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What to pack and wear for Belgium trip?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

As I posted in Off Topic for travel suggestions, hubs and I are going to visit Belgium for Christmas and New Year's. We'll mostly be in Brussels, but also visiting some other towns, and maybe even go to Amsterdam or some other town in another neighboring country if we get the urge.

I have not even thought yet about what to pack and wear on such a trip. I'm sure it will need to fit the bill for a) mostly casual wear, b) a good bit of walking, and c) winter weather. I'm just not sure how cold or snowy/rainy it's likely to get. Any suggestions or advice? Thanks in advance!

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from crutcher

sewingmom3

Sounds like a lovely tr. maybe try googling Belgium travel tips?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FUN.

You need to PM Inge right away. And meet up with her too. Things in Europe are closed for the holidays so make sure Inge gives you the low down on what to expect so that you're not disappointed.

I found Antwerp much nicer than Brussels, so I highly recommend Antwerp. And Amsterdam - well - that's my favourite Euro city of all. I'm biased, and can tell you all about where to go. MUST book ahead to see the Anne Frank house (anex). You will not get in otherwise.

Europe is about commuting on foot and in public transport. Comfy shoes, and many pairs of them. Wrap up. Hat, gloves and scarf. Umbrella. Dry warm socks.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Amsterdam is my favorite European city too (tied with Lucca)... Everything Angie says. Plus pannoekkeken with beer! And don't forget mussels and frites!

Ginkgo

Veteran

Skinny jeans, boots, scarves, and chic jackets or coats. People were much more dressy and stylish than what I usually see in the San Francisco Bay Are -- I loved it! When I was there three weeks ago, the daily temperature ranged between 40s to 50s, now it is 30s to 40s, so you can expect freezing temperatures and maybe snow by Christmas.

SandyG

Veteran

I visited my exchange students in Brussels and traveled most of Belgium. The trains were filled with friendly people. Lots of walking (more than NYC), can be cold and exposed to the elements by my suburban-in-a-warm car-for-everything standards. Good food, wonderful multiple centuries of architecture cramed into every block visuals, fab shops of designer clothing, tactile fabrics and antique beads. I'd return in a heartbeat. You're going to have so much fun.

Anonymous

No suggestions except that I wore Frye boots for lots of walking in Europe and they held up well, but that sounds like an incredibly fun trip! I've heard Bruges is especially beautiful.

Astrid

Veteran

Take a set of long underwear you can layer under everything in case it gets really cold. If you're outside for a longer time (Christmas Market?) you are going to be miserable without that depending on weather. The comfortable shoes are a must (think cobblestones). I echo the recommendation of a warm hat, scarf and gloves. Definitely take an umbrella. In Berlin we had around 25F a few days ago (the number mentioned in weather forecast), but with the wind it felt more like 15F. Now it's warmer again, but that can change quickly. You can never be quite sure what is coming, so think layers when you pack.

Dimity

Last time I packed for a trip, some of the packing posts on The Vivienne Files helped me out. She has a tab at the top that has lots of packing lists, so detailed that they are for particular colours or things like 'springtime in Paris'.
I hope you have a lovely trip!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I'd expect it to be cold, though maybe not as cold as it gets in places like Canada or Sweden. When we were in Germany last December I wore those fleece-lined tights under my jeans and stayed fairly warm when we were wandering around Christmas markets.

Laurie

Veteran

My family lived in Belgium for a brief time when I was a kid, and I've returned several times, but it's been a while. I think it is the best kept secret in Europe, and you will have a wonderful time!
it rains a lot, but the Belgians never seem to mind or put off an event, even a picnic. A family mantra - all these years later -is "do like the Belgians do...." and enjoy yourself in the weather, albeit well-prepared.
Everyone has made great suggestions. No wisdom to add, just bon voyage!

abc

Veteran

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been mentioned, but I just wanted to say this trip sounds glorious and if you can meet up with Inge, even better! I must say I have a slight twinge of jealousy right now

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

We were in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France for Christmas a few years ago, and I wore almost exclusively skinny jeans/cords, cashmere cowl necks, OTK shearling and leather flat platform boots and a long puffer with faux fur collar. Kept me warm in the Koln and Maastrict Christmas markets (you must find one locally, or pop on the train to Germany), as well as walking the streets of Paris and sitting in Notre Dame for a concert of the grand organ on Christmas Day. Have fun! You will love it!

Anonymous

How fun! I love traveling in the winter.

Layers that you can adjust through the day. Bundled up for the market in the morning, shedding layers for a packed indoor venue, add a light layer for the chilly cafe seat next to the door, and so on.

jenanded

Veteran

Elastic waistbands... Belgium is trying to get potato fries declared cultural heritage ... and then there are the chocolates.... xx have fun. Zip over to Ghent for a visit. Brugge is a bit too touristy but pretty...

Deb

Veteran

How lovely to have Christmas in Europe! Belgium is so beautiful. I have particularly fond memories of both Antwerp and Amsterdam. If you get to Amsterdam the Rijksmuseum is very special. There is so much to enjoy in this part of the world...architecture, arts, history, music, culture, food, fashion, shopping and a catch up with Inge. Take thermals, cashmere sweaters, heavier denim, a couple of pairs of comfortable boots, a very warm coat and of course warm socks, a hat, gloves, a scarf and an umbrella. I'd travel with darker rather than lighter clothes. Don't take too much to be burdened with heavy luggage. Keep it stylish per your usual and have an absolutely wonderful time. Stay safe.

Carla

Veteran

Good advice all around. I would stress warm socks and shoes, and gloves or mitts. Leather is great for cutting the wind, and wool for warmth. Turtlenecks will save you from needing a scarf.

Take lots of pics!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wonderful input! Thanks, all!

Now to convince hubs to take comfortable shoes for much walking. He has such a hard time finding, well, anything to fit him (6'6" and a size 13 wide shoe), he ends up wearing the same pair of boots everywhere and complains after an hour that his feet hurt. And I like to walk everywhere! So we end up arguing about whether to hail a taxi, etc. LOL

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Layers, and down. The weather is usually warmer than winters in the NE and central Canada/USA (though temperatures are above average at the moment), but the dampness and humidity gets to the bones. A light down jacket meant for warmth during physical activity, or a silk or merino cami, will serve you well. Also, beware: frequent rain, dense residential areas and owners who don't clean up after their dogs make for interesting sidewalk conditions.

Sal

Veteran

I don't have much to add. I would think a smart evening outfit with comfortable boots or shoes would be great to include....some of your fab ankle boots and pants with a cool top would work. I have fallen into the trap of travelling with only impractical evening shoes and then suffering on the walk to the theatre!

What a wonderful trip, do enjoy!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, can hubs jump aboard the fashionable sneaker trend? That might help?

Inge

(website)

Ha, Angie, good thinking. Janet and I talked about exactly that in her other thread.
Laurie - So funny. And indeed, we can't let the rain get in the way of our lives. It rains a lot here, so we wouldn't be doing anything it all if we let it stop us;-)
Jenanded - LOL:-))

Janet - You've received excellent advice from the other ladies. Layers, a warm coat, very comfy footwear, scarf, gloves, hat, and umbrella are the way to go. The weather is so difficult to predict here. Temps might be below freezing, but it could just as well be in the low forties (but if you are outside all day on a windy day it can still get very chilly, so you do need options to wrap up), it might snow (to be fair, that doesn't happen all that often in Belgium, but you never know), rain...

Feel free to pm me if I can help you with anything, and I'd love to meet up if you have time.

crutcher

Veteran

Me...I don't take up room and I would adore to go to Europe in winter..Otherwise, have a safe wonderful trip and come back with some stories...