Winter Travel.

Suitcase: DVF via Macy’s. Coat: Zara. (similar here and here.) Sweater: Banana Republic. (1/2 off right now.)  Jeans: Banana Republic.  Hat: Gap. Boots: Hunter Kids. (Adult version here.) Bag: Kate Spade. (similar here.) Nails: OPI-Big Apple Red. Lipstick: MAC-Russian Red.

Can you believe Christmas is already over! {insert sad face}

But no fear, because it’s still winter for awhile, and winter is fun.  Raise your hand if you love the snow…

Since we live far away from both of our families, if we want to see our loved ones it usually involves a plane ride or at least a full day of driving.  As you can imagine, packing for the holidays has become rather routine.  This year we opted for a holiday at home, but we are setting off for the land north in a couple days for a little winter getaway with the kids.

I actually really love packing, is that strange?  Especially for winter travel.  It’s like wardrobe planning and packing on steroids plus shoved into a small overnight bag… I get a major rush out of a well packed bag.

I wrote a post about capsule packing last summer, and the same basic principles apply for winter travel, except probably even more so, because the pieces you are packing are typically quite a bit bulkier and therefore take up much more of that precious real estate in your bag.  When it comes to winter travel, choosing items that can mix and mingle well with everything else in your suitcase is essential.  Doing so really helps me to be streamlined when we get wherever we’re going especially because I’m also usually dressing four kiddos out of a suitcase as well, and I don’t want to waste a precious vacation second figuring out what to wear…

Here are a few extra tips for packing for winter/holiday travel:

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Wear your bulkiest items on travel days.  If you’re packing boots, and heavy coats— as you need to when traveling in the colder months– wear them while you travel.  Rain boots are nice and easy to slip off and on and bonus, your coat can double as a blanket/pillow.

Pick a neutral, then add a color.  Black and white is a tried and true favorite combo.  It always looks chic (and a little Parisian if you ask me).  Stripes are your friend in this situation (in every situation) and red is a prefect color to add in the winter months.  It’s a wintery color, but it’s got a great big bang for your buck in the pop department.  Seriously, just a red lip paired with chic black and white can go so, so far.

Layer, layer, layer.  Lots of thin layers in well chosen fabrics (I’m looking at you wool) will keep you toasty warm but are easy-peasy to peel off indoors when you’re getting warm.  Also, layering gives you approx. 8 billion outfit options with just a few carefully curated tops.

Accessorize.  Scarfs, gloves, pom beanies, knee socks take up very little space in your suitcase but add a big impact to an outfit, especially when it comes to looking finished.

Keep it simple on the shoes.  Traveling in the winter typically means dealing with the elements.  Don’t make your shoe situation more complicated than it needs to be.  Rain boots, all weather boots, or booties and one pair of black pumps do you just fine.

Pack a LBD.  Because there’s always an occasion to wear one when traveling.

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