For a trip to Venice, Florence and Rome the first part of March, I am torn as whether to take a wool topcoat. Of course I want to pack light so it would mean wearing it on the plane and packing my brown leather jacket.
Should I just forget it and go more casual?

Would it be a problem to buy a pure warmth jacket (forget fashion) once you arrived if it proved necessary? Watch the forecast in the 24-48 hrs before departure, and err on the side of a "just barely" adequate jacket - - with a backup plan to buy something warmer if you have to.

Best wishes,

Rex

As I have always said weather is unpredictable, but the first part of March can still be pretty cold in Italy. Take now for example: it is the end of february and it is snowing in many parts of northern Italy. Therefore, better take something warm that you can take off if it gets warmer rathern than be dressed lightly and be forced to buy something on the spot.

Best bet is to wear/carry on the plane the best jacket for possibility of the coolest weather. Or, two layers to accomplish same.

A leather jacket is not all that practical, as it would be not the warmest or most waterproof for chilly/rainy weather. And, if the weather is warmer than predicted, it wouldn't be suitable either.

I'd forget about the leather jacket too. Not practical if you want to pack light.

You may get rain so a wool coat probably wouldn't be your best choice either.

I'd take some sort of microfiber or other water resistant coat w/ or w/o a zip out liner. Then if it is cold you just wear a sweater under the waterproof.

Thanks to all for the replies. But...now I'm totally confused.
I have a week to find the perfect jacket! Can't forget about fashion because my lady will expect me to look decent. Now what? Do I postpone till June when I won't have to worry about a jacket? LOL.

Bring a sportcoat and raincoat - the perfect ubiquitous "layers". And, a very nice sweater (another nice "layer&quot to go over your dress shirt for "dressing up" at restaurants. Or, just the sweater for under the sportcoat. With your basic black/tan trousers.

I think a heavy wool coat is a waste of space. There is unlikely to be extended periods of weather when you will need more than the leather jacket with a sweater underneath - unless you're one of those folks who start wearing thermal underwear if it goes below 50. I would wear the leather jacket on the plane, make sure you have packed a couple of sweaters and a turtleneck or two in case you get a cold day and then you can layer. It;s Italy - not the Alps.

The sportjacket/blazer and raincoat options are the most versatile, and the sportjacket will automatically fulfill your lady's requirement that you "look decent".

It can be REALLY cold in northern Italy, particularly if it's windy and raining or sleeting, and long underwear is actually a very good way to go. The very lightweight stuff takes up almost no space and is easily rinsed out at night (either silk or synthetic will dry quickly). My last two visits to Venice, once in March and once in April, were punishingly cold: it SNOWED last April in Venice, and I've got the pictures to prove it.

Am I the only one who doesn;t get this long underwear stuff? Or is it just that people are from different parts of the country and are used to different temps? I understand long underwear if you're going skiing - or to Siberia - but to be touring in a city - in and out of heated buildings all day - I would think it would be very uncomfortable. Italy in March is most likely going to be in the upper 40's or in Rome in the lower 50's - much too warm for either a heavy winter coat or long underwear - the chance that it will be in the 20's or teens is almost nil. (And we frequently have temps in the 20's and nobody wears long underwear for normal activities - I just don't get this!)

Hi Pierre,

I also suggest leaving the leather jacket and topcoat out and going with a sports jacket, a sweater and a raincoat.

Well since you seem to be "directed" in terms of what you are going to wear, i.e., keeping the woman in this equation satisfied with your appearance, then I suggest you take HER WITH you shopping for whatever you decide to take with you so you won't make any missteps.

You can take both so what is your problem? Might we risk spraining ourself carrying a packed "wool topcoat"? I would hardly consider putting a coat in hold or hand luggage not packing light. Get over yourself, who is looking at you? Pack your entire wardrobe, pack nothing, not one person will notice any difference!

nytraveller - you said "nobody wears long underwear for normal activities" - how do you know?? do you personally inspect everyone in the city??

just kidding

I bought some long underwear especially when I went to New York in December, and I was SO glad I had it...it was extremely cold compared to the Dublin weather I'm used to. Plus we had snow while we were there!! Otherwise though, I'm with you on the long underwear thing. I never wear it at home, or in countries with similar or warmer climates. Going somewhere colder though I would cause it takes a while to get used to the change in temperature! Wearing layers is always the best option when you're going from warm buildings to freezing weather outside.

I would go with the suggestion that you wait and see and buy what you must on arrival.

But first, keep a close eye on the weather in your destination cities via the internet. While it is true that some areas north of Milan and the Dolomites have experienced a snowy winter, most of the rest of Italy, Rome and Venice included have had some freakishly warm weather. I live about 2 hours from Rome on exactly the same latitude on the Adriatic coast and two weeks ago we had a picnic on the beach: it was 17/67 degrees. I am not saying that it couldn't turn bleak, but you don't have to pack for another 2 1/2 weeks!

Buy what you lack when you get here and make it part of your holiday fun.

The long underwear recommendation was particularly directed at Venice. Venice in the spring and fall can be very cold (or very warm), and wet and windy on top of it. And if you don't spend most of your time outdoors there you're sort of missing the point. Even if you do want to be in museums all day you pretty much have to walk or ride vaporetti to get anywhere.

Long underwear take up very little space and can be worn under even lightweight trousers. So you're prepared for cold and warm weather. Looking at historical weather patterns and even weather reports is helpful, but no guarantee: the snowfall in Venice last April had been preceded by a week of warm and sunny days, and the weather forecasts had been for only slightly cooler, mostly dry weather. I packed for all possibilities and we had a great time.

Oh, and don't assume you'll be able to buy certain sorts of clothing at all times of the year: many places in Europe are much more attuned to the fashion season. So don't bother trying to buy summer sandals in Salamanca the last week of September, even if it is sunny and 90F, as they are not for sale.

Here's my suggestion... skip the wool overcoat, wear the sweater & leather jacket on the plane, and pack the raincoat & blazer.

If it's truly freezing somewhere, buy a new wool coat.