Winter Packing Light Travel Capsule

Here’s a quick Winter Packing Light Travel Capsule to get you through the remaining cold weather. If you need a refresher on how to layer during winter travel, read my thorough Guide to Cold Weather Layering. It’s truly all about smart layering for winter travel. This 11 piece capsule should be used as a guide for planning your own winter travel capsule and could be used for trips from 4 days to 14.

Outerwear
If you can get by on one piece of outerwear that is ideal for a packing light travel capsule. For longer trips or if you need to put together casual and dressy looks you may have to bring two options. As always wear your bulkiest layer in transit and find the lightest weight coat as your second option. I’m loving big comfy parkas that are functional and cute like this fur trimmed option, Parka. A classic black coat will always look great as well and is perfect for dressier travel outfits, Belted Wool Coat.

Sweaters
Sweaters serve as your essential mid-layer to help insulate you from the cold. Choose two different styles to maximize your travel outfits. Turtlenecks are back in style and they are functional as well. Merino Wool is an optimal fabric for winter because it is lightweight yet highly insulating, J. Crew Merino Wool Turtleneck. An oversize cardigan is great for easy, throw on layering and can function as your outer layer on not-so-cold travel days, Long cardigan

Tops
I love comfortable tee shirt layers for travel. Look for styles that are not bulky cotton, but rather a synthetic blend because they pack down lighter. Go for simple styles if you know you will always layer a sweater on top or look for tee shirt styles with a great drape or details. H&M Black Long sleeve tee, Gray A-line top

To extend your travel wardrobe it’s always a good idea to throw in a dressy top or two depending on your travel needs. For this winter capsule I’ve included a beautiful black blouse that works with well for a dressed up look or paired with jeans for a casually dressed look, Mango Bow neck blouse. A button down is another pulled together but not too dressed up option, Zara Striped Shirt.

Dress
A great travel dress can truly serve as the “hero” piece of your travel wardrobe. Wear during the day with comfortable boots or sneakers and at night with a dressier pair of shoes. Or if your travel activities go from day to night a dress is your best bet. Mango Funnel Neck Dress

Bottom Pieces
I pretty much will always pack jeans because they suit my personal and travel style, Ripped Skinny Jeans. Pack whatever pants or skirts make sense for your trip and your wardrobe. I added in a fun pair of leather leggings into this capsule because they can be dressed up or down as well. But please just use this as a guide, simple black pants work great as well, just thought I’d mix it up a bit. Zara Faux leather leggings

Travel Shoe Trio
To pack light, you must bring only 3 pairs of shoes (or less). The good news is that three pairs of shoes for travel is plenty, two pairs of of comfortable shoes and a dressy pair. Consider the type of winter weather you will be traveling in and if you’ll be encountering snow and or rain a weatherproof shoe is essential. I just recently bought the Teva Delavina Ankle Boot to test drive for my next adventure and they are great-comfortable, stylish and waterproof. A minimalist high top sneaker is a comfortable walking around pair, Steve Madden Women’s KARRLTON Fashion Sneaker. A high-heeled ankle boot is a winter appropriate dressy option. Zara High Heel Leather Ankle Boots

Accessories
Don’t forget about all your cold weather accessories. Gloves, scarves and beanies add that final touch to your outfit and can help keep you warm. Touch tech gloves are a great way to keep warm and look up stuff on your phone when you’re out and about. Halogen Touch Tech Cashmere Gloves, Nirvana Designs Knit Hand Warmers. And guys, what did we ever do before beanies? Don’t forget some type of head covering. Halogen Metallic Cashmere Blend Beanie,Knit beanie. And of course, no Travelista is complete without her scarf, Colorblock Blanket Scarf, Herringbone Scarf.

A large tote can serve as your personal carry-on and as your day to day handbag during your travels. For evening activities you can switch to a small clutch for a dressier look. Sole Society Medium “Rebekah” tote,Sole Society Clutch.

It’s all about that Base
Base Layers that is! If you’re visiting a truly cold destination, you’ll want to wear a base layer for extra warmth as outlined in my Guide to Cold Weather Layering.

Stay warm Travelista Friends!
As an added bonus, download my handy Winter Travel Checklist below!