Packing advice for fall trip to Europe
 

Greetings, Folks

I've decided to take a quick jaunt to Europe for ten days in November (specifically Nov. 18th to 28th). I have never been to Europe in November. The cities I plan to visit are London, Amsterdam (first time) and Brussels (first time).

You were very helpful to me with packing for my summer trip two years ago to alpine countries. Now, I need advice on how to pack for this trip so that I don't overload my luggage with too many heavy clothes. If your were taking such a trip, what would you pack? For example: Big coat or light jacket? Ankle boots or tall boots? Jeans?...sweats? You get the idea.

I appreciate you all so much.
Cheers and happy travels
Katrina

Regarding outerwear, over the years I've come up with a perfect recipe for me. I have a simple knee-length raincoat that's reversible so 2 layers and is surprisingly warm while taking up little space in my bag when I'm not wearing it. Combined with a medium-weight fleece jacket, it seems just the perfect combination for almost any weather. I add a warm hat, a scarf & gloves and I'm set.
And a jacket a bit dressier than the fleece one.

I wear walking shoes, a heavier pair with warm socks and a street pair with lighter socks, depending on the weather I'm presented with. The heavy ones are Keens and the light ones are Clark's, men's which look good and fit my wide feet well.

Mostly knit pants, no sweats. Usually 1 or 2 pair of jeans and I bring a dressier pair of pants "just in case" and which I almost never wear. But comforting to know I can look presentable should an occasion arise.

Camisoles under my shirts, no sweaters but another lighter weight fleece, pullover. That's about it.

Hi MmePerdu

Thank you! This is very helpful to me. If you don't mind my asking, what brand is your reversible raincoat? I live in Los Angeles, and don't even own a reversible raincoat, but would like to purchase one to keep warm while in Europe.

Okay, so knit pants and jeans, but no sweats. I may see a show in London, so I will need to consider a dressier pair of pants as well.

Cheers...

Nordstrom carries a brand of reversible raincoats - long and short - that are very stylish. I think the brand is Mycra Pac . . .

I have two one is black that reverses to a deep teal and my favorite is black/a sort of bronze.

here are some examples http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/mycra-pac-designer-wear

I bought my raincoat years ago from Travelsmith, a catalog & online store. So take janisj's advice and look in Nordstrom. Mine is a light khaki & black and is, I think, the best travel garment I ever bought.

I have a gorgeous one from travelsmith recently. It is teal reversible to navy and has a big collar that can be a hood. It is very packable and I get compliments every time I wear it.

what jubilada describes could also be a Mycra Pac (they mostly have a pouch - which I seldom use)

A BIG advantage is even though they are fully reversible, they are thin enough to fit in your suitcase (I travel carry-on only so would normally have to wear any coat on the plane and stow it in the overhead because it wouldn't fit in a rollaboard)

The one I have seems to be the best of both worlds - thin enough that it folds easily into my carry-on day pack along with things I need in case my checked bag is delayed (which hasn't happened in many years but I'm a creature of habit). It's also heavy enough to keep me warm. I don't know if one that is thinner and fits in a pouch would be heavy enough to count on it being warm, although any with 2 layers would likely be a good bet. Mine is a heavyish, probably nylon, fabric. Many now are, I think, microfiber or other nice but lightweight material and I doubt as warm.

My November trip (Switzerland) I wore my black wool swing winter coat which worked perfectly. Yes to hat, gloves, scarf. Plus had a fleece vest. A few bulky cotton knit sweaters.

I never wear denim jeans so took knit pants, black heavier 100% cotton, or a corduroy or velvety finish in a print or pattern. Three pair.

I had walking shoes (Merrell loafer) and black lace up ankle boots that were somewhat water resistant and comfortable, plus sneakers. Three pair.

Greetings, Folks

Thank you!! You are awesome here. I will definitely head to Nordstrom (which isn't far from where I live) and I will also check out the Travelsmith online store. I like the fact that the coats you're suggesting do not take up space, are light, and can be worn with casuals or with dressier clothes.

For only ten days, are two pairs of shoes enough? Perhaps a loafer/Clark and a comfortable boot (I'm thinking a low heel boot would be good to wear to London show).

I'm going to put together a packing list based on your suggestions. I would love to get your input on what I should leave out, or what should go in.

Cheers and happy travels to you!

My wool coat would have taken up space, but it was never in my suitcase. I wore it the entire trip (including on the plane).

Sure you can get by with two pair of shoes. Personally I like to add sneakers ('running shoes') as well, so three total, but again one is on your feet so only two in the suitcase ever.

Definitely post your packing list once you have it pulled together and we can help you go from there.

>> don't know if one that is thinner and fits in a pouch would be heavy enough to count on it being warm, <<

The ones I'm talking about don't fold into a teeny 'pouch' like you many be visualizing. More a satchel which could actually be used as a handbag. I just think the pouches are superfluous -- and take up room in my carry-on that could be another sweater or blouse. These are full-on rain coats and quite warm, not flimsy 'travel 'rain coats. I have several other rain coats and these two are my two favorites even for wearing around here in the winter.

I like that they are both raglan sleeved so I can wear most anything under them.

Greetings, Folks,
Okay, here’s what’s going thus far. I welcome your suggestions.

Re: Reversible rain jacket/coat- haven’t purchased it yet so I’m not sure if it will be an actual coat that’s waterproof, or a rain jacket. Regardless, I will carry this on the plane so it isn’t going in the main luggage.

MAIN LUGGAGE ITEMS
4 pairs of pants. Colors are: black, navy blue, dark brown, and tan khaki. All the pants are the type you just pull up—no buttons/zippers
2 turtleneck sweaters (one black and one white)
1 pair of black slacks (to be worn with black turtleneck to see a show in London and dinner)
5 blouses that can be mixed and matched with each pair of pants; they are all semi-thick with long sleeves
2 thick scarves
1 head scarf (for sleeping)
2 pairs of gloves, both water proof
Shoes (2 pairs of walking shoes) and one pair of boots (high boots with low heel). I decided to take boots to wear to London show
2 pairs of thick tights (to wear under pants to keep legs warm) Do you think substituting tights with socks will be warm enough?
Umbrella
Underwear/bras
PJs
Slippers (for use when getting out of shower)
3 Camisole (black, white, and nude color)

CARRY ON ITEMS:
Toiletries
Medication
Book
Electronics: camera, phone, charger, plug in adapters
Alcohol pads
Cotton balls
Small makeup bag
Money belt
Hair brush

Should I also take a lightweight windbreaker jacket and a sweat suit? What about a robe?

Thank you. This means so much to me.
Cheers…

One thing, I don't like anything that's semi-thick (you mention shirts) that I can't take off in heated places. I think thinner layers do better adapting to local conditions, of which you'll have a number each day. So I like just regular-weight shirts with a camisole under and a light fleece and the lightish-weight but warm raincoat on top. Two layers can come off, if need be, or 1 or none. You get the drift.

For the same reason, I wouldn't wear tights under pants. A hassle if you become too warm. Just wear socks.

Way (waaaaay) too much IMO. You are only on the ground nine days.

Six pair of pants (five in the bag and one on you on the flight), seven tops, etc. Three should be plenty.

IME you want more variety of tops -- it can be quite cold, but indoors it will be warm to uncomfortably hot.

Me -- I avoid tights but many like them. I just use cashmere bend socks -- usually 3-ish pair.

OOPS -- to clarify, "Three should be plenty" refers to the pants -- that would be 4 pair total between what you wear and what is in the suitcase. The most I ever take is 3 but I'm cutting you some slack :)

Greetings,

Great--thank you! Okay...so let me re-do my list and I will submit an updated one. I appreciate your input.

janisj--thank you for cutting me some slack. :-). I do tend to over pack, but I've gotten better at it for summer trips, but haven't mastered it yet for late fall trips.

Cheers...

jeeze -- I really do need to preview -- not 'bend' socks . . . cashmere <u>b<B>l</B>end</u> socks

I agree that this needs a major cull. Your list is more extensive than I've packed for a six week European trip.

Delete about 1/2 of it and then have another think.

I forgot to include the following.

Although you want to look nice each day, you will be moving on and the new people in each place won't know (or care) if you might be wearing some of the same the same things you wore the day before.