!! But I prefer wearing heels because I've not got the greatest legs… if I had long slim legs like yours I'd be wearing flats with skirts all the time!! I've just got the wrong sort of calves and ankles, but I really like the look of skirts and flats. The nearest I've come is with my low block-heeled pointed flats with summer dresses I wore last year. The pointed toe somehow still flatters my legs. It's magic, I tell you…!!
Sometimes you don't know why it works, but you will just gladly accept THAT it works.
I might have good legs, but somehow my feet in flats look ridiculous. Perhaps because I have a very low instep? They look huge (and they are not) and in a straight angle of 45 degrees with my legs. Not nice.
This is the perfect sight seeing outfit, love that hat chick
Lauren
livinginaboxx
Thank you Lauren – apart from being the tiniest bit cold in the shade I thought I got this one spot on too! 🙂
Stunning style as always! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
Aww thank you lovely V xoxo
Such a lovely look and those brogues are really fabulous. Love your mix of the masculine chic and feminine elements. I 'borrowed' my husbands shirt the other day with some bottle green brogues but added skinny moleskin cropped trousers, which did give it that feminine touch – as well as some delicate silver pendant charms too, of course! You are right it always feels good to get the right balance in an outfit!
Aww thanks so much Parul – your combo sounds fabulous! I did get them online (link in the details) and I got my usual size which was a perfect fit… hope that helps (they're on sale at the moment too)!
I am a fan of brogues and you know how much I like florals. I love the purple in this top! I wouldnt mind sightseeing in London!
thanks for linking up with Turning heads tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
Thanks Jess – we've both been sporting floral scuba fabric lately!! xx
Those shoes are so so cute! What a great comfortable shoe to wear without having to resort to tennis shoes!
I have a LOT of brogues, Rosemund, but I think these are possibly my favourite of them all…! Thank you xoxo
That floral tee is just gorgeous, Catherine. Such a lovely print. And those shoes really are just wonderful x
Thank you Gareth – both faves of mine right now! x
Lovely shopping outfit – gorgeous flower print on t-shirt! I like to wear ballet flats for shopping, then I save time when I try on clothes and shoes by not bothering with shoe laces 🙂
Ahhh good tip, Tine! I always take heels with me if I'm trying anything dressy/skirty on (not that I've gone to the shops as opposed to shopping online in a very long time…)! And thank you, so glad you liked the outfit x
When I'll be doing a lot of walking, I like to wear a cute pair of ballet flat style Crocs. Yes, they're Crocs, but they are NOT the thick ugly (admittedly comfortable) ones. They are cute and dainty looking with a nice giraffe print. People are surprised when I tell them they are Crocs. :o)
I'm going to have to remember the curled hair with cap trick…I sometimes think I look a touch manly in my cap. :o)
JJ
http://www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com
I have to admit I didn't know Crocs did any other style, JJ…!! And the curls do work well with such a masculine hat – it's nice to know another flat cap wearer! ;))
Wonderful masculine-feminine mix, Catherine. LOVE the shoes. xox
The perfect mix of style and comfort, Patti!! Thank you xo
Looks great Catherine. Love that hat. But now you've made me think that I should pack a light T-neck for our Paris trip. We leave on Sunday…and I REALLY hate to be cold when I'm travelling.
Ooh I would, Susan – although Paris is generally warmer than London it can be just as extreme temperature-wise within the same week. I went to Paris around 10th May last year and one day was really wet and cold…!!
Thank you sweetie, glad you liked the outfit 🙂
Love this look….especially the shoes. I also try to wear more of a cross body purse when sightseeing so my shoulders don't get wonky! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie! I often wear a cross body bag as well, and it is a good tip because my shoulder did start to get tired and sore as the day went on. I forgot to take one that weekend! :((
Love those shoes and the hat!
I have a favourite pair of Mary Jane's that have extra thick soles but still look cute that I often wear when I know I will be walking for 8 hours.
bisous
Suzanne
It's all about the soles, isn't it Suzanne – they make the world of difference…! Thank you hun x