Fall is a great time to travel—prices drop but the weather stays nice. However, it’s a tricky time of year for packing, since it’s hard to know if you should pack for summer temperatures or wintery weather. The best solve is to choose items that will work whether it’s pouring rain or hot and sunny.
Aventura Leggings
Leggings are the perfect layering piece for women, since you can wear them under a dress and easily slip them off if you get too hot. You can also wear thin pairs under jeans or pants if the weather gets brutally cold. Aventura makes some great options using a nylon/spandex blend that is comfortable and not restricting. I love the Shavonne Leggings, which come in a fun geometric pattern.
SCOTTeVEST OTG Jacket
It’s too early to break out the winter jacket, but SCOTTeVEST has a mid-weight option, the OTG Jacket, to keep you warm and dry and hold all of your gadgets. The nylon quilted exterior will resist rain and stains, and the fleece-lined inside is cozy. The OTG jacket has 29 pockets, including one that can hold a full-size laptop.
Hi-Tec Socks
You’ll want to be dressed well from head to toe when you travel, so don’t neglect your feet. A good pair of socks can mean the difference between walking for miles and heading back to the hotel early. Hi-Tec socks are made from a premium merino/acrylic blend that will help you regulate temperature and wick away moisture. Plus, each pair has an inspirational message hidden in the cuff to lift your spirits if you need it.
Columbia Vest
Vests are another great transitional piece. They help keep your core warm without making you too hot. Travelers love vests from Columbia like the Women’s Mighty Lite III Vest and the Men’s White Out Puffer Vest. Both have hidden security pockets, are omni-heat thermal reflective and insulated (for extra warmth), and are water-resistant in case of rain.
Smartwool Crew Top
Smartwool’s long sleeve crew top is my go-to base layer. I wear it under a jacket when skiing, and pair it with jeans or a skirt for a simple but warm outfit that won’t require a coat on a brisk fall day. The flat seams are designed so that they never chafe, and the close fit won’t ride up (but still isn’t skin-tight).
Heat Factory Gloves
These fleece gloves are lightweight and easy to toss in your day bag for chilly mornings or evenings, and you can ramp up their warming power by adding a hand warmer to the built-in pocket. Bonus: they’re touchscreen-friendly, so you don’t have to take them off to text.
Lunya Leggings
These super soft leggings will keep you warm even on the coldest of flights. They’re thick enough that you could wear them on their own to work out or layer them under a dress when you want a little bit of extra warmth or coverage.
TwoYek Infinity Scarf
I love big scarves for traveling—they can double as a blanket, a shoulder cover, or even a towel. This scarf is even better because it includes two hidden zippered pockets to hold all of your stuff.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published October 14, 2016. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.
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Caroline Morse believes you don’t need to sacrifice style while traveling. Follow her fashionable adventures on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.
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