Support TFG by using the links in our articles to shop. We receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so we can continue to create helpful free content. We earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you, we appreciate your support!
As many of you know I decided to settle down in England for 6 months and take a break from my non-stop long term travels. While I have added several items to my travel wardrobe while I’m staying put, I don’t want to buy too much that I’ll later have to store or give away. As I take my wardrobe from autumn to winter I thought I’d share how I transition my outfits between seasons. Take a look!
Transitioning from Autumn to Winter
Autumn
Fleece: Royal Robbins / Taupe Merino Wool Top: J. Crew / Jeans: Pull&Bear / Boots: Dune / Handbag: Vince Camuto
One of the things I like about staying in one location for a few months is that I get to expand my wardrobe and play with fashion. Being in England means I get to actually experience fall and winter not just spring and summer like in LA. And one of the things we miss out on in sunny southern California is the chance to play with seasonal layers – because they really are the best outfits.
These are a couple of looks I’ll be wearing from October-January while I’m living in England. If you follow my Instagram, you might recognize the jeans above from my last minute August trip to El Salvador; the taupe top from my trip to Paris in early June, and the knit dress below from a weekend jaunt to London where I filmed this travel beauty essentials video.
A few things about these outfits:
- They’re meant for city travel
- Autumn/Winter Seasons
- Perfect for Transitional Weather
Royal Robbins challenged me to take their Ponte Fleece Travel Jacket and apply it my city style. While I was hesitant at first, I think it worked out quite well and now I’m wearing it all the time, like every day actually. It’s freezing over here! (I’m from LA, I get cold easily.)
Winter
Jacket: Zara / Fleece: Royal Robbins / Knit Dress: Zara / Gloves: Honns / Boots: Steve Madden / Handbag: Vince Camuto
One of my favorite things about this winter look is that I’m using my favorite knit dress as a skirt by layering the Ponte fleece over it and using it as a turtle neck. Love that detail!
Many readers ask me what shoes they should travel with in cold weather and for me, in England, this my footwear of choice! A pair of ankle boots you can dress up or down and some comfy rugged moto style boots.
Also, remember back in May I bought this coat to use in England during the summer? (It’s cold in the summer, too.) I’m going to carry it through the winter by layering warm pieces underneath.
One of the cool things about this particular fleece is that it’s a versatile style. I could dress it up in Europe or wear it casually in South America. I like that I can also wear it as a top with the cute neck detail.
Why Fleece is Good for Cold Weather Travel
In order to stay warm in cold climates, it’s important to use the three layer rule: base layer, thermal layer, and outer shell.
- As mentioned in this post, the base layer is closest to your skin and can be a lightweight clothing item whether for fashion, function, or both. For cold weather, your base layer is ideally a fabric that can wick moisture such a synthetic fabrics (not cotton).
- The middle clothing item is the thermal layer. This is where an item like the Royal Robbins Ponte Fleece Jacket comes into play. When it comes to travel, the best fabrics for thermal layers are fleece and merino wool.
- The outer layer is your shell. This is the clothing item that is supposed to block the wind and rain from wetting your thermal and base layers.
Fleece is soft and can dry faster than merino wool. It is also a nice option for those that don’t like wearing wool.
The Downside of Traveling with Fleece
While fleece travel jackets make an ideal thermal layer in cold weather, they tend to be a bit bulkier for travel. However, it’s one of those items that is worth a bit of extra space for optimal warmth as our backpacking guru, Tammy Lowe, explains in this post.
When is traveling with fleece a good idea:
- If going to extremely cold weather
- If participating in outdoor activities
- If going to high altitudes
When traveling with fleece is not necessary:
- For trips to destinations with mild to hot temperatures
- For trips that don’t require casual clothing
About The Ponte Fleece Jacket
At just 8.5oz, the Royal Robbins Ponte fleece travel jacket is an ultra-warm lightweight option for your travels. I wouldn’t recommend you use it for adventure travel and intense outdoor activities like multi-day treks but for the city, it’s a good choice.
It’s soft and fleecy on the inside and looks like a regular cotton sweater on the outside. It’s has the same thickness as a regular fleece but doesn’t scream tourist.
One of the biggest downfalls of wearing a fleece travel jacket is that it always looks like outdoor clothing and quickly pegs you as a tourist if you’re not on a mountain. With this versatile jacket you get the benefit of warmth but don’t look like you’re wearing a fleece.
How do you keep warm on cold weather trips? Share your tips in the comments!
For more packing tips, please read:
- Transitioning from Warm to Cold Weather Long Term Travel
- How to Pack for Trips with Different Climates: The Ultimate 10 Step Guide
- The Best Travel Pants for Women
- Video Tutorial: How Packing Cubes Help EVERYTHING Fit in a Carry-on
Those GLOVES! super cool….nice find. you always have such original finds….but wearable. thank you for being so inspiring but practical.
Thank you!
Lovely! Do you know if they sell this in the UK too?!
They have a UK website: http://www.royalrobbins.co.uk/ and also sell a few pieces in Cotswolds (although this jacket wasn’t there when I went a few weeks ago).
I have a wrap-style cashmere sweater (BCBG, on 75% off sale rack!) that is my fall/winter transition piece. I find wool itchy, and synthetics don’t breathe, so I turned to cashmere. The one sweater can be worn long and loose, or one end draped over a shoulder for drama; the long ends can be tied around the waist to change the look. Or tie the very tips together, put in back of your neck, and it’s a short jacket look. Take the tied ends, twist into a big loop, put over your head, and it’s a loose cowl-neck style sweater. Really, I change it up every time I wear it.
Plus cashmere is warm but light, and non-itchy – so I just throw it on over tanks or tees, and don’t really need long sleeves. I spent 5 days in NYC in winter for a conference, took two of these sweaters and two tanks, plus a pair of jeans. Rain jacket. Shoes and socks, hat, scarf, mittens. That was my entire wardrobe for 5 days. (Well, and a sleep shirt, I shared the room with a friend.)
LOVE this sweater, have one (black) in my fall/winter packing cube. My entire fall/winter wardrobe is in one cube, I just use the tops from summer under this sweater.
Phebe, sounds like you have it down! I usually separate my winter in one cube and summer in another but I like the idea of using your warm weather clothing under your cold weather clothing. Where did you buy your sweaters?