I can only echo the comments above regarding shorts, they are very rarely seen anyhwere, except on tourists. Same goes for men in sandals/slippers/flip flops...

You do not have to dress uncomfortably or anything, chinos and a nice polo shirt are perfectly fine.

The stereotypes posted on this thread exist for a reason, i.e. there are plenty of american tourists in London in the summer who dress terribly, are extremely insentitive to any local culture and generally give the impression they have just travelled outside the city limits of Dirt Biscuit,Virgina* for the first time.

While not condoning this behaviour, it is pretty clear that you may receive better service and help from the locals if you do not match these stereotypes to a T.

You are already light years ahead of many other people by even bothering to ask what is appropriate, mnay people just jump into some sweat pants, throw on the old sneakers and wear their favourite american eagle baseball cap, only to be surprised why they are treated like clueless tourists.

It is important to note that this type of stereotyping is not specific to London,nor do you have to be foreign to a country. Just think of what New York is like...

* no offense to anybody from Virginia, its just an expression

[This message has been edited by JohnG (edited 07-22-2003).]