katver

I apologize if this topic is not appropriate for this forum, but I need some advice on what to bring on our trip to Italy in less than 2 weeks, I know it will be cold and damp. Would the men and ladies on this forum share their preferences in travel outerwear?, warm and not too bulky coats? This may seem silly to have to ask, but we live in Texas (and like the warm Texas weather), I don't remember the last time I bought a coat and I don't own any raingear! Thanks!!

nytraveler

I would think that a raincoat - with a line if you think you need onw - would be plenty. In Nov it's not going to be that cold. And you need to be prepared to dress in layers, since warmer days are still possible.

Most important is a sturdy folding umbrella and making sure your walking shoes/booties are waterproof.

nochblad

Where in Italy are you going? It can make a lot of difference at this time of year.

Christina

I'd wear the same thing I would anywhere with that weather, I don't have any special travel gear. There are lots of polyester-filled jackets (or down if you can get one with a light filling) that are not particularly heavy and can be packed in a fairly small space. I would avoid wool or anyting too elaborate, of course, that's where you get a lot of bulk. I have several polyester-filled jackets that are just below waist length that I take on such trips, One is white and one is black, so they go with everything and can be okay even if somewhat "dressier" occasions that some striped or multicolored jacket, which always looks casual. Also, polyester is waterproof.

I get mine on sale (ie, end of season, these are sold as winter jackets but are not really that warm, I only wear mine in Fall), once I bought one in San Francisco in the summer when I was going on a whale watching boat and it was alot colder than I thought, they sale lots of jackets like that along the wharf. Probalby too late to get one my mail as it would be pretty easy at this time of year.

I'm surprised you don't even own a coat, I lived in Los Angeles for many years and still always had winter coats (even if not super heavy).

nytraveler

I think that down coats are definitely going to be overkill in Italy in Nov. It's just not that cold. What happens if you get a 60 degree day instead of 50? (Down, IMHO, is for freezing and below.)

yorkshire

Not particular to travel, but for that type of weather I prefer a trench style coat. The nice thing about a trench coat for travel is that it is not bulky and can be casual or nice for evenings out.
I have a North Face trench raincoat that was a salvation on a rainy visit to Istanbul. If I am certain that it will rain, I want to be certain I will not be getting wet.

annhig

I'd go for wet-weather rather than cold weather gear - you can always stick a jumper on underneath if it turns cold.

and something a bit smart - Venitian restauranteurs respond better to a bit of style, I find, and if it's wet, you may be spending a lot of time eating!

ekc

A trench coat will be fine - if it gets really cold you can buy a scarf while you are there!

pescoto926

I will be in Milan and the surrounding areas from December 9th-20th...should I plan for colder weather then?

annhig

I will be in Milan and the surrounding areas from December 9th-20th...should I plan for colder weather then?>>

colder than what?

in the northern hemisphere, December is always likely to be colder than the rest of the year, with the exception perhaps of January.

surfmom

I know this may not be the most stylish, but it is warm and practical...

I travel with a "3 in 1" coat - an inner fleece that snaps into an outer shell. I like it because if you get warm weather, you can take out the fleece liner. If you get rain, it is waterproof with a hood. If you only want the fleece, you can wear that only.

I realize that the fashion conscious are probably appalled, but I'm a believer that a cold, wet miserable me is much unhappier than a not terribly stylish me.

You can get them at Lands' End or LL Bean or Columbia.

tuscanlifeedit

I bought the most adorable wool coat today; a little dressy and about car coat length. I was going to take it to Paris at in 3 weeks, but now I'm thinking of taking my Italian rain coat, also car coat length, and packing layers. If I'm cold I can put a sweater and long sleeve tee under. I'll also take a scarf, gloves and a little hat. Or maybe buy a hat.

I know you asked about Italy, but I would probably take the same things there at that time of year. Warm dry shoes for sure.

katver

Nochblad, we are going to Rome, Venice, FLorence/Tuscany. Christina, I own a coat but I am thinking I will need something much warmer in Europe.
nytraveler, a down coat may not be overkill for me, I like to stay warm! I am concerned that a rain coat (even with lining)may not be warm enough, so layers may be the solution..hmm, I am thinking we will need a tote or backpack to carry sweaters, umbrella, etc..
Thanks so much for the suggestions, keep them coming!!

nochblad

Even in the sun the places you are visiting could be chilly at this time of the year, especially Venice and especially early morning and late afternoon(early evening as the days are much shorter.

As everyone's definition of cold is different would not the most sensible thing be to buy one or two things once you arrive. The latest Italian fashion at Italian and not US prices. With the current crisis the local stores need your business!

annhig

I own a coat but I am thinking I will need something much warmer in Europe.>>

Depends on the coat!!

a good woollen coat will keep out most things except perhaps driving sideways rain - and of course we can't predict whether you'll experience that during your stay in Italy.

if you are starting in Rome, you should have no trouble finding what you need there to supplement your wardrobe. Even Venice has a department store [Coin, in the piazza San Bartolomeo, near the San Marco end of the Rialto bridge] which should have something seasonal.

I would pack light [within reason, we're not talking capris and flip-flops here] and look to buy when you get there.

nytraveler

Have you looked at the actual average temps for the time of year you will be there? I realize that coming from Texas you have hellishly hot summers - but don;t you also have fall and winter too?

Temps in Italy are not what you would get in the northern US at that time of year - but closer to what you would get inn DC and VA - quite a bit milder. I would think that anyone wearing a long-sleeve shirt, plus a sweater and a heavy coat in 50 degree weather would be sweating even standing still never mind when they start walking miles touring, The key here is layers that you can take on or off - depending on the temp and time of day - covered by a midweight coat (like a raincoat) not a down coat meant for 20 degrees and snow.

mamcalice

As always, I recommend rainwear with layers. A trench with a lining and a sweater will be good for both rain and cold. I take a stylish black lightweight hooded parka, and a fleece and have been plenty warm and dry in all situations. And they are light. I wouldn't recommend down which is warm enough but very bulky or wool which isn't the best rainwear. Take a scarf and a couple of pullover cashmere sweaters and you should be set for almost amything. Italy shouldn't be freezing in November (it could be mild) but it will be rainy at least part of the time.

Christina

My sister has a down jacket that is not what you are thinking, it has a very thin down lining and it better for fall. Down isn't bulky when it is thin, and its advantage is that even when it seems bulky, it can be compressed to be very small. I'm not talking about very heavy thick down jackets that people wear in winter. I have been looking for a jacket like hers for several years but can't find one as she lives in Vermont so I think they have better jacket choices there.

But I do think the odds of someone in Texas finding a thin down jacket are not high, but down is not always for 20 degrees weather and there are various weights. Look at the variation in down comforters, for example.

If it gets down to 50 at night, I think a jacket with some polyester lining would be fine, that's what I wear in that kind of weather at night. IN fact, once I was freezing in Paris in early October when it was getting down to 45-50 at night, so I bought a jacket like that from one of the outdoor roving markets for about 10 euro. I still have it and wear it a lot, I think it was probably really made in China or India, of course.

katver

nytraveler, we have fall and winter and in January it can get all the way down to 30 or so in the evening...but just for a few days..I did look at the average temps in Italy in Nov, IIRC, average low 40s, high 50s.. also the month with the highest rainfall...these temps are probably no biggie for people who live in places like New England, but this is cold for me!! thank you for all the input!!

Ackislander

Early last November, it was in the 70's in Rome with one thunderstorm the first day. No more rain for a week.

Several years earlier, we were in Venice at the same time, and it was cool and foggy until the last day -- but "cool" meaning 60's. The fog was thick enough that we could not see the Salute from San Marco, nor the Italian warship anchored off San Marco. So that's where all the sailors came from! It was very romantic to be in Venice in the fog.

But as at home, weather is becoming nuts -- witness your Texas summer and the recent floods in Italy.

Still, I think a rain jacket or coat, a blazer, and a cashmere sweater will get you through anything you are likely to face.