Even though the holiday season has ended, many of us are still traveling to visit family, friends, or just for a vacation. Most of the states on the mainland are extremely frigid in January, so I wanted to share some “cold weather tips” with all of you travelers!
Let’s start off with the basics:
Suitcase- A monogrammed or brightly colored suitcase is the best way to easily find your luggage in the baggage claim. Nowadays, many people own black, brown, or neutral colored suitcases, which makes it harder to find when every case looks the same. LL Bean has very well made, sturdy collections of suitcases and duffel bags for all your travel needs. Their collections can be found and purchased here. If you are willing to really splurge on a high end collection, Louis Vuitton’s luggage is known all over the world with very good reviews. The information for their collections are found here.
Carry On- A good carry on bag can become a life saver if you discover that your suitcase is over packed. Although many different brands sell carry on bags, I would recommend investing in a sturdy and chic diaper bag. I know, that sounds really crazy, especially if you are young and you have no children. Rest assured, diaper bags can be the best choice for a large carry on. They can often fit a set of clothes, a water bottle, snacks, makeup, laptops/iPads, and many others. Nordstrom has many well made and stylish carry ons on their website.
Coat- Visiting a cold climate area can be a culture shock if you live in a hot or humid state. A thick and heavy coat will keep you warm if you are not used to the cold weather. A puffy down coat such as this one is good because it has a hood as well as a belt to cinch the waist. Puffier coats take up a lot of room in a suitcase, so it would be best to either pack it in your carry on tote or to wear it on the plane. Your body will thank you for it when you are freezing and needing a hot cup of coffee to stay warm. Bigger coats can also serve as a pillow or a blanket on the plane, when you don’t necessarily want to use the dirty or unwashed blankets that the airlines provide.
Boots- Tall, lined boots will definitely keep your feet warm in the blistering cold. Along with the boots, you should include some thermal or fuzzy socks to serve as a type of foot warmer. If you want to invest in a good pair of heavy duty boots, they are available at Nordstrom or LL Bean. Otherwise, many different types of boots can be found at Ross or TJ. Maxx for a much cheaper price. Boots with zippers will be very helpful in the TSA line at the airport because of they are easy and quick to take on and off. It would be best to wear your heaviest boots on the plane when your feet get cold because it also relieves your suitcase of weight.
Layers- Layering is key on a winter trip. Thin, layered, long sleeve shirts can keep you warm underneath heavy sweaters and coats. I’ve found that Banana Republic and Gap have some of the best tops for layering. Forever 21 has cheaper alternatives that may not be as warm, but they are good to wear underneath other tops. I really like having a plain chambray denim shirt to layer underneath tops and sweaters. Pinterest and other blogs have given me many ideas on how to wear a chambray shirt, but I know that they are definitely a staple piece to have as a layering top.
Scarves- Scarves are possibly the greatest accessory ever invented, in my opinion! They can add a statement to an understated outfit, or they can just blend in to the rest of the clothes. Scarves come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, so there will definitely be a scarf that goes with your individual personality! I love the different ways to wear scarves, since they are so accessible and fun. A good soft scarf is good to have on a plane because like a coat, they can serve as a blanket or a pillow to shield yourself from the cold air.
So that’s it everyone! I hope that these travel tips will help you on any upcoming trips. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen on the airplane, since you are closer to the sun, and to always take off your makeup and use a good skincare routine! Have fun!
