Studying In London

Originally Posted by Wrenkin 

I just did a degree in London. It probably depends on your school and your program. Somewhere like the LSE for instance is going to have a lot of rich foreign kids, who will definitely dress better than someone from North America. Up in Oxford you'll see dandies. If you are out in the east end at Queen Mary doing something random then that may not be the case.
You'll probably notice that more young people wear jackets compared to sweaters than where you're from. Students are still going to wear jeans, but you'll also see bright cords, slim khakis, and other trousers (and no pyjama pants). These aren't necessarily expensive—they may just be from Primark—but it suggests a certain increase in formality. I can't tell you anything about "typical outfits" because it honestly depends where you're going. If you go to a chain Wetherspoons pub like most students then nobody cares. If you're going somewhere *really* fancy and drop a thousand pounds nobody cares either. It's the in between stuff, and that'll depend on if you're in undergrad or something professional, and if you have the money.
The shoe thing is true—you're not going to see a lot of nikes. I always felt self conscious when I wore trainers, even nicer ones. The only way to describe it is that people generally look a bit more "put together" in London, one notch up, even if it's all from Topshop. Also, there is a bit more of a division between the sexes (more skirts, and as I said more jackets on men). The fact that the weather is relatively mild helps. You're not buried in a parka.
While it may be different than what you're used to, once you get the hang of it, dressing like an English person is pretty easy. Just count how many women are wearing black opaque tights with a flared double-breasted black overcoat, over a mid-calf wool dress in February. I wouldn't buy anything in advance since menswear is so readily available in London, at all price points. Spend a week or two looking around, and then figure out if you want to adopt anything (e.g. you may really take a fancy to the suede loafer, red cords, pale blue shirt & navy sweater look). There are plenty of threads on where to buy stuff in London. Just focus on the stuff you can't get back home, and remind yourself that at least tax is included. In terms of stuff to bring, it only gets below zero for a couple weeks in London so nothing too heavy. Layering is best. I'd try and bring less in order to leave more room to bring stuff back. Actually, I say a week or two but you'll arrive just in time for the post-Christmas sales (which tend to run until sometime mid to end of January).