This Packing List for Europe in Winter is for any man looking to stay stylish and warm on their travels.

 

Walking out of the hotel the cold breeze hits me in the face in an instant. Pulling my scarf tight, I’m immediately looking for a way to get to the bakery a couple blocks over a bit quicker. I duck down a nearby passage, not quite a street and not quite an alley but a welcome respite from the cold wind all the same. There’s a coffee shop here, and I make a note to grab cappuccinos on my way back. No one’s sitting outside, but the warmly lit ambiance coming from within the small store tells me winter is still an ideal time to visit Europe.

 

Provided you’re dressed for it.

 

Your packing list for Europe in winter will look different, but the same principles apply as any other time of year.

In a previous blog we talked about what to wear in Paris for men and lined up a solid packing list that’s stylish, functional and easy to pack. Creating our packing list for Europe in winter will be similarly straightforward, but focused on cold weather comfort. We’re aiming for stylish clothes that can be mixed and matched. Ideally they’re good for multiple wears while not leaving you feeling like you’ve been camping for a week without laundry.

And at the end, we always find a way to bring our personalities and interests into the outfits. Just like we lean on our interests when planning the trip overall!

 

Some notes on this packing list for Europe in winter before we begin.

Now, I’m a well documented lover of Paris, so my packing list for Europe in winter will take on a decidedly French inflection. But the good thing is, it’s so centered on “elevated basics” it can be worn anywhere in western Europe and feel at home.

Layers are essential, any one piece on this list won’t keep you totally warm in every situation but they are all able to be combined to match your needs.

This list assumes you’re visiting the colder part of Western Europe. If you’re heading to Southern Spain or Italy, take me with you, and your packing list for Europe in winter can be much less focused on insulation.

Similarly, if you’re headed for Scandinavia or the mountains, you might want to bulk yourself up or plan on packing more specialized clothes. But if you’re going for countries like France, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium this list is for you.

Winter clothes are bulky, simple as that. I won’t lie to you and say “This can all fit in a carry on perfectly” but it can be done. If you find yourself short on space and you’re traveling with another person, it can be helpful to check one shared bag. The inconvenience of dealing with one larger bag is offset by having the clothes to deal with the weather comfortably.

The Packing List for Europe in Winter

1: Footwear

“Never skimp on the things that separate you from the ground”. We’re starting with the foundation in this packing list for Europe in Winter: what you put on your feet. You’ll want 2 or 3 pairs and the list goes like this.

• Insulated Chelsea Boots: Chelsea boots in black or brown leather with some insulation to them. I love my pair from Common Projects that I snagged on eBay for a steal. Blundstone and Dr. Martens and Thursday make rugged pairs as well that can be had for a solid price. You’ll get a ton of wear out of these for casual outings and more dressed up nights out, so it’s a solid investment.
• Hardy sneakers: skip the canvas or super breathable sneakers and go for something in leather. I love Vans and swear by the Kyle Walker Pro shoes. Why these instead of Vans classics? They’re more durable, have better materials overall, and are much more comfortable for walking. Plus they look similar anyway! You can also go with Nike Dunks or another classic sneaker in leather. Simple white leather shoes are always in season although they might be less white on the return flight.
  

2: Socks, wool and otherwise

Keeping close to the ground on this packing list for Europe in winter, we’ve gotta have something to put on those feet before they go in our shoes right? You’ll definitely want warm, quality wool socks. I recommend Smartwool or Bombas, both are solid brands that will last you for many miles. 

l always throw in some pairs of day-to-day cotton socks as well. They’re good for days where you won’t be outside a ton, and for around the hotel or if you’re sneaking in a workout.

3: Long underwear

This might be a bit much for your packing list for Europe in Winter if you’re not planning on extended outdoors time. But if you’re gonna be cruising the Christkindlmarkt, ice skating at an outdoor rink or doing some “Faire du lèche-vitrines” (literally means window licking) on the Champs-Elysées you might want to keep your body a bit toastier. 

I admit I’ve never invested in incredible baselayers, I’ve used the exact same joints from Costco or Sam’s Club for years. Both the tops and bottoms serve me well and keep me cozy when the mercury drops. Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean Europe is any less walkable, so make the trek across town a bit more attractive by bundling up.

 

4: Pants to add to your Packing list for Europe in Winter

Ok we’re getting to the stuff that people will actually see now so pay attention. For pants we’re basically keeping the same mix as our more general Paris packing list for men, with a key addition of some wool trousers.

• Jeans, 1 pair in dark blue and 1 pair in black: denim is classic for a reason, and a nice thick weight will keep you warm enough while still being adaptable for many situations. Keep the light blue jeans in your summer bag and go with classy raw dark blue and another pair in black. Cycle them throughout your trip so neither gets too funky.

• Chinos, 1 pair in Khaki: When you need to change it up or look a bit more put together for dinner, turn to the trusty chinos. Dark khaki is the easy choice so make it.

• Wool dress pants: this is a throw in to change out with your chinos. Wool dress pants like these from Octobre or these from …. are perfect to elevate your evening wear and keep you warm. Rock them in a dark grey color that will go with nearly everything else on this packing list for Europe in winter.

• Travel pants: I still swear by Lululemon ABC Pants but there’s a ton of options out there now for travel pants. I also tend to pack a pair of Vuori’s Ponto pants due to their comfort and warmth that are perfect for lounging in the hotel or your apartment.

5: Shirts and TShirts

Ok we’re heading up top. When adding shirts to your packing list for Europe in winter, we’re keeping a similar strategy to other times of the year with a few modifications

• Dress shirt: a simple dress shirt in white or light blue will suffice here, no need to overcomplicate it. Something you can throw under a sweater or blazer and look fantastic.

• Denim shirt: this is the shirt you’ll use for a secondary layering option and one that can be a bit more versatile. Try it under a sweater or over a tshirt.

• Warm fabric shirt: go for something in wool or flannel, either solid or in a classic tartan pattern. You can also give corduroy a try in dark brown or navy blue.

• Tshirts: You’ll still need these no matter the weather. Bring a few classic white shirts to use as undershirts. Throw in a couple of your favorite graphic tees to pop on with your collared shirts for some variety and personalization.

• Hoodie Sweatshirt: something easy to throw on if you need to dash out in the morning for coffee and the champagne hasn’t worn off from the night before.

6: Sweaters

This is where I get in trouble on my own packing list for Europe in winter: because I am unhealthily obsessed with sweaters. Seriously this is the category I look forward to packing the most, but I’m going to dial it in here for you, dear reader.

• High quality wool sweaters: Grab 2 sweaters in classic navy blue and a contrasting color like came, grey or green.

• Black Turtle Neck: This skews more to the man with a stop in Paris on the itinerary, but the black turtleneck is classic and elegant. Rock it with confidence and reap the benefits of a warm neck.

All of your sweaters should be wool, or at least mostly wool. This is non-negotiable. Wool insulates better than any other material and it is naturally odor resistant so you can stay fresh from day 1 to whenever. 

Merino wool is more affordable, but there are some nice cashmere options that don’t break the bank now as well. Check out brands like Quince, Kujten and J. Crew or look for lightly used options on Poshmark or eBay. My wife swears by Uniqlo’s merino sweaters but I have personally not tried them.

 

7: A Wool Blazer

You’ll only need one, and it might seem a bit overkill, but you’ll be blown away by the doors that literally and figuratively open for you when you’re dressed just a bit nicer. Add a wool blazer in a dark tweed (brown or grey work well) or a classic navy blue to your packing list for Europe in winter.

You’ll be able to pull this off with nearly everything else on this list. It’s perfect for that restaurant reservation you booked months ago, or for when you feel like layering just a bit more for warmth.

 

8: Puffer Jacket

I tossed this on my original packing list for men in Paris, but it’s obviously getting included in the packing list for Europe in winter as well. A puffer jacket in black is ubiquitous and will help you hold onto your heat while blending in with the crowd. Personally I prefer a synthetic fill even though down is warmer. In the event of rain, down becomes completely useless when wet. I’ve rolled with a Fjallraven Expedition Latt hoodie for several years now and it’s been perfect from fall through winter.

 

9: Rain Jacket

Europe weather will always be a bit finicky, and when moisture falls you’ll be happy you have a rain coat. A simple, black raincoat from the classic outdoor brands like this one from The North Face will suffice here. To up your fashion level, go for something from Rains or Stutterheim.

10: Warm Accessories

Even if it’s just darting from a museum or concert to a nearby café for a drink, you’ll want to keep your extremities toasty. Here’s the necessary accessories to add to your packing list for Europe in winter.

• Neutral knit hat: grab a simple beanie in wool, brown, black or grey all work perfectly

• Neutral scarf: even if you’d never wear a scarf at home, embrace it for your trip. Wool scarves are essential in Europe, both as a matter of style and a way to keep your core nice and toasty. Opt for a color that matches your knit hat or go with black.

• Gloves: nothing crazy needed here really, simple black gloves lines in fleece with the touchscreen function are perfect. I’ve used a pair like this for several trips and been happy with them.

 

Wildcard territory

We’ve covered the necessities, now let’s get to some fun stuff. These are items that, while not completely necessary, can make your packing list for Europe in winter really sing. If space is at a premium, these will be the things you can do without most likely. However, these are things that I make a point to pack for winter travel in Europe so perhaps they aren’t so replaceable after all.

• Wool overcoat: If you can find the room, I highly suggest bringing a wool overcoat. Charcoal grey is great, and camel is an approachably bold color choice. You can throw this over a sweater or combine it with your blazer to really up your look for a night out. It can even be rocked more casually with your sneakers and a hoodie. This is probably the item I had the hardest time putting in this part of the list, it just looks so much better than a puffer jacket when you’re trying to be a bit more put together.

• Starter jacket: This is one of the things I bring in cold weather to add some of my own personality to my outfits. I’ve got vintage St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues options that I love to pull out for concerts and bar hopping excursions. I saw the guys from Justice wear one years ago and that sealed my fascination. The 80s Starter Jacket is old school cool, and it’s a way to bring my hometown with me on the road.

• Scarf and hat in a bright color or pattern: You probably noticed a lot of dark tones in this list like blue, black and grey. This is typical for a Parisian wardrobe and it makes for easy outfit combinations. But something else you might notice on your travels will be locals throwing a fun scarf or hat on top of a neutral outfit for some contrast.

If you’re heading around the Christkindelmarkt, try a tartan scarf for something fun and festive. Similarly, you can rock a bright red beanie to keep spirits bright. It’s a good way to bring some flare to your outfits, and an easy beacon for your partner to find you if you get separated (trust me).

 

That wraps up my packing list for Europe in Winter

You’re well on your way to keeping warm while exploring Europe in the winter. That’s a fairly comprehensive list, but there will likely be some things that you will need to shape to your own itinerary depending on where you’re going. 

Packing efficiently is important, yes, but don’t beat yourself up if you need a bit more space. Especially if it means the difference between being uncomfortably cold or underdressed. 

Most of all, remember to make the list your own. While we rely on basics to make outfit combos easy, it’s important to put touches of your personality into your fashion. So have some fun when you’re packing and bring things that are unique to you when you can.

 

Thanks for checking out this packing list for Europe in winter. Let me know in the comments what you’re packing for your own cold weather travels!