Autumn in Europe: Packing Guide

Here is a not-so-secret fact about me: this time of year is my favorite time of year. 

Especially when it comes to traveling; even more so to international locations. Crunching leaves, changing colors, red wine, hot chocolate, twinkling lights, outdoor markets, cozy clothes, and cooling temperatures: traveling to Europe in the weeks leading up to Christmas is absolutely magical, and you couldn’t ask for a better time to plan a trip.

However, packing for Europe in the late fall or early winter is a very delicate art form. Between long, overnight flights with baggage limits, a culture in which walking everywhere is paramount, and locals who could look effortlessly chic in a brown paper bag: there is not much room for error here.

While packing for an international trip in the cold months, women often run into a very serious conundrum. We want to: 
1) pack light, 
2) keep cozy and warm, 
3) still look BOMB
Normally, with these kinds of circumstances, you can only pick 2 out of 3. So most people roll the dice and hope they’ve chosen wisely!

As I am traveling to Europe shortly, I was faced with the ultimate challenge: putting together a warm, yet fashionable travel wardrobe and fitting it all into one suitcase and one carry-on. This was not a simple task for a woman who lives in the sunshine state, looks for any excuse to wear boots, and is a notorious over-packer.

In the end, I put together this foolproof list of what to bring while packing for my cold-weather trip to Europe. It helped me fit everything in my suitcases with only one pulled hamstring from trying to get them to close and *hopefully* it will help keep me warm upon my arrival (and be bloody cute as well)!

The Basics
No matter where you are traveling or what time of year it is, your basic bits and bobs list shouldn’t change. Winter, spring, summer, or fall: you’re still going to need underwear, right? Start by packing all of your basic necessities.

The Cold Weather Specifics
The secret to being able to wear almost anything (no matter how thin) in low temperatures? Long johns, sis. Plan to bring a pair of thermal leggings and a long-sleeved thermal top. With those you can essentially throw on any type of jeans, pants, sweater dress, or top and be toasty warm underneath. 

Outerwear
I admit I’m not taking my own advice here, but limit the amount of jackets or coats you bring with you. Choose one simple, versatile coat (perhaps a neutral black) that you could throw on top of anything and it could work. Also, the key here is to wear it while traveling; not pack it! Saves you a lot of room in your luggage for everything else you need. Remember that hamstring I pulled? Yeaaa, that was a result of me trying to fit my many options of outerwear into my suitcase.

Footwear
Boots, innit?! Need I say more?
They slip on and off easily at the airport, so they’re travel friendly.
They match literally everything. 
You can walk in them for hours on end.
They keep your feet warm, cozy, comfy, dry. 

Warm Accessories
Accessories are a simple way to change up an outfit, yet are small and easy to fit in your bag. Also with all those neutral blacks, your accessories can add the pop of color to your outfits that you are looking for.
Focus on accessories that will keep you warm:
Hats
Gloves
Scarves
Earmuffs
Knee-High Socks

Quick Tips
— Layering is key!
— The weather is very unpredictable, so expect the unexpected and prepare for it.
— Your coat will likely always be on: so choose one that you love.
— Consider where in Europe you’ll be going; the weather in winter varies from place to place.
— Invest in quality gloves with smart phone touch screen fingertips so that you won’t have to take them off every time you want to use your phone! 
— Make sure you have a portable phone charger… Game changer.
— Grab an umbrella, cause you’re not going to let anybody rain on your parade.
— Throw in those sunglasses; the sun comes out in the fall + winter too.
— Warm PJ’s! This is not the time to sleep in your birthday suit, y’all.
— Don’t forget your chapstick and lotion: nothing kills a vibe like ashy elbows and chapped lips.

Regardless of how well you execute your packing: when in Europe, you’re never too far from a cozy pub with a steaming cup of cocoa or a glass of red wine to help warm you up! Sláinte!

Bon voyage mon cheri,

Z.