5 Packing Tips for Cold Weather Travel
If you’re a warm weather girl, the prospect of packing to visit a cold climate in the winter is a bit daunting. Thankfully, you don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe to survive in the snow! The ladies of Daily Urbanista have put together a list of five essential tips for packing to survive a winter trip. Here’s everything you need to know to help you pack for cold weather and stay fashionable while staying warm!
Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to puff it up
If you’re visiting a city like New York, Chicago or DC, you’ll need a puffer coat. The prospect of adding several inches to your frame might seem daunting, but thankfully, there are plenty of puffer coats available that won’t make you look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow – the key here is cut. Blessedly, most people buy winter coats early in the season, meaning that once January rolls around, you can snag a well-cut designer coat for around $100. For example, Macy’s has a great DKNY black puffer jacket for $69 (#1 in the image below) or this adorable Betsey Johnson faux fur-trimmed coat for $139 (#2). The key is to look for a coat that’s cinched or belted at the waist. Also, unless you’re blessed with a small frame, go for a jacket that falls at or below the hips to avoid a “boxy” look.
Tip #2: Put your Uggs (and stilettos!) away
Between frigid temperatures and sidewalks that manage to be icy, salty and snowy all at once, it may be tempting to forgo style in favor of Ugg boots. Instead, try something like these Unisa Huxley boots (#3), which are lined with shearling to provide the comfort of an Ugg boot, yet have wedge heels to make them a bit more age-appropriate. On the flip side, if you’ll be doing any amount of walking, you probably shouldn’t wear your stiletto heeled boots either… unless you have a good insurance policy. Instead, consider something like these Blondo Valeska boots (#4) that are cute, yet waterproof and offer a bit of traction to keep you from falling on your bum.
Tip #3: Upgrade your leggings
Fleece-lined leggings are every cold weather girl’s secret weapon. Trust me – you don’t want to wear leggings outside when it’s below freezing… unless you have a thing for losing feeling in your legs, of course. If you’re especially sensitive to the cold, they can also be layered under pants for extra warmth.
Tip #4: Layer, layer, layer!
There’s no need to run out and spend money on a cold-weather wardrobe. Outside of a jacket, boots and warm leggings, you probably already have everything else you’ll need for a trip to a cold weather locale right inside your closet! The reality is, sweaters tend to be hot, itchy and uncomfortable when you’re indoors and it’s warm. In Chicago (where it’s a balmy -1 degree Fahrenheit as a write this…) we tend to layer so that we can add or remove clothing as needed. Bring a few tank tops (I wear them under nearly everything year-round!), a few versatile shirts, a light blazer, a warmer one that can serve as a light jacket if the weather warms up, and a few cardigans.
Tip #5: Lotion, lotion, lotion
Wintertime can wreak havoc on your skin in more ways than one. Not only will the cold and wind leave your skin feeling chapped, but the dry heat indoors will also leave it feeling dehydrated. Be sure to pack thick moisturizers for your body and face. I love Eclos Anti-Aging Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream, as it’s incredibly moisturizing, yet doesn’t feel heavy. As for your body, you can’t go wrong with good, old-fashioned Nivea – the 1 ounce Skin Crème tin is a lifesaver for dry hands! Oh, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water!
For more packing tips, check out these six travel hacks to make your trip stress-free, and for tips on staying stylish in any climate, check out The Ultimate Guide to Style: From Drab to Fab! Do you have any winter travel packing tips you’ve found useful? Share with us!
About the Author
Lisa Chatroop is the co-founder and editor of DailyUrbanista.com, a blog featuring the best people, places and things the world has to offer. Say hi to the ladies of Daily Urbanista on Facebook or Twitter: @DailyUrbanista.
