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

LHR Fall19 LRossman Amsterdam Outfit

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. 

LHR Fall19 LRossman London Fun Outfit

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. 

LHR Fall19 LRossman Scotland Outfit

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!


Lauren Rossman

Lauren Rossman is the Fall 2019 CEA MOJO Blogger in London, England, and is currently studying at University of Delaware.