Help me pack for Seattle - ETA travel capsule - YouLookFab Forum

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Help me pack for Seattle - ETA travel capsule

anchie

Veteran

Time for my Seattle conference is quickly approaching and I have started thinking about what to pack.
I am mostly concerned about what coat/jacket to bring and what footwear would be the best. I will be there 8 nights. Conference is IT, so I assume very casual. I hate being cold, and I easily get cold sitting in only jeans and sweater - I usually add blazer and scarf to keep warm. But not sure how heated the venue will be. Maybe no need for blazers? I was searching on internet for ‘what to pack for Seattle in November’ and common advice is - rain jacket. What the hell is rain jacket? How warm it should be? Is it trench coat weather, wool coat weather or heavy puffy weather? Pants or jeans? Booties or sneakers? Color or neutrals? Decisions, decisions... I will check in my suitcase, but want to leave enough space there for shopping in Seattle with Angie and other fabers that I am especially looking forward to.

I only have this Saturday for some potential shopping if I have to buy something before my trip, next Saturday is national holiday here and everything will be closed. And Saturdays are my only possibility for shopping.

I have my whole wardrobe in finds. Please have a look. I would like to make collection from your recommendations.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

rebekahphoto

Veteran

Hi Anchie!

so today is rainy in Seattle, not too cold, 50F (10C) and expecting more stormy weather the next few days. FYI: Today I am wearing Jeans, black Blundstone boots, a stripe t, and a black knit moto/cardigan. For Outerwear a warm waterproof parka, beanie and merino scarf. I was plenty cozy on my bus commute to work. I also have a leopard umbrella for fun, but if its windy that doesnt work very well.

typically a "rain jacket" is a a waterproof coat of some kind--here you will see both gear, as well as more classic trench coats. Some people do carry umbrellas, so if you prefer that with a wool that works--if you are walking out a lot and its raining hard you want to be dry!

I think your Hobbs trench coat could be fine, as long as you had a warmer sweater/blazer/cardigan as its not really super cold yet. check the weather the week you come. I was wearing my longer puffer last week, as it was a bit colder--40sF

For the IT convention, you can expect lots of jeans, short puffer jackets & pretty casual wear. Sneakers, ankle boots. leather jackets. very few suits, but blazers and jeans are also common. Color would be fab! I would recommend sneakers and something a bit dressier, like your snake or red boots for fun. layers for sure! I also bring a scarf to the conventions, since the rooms go from hot to cold. your Black pants or jeans would be good to dress up or down

(Ive put the coat I wore today in the finds so you can get an idea)

I hope to get to meet you in a few weeks..crossing fingers I will have the day free and can join the YLF fun!

Women's Westbridge Parka

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anchie

Veteran

rebekahphoto - thank you so much, very helpful. Hope I get to meet you. I was thinking about my Hobbs trench, but somewhat worried that it will not be warm enough. I wear it when temperature is closer to 20C/70F, when it is 15C/60F I prefer a wool coat but that will probably not keep me dry. It seems to me that short medium weight puffer would be the best but that is something I don’t have at the moment - a glaring wardrobe hole.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, Anchie -

Vancouver weather is very similar. First few Finds show what I am wearing today...Downtown field jacket is my outerwear.

I will add a scarf and maybe hat. The coat is only one layer -- waxed cotton. So might not seem warm enough to you. But for me it will work with blazer and top layered under.

Consider also UNDER layers if you want to bring the Hobbs trench as your coat. A cami etc. can go a long way towards insulating you. Ditto accessories like scarves, gloves, hats. Sometimes it's not the coat but the accessories that work the charm.

However....a hood on a coat is a real help. Yes, you can carry an umbrella (and I often do) but hoods are easier and keep you more handsfree. Maybe you will need a quick shopping expedition for the perfect lightweight water resistant hooded puffer!

As rebekaphoto said, rain jackets run the gamut from gear to classic trench. The gear coats are the ones you'll see most often on the truly wet days, and with good reason -- they really keep you dry! My current "gearish" coat is the Pendleton -- it is quite warm because it has a soft flannel lining and it is Goretex with sealed seams. Hooded and TRULY waterproof. Not super fashionable and very casual (but that is what I bought it for -- casual walks in woods in bad weather.) The field jacket is a bit more stylish (still very casual and very practical) but not as water resistant. The trench coats are dressier but less water resistant still...

My boiled wool peacoat does a pretty cool job in light rain or snow. Regular wool coats are mildly water resistant but not as resistant to water as the boiled wool.

The problem with a shorter coat or jacket in rain is that your legs get wet! Unless you have an umbrella. So it's a bit of a balancing dance...

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Be sure to pack an extra bag for your shopping haul!

I haven’t been to Seattle, but I can tell you that in cool weather, thermostats in the USA are generally set warmer than in Europe, so pack conference clothes that aren’t quite as warm as you’d wear in Vienna

Chris987

Veteran

One thing that I have found important to consider when traveling is knowing what "type" of rain is typical. I know Seattle is famous for having a lot of rain but since I've never been there I can't comment on what type of rain it is. Here in New England our rain tends to be mostly heavy, drenching rain, where even a water RESISTANT coat will get soaked through if you are outdoors very much. You really need water PROOF and/ or an umbrella to stay dry unless you are just running from a car into a building etc. Plus you need layers under the coat, either separate pieces like sweaters/jackets or linings within the coat. I was outdoors for several full days in June in Scotland many years ago and although it rained every single day, it tended to be a very light mist and did not soak into clothing all that much. My point is that type of rain varies according to location and time of year. Maybe some of the fabbers from Seattle can comment a bit more on what type of rain is typical in Seattle this time of year, although it seems they've already said that water proof would be best.

notsaf

Veteran

Chris: this is a critical point! I can advise about Seattle, but what you say about New England's soaking rain is so true!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes. Agreed. Here in Pacific Northwest we gat all kinds of rain. The light mist some days. Drizzle others. Intermittent rain at other times and heavy downpours also!! Downpours often occur late at night, at least in Vancouver, but can come during the day as well. A person needs many kinds of coat in thei climate!!

Rain can be warm or cold, too. Some rainy days feel warmer than stated temps and some cooler. You might be shocked and chilled by damp. Or might feel it is a warmer 10 degrees than what you know at home. It all depends!

Fat lot of good I am.

Runcarla

Veteran

I just spent 7 days in Seattle, Anchie. I’m actually having a coffee in the train station waiting for the train that will take me home in about an hour! I packed in a European sized carry on (slightly smaller than North American version) and did just fine. My traveling outfit was wide leg trousers, light sweater, wool blazer, and light trench coat. I also bought an ultralight puffer that rolls and packs into a pouch the size of a small sausage! I packed light weight sweater tops and flannel button downs, 1 pair jeans, 1 pair light weight cropped black pants, and a pleated skirt. Shoes were pointy toe flats, and 2 pair of converse sneakers. I also brought a beret and leather gloves.

I started out most days with the trench over the jacket, or the trench over the puffer, but as the day progressed, the trench ended up in my bigger bag (I used a LePliage Neo and a small cross body). Sunday was a gorgeous day and I wore the blazer over a sweater and my skirt. I wore micro fishnets instead of bare legs, but did not need the trench. Sometimes I wore wool socks, but sometimes bare feet in sneakers. No rain at all during my stay!

It will be a little cooler when you visit, but layers are still the way to go. I would definitely NOT shop before your trip, and save your sous for shopping in Seattle.

#1-2 my travel outfit last Wednesday
#3 my travel outfit today

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Cee

Veteran

I looked at the weather forecast !!

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Sal

Veteran

Don't shop before you go!!

I would think a trench and a packable umbrella would work well with layers underneath....Or a wool coat. Unless you plan on some nature walks or park walks whatever the weather you will only be dashing from place to place.

Have a great time!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

MAKE SURE the feet are happy. Lots of hills in Seattle. Weatherproof.

Bring lots of knitwear, cute pants, jeans, fun toppers, two coats, boots, sneakers, umbrella.

Cee

Veteran

Bring a Saint Bernard... at least you'll have a drinkin' buddy !

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

No advice as that is well covered by the locals, but I look forward to your travel tales!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love Carla's idea of the short puffer...I layer mine under my trench or utility coat quite often....packs into a small sausage, weighs nothing.

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Adela

I have quite a few raincoats, for every temperature- I have a dog that requires a lot of walking in every weather. If you don't need a raincoat otherwise and it seems that you don't :-), I wouldn't invest a lot of money into it. I would probably buy something from Zara (usually they offer a few raincoats, low budget) or Tom Tailor (I'm sure you have it in your country, also low budget) that can be used "above" your topper. Short puffer under it if it's colder or a lighter topper when it's not. I would for sure bring a good umbrella and would not compromise with my footwear, I hate uncomfortable and, when travelling in colder months, non-waterproof shoes. I like Ecco, they always have some nice models (look under Gore-tex) thet are waterproof and very comfy. I hope this helps. Have fun with Angie and other fabbers!

anchie

Veteran

Apologies for late reply, going through some hectic times, fell asleep early last night completely exhausted.
Some really great and helpful ideas here. I did get this jacket in finds recently hoping to build burgundy complement together with my new Converse, but both items got confiscated by my DD. Will see if I can get them back for the trip. Also would need to see if jacket can layer under a coat - that would be great solution if it can.
Because of recent weight loss my wardrobe is very lean at the moment. I did buy only few essentials for the office but my casual wardrobe was not top priority. I was trying not to shop to save money for my Seattle adventure. But now I am struggling with building coordinated travel capsule. Few things that still fit me don’t really work well together. Very frustrating. Well, maybe I need just a travel outfit and buy the rest when I get there:)

Hope that this weekend I will have more time to think about all this and try some outfits, do some planning.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

"Well, maybe I need just a travel outfit and buy the rest when I get there:) "
Yay!

anchie

Veteran

Here is the first try on my travel capsule.

https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....ction=7917

What do you think?

Sara L.

Veteran

Your travel capsule looks perfect. I don't think you'll be cold with sweaters layered under your coats. I just got back from Seattle and Vancouver - you can look at my outfit post. I wasn't cold at all.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks good. Maybe another coat and pair of shoes.

Or get it all here!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Looks great, Anchie! You'll be doing well!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Ooh, I like that tweed jacket! Looks to me like you're set for a week.

anchie

Veteran

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated. I still have some dilemmas.
Just removed the red pants and replaced them with plaid pair. Do I need 4 pants, including travel pair if I hope to buy some there? I don’t want to over pack - need enough room in my bag for shopping and presents.
Shoes - this 4 pairs in finds work with the capsule, not sure which one would be the best. All booties are 20000 steps shoes for me, but tested only in flat area, not on hills. I am not planning on shopping for shoes in Seattle. I am well covered there and have other priorities.
Coats - not many options there. I am kind of extreme, I am cold when nobody else is - so trench coats are probably not warm enough for me. And red short puffer jacket is very lightweight- also not very warm. And I don’t really like how it looks layered under the coat. I do have another coat but it is yellow - so it will require different bag, scarfs, probably the shoes too. I do vary my coats daily based on my outfit and weather conditions so it is difficult for me to commit to only one coat for unfamiliar climate. I should probably go tomorrow to check some inexpensive short puffer jackets.

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Anonymous

Definitely recommend a short packable puffer! Mine is ok to about 35F (ymmv), and I wouldn't think it would be colder than that this early in the fall.

Cee

Veteran

" Whooooo'll stop the rainnnn ? "

*Creedance guitar riff*