what to pack on a winter getaway

What to pack on a winter vacation?

What to pack on a winter vacation?

For the past several years, I’ve been traveling to Naples, Florida during the winter months. Even sunny Naples has cold spells where the highs are only in the upper 40’s. Weather is very unpredictable which makes packing tricky. For me, there were many times while traveling I had all the right clothes just not in my suitcase, as they in were in my closet back home.

First, do a little research on your travel destination and it’s weather

When you are traveling, the first thing I would recommend do is check the average temperatures of your destination. If you’re traveling somewhere new, check back a year or two to see how the temps may have varied. Most of the time tropical vacations are warm, but you do want to be prepared for unplanned tropical rain. For the most part, the weather in Naples is sunny and warm during the winter months. However, temperatures can range between the mid 50’s and the low 80’s.

Dress with colors of the season

While keeping in mind the changing temperatures, wearing neutrals with an added pop color is a great choice. When it’s warmer, I’m comfortable adding more brightness with color. I’ve noticed that the locals in Naples like to wear the colors of the season yet, suitable to the temps. The coats and jackets that they wear are lightweight with seasonal deeper colortones. A salesperson at Nordstrom told me that wearing boots is a real treat and she welcomes the cool weather.  However, it doesn’t stay cold for long in Naples, and once the cold front passes and the balmy breezes roll in it’s a vacation paradise.

What to pack on a winter vacation

Layer, layer, layer! Choose your outfits with a top layer for warmth that can easily be removed when you no longer need it. Other suggestions include:

• A great pair of jeans. Denim is pretty much suitable anywhere. You can wear a denim outfit with a blazer and a blouse or halter underneath. If the weather is warm, take off the blazer. Off-white denim is a perfect neutral color and suitable for wear in the winter. You can add a pop of color with your top, shoes or accessories.
• A lightweight dressy jacket or a shawl scarf for cooler evenings
• A pair of closed toed flats or the now trendy gym shoes. Just in case it’s too cold for sandals. You can always wear your flats or gym shoes on the plane to save packing room.
• Evening Wear- most resort destinations have a more casual atmosphere for dining. However, you still may want to make your evenings special and feel fancy. You can dress a cocktail dress down by wearing flat sandals. This is a look I like very much as you can neither be too over or under dressed.
• Hats and bathing suits of course, and don’t forget a beach bag, and sunscreen.
• Shorts or casual dresses for afternoon shopping or touring
• Active wear for working out, or clothes for golf or tennis if that happens to be your game.

Choose outfits you can mix and match

Always do a little research. Hotels usually have great websites with plenty of pictures to learn from. Carefully check the hotel or resort restaurants to give you a feel of what to wear.

Unfortunately for me, I once packed for a trip to Caesars Hotel in Lake Tahoe like I was going to Caesars in Las Vegas. Not quite the same atmosphere and to my dismay I had packed too much shimmer and longed for my cowboy boots. This was a long time ago, and I was not very Internet savvy.

Lastly, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to pack. Do not wait until a day or two beforehand. That is when you’re thinking of way too many other things you need to do before you leave. Start early. You’re not going to be wearing the clothes you pack, so lay out your outfits ahead of time when you’re not rushed. Place your clothes in your suitcase the night before so they won’t wrinkle.

In the end, no matter how well we prepare, unexpected changes in the weather are inevitable, and that ladies, is why we all own at least one souvenir sweatshirt.  

I hope this helped you a bit.

Arrivederci!