How to Create a Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe With Just 14 Pieces!

Winter trips are where suitcases get heavy fast. Big sweaters, extra boots, a coat for every mood… and suddenly you’re dragging a bag you can barely lift. 😅

This winter travel capsule wardrobe fixes that with 14 pieces that all work together, for trips between 30 and 50°F (-1 to 10°C).

I’ve been living out of a carry-on since 2021, and I run cold. My coldest trips have been Northern Italy in December and Amsterdam, with highs in the low to mid 40s°F (5 to 7°C) and nights in the low 30s°F (around 0°C).

If you’ve seen my fall travel capsule wardrobe, this is its winter twin. Same idea, warmer pieces, and a lot more help picking the right ones for YOU. 💛

Here’s what you’ll learn today:

✅ The 14 pieces I’d pack for a winter trip between 30 and 50°F (-1 to 10°C), and how to pick each one

✅ How to choose your colors, your coat (puffer or wool?) and your shoes for cold, wet days

✅ Styling tips, re-wear tips, and how to stay warm outside without overheating inside

How to Create a Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe With Just 14 Pieces!

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A winter travel capsule wardrobe for 30 to 50°F (-1 to 10°C) needs 14 pieces: 1 merino base layer, 5 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 layers, 1 coat and 2 pairs of waterproof shoes. The best travel capsule wardrobe winter trips call for uses warm, thin fabrics like cashmere, merino and Ponte, so every piece fits under your coat and mixes with everything else.

❄️ What to Expect When You Pack for a Winter Trip

Packing a capsule wardrobe for winter travel is easier than it looks. A few things work in your favor (and a few you need to plan for).

Knowing them up front is what makes a winter travel capsule wardrobe work.

🧼 Your clothes don’t get that dirty. You barely sweat in the cold, and your coat covers most of your outfit outside.

So you can re-wear sweaters and pants more than you think, and pack fewer of them.

🧥 It’s the same coat every day. You’ll wear it over almost every outfit, in almost every photo.

That’s why it’s worth picking it carefully (more on that below).

🧣 Winter accessories are super important. Your head, neck, hands and feet lose heat first, so that’s where accessories help the most.

And when you go somewhere nice for dinner, the coat comes off. What’s underneath (your sweater, your scarf, your jewelry) becomes the outfit.

🥵 Inside is warm. Sometimes too warm.

Museums, restaurants, trains and stores run hot.

So your winter travel wardrobe has to keep you warm outside AND let you cool down inside. Thin layers that come off fast are how you do both.

🌦️ Check the weather 2 or 3 days before you go. If snow or slush is likely, your shoes need to be waterproof.

And check the wind, not just the temperature. Wind makes your bones cold. 🥶

🎯 Also read: the mistakes I stopped making on my cold weather packing list

🎨 Pick Your Colors First: A Travel Capsule Wardrobe Winter Palette for Every Season

The easiest way to pick colors that look good on you is to use your color season.

Took a color quiz? Find your season below.

If you haven’t, pick the row that looks most like the colors you already wear and love.

Your colors are what make this winter travel capsule wardrobe yours. The pieces stay the same, and the colors change for you.

Keep your bottoms neutral and it’ll be easier to mix and match with your tops and shoes. And dark bottoms hide re-wears very nicely 😉

💡 Know your exact season, like Soft Autumn or Deep Winter? Just go with your main season’s colors above.

When you get to the pieces below, pick each one in a color from your row.

The 14 Pieces in This Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe ❄️

This is a cold weather travel capsule wardrobe for trips between 30 and 50°F (-1 to 10°C). Think a city in Europe in December, a holiday visit, or anywhere it’s cold but not freezing all day.

It works just as well as a winter vacation capsule wardrobe, since you’ll want the same warm, easy pieces.

Jump to any piece 👇🏼

🧦 Base layer (1): Merino base layer

🧶 Tops (5): Cashmere crewneck | Turtleneck | Cable knit sweater | Fun sweater | Silk blouse

👖 Bottoms (3): Straight leg Ponte | Wide leg Ponte | Cashmere midi skirt

🧥 Layers (2): Cashmere cardigan | Sweater jacket

🧥 Coat (1): Wool coat or long puffer

👢 Shoes (2): Warm waterproof boots | Waterproof sneakers

Base layers, tights and accessories are extras you add as needed. They take almost no space.

How to Mix and Match Your Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe 👏🏼

Every top has to work with every bottom, and every layer has to work over every top. That’s how 14 pieces turn into more outfits than days on your trip.

Here’s what makes these mix and match winter outfits work:

• Thin, warm fabrics. Cashmere, merino, alpaca and Ponte are warm without bulk, so everything fits under your coat.
• No chunky sweaters. A knit sweater isn’t the same as a chunky one. Chunky ones won’t fit under your coat, and they take up half your bag.
• A different neckline for every sweater. Crewneck, turtleneck, V-neck. It changes how your jewelry and scarf look, so the same pieces feel like more outfits.
• Neutral bottoms. They go with every top, and dark ones hide re-wears.
• Layers that open in the front. They come off fast in a hot museum without messing up your hair or makeup.

This capsule wardrobe winter travel setup is also why these feel like winter fashion outfits, not just warm clothes. Every piece is something you’d wear at home too.

That’s what makes a winter capsule wardrobe for travel different from your closet at home. Every piece has to work with everything else.

Now let’s go piece by piece: how to pick it, how to style it, and where to shop.

🧳 The Pieces, One by One

1️⃣ Merino Base Layer

A base layer is the thin long sleeve top that goes under your sweaters. On cold days it’s what keeps you warm without a bulky sweater.

Mine is the Unbound Merino V-neck base layer (slim fit, size S). It comes in white, black and grey.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Thin and fitted, so your coat still closes over everything.

✅ A V-neck, so it doesn’t peek out of your sweater necklines.

✅ A color that works under all your sweaters. A dark base layer shows through light knits, so try them on together at home first.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Wear it under the cashmere crewneck on your coldest walking days.

2️⃣ Wear it on its own with the cardigan over it. If the museum is warm, the cardigan comes off and you’re still dressed.

3️⃣ On the plane, wear it under the cardigan with the wide leg Ponte. Planes are cold, airports are hot, and this lets you adjust.

🔁 Merino can be worn a few times before it needs a wash, so one is enough for most trips.

🥵 Overheat easily? Make your base layer a merino T-shirt instead, so you’re not stuck in long sleeves in a warm restaurant.

🎯 Also read: how to layer for cold weather travel without looking bulky

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Unbound Merino V-neck base layer in white, black or grey. My pick.
• Quince merino long sleeve, another warm merino option.
• Unbound Merino T-shirt if you tend to overheat indoors.

2️⃣ Cashmere Crewneck

If you only pack one sweater for a winter trip, make it a cashmere crewneck. It’s warm for how thin it is, so it still fits under your coat.

My first Quince cashmere crewneck is 4 or 5 years old and still in my rotation. 😉

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Knit, not chunky. It has to fit under your coat and still let you move your arms.

✅ Skip puffy or bell sleeves, since they bunch up under the coat.

✅ Pick it in a color from your season. A crewneck is the easiest place for your favorite color.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Front tuck it into the straight leg Ponte with the waterproof sneakers for a long walking day. Add a beanie and a scarf in the same color.

2️⃣ Wear it with the midi skirt, merino tights and boots for dinner. The coat comes off at the restaurant, so add the tartan scarf and statement earrings.

3️⃣ Layer the cardigan on top and wear it with the wide leg Ponte and boots for museum days.

🔁 Cashmere can be worn several times before washing, and in winter it barely gets dirty. Change the scarf and it reads as a new outfit.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince Mongolian cashmere crewneck in lots of colors, so pick yours from the color guide above.
• Prefer a different neckline? The cashmere V-neck is a little dressier, and the cashmere quarter zip unzips when you’re too warm.
• Want more colors and prints? House of Bruar cashmere sweaters have a more classic European feel.

3️⃣ Cashmere Turtleneck

A cashmere turtleneck covers your neck when the wind hits, so you’re still warm when the scarf comes off.

It’s your warmest top. I have it in burgundy.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Thin enough to fit under your coat without feeling stuffed.

✅ A neck that folds down neatly, so it doesn’t fight with your scarf.

✅ Skip the cardigans with this one. They bunch up around a turtleneck, so wear it on its own or with the sweater jacket.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ For dinner, swap in cream wide leg trousers with boots and gold hoops. Burgundy and cream look so good together.

2️⃣ Add the sweater jacket, the straight leg Ponte, the waterproof sneakers and a matching beanie for a cold sightseeing day.

3️⃣ Tuck it into the midi skirt with merino tights and boots for a chilly (not freezing) day.

🥵 Heading somewhere with very warm museums and restaurants? Pick the crewneck that day, since the turtleneck is the warmest top on the list.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince cashmere turtleneck, the one I have in burgundy.
• Quince baby alpaca turtleneck. I have it in cream, and it’s soft and light.

4️⃣ Cashmere Cable Knit Sweater

A cable knit adds texture, so simple outfits look cozy without a bulky sweater.

The Quince Mongolian cashmere cable crewneck gives you that texture in cashmere, so it still fits under your coat.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Texture without bulk. Cable knit is great, chunky is not.

✅ A shape that works with all 3 bottoms, so you’re not packing a sweater that only goes with one pair.

✅ A different color or texture from your crewneck, so your outfits don’t all look the same.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Wear it with the straight leg Ponte and sneakers for a casual day.

2️⃣ Wear it with the wide leg Ponte and boots, plus a printed scarf.

3️⃣ Wear it with the midi skirt, tights and boots. The texture next to the soft skirt looks so cozy.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince Mongolian cashmere shrunken cable crewneck for texture in cashmere.
• Want even more texture? This Quince alpaca sweater is a great one.
• Or browse all Quince alpaca sweaters. Alpaca comes in way more textures.

5️⃣ Your Fun Sweater

This is the piece that gives your winter travel looks some personality. A print, a pattern, or a bold color.

Boden has super fun sweater styles, and the best part is this one works for daytime AND as your going out sweater.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ One is enough, as long as it goes with all your bottoms.

✅ Keep your bottoms neutral, so the sweater is the star.

✅ If you pick a bright color or a busy print, keep your scarf and jewelry simple.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Daytime: with the straight leg Ponte and waterproof sneakers.

2️⃣ Going out: with the wide leg Ponte, boots and statement earrings.

3️⃣ Cold day: under your coat with the midi skirt, tights and a beanie that picks up a color from the embroidery.

🔁 This one gets noticed, so wear it on your nicer nights and your photo days.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• The Boden floral embroidered sweater in the photos above.
• More super fun Boden sweater styles if you want a different print.
• House of Bruar sweaters for more colors and prints.

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🧳 Want Help Packing for Your Next Trip?

Your winter list is covered in this post.

But if you’re also planning a trip in fall, spring or summer, answer 2 quick questions and I’ll send you a packing list made for your trip, straight to your inbox. No more guessing how many tops or shoes to bring.

Answer them here ⬇️

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6️⃣ Silk Blouse for Dinners

A silk blouse is the easiest way to look dressed up, and it packs flat.

The tradeoff? It’s the coldest top on the list, so it’s made for warm restaurants, with your cardigan or coat on top.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Washable silk, so you’re not looking for a dry cleaner on your trip.

✅ A color from your season that works with all 3 bottoms.

✅ A shape that tucks in easily, for skirt nights.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Tuck it into the midi skirt with tights and boots for dinner.

2️⃣ Wear it with the wide leg Ponte and the cardigan over it.

3️⃣ Wear it open at the collar with a necklace and the straight leg Ponte, so it looks like dinner, not the office.

🥵 This is your top for warm dining rooms. Bring the cardigan for the walk there.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• The Quince washable silk tie neck blouse, the one I’m wearing with my Ponte pants in the photo above.
• Quince silk blouses in lots of colors and styles.
• The Quince washable stretch silk shirt, a button front option.

7️⃣ Straight Leg Ponte Pants

Ponte is my most worn travel pant. They could pass for fancy trousers, but they’re stretchy and so comfy.

My newest pair is the Quince straight leg Ponte in espresso, size S, extra short. On me they hit slightly below the ankle, which looks great with boots and sneakers.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ A length that covers the top of your boots.

✅ Room for merino tights underneath on your coldest days.

✅ A dark neutral, so it hides re-wears and goes with every top.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ With the crewneck and sneakers for walking days.

2️⃣ With the turtleneck, sweater jacket and boots.

3️⃣ With the fun sweater for a casual day out.

🔁 Ponte doesn’t lose its shape, so you can wear these several days in a row.

💡 Wear these on the plane. They’re comfy for hours and they go with every top on the list.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince straight leg Ponte pants, the pair I travel with.
• Unbound Merino travel pants. They don’t wrinkle, they’re comfy on a long flight, and they’re warm for how thin they are.

8️⃣ Wide Leg Ponte Pants

The full length Quince wide leg Ponte pants are the elegant pair in this capsule.

I’ve had mine in espresso (size S, regular) for 6 months, and they hold their shape beautifully.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Full length, so the wide leg falls over your boots and keeps your ankles covered.

✅ A different color than your straight leg pair, so they feel like 2 different outfits.

✅ Make sure they fit over merino tights.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ With the turtleneck and boots for dinner.

2️⃣ With the silk blouse and cardigan for a nicer night out.

3️⃣ With the cable knit and a printed scarf for a cozy day.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince wide leg Ponte pants in full length.
• Or browse all the Quince Ponte styles for more fits and colors.

9️⃣ Cashmere Midi Skirt

This is the piece that keeps the capsule from feeling like a uniform. I have the Quince Mongolian cashmere midi skirt in beige, and it’s so soft.

It’s warm for a skirt, and it goes with every top on this list.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Knit, not silk. Silk skirts aren’t winter pieces.

✅ A midi length that works with ankle boots.

✅ A color that goes with all 5 tops.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Always wear it with merino tights and boots. No bare legs in winter!

2️⃣ Half tuck the crewneck. It shows your waist and keeps the look modern.

3️⃣ Tuck in the silk blouse for dinner.

❄️ Skirts are great on chilly days, but on freezing days I’d stick to pants, warm socks and warm boots.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince Mongolian cashmere midi skirt, the one I have in beige.

🔟 Cashmere Cardigan

A cashmere cardigan is warm and light, and buttoned up over a base layer, it’s also a top.

It opens in the front, so it comes off fast when you walk into a hot museum.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Thin enough to fit under your coat.

✅ A color that works over every top, especially the blouse and the crewneck.

✅ Buttons you’d be happy to wear closed, so it doubles as a top.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Button it up over the base layer and wear it as a top with the wide leg Ponte.

2️⃣ Wear it open over the silk blouse for dinner.

3️⃣ Wear it over the crewneck on museum days.

💡 Carry a day bag so your layer has somewhere to go when you take it off. Test at home that it fits.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince cashmere cardigan.
• All Quince cardigans for more colors.
• House of Bruar cardigans for more colors and classic styles.

1️⃣1️⃣ Sweater Jacket

This merino sweater jacket is the most fun layer on the list. The white crochet trim and collar make pants and a sweater look finished.

It’s cropped, so it looks great with the skirt and the wide leg pants.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Cropped or hip length, so it sits nicely under your coat.

✅ A layer that works over the turtleneck (cardigans don’t).

✅ A color that goes with your fun sweater too.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Wear it over the turtleneck with the straight leg Ponte.

2️⃣ Wear it with the midi skirt and boots.

3️⃣ Wear it over the base layer on a milder day.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince merino sweater jacket.
• The Quince collared cable cardigan for more texture. Over the midi skirt it can look a little old fashioned (in my opinion), so I’d save it for pants days.

1️⃣2️⃣ Your Coat: Puffer or Wool?

Your coat is the one piece you wear every single day, in almost every photo. So this is the one to get right.

Here’s how to choose:

❄️ Start with your coldest day, and the wind:

• Below 30°F (-1°C): a long puffer, even for nights out. It comes off at the restaurant anyway, so what’s underneath is the outfit.
• In the 30s°F (-1 to 4°C) but windy: a long puffer too. Wind makes your bones cold!
• 30 to 50°F (-1 to 10°C) and not too windy: a wool coat. This is my pick, because it’s more stylish, and I rarely go anywhere below 30°F.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Length matters more than you think. Hip covering is better, and covering more of your legs makes a huge difference.

✅ Brand temperature ratings are always optimistic. Go by your coldest day, not the tag.

✅ It’s the same coat every day, so pick a color that works with all 3 bottoms. A darker one hides city grime.

✅ Try it on with your thickest sweater, and make sure you can still move your arms.

Mine is the Quince wool cashmere cocoon coat in caramel, size S. It’s warm and so stylish. 🧥

I run very cold, and I’m comfortable in it in the 20s°F (-7 to -1°C) with a merino base layer, a cashmere sweater, accessories, and wool socks.

The arms run kind of long on me (I’m 5’4″), but sizing down wouldn’t fit over my sweaters.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ Add the tartan scarf. It ties your coat to every outfit.

2️⃣ Match your beanie to your coat or your scarf.

3️⃣ Wear it on the plane. It’s annoying to carry, but it’s cold when you land.

✈️ Packing a carry-on capsule wardrobe winter style? Pick one coat and wear it on the plane.

If you don’t mind checking a bag, a second coat is fine too, like a puffer for the day and something nicer at night.

It’s your trip! Do what makes you happy.

🎯 Also read: the best Quince coats for every temperature

🎯 Also read: winter vacation outfits by temperature, from coats to boots

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Quince wool cashmere cocoon coat, the one I wear.
• Quince draped collar wrap coat, long and polished, great if you’re tall.
• All Quince wool coats for more styles and price points.
• Quince responsible down long puffer for below 30°F (-1°C) or windy trips.

1️⃣3️⃣ Warm Waterproof Boots

Your dressier pair. They have to keep your feet warm and dry, AND look good with the skirt at dinner.

Sock booties look cute, but they’re not warm enough for this kind of trip.

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Waterproof, so rain and slush don’t ruin your day.

✅ Room for thicker socks. Try them on with wool socks before you go.

✅ Try them with all 3 bottoms at home.

✅ Skip regular suede. If you love the suede look, pick a waterproof one.

✅ Don’t bring brand new boots on a walking trip.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ With the midi skirt and merino tights for dinner.

2️⃣ Under the wide leg Ponte for a nicer night out.

3️⃣ With the straight leg Ponte on a rainy day.

🎯 Also read: the best shoes for cold weather travel

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Blondo Alida waterproof bootie. Blondo boots are a favorite with my readers.
• Ariat Wexford waterproof Chelsea boot, easy on and off, and very popular with my readers too.
• More waterproof boot options if you want something different.

1️⃣4️⃣ Waterproof Sneakers

Your walking shoe. Waterproof sneakers plus wool socks work great on cold city days.

The waterproof layer makes them warmer than regular sneakers, and they’re comfy all day (not for deep snow, though).

🔍 How to pick it:

✅ Waterproof, especially if snow or slush is in the forecast.

✅ Room for wool socks.

✅ A color that goes with both pants.

⭐️ Styling tips:

1️⃣ With the straight leg Ponte and the crewneck.

2️⃣ With the fun sweater and the wide leg Ponte on a casual day.

3️⃣ On the plane, with the base layer and cardigan.

💡 I don’t wear tights with sneakers, but some women wear them with black leather sneakers, and that’s fine if it’s your style.

🛍️ Where to shop:

• Vessi Soho waterproof sneakers.
• Sorel Ona Ave waterproof sneakers.

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🧤 Winter Accessories (Don’t Skip These!)

Accessories are what make winter outfits cold days can’t ruin. They keep you warm, they’re the easiest way to add color, and they pack small.

They also change the look. Same sweater, different scarf, and it reads as a new outfit.

Want more winter outfits for travel ideas? See my coats and outfits by temperature.

• Cashmere tartan scarf. It ties your coat to every outfit.
• Cashmere beanie. Mine is pink, and it’s a regular part of my winter outfits. Skip white or very light colors, since makeup shows.
• Merino tights. The easiest way to add warmth under pants. They’re one of the softest pieces I own. (If you prefer leggings, they work under pants too.)
• Merino cashmere socks. 2 or 3 pairs, and they’re easy to re-wear.
• Simple jewelry that goes with every sweater. Your sweater neckline decides the necklace.
• Gloves. I’m not a glove person, but they’re good to have.
• A crossbody bag for your essentials, and a day bag for your layers.

✅ Try It All On at Home Before You Pack

This takes 20 minutes and saves your whole travel wardrobe from surprises.

It’s the last step before your winter travel capsule wardrobe goes in the bag.

• Try every layer under your coat, and make sure you can move your arms.
• Try your base layer under your light sweaters. Nothing dark should show through, and the neckline shouldn’t peek out.
• Try your pants over merino tights.
• Try your boots and sneakers with your thickest socks.
• Try your boots with all 3 bottoms.
• Try every top with every bottom.
• Make sure your layers fit in your day bag, so they have somewhere to go when you take them off.

🎯 Also read: 14 mistakes to avoid on your winter packing list

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Quick Recap: Your 14 Piece Winter Travel Capsule Wardrobe

Base layer

• Merino V-neck base layer

Tops

• Cashmere crewneck
• Cashmere turtleneck
• Cashmere cable knit sweater
• Fun sweater
• Silk blouse

Bottoms

• Straight leg Ponte pants
• Wide leg Ponte pants
• Cashmere midi skirt

Layers

• Cashmere cardigan
• Merino sweater jacket

Coat

• Wool coat, or a long puffer below 30°F (-1°C) or on windy trips

Shoes

• Warm waterproof boots
• Waterproof sneakers

Extras

• Scarf, beanie, merino tights and wool socks

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And there you have it. Your winter travel capsule wardrobe, done in 14 pieces.

Thin, warm layers, a coat that fits your trip, waterproof shoes, and accessories that do a lot of the work. That’s a minimalist winter travel capsule wardrobe that still gives you plenty of winter fits to choose from.

Planning a Europe trip? See my Europe winter travel capsule wardrobe with outfits by temperature.

Want more winter travel outfits, or still deciding how to pack for a winter trip? I’ve got you covered there too.

And if you want the full closet version (not just for trips), my Quince winter capsule wardrobe is a great next read.

Thanks for reading!

XO,

Aimara

PS: Planning a trip in another season too? Answer 2 quick questions here and I’ll send you a customized packing list for your trip.

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About the author:

Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about packing for cold weather with very little space.

I love creating new looks and looking cute while I’m traveling. My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.

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MORE WINTER PACKING ARTICLES 👇🏼

• Build a Quince winter capsule wardrobe for home 🧶
• Find the best Quince coat for your temperature 🧥
• The best shoes for cold weather travel 👢
• How to layer for cold weather travel without the bulk 🧣
• Pack a 12 piece travel capsule wardrobe for fall 🍂

Travel Capsule Wardrobe Winter FAQ

What should a travel capsule wardrobe winter list include?

A travel capsule wardrobe winter list should include a merino base layer, 4 warm sweaters, 1 dressy top, 3 bottoms, 2 layers, 1 coat, and 2 pairs of waterproof shoes. Add a scarf, beanie, merino tights and wool socks, which take almost no space.

How many clothes do I need for a winter trip?

For trips between 30 and 50°F (-1 to 10°C), 14 pieces is plenty for a week or more. Clothes don’t get very dirty in winter, so you can re-wear sweaters and pants more than in summer.

Should I pack a puffer or a wool coat?

Below 30°F (-1°C), or in the 30s°F on a windy trip, pack a long puffer. Between 30 and 50°F (-1 to 10°C), a wool coat works well and looks more polished. Pick one that covers your hips.

What shoes are best for winter travel?

Bring 2 pairs: warm waterproof boots for nicer outfits and rainy days, and waterproof sneakers with wool socks for walking. Skip regular suede, since salt on the sidewalks can ruin it (waterproof suede is fine).

How do I stay warm outside without overheating inside?

Wear thin layers that come off fast, like a cardigan that opens in the front. If you tend to overheat, swap your long sleeve base layer for a merino T-shirt, and carry a day bag for the layers you take off.

Can I re-wear clothes on a winter trip?

Yes! Merino and cashmere can be worn several times before washing, and dark bottoms hide re-wears. Change your scarf or jewelry and the same pieces read as new outfits.

What colors work best for a winter travel wardrobe?

Use your color season to pick tops you love, and keep your bottoms neutral so everything mixes. One coat color that works with all your bottoms ties every outfit together.

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