Outerwear for Europe in September - YouLookFab Forum

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Outerwear for Europe in September

MuseumGal

Veteran

I am thrilled that I will be in Cologne and Vienna for two weeks in the middle of September. Temps should be between 20-30C/50-70F. We never have mild weather like that where I am (it is either scorchingly hot or much much cooler), so I am at a bit of loss as to what that actually feels like, and what to what to bring for outwear. Will it be cool enough for a leather jacket? Will I want boots and jeans? Or dresses and sandals? Or in between? Advice requested!

(My dress code will be academic/business casual/touristy. My husband will be attending an academic conference in Cologne and then in Vienna will (hopefully!) be setting up a sabbatical for next year. So while I'll be playing tourist and want to be very comfortable, I'll also be playing "the professor's wife," and will need to be pulled together and appropriate.)

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Glory

viva

Veteran

So nice to see your name pop up again! And what a fantastic trip you've got ahead of you! I am neither an expert on Europe not Academia but that sounds like September / October in New England which can be delicious weather. Everything you've listed can be worn. I would recommend layers, no wool - too hot. A light leather jacket is the perfect topper. Boots can work early in the day or evenings; flats or sandals for the afternoon when it will warm up. Dresses will be nice because it will be so comfortable but definitely bringing pants because in the cooler parts of the day you can wear them and will want them. You just want a lot of flexibility. So exciting for you!!!

Astrid

Veteran

30°C in September might be a bit much, where did you get your temperatures from? I'd probably pack for 15°-25°C and we're talking the highest temperatures of the day here. It can be quite a bit colder already in the mornings and evenings, depending on the weather we're having. For reference, with a day that has temperatures in the highs of 20-25°C I would wear long jeans, sandals and a tee. But I'd probably need a pullover or jacket in the mornings and evenings. For 15°C I'd do long jeans, sneakers, tee and wool cardigan or lightweight jacket and maybe a scarf. I only wear shorts when prediction says over 25°C. So I would probably pack the middle ground - no boots and no sandals but booties and sneakers. A leather jacket would work for the evenings or if we have colder weather. I think you could take a dress to wear with booties and hose.

ETA

Just wanted to add that we've been having very unpredictable seasons in the last few years. It could be quite warm still or it could be really cold. I've worn wool pullovers in June and August and bare legs in March. You can't really tell. I'd definitely check the weather forecast shortly before you're leaving and you should pack to be as flexible as possible.

Word Lily

Veteran

My parents (who live in Oklahoma) think the 50s are cool and want a second layer. I love the 50s, but I still want long sleeves.

Sounds like a great trip!

E

Veteran

How exciting MG!!!

I think what to pack will depend a lot on your internal thermostat, you know? But luckily you've got lots of great layering options. Are you doing carry on only? My packing formula (inc what I'm wearing) is 2 shoes, 3 bottoms, 4-5 tops, and 2-3 toppers (so 7 total, distributed depending). I always bring a pashmina-type scarf too; so handy. And I make sure at least one of the shoes works in rain!

For me in those temps, I'd probably do a pair of oxfords, a pair of ankle boots, and have the toppers be two cardigans, one cotton and one a fine wool, and a lightweight trench coat. I'd bring a fine wool pashmina scarf too. For bottoms, a pair of trousers, a pair of skinnies, and a knee length skirt. For tops, a silk blouse, a cotton blouse, one more blouse (maybe long sleeves of the other two are short sleeved or vice versa) and a long sleeve tee. I think as long as everything worked with everything else, that would have me covered in a variety of temperature ranges and let me be comfy but pulled together.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Exciting. Congrats.

I echo Astrid 100%. Check the weather report daily for a fortnight before you leave on accuweather.com, and we can help you pack.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thanks for your input viva, Astrid, Word Lily, Eva, and Angie. Here's the thing though - I can't wait until 2 week before I leave - I need to purchase some things now, and I live in the boonies with no decent stores, so have to order. My climate is completely different from temperate Europe and outwear is a my biggest concern - I must purchase something appropriate. I was planning on replacing my ancient leather jacket and bringing that, but now I'm rethinking that - do I need something lighter weight, like a utility jacket? Eva suggests a trench coat, which sounds about right, but that's completely out of my comfort zone - what are sartorial equivalents of trench coats???

E

Veteran

What about a frock coat-style trench?

My one worry about a leather jacket would be rain. But I don't know if that part of Europe is usually rainy in the fall. I will ponder & try to figure out what a Wild Wild West Meets East/Edwardian Naturalist type would pull in for outerwear.

JAileen

Veteran

Are those temps the highs for the day, or the highs and lows?

Have you thought about a raincoat with a zip out liner? I bought one for our trip to Turkey in February. It turned out it felt a lot colder than I anticipated and I had to wear all kinds of layers under the coat. I was glad it was waterproof and had a hood, though. I would think that it wouldn't be as cold in September. Years ago we were in Switzerland in mid September and it felt quite chilly to me. But we had just come from Italy which had been very pleasant.

Astrid

Veteran

I think you can definitely get some things now, but still check the weather. I would think a leather jacket is fine, if it's normal weight and not super heavy. If you take a thinner utility jacket you need something you can layer under it if you need it. So I like to wear my denim jacket with a thin wool pullover for example. If you wear only cotton etc (so nothing that gives warmth) on top then you might need something warmer though. I do think a lightweight leather jacket that you can wear over a thin pullover, long- or shortsleeved shirt or a dress would be fine. It sounds like you're mostly in the city, right? Don't get a rain jacket. I never wear mine unless I'm out in nature. In the city, when you're in and out of public transport, warm stores, museums etc you will be much more comfortable if you don't wear a waterproof rainshell that can't breathe. Just take an umbrella and carry it with you at all times and you will be fine. What shoes do you already have that would work? I always start to plan my travel capsules with the shoes.

ETA
JAileen that are the highs.

Astrid

Veteran

You might also look into merino base layers. I can extend the range of temperatures I can wear an outfit in a lot with the right base layer. I have this Icebreaker camisole:http://www.icebreaker.com/en/e....._color=001
On days I can wear jeans, sandals and a tee I wear the cami in the mornings to be comfortable enough, then when it has warmed up I can take it off and it's so small that it goes into whatever bag I have with me.

anchie

Veteran

I catalogue my outfits daily with ClosetSpace app and I just had a look at what I wore last September in Vienna. All my outfits had closed toe shoes like booties or wedges, and some kind of a topper. You can see in my finds exact toppers that I wore. They may not be to your taste but at least you can see how heavy they are.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm laughing because you say you never have this kind of weather here you are, but this is what the majority of our year is like. Funny how everyone gets used to what they have.

A utility jacket or something similar, canvas type weight, could be a great option. I've got several jackets that are styled similar to rain coats but are made of regular fabric - Astrid is right that you might not want a 'real' raincoat for every day because they don't breathe. It's a little early to look for fall jackets in most stores but I bet they will appear in the next few weeks. I'd recommend looking at Eddie Bauer online among others.

With those temps I'd go with closed toe shoes, but not necessarily all boots, unless your feet run cold.

Gaylene

Veteran

Here's my strategy for planning a travel wardrobe:

Pick a base outfit that you would enjoy wearing playing tourist in Vienna and Cologne in the fall. For example, I might pick a pair of slim pants, a lightweight sweater, walking shoes, a small crossbody bag, and a light blazer-style topper. Actually try the outfit on to check all the pieces work well together.

Once you've figured out your base outfit, then play off it to find variations that would work in different conditions--rain, heat, cold, academic, dressed-up, dressed down, city, country--whatever scenarios fit your trip. Again, actually putting on the pieces to see if they work in reality is a good idea.

I find this method really helps me pinpoint items I might want to purchase. My shopping list is very focused because I know I need a scarf in certain colors, or a pair of rain-worthy booties, or a lightweight cardigan in a particular style. Use some of the ideas suggested above to assemble your outfits and think about variations.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Again, I agree 100% with Astrid's comment.

Bear in mind that the days are much shorter already in Sept, and no matter how warm the day - things cool down at night. Plus you will probably be walking a lot - and that gets breezy, especially when it's windy.

A lightweight leather jacket, denim jacket or a utility jacket (no need for quilting or a raincoat). Take an umbrella and scarf. Socks and boots for sure.

MuseumGal

Veteran

Thank you so much all!

Eva, if I could figure out "what a Wild Wild West Meets East/Edwardian Naturalist type would pull in for outerwear" I think I would consider all my life's problems solved. OK not really. But almost.

JAileen, that's what I"m afraid of, that it will be much cooler than everyone is telling me ...

Astrid, thank you so much for your detailed feedback. I *was* thinking of getting a raincoat (I need one anyway), but will reconsider. I'm still sorting out my footwear too - I think I'll need to purchase a new pair of leather walkers - hopefully I can find a pair that doesn't look too much like gear. My memories of Europe (from the the 70s when I was a child!) are cobblestones, and so I'm worried about anything with a heel or even something like Danskos which tend to turn at the ankle. I'm thinking plain black leather Merrills or Keens, which are not high fashion, but which my feet love.

anchie, you collage of toppers is incredibly useful, thank you! Maybe I will bring my leather jacket after all ...

Laura, transitional/temperate weather (fall/spring) is almost nonexistant here, and every year, I find myself struggling to dress during the one or two week period we have ... this trip is forcing me to really invest in a few appropriate things that, hopefully, will last for years. I agree with you about closed shoes, although I might bring one pair of comfortable sandals to wear with a dress.

Gaylene, that's good advice, I think I was already anticipating too many silhouettes (boyfriend jeans and skinnies and flares) - I will probably stick with long(ish) over lean(ish).

Thanks Angie, you are reassuring me that it wouldn't be nuts to bring a leather jacket. Husband (who is in various European cities often in September) tells me I won't need it, but he is a polar bear, plus his leather jacket is a heavy duty thing meant to replicate what WWII bomber pilots wore for flying missions, so I think I'll trust your advice over his on this point!

Wheee, so much fun planning and anticipating!

celia

Veteran

Exciting news.
My first impression was also that the temperatures you mentioned were over optimistic.
Also I am not very sure of the kind of weather in the cities you are visiting but 15℃ mean very different things in a dry climate and a damp one.
I hope you have a lot of fun planning your travel wardrobe and please show us your choices

Glory

Veteran

I would consider a Utility jacket if you are not keen on a raincoat/trench coat. I bought one 2 years ago when Angie posted about them and I have found it very useful. I purchased a navy but there are many options.