Films Featuring London?

[booksie]

Looking for some films featuring London.

[bookworm]

I can't think of anything recent, but there are the ever-popular 4 Weddings and a Funeral (seriously not recent, but the geography hasn't changed that much), Bridget Jones' Diary, Sliding Doors...those are some of the contemporary-ish ones that come to mind.

What part of London will you be in? I think it's your basic large city, with some great history.

Do you want to dress to see sights, or dress to blend in? The blending is tough only b/c of footwear...heels at all times (my feet can't take it). Fashion is generally a little bit ahead of here (pointy 80s shoes were coming back ~3 years ago there), so look at something cutting-edge here and it is probably in style over there.

[booksie]

thanks!

[berry]

Match Point (director Woody Allen) with Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers is sent in contemporary London. It shows some areas in detail, although the movie is set is a mainly upper class family & environs. But it does have gorgeous views of London and made me miss the city so much (I lived over there for a year in college.)

Link to the movie:

Match Point website (http://www.matchpoint.dreamworks.com/main.html)

Here is a link to films set in London (movies of all time periods).
London in Film (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_in_film)

[LeslieandPaul]

When I was in London I didn't see many women wearing heels-everyone wears flat shoes there. Ballet flats are quite popular.

Movies:
-I believe they're in London at the beginning of Euro Trip
-Notting Hill
-both Bridget Jones movies
-Wimbeldon

[kalogrias]

Notting Hill is a great one. Shows a lot of the city. Ditto Bridget Jones' Diary.

About a Boy
Love, Actually

ETA: Ballet flats are very in right now, and there are cute ones that are comfy. I live in my Kenneth Cole ones, and I know that Cole Haan makes some Nike Air technology -- I have a friend that raves about hers. That, paired with a cute skirt, might be the way to go.

[booksie]

Isn't it super cold there right now?

[Sophia]

Here are the high and low temps for London this month: Monthly Temps (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/monthly/UKXX0085?from=search)

It looks like highs around 70 and lows around 50--springtime.

[kdotp]

DH and I were there over New Year's. I stuck mostly to black pants and wore one pair of jeans when I wanted to be really comfy. I was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, so high heels were out. I had some really comfy fashion loafers and black shoes that I wore pretty much the entire time we were there.

They are definitely one step ahead of us in fashion. At that time a lot of women were wearing skinny pants tucked into boots. I think you'll be fine with some basic black/grey pants/skirts and maybe one pair of dark wash jeans. You'll probably be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes (I had to buy some gel inserts the second day we were there because my feet hurt!) but I would avoid tennis/running shoes.

[LeslieandPaul]

Isn't it super cold there right now?

I was there in April and I was comfortable in a jean jacket (needed a sweater at night though). It should be warmer when you go.

[tenofcups]

Just got back from a few days in London yesterday and it was gorgeous there temperature-wise. To my surprise (and apparently the surprise of many there!), it was *sunny* and while I didn't check the actual temperature, I'd say at least 80 degrees during the day yesterday and a few days before that (we spent a day in London, three days in the country, and then ended with a day in London). I didn't need a jacket at all during the day and only a very light one at night. That said, I'd definitely bring a jacket (preferably a light raincoat) and umbrella just in case!

This is only my second time there, but the city reminds me much of New York City, where I lived for many years. In the areas I was, I'd say anything goes in terms of clothing, though I'd stay away from sneakers. Jeans (dark wash, skinny) seemed pretty popular with younger people; a range of clothing for older people. You might want to consider espadrilles for shoes--they were all over the place there and though I haven't worn them in years, I always remember them as being pretty comfortable.

A lot of what you wear will be dictated by where you're staying and what you intend to do.

[Larissa]

I'm in London right now, just moved here 3 months ago.

It's normal to see small children on the tube and it seems as though most people move over for strollers. The tube is semi-hard to navigate with a stroller since not all stops are accessible.

As far as clothing, my MIL wears a lot of skirts (to keep cool) and ballet flats (which are *everywhere* right now). Jeans are fine, but I'd steer clear of shorts and trainers (sneakers, tennis shoes, whatever they're called). I typically wear a t-shirt, jeans, black, flat echos and carry a jumper/sweater and an umbrella.

The weather was nice here for about a week, but got cold again on Sunday, we couldn't even walk to the grocery store without our jumpers. It seems to have gotten a bit warmer today. And it actually rains less here than in Georgia (where I'm from).

Films:
Love Actually (a bit on the foul language side)
About a Boy
Nottinghill
are all good for what actual people seem to wear.

[booksie]

Thanks Larissa!

[Amuse Bouche]

The Gatwick Express is actually totally different from the Subway (or the Tube) and is very easy to navigate because it's designed for people with rolling luggage. I would take a taxi from Victoria Station (where the express arrives in London), though, instead of the tube to your hotel.

[MSH]

Anytime I have been to London I really don't find the fashion that different. Anything goes. You will be pin pointed as an Americal Tourist if you wear shorts and running shoes though. A nice (new) pair of running shoes with jeanes or even dresspants (for men) is acceptable though. I'm a heels girl myself but flats are very popular in Europe, I would opt on the side of comfort at anytime rather than fashion when traveling PG with a toddler.

The Gatwick Express is much different than the tube, you shouldn't have any trouble with your luggage and stroller. However, as someone else mentioned I would take a cab from Victoria Station to your hotel. The tube can get very crowded especially at Victoria as both the tube, the Gatwick Express and British Rail all have major stops here.

[booksie]

I watched Match Point last night and the people were so dressed up!!

In the movie the taxis all looked like really cool old black cars. Is that really what they're like??

[Amuse Bouche]

I've walked through London with luggage -- it's always a PITA, but cabs can be very expensive, so it might be worth it to you. You can also see what you feel like after traveling, etc. It's very easy to get a cab at the train station -- follow the signs for cabs, and there's usually a line where the cabs line up. And yes, they are the cool old black cabs. I think it's fun to ride in one just for the experience.

Another thing I would strongly recommend getting (especially before walking anywhere) is a small edition of London A to Z to keep in your purse. They have them at most bookstores in London (they should sell them at Victoria train station, actually). It's a detailed map of London with a street index in the back. It's an easy city to get lost in (not built on a grid) and it's incredibly helpful to be able to find a street sign and look it up and figure out where you are.