What I Wore in England: A 10-Day Capsule Wardrobe for London & the Cotswolds | Jo-Lynne Shane

When I arrived at Heathrow, I met up with my friend Shelly, the organizer and guide for this Walkabout trip. We both flew in a day early to get acclimated, and since our flights landed around the same time, we shared a cab to the hotel. After dropping our bags, we set out in search of coffee and breakfast, and ended up spending most of the day sightseeing and shopping around London before check-in. (I’ll share more about the tour itself in a separate post, for anyone interested!)

I could have stashed a change of clothes in my backpack, but I didn’t want to bother, so I just wore my travel outfit until we were able to check into our rooms later that afternoon. It’s not exactly what I would’ve picked to wear shopping on Regent Street, but it got the job done.

SPANX half-zip (S) // Z Supply Elin Tank (M) // SPANX wide-leg pants (M) // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Gucci Soho Disco // Anna Beck station necklace // LAGOS earrings // LAGOS bracelets one & two

For the flight, I had tucked my black Gucci crossbody into my backpack to keep things streamlined, and once we landed, I pulled it out to carry the essentials I needed for the day. It ended up being the bag I used most during the trip—lightweight, secure, and easy to wear across the body for long days of walking. (It’s an older style that has been discontinued, but I found one on a pre-loved site, in case you want to check it out.)

Dinner at Indigo

After taking some time to relax at our hotel and unpack, Shelly and I met in the lobby and headed out for dinner at Indigo. It’s a fairly posh spot in the theater district, but the evening felt too damp and chilly for the dress I’d planned to wear, so I opted for an all-black outfit instead—my black cashmere cardigan (buttoned up like a pullover) and washed black jeans.

I would have worn my black ballet flats, but since I knew we’d be doing a fair amount of walking, I opted for my VEJA sneakers with the black accents. Either way, it felt good to change out of the shoes I’d been wearing for the past 24 hours!

I also threw on my black raincoat, even though rain wasn’t in the forecast. It just seemed to work best with the outfit. And I carried my new brown Mulberry Amberley Satchel, which ended up being my second handbag option for the trip.

I packed a Longchamp crossbody for that purpose, but since I had just bought the Mulberry, I never ended up using the Longchamp—and I’ll probably return it. I was never all that excited about it anyway; it’s a bit larger than I wanted. The Mulberry bag turned out to be the perfect size for most days, and it tucked comfortably under my arm. Plus, the rich brown leather and gold-tone hardware added a polished touch to any of my outfits.

Lululemon Rain Rebel Jacket (10) // J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // MOTHER Dazzler at Neiman’s or MOTHER Denim (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // Mulberry Amberley Satchel (also at Farfetch) // Jenny Bird earrings // Anna Beck pendant necklace // LAGOS bracelets one & two

Day Two: Churchill’s War Rooms & Exploring Belgravia

One of the other women in our group and I had tickets to the Churchill War Rooms the next morning, and we planned to grab lunch afterward and then meet up with the rest of the group for an optional walking tour of Belgravia before the trip officially kicked off with dinner that evening.

I wasn’t quite sure how to dress for the day because it was chilly and overcast when we left our hotel, but the forecast called for sunshine and warmer temps later in the day. I’d been cold in my travel outfit without a coat the day before, so I decided to play it safe and wear the other cashmere sweater I packed. I paired it with my slim straight-leg blue jeans, and I went back to my plain white leather sneakers since there was no black in the outfit.

Then I added my cropped trench and carried the brown Mulberry bag again. It all felt classic and easy for a day in the city. Of course, I had to stop for the obligatory red phone booth photo!

similar trench // Jenni Kayne Flynn sweater (S) // MOTHER Dazzler Flood Fray (29) // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Mulberry Amberley (also at Farfetch) // Jenny Bird Florence earrings // Anna Beck pendant necklace

By mid-afternoon, the sun came out and it ended up feeling warmer than expected. I took off my coat and carried it for most of the Belgravia tour, but overall, the outfit held up pretty well for a long day on foot. In hindsight, the short-sleeve cashmere sweater might’ve been a better choice—but if I had worn that, I probably wouldn’t have reached for this brown one at all, since I never wore it again on the trip. The weather ended up being nicer than expected the whole time we were there!

Dinner at Daphne’s

Our Walkabout trip officially kicked off that evening with dinner at Daphne’s, a charming Italian restaurant within walking distance of our hotel.

I changed back into my black jeans and wore this pretty floral top. Since it was a short walk, I decided to take the opportunity to wear my ballet flats—I wasn’t sure how many chances I’d get! Thankfully, they’re very comfortable with soft leather and a cushioned footbed, and they worked out just fine for the half-mile walk to and from the restaurant. It also felt good to give my feet a chance to breathe a little.

Z Supply blouse (S) // MOTHER Dazzler at Neiman’s or MOTHER Denim (30) // Margaux The Demi Flat (39) // Gucci Soho Disco // Jenny Bird earrings & bracelet // Anna Beck pendant necklace

Day Three: Walking Tour of Royal London & Afternoon Tea

The first full day of our Walkabout trip included a walking tour of Royal London, followed by afternoon tea at Brown’s, so I knew I was in for another long day on my feet. Here’s our group at Buckingham Palace.

It was brisk that morning, but the forecast looked promising, so I wore one of my short-sleeve tops layered with my cropped trench—and that combo worked out well. I was a little chilly in the shade during the first hour or two, but by afternoon I had shed the jacket and was glad I’d gone with short sleeves.

I had originally planned to bring just two pairs of jeans—the MOTHER Dazzlers in black and blue—but at the last minute, I threw in this cropped pair for a little variety. They work well with this shorter top, so it felt like a good day to work them into the mix. I went with my plain white leather sneakers instead of the VEJAs, since there was no black in the outfit.

Michael Stars Nara Mock Neck Top (M) (other colors in stock) // Paige Anessa (29) // similar belt // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Mulberry Amberley (also at Farfetch) // Jenny Bird earrings & bracelet

The Great Gatsby at London Coliseum

A small group of us had tickets to see The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum that evening, so I changed into my black jeans, which felt just a bit dressier. We were all tired of walking and navigating the Tube, so we decided to call a cab. I took the opportunity to give my sneakers a break and wear the ballet flats again.

I topped it all off with the black Lululemon raincoat because it seemed more cohesive with the outfit, and the darker tone felt dressier than the trench, and I went back to my black bag too. We saw every manner of dress at the show, from sequins to blue jeans, and I felt like this outfit struck the perfect middle ground.

Michael Stars Nara (M) (other colors in stock) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // Margaux The Demi Flat (39) // black crossbody // Jenny Bird earrings & bracelet

Day Four: Visit to Windsor

Sunday was the day we visited Windsor, and since we were attending a worship service at St. George’s Cathedral that morning, I figured it was a good opportunity, and maybe my last, to wear the dress I brought. I paired it with my VEJA sneakers with black accents and carried my black crossbody bag to keep everything cohesive.

It was another chilly morning, but the forecast called for warmer weather by mid-afternoon, so I wore my cardigan over the dress for extra warmth early in the day. It also looked cute draped over my shoulders once the sun came out.

J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // AG stripe dress (S) // VEJA Esplar (39) // black crossbody // similar earrings // LAGOS bracelets one & two

Dinner at The Ivy Chelsea Garden

We got back to London just in time to freshen up and change for drinks in the garden behind our hotel before we set out for dinner.

I was ready to get out of the dress and into some comfy jeans, and it was starting to cool off again, so I was glad for the extra warmth. I kept it simple with a white tee and blue jeans, and I wore the black cardigan again. I draped over my shoulders at first, and then I layered it over my t-shirt (unbuttoned) once the temperature dropped later in the evening.

My feet were tired of the VEJAs, so I ended up changing back into the Paul Greens after drinks and before walking over to The Ivy, even though I liked how the black accents on the VEJAs tied in with the sweater and bag. Such a minor detail, I know… but I think about these things!

FRAME Le Mid Rise V-Neck Tee (XS) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // VEJA Esplar (39) / similar belt // J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // similar earrings // Anna Beck pendant necklace // LAGOS bracelets one & two // black crossbody

Part 2: The Cotswolds

Day Five: Train to Stroud

The next morning, we packed up and took cabs to Paddington Station, where we caught a train out to the Cotswolds. We explored the village of Stroud for an hour or so and grabbed lunch before another set of cabs picked us up and took us to Woodchester Valley Vineyard—our home for the next few days.

I wore my black jeans with the black cardigan (MVP of the trip!) layered over the black and white tank from my travel outfit. I figured I could always take off the sweater or drape it over my shoulders if I got too warm. And I carried the brown crossbody since the black one packs more easily. Even though I’d normally choose a black bag with an all-black outfit, this felt like the more practical choice for travel day.

The same is true for the sneaker choice. I prefer the VEJAs with this look, but they don’t have as much support as the Paul Green Hadley, and they aren’t quite as bulky to pack, so I went with the Paul Greens for this leg of the trip.

J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // Z Supply tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Mulberry Amberley (also at Farfetch) // similar earrings // Anna Beck station necklace // LAGOS bracelets one & two

Our evenings in the Cotswolds were all spent at the vineyard house, where Shelly had arranged for a private chef to prepare dinner for us each night. After several late nights in London, it was such a treat to relax and be served right at “home.”

That first night, I changed into my white tee and kept on the jeans and cardigan—though I’m not quite sure why I didn’t just pull on my comfy SPANX wide leg pants.

J.Crew cardigan (S) // FRAME tee (XS) // MOTHER Dazzler (30)

Day Six: Village Hopping in the Cotswolds

We spent our first full day in the Cotswolds exploring some of the area’s most charming villages: Bourton-on-the-Water, Lower and Upper Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Blockley. It was another beautiful day—a bit nippy in the morning, but sunny and mild by afternoon.

I was starting to get a little tired of all the neutrals, so I pulled out this bright red top and paired it with my wide-leg ankle jeans, which I hadn’t worn in a few days. I finished off the look with my cropped trench, white sneakers, and brown crossbody bag.

similar trench // EVEREVE Nora Muscle Tee (S) // Paige Anessa (29) // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Mulberry Amberley (also at Farfetch) // similar earrings

By afternoon, it was warm enough to remove my jacket and wear the top on its own, which I think is so cute.

When we got back to the house, I changed into comfy clothes. I’d brought a pair of leather flip flops to wear around the house, and they were perfect for lounging. They even have a bit of arch support, which was exactly what my feet needed after all the walking.

Z Supply tank (M) // SPANX wide leg pants (M) // SPANX half zip (S) // beek flip flops (8)

Day Seven: Castles, Churches & Cotswold Charm

Our second day in the Cotswolds started with a visit to Sudeley Castle, followed by lunch in Burford, and a quick stop in picturesque Bibury on the way back to the vineyard. At that point, the Quince black-and-ivory striped cashmere tee was the only item in my capsule I hadn’t worn yet, so I built my outfit around it.

I paired it with my black jeans, added my VEJA sneakers with the black accents, and topped it off with my cropped trench. This was one of the outfits I’d envisioned wearing in England for months leading up to the trip, so I’m a little surprised it took me this long to pull it out—but it ended up being one of my favorites.

similar trench // Quince cashmere tee (L) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // Gucci Soho Disco

Day Eight: Rest Day & Vineyard Tour

Our third day in the Cotswolds was a bit more relaxed. We stayed close to home base and spent time enjoying the vineyard property, including a private tour of the vineyard and winemaking facilities that afternoon. After two packed days, it was a welcome break before heading back to London.

My SPANX travel set was in the wash, so I wore the red muscle tee again, this time paired with my straight-leg blue jeans and flip flops for a laid-back morning around the house. I changed before the vineyard tour, but this was perfect for a slow start to the day.

EVEREVE Nora (S) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // beek flip flops (8) // LAGOS earrings // LAGOS bracelets one & two

It was getting chilly by the time we headed out for the vineyard and winery tour, and I didn’t feel like wearing a coat, so I switched into the striped tank and layered the black cashmere sweater over it instead. It was just the right amount of warmth and still felt relaxed and put-together.

J.Crew cardigan (S) // Z Supply tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (29) // Paul Green Hadley (8) // LAGOS earrings // Anna Beck station necklace

Part 3: Back to London & Heading Home

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to London for one final night. It was my last chance to explore the city and squeeze in a few more sights on my own schedule before flying home.

Day Nine: Train to London

The next morning, I was up bright and early to pack for the short trip back to London. We took cabs to Stroud Station and caught a train to Paddington, where we all went our separate ways. I re-wore the green cowl neck top with my black jeans and VEJA sneakers, and I topped it off with my trusty cropped trench.

I finally pulled out the Longchamp tote I’d packed flat in my suitcase and used it for a few of the smaller purchases I’d picked up along the way. That freed up just enough space to fit everything else—including a bottle of wine!—into my carry-on without expanding it.

similar trench // Michael Stars Nara (M) (other colors in stock) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // LAGOS earrings // Longchamp tote // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On Flex // AWAY Large Featherlight backpack

As a quick aside, I’m so glad I brought the trench—it was definitely one of the MVPs of my travel capsule. If I hadn’t packed it, I would have defaulted to the black Lululemon raincoat most days, which is fine for wet weather but nowhere near as stylish. I’m also glad I chose the cropped version over my Sézane Clyde. That one is gorgeous, but it would have been too much coat for most of my outfits, and for the mild weather we had. Whenever I wanted to take off my coat and carry it over my arm or drape it over the back of a chair, the cropped trench was much less bulky and heavy than the Sézane would have been.

Once back in London, I checked into the Marriott Grosvenor Square for one final night in England. After dropping my bags in the room, I headed back out to explore on my own. Harrods was on my list, along with a stroll past the Chelsea Flower Show. I didn’t change because I’d planned my outfit to last all day, but I did take this quick snap before heading out.

Michael Stars Nara (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) // VEJA Esplar (39) // LAGOS earrings // LAGOS bracelets one & two

Day Ten: Back Home to Philly

For the flight home the next day, I wore my trusty J.Crew cardigan and striped tank with the black jeans. I could have worn the SPANX set again, but since it was a daytime flight, I figured I’d stick with jeans so I’d feel more polished and put together. By that point, they were nice and stretched out and super comfy, haha!

I had packed the cardigan and tank (along with my pajamas and toiletries) in my backpack so I wouldn’t have to open my whole suitcase. At the last minute, I did swap out the VEJA sneakers for the Paul Greens, though. I’d heard there was a lot of walking at Heathrow, and I wanted the extra support.

J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // Z Supply tank (M) // MOTHER Dazzler (30) //Paul Green Hadley (8) // Longchamp tote // Anna Beck Stations necklace // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On Flex // AWAY Large Featherlight backpack

Happily, my flight home was on time and uneventful, so I didn’t regret my outfit choice. The SPANX set still came in handy during our time in the Cotswolds, and I definitely appreciated having it for the overnight flight across the Pond. I don’t think I would’ve slept nearly as well in jeans.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I was really happy with how my travel capsule came together. Everything mixed and matched well, I had the right layers for the changing weather, and I wore everything I packed at least once. The cropped trench and black cardigan were definitely the MVPs, and I’m glad I stuck with my tried-and-true sneakers instead of one of the newer pairs I bought the week before the trip. I could’ve lived without the ballet flats, although I did enjoy wearing them a couple of times.

The pieces I only wore once were the Jenni Kayne Flynn sweater, the AG striped dress, and the Z Supply floral blouse. I could’ve eliminated either the dress or the blouse since they filled a similar role, but neither took up much space, and I appreciated having the variety. And without knowing exactly how the weather would feel, the Jenni Kayne sweater seemed like a smart choice at the time—even though I didn’t end up needing it.

I had considered packing a third cashmere sweater, and I’m so glad I didn’t. Despite watching the forecast like a hawk, there’s just no substitute for being there. Given my unfamiliarity with London weather, I think my final clothing selections worked out perfectly.

The same goes for my coats and handbags. I could’ve managed with just one of each, but since I wore them every day—and they show up in so many photos—I’m glad I had two options for both.

And before someone asks—no, I don’t regret not bringing a dedicated “travel bag” with RFID protection or anti-theft features. I’d much rather carry something I enjoy using that complements my outfits and looks nice in photos. I came to that conclusion after a lot of back-and-forth before my Italy trip.

Sure, those features can offer peace of mind, but people in London (and Rome) aren’t walking around with specialized travel bags every day either. I may eat my words one day, but for this trip, simply wearing my bags crossbody and keeping them close in crowded areas worked just fine.

As for travel bags and luggage, I was very happy with my final choices. Packing the Longchamp tote flat in my suitcase worked out perfectly for carrying a few extra purchases on the way home, and the backpack/carry-on suitcase combo was a great setup overall.

I could have used a slightly larger backpack, but the AWAY Large Featherlight Backpack fit comfortably on my back after I checked my suitcase, and it was perfect for navigating the train stations—it slips easily on and off my suitcase handle, which made it easy to stay agile on the go. (Much easier when full than the AWAY Everywhere Bag that I almost brought instead.)

The Bigger Carry-On Flex kept everything compact and consolidated until the very end of my trip, when I finally needed the extra space the expander allowed. I was going to have to check it on the way home anyway—thanks to the bottle of wine and a reed diffuser I picked up in the Cotswolds—so I went ahead and unzipped the expander to make room for both of my coats and a few other things I wanted to shift out of my backpack and Longchamp tote, which were my two allotted personal items for the plane.

All in all, I’d say those months of preparation and strategizing really paid off. I felt nimble and efficient navigating the train stations and cobblestone streets of London and the Cotswolds, and I never felt like I had to compromise on style. My bags were definitely full (and that suitcase was heavy!), but they were compact and well-organized. I never got bored with my outfits or felt like I was missing anything.

If you’re planning a similar trip, I hope this post gave you some helpful insight. A well-edited travel capsule really does make packing (and getting dressed each day) so much easier and more enjoyable.