When we moved to London a couple years ago, we started flying more super budget airlines, including during winter. But since we didn’t want to pay for luggage, that meant we had to figure out a way to pack super … Read More
Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that have helped make those experiences easier and more fun over the years. These are things that are useful, durable, and stand the … Read More
I love finding little ways to make family travel smoother and more fun, and travel games are one of my favorite tools for doing that. They’re a great chance to add something simple and engaging that keeps everyone entertained while … Read More
We loved celebrating our newly minted teenager yesterday! My mind is still spinning a bit that we now have TWO teens at home. How in the world did this happen? K is pretty easy to please and has simple interests, … Read More
We loved celebrating our new 8 year old yesterday! I started my account and blog a year or so after he was born since we were using the paternity leave Dan received (a first for us!) to visit Europe and … Read More
There’s almost nothing I loathe more than realizing a kid has a birthday party to attend that afternoon and being stressed to run around to a shop while trying to manage a busy day. Years ago, I decided to purchase … Read More
Another year, another reminder to please try to be thoughtful in your purchases and not just buy because things are on sale! Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that … Read More
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Paris with kids, without, and in every season. Every visit to Paris is magic AND there was something extra special about having a spring girls’ trip to Paris. If you’re looking for a more … Read More
I remember the first few trips traveling with kids and wondering how anyone possibly manages all the kids and all the needs and all the STUFF. There’s a lot, lol. But everyone’s right that it really does get easier with … Read More
We have a family tradition of birthday trips at certain ages. You can read more about this tradition here. Recently I took K to Athens for her 12th birthday. And this year, I got to take T to Japan! Japan … Read More
These are our favorite, tried-and-true travel gear and home life items that have stood the test of time. With 8 people in our home or when we travel, we try to only purchase items that are really worth their cost … Read More
Olive pants are one of my favorite staples for all seasons! (Here’s some fall travel outfit inspiration with them.) I love that the color feels earthy but more interesting than jeans, and they’re WAY more travel friendly because they’re not … Read More
When we moved to London a couple years ago, we started flying more super budget airlines, including during winter. But since we didn’t want to pay for luggage, that meant we had to figure out a way to pack super light – in backpacks – even with winter clothing. I’m happy to report that we’ve done that multiple times for 2 winters now for the whole fam and feel pretty confident with it now!
Here’s my exact outfit formula for minimal winter packing. I’m also linking our full kids winter packing list and our family visual packing list for kids to start packing themselves!
Wool base layers are the number one item of clothing that I ALWAYS take when traveling in cold weather (or even cool weather, for that matter). Our whole family uses them as pajamas and for layering – they’re warm, temperature regulating, great for layering, and can be worn several times without washing since merino wool is antimicrobial and doesn’t hold smells easily. Plus, it keeps regular clothing cleaner and means they don’t need as frequent washes, either. The best!
These are my personal favorite base layers, and they’re also our favorite base layers for the family. More about all our favorite base layers (as well as some more affordable options in THIS POST.
These have long been my favorite travel pants for women – they have a super comfy, wide, stretchy waistband that’s great for moving around. They have pockets. They dry in a flash when washing on the go. They’re versatile and dress up or down. Basically they’re the best!
I love layering them over base layers when it’s cold, under rain trousers if it’s wet, or wearing the lined version in winter for extra warmth. I don’t usually wear jeans, especially on short trips because they’re bulky to carry and don’t dry easily if they get wet, but I do sometimes layer them over base layers if it’s cold and I know it’ll be fairly dry (or I have rain trousers). These are my favorite jeans!
More about why I love them in THIS POST.
I always like to take a warm sweater, preferably wool or some sort of wool blend. This is because they’re warm and, again, can be reworn easily and don’t need frequent washing. My VERY favorite sweater to take along is THIS chunky cardigan in the camel color – I wear it with absolutely everything. I love throwing it on top of a shirt or dress, and it layers well under coats. It’s warm but not stiff and super comfy for travel days. Love that it’s a bit slouchy without feeling overwhelming. It’s basically perfect! (I own it in navy, too, but prefer taking the camel color when traveling because it goes better with my navy travel pants.
Wool socks are a must in winter for me, especially for traveling. They can also be worn a couple of times without washing, air out well, and are warm and comfy. Plus they dry fast!!
I love these socks and the fact that they’re a wonderful small business. That said, they can be a bit tighter and stiffer, although they are really warm and comfy. However, I actually super love these wool blend socks – they’re super soft and comfy and stretchy but also really warm and VERY affordable. They’re almost always the ones I reach for to wear with my favorite boots (more about them below).
These are my very favorite boots for winter, traveling or not. They’re pretty much all I wear from October until May living in London, haha. They’re super comfy, and while they’re not technically advertised as waterproof, they’ve always been fully so for me and have kept my feet bone dry in wet and even snow. They have great grip, go with everything, and are my favorite shoes to travel with in winter that are cute and comfy but still functional.
This is optional but something I find really helpful if it’s at all wet. It’s so tricky when traveling (especially when it’s cold) and you get wet because then a) you’re freezing and b) it takes foreeeever to dry out. So even if it’s a bit misty or rainy, I love throwing on rain pants for travel especially to keep my clothes totally dry and keep myself (and especially my kiddos) warm. Plus, rain pants take up almost zero room or weight, so they’re really easy to travel with. They’re also really helpful if it’s windy! For my younger kids, if it’s cold and wet, I usually put them in waterproof snow pants (we like these).
I really like THIS PAIR and THIS PAIR and own and love both. The second are a bit more waterproof in my experience, but the first pack down even smaller.
Finally, a warm and waterproof coat is a must for winter travel. I usually wear this onto the plane/train/car with me so I don’t need to pack it down and just use it as a blanket when en route. Having it waterproof means it won’t get soaked and damp in the case of wet weather (the worst) and keeps you way warmer, too.
I LOVE this super warm, long, waterproof coat (my kids call it my blanket coat lol) and I think it’s a great women’s coat for Europe in winter. That said, if you don’t run very cold, you could absolutely do a lighter weight insulated jacket (this is my favorite one) and then layer a waterproof rain jacket on top (THIS and THIS are my favorites – the first is super waterproof and has a few nice extras like pit zips, extra large hood, etc. The second is slightly lighter weight but also really waterproof and very packable, and also super affordable).
