What to pack for 20C weather? - YouLookFab Forum

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What to pack for 20C weather?

Raisin

Veteran

I'm trying to come up with my packing list for our trip...leaving for Croatia on Saturday!! I am having a hard time though. I've been checking the weather and it seems like during the day the weather ranges from 16-22C and at night it's around 11C. Soooooo....what to pack? Since we are still having snow here I feel like this will be a huge shock and I'll want to wear shorts and tees, but I would imagine that might be out of place this time of year. Would I still be in jeans and long sleeve shirt? Gosh, you'd think I've never seen Spring, right? Haha...

I'm thinking this:
2 pair jeans
1 pair shorts
1 Dress
4 tops
1 Jacket
1 sweater
pair of tights for under the dress or shorts if needed
underwear, bras, swimsuit, socks

Any suggestions?

ETA - Only taking a carryon, I want to pack light and leave a little space to bring back a few purchases.

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So exciting!

If you'll be out at night, 11 may be a lot warmer than you are getting now, but it's still not exactly summer temps.

What weight is your jacket and can you layer under it? I'd bring a scarf of some kind, too - - not a heavy wool one, but a lighter silk or rayon or cotton.

Will you be able to do laundry?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I don't know if you "do" capri's, but 16-22 is getting into that kind of bottoms, I'd think. But you might want long pants for evenings. I'd swap out one pair of jeans for something lighter, either lightweight cotton/linen pants or capris. What about a skort? I love them for walking around, look presentable plus cool and comfy. I assume you have access to laundry facilities? how long are you going for?

Raisin

Veteran

Oh yes, it's a 10 day trip and I don't know what the hotels will have for laundry, but I usually hand wash some items as we go if nothing else is available.

Hmm. I don't have capris, I suppose I could buy a pair. I don't have much "in-between" bottoms, it seems like I do jeans or shorts. Would a long, lightweight skirt be appropriate, because I did see one I really liked the other day, but didn't see much that I would wear it for.

It sort of looks like this but the stripes are thinner.

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Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

A skirt would be a nice addition. It will get quite warm in he afternoon, but mornings and evenings might be chilly. You will need something that breaks the wind a little. It sounds like loads of fun! Lucky girl:)

adorkable

Veteran

Layers! That sounds like the temperature range where you will be cool-to-comfortable standing still and comfortable-to-warm moving around. Something light that you can take on and off all day will be your friend - and maybe also a light scarf or wrap that adds a fair bit of warmth in a small amount of volume.

Long skirts are also great tourist clothes - especially for places that are fairly conservative - since they are cool and light!

Just my 2 cents.

missvee

Veteran

I think you have enough here as long as you can layer the sweater under the jacket for cooler evenings. Definitely take a scarf - silk is my preference because it's warm and light. I wouldn't buy any clothes especially for the trip so if you want to add another bottom just throw in another pair of jeans or pants. I always try to travel carryon only and I figure if I really need something I will buy it there. So far that hasn't happened but as long as you are not out in the middle of nowhere there are always shops around.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Maybe switch the shorts for another pair of jeans or another sweater? I know Maritimers think that 20 is shorts weather (else there'd be no shorts weather basically), but you certainly will not be too hot in jeans. Looking at your list I'm worried you'll be wearing the same sweater and jacket all the time, and freezing on your way home from dinner.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shorts may be too early? 20C is not really shorts weather for me, I would be too cold - unless they are shorts you can wear with tights, then it would be fine.
I would take a trench or equivalent in a jacket. I was in Paris last year in April it was 20+C for some days but still quite chilly at night and then some days were much cooler. I never regretted taking my trench with me.
Make sure you can dress in layers. For this type of weather I would go for a short sleeve top or long sleeve where I can roll the sleeves, sweater which can be layered over and then jacket to go on top. When it is hot you can strip to the single top - and you can bundle up if it gets cooler. Spring is like that - you never know.
Also if you will be in the mountainerous zone it can be much colder withe 20C. Also if you are at the sea shore the breeze can make it quite cool as well.
In the spring I would caution on the warmer side...

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Layers are the way to go imo. So maybe a couple more tops you could layer under other pieces if it is cold & then take them off if the day turns out warm. 20C is jeans weather imo (but then my summer is 40C).

rachylou

Veteran

I like your list a lot. Short, sweet, and to the point. Although I also cannot imagine wearing shorts at 20C. I don't really come out of sweaters until 30C, personally. Seriously!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How fun! I believe Croatia is STUNNING.

More lightweight sweaters and toppers. No need for shorts. 16 to 22 is not hot at all. 16 is fairly mild, and 22 is warm at best. 11 is cool. Layered trench coat weather for me.

What's going on your feet?

Raisin

Veteran

I was thinking 20C is really only room temp, so I'm sure ill want jeans and sweaters or jackets. It is sunny though. I guess I will take the one pair of shorts just in case, but mostly I'll do some layering. Still trying to decide what to take though.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I spent yesterday afternoon helping a friend pack, who just left for Rome. Temps expected... 10-22. Thougth that was funny, and told her what was happening on this thread :).

She took a pair of capris and a skirt for warm days, jeans and chino type pants for cool days/evenings. And several long sleeved thin sweaters to layer over tees, under a jacket for evening.

Raisin

Veteran

Angie I haven't sorted the footwear yet. I have some travel flats but I was thinking the Caspians and maybe my moto boots. The boots are super comfy but I'm afraid they may be hot for the weather?

Sara L.

Veteran

If it was me, I'd probaby lose the shorts and add a skirt and another sweater. You can add tights to the skirt to make it warmer but it will also work if the weather ends up warm. You will have another sweater to layer over things.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

2 pairs of jeans and a dress is plenty, that's 3 different bottoms. From my experience that opens up the possibilities to many options. I did just fine with 1 jeans, 1 skirt and 1 dress. You are after functional clothes first.

1 extra bottom in form of shorts is fine, it's not unheard of at the end of April and at the very warm parts (we had HOT weather in Germany last weekend and you'll be going further South). They don't take too much space.

Janet's comment on my recent thread was spot on regarding stuff reflecting what you'll do. You'll do mostly sightseing? Long skirt won't necessarily be practical for that I think. Shorter one perhaps? Mine was ponte knit and a lifesaver.

I don't know what type your tops are, so I'd make sure that some can layer with each other, not just with the 1 sweater if it gets too cold, or do what Sarah says and bring another sweater. I also like having different necklines/styles, as that adds to a feeling of better variety.

Wear the bulkiest items on the flights like Sheila did on her recent trip to Ireland. Layer dress over one pair of jeans? You'd be leaving the cold climate anyway, so it's both practical to save on space and logical to keep warm. It will be weird on the way back to wrap up warm for the flight, but remember where you'll be returning to

Footwear - don't leave that for last thing to think about. I don't know your moto boots, but that might be a bit warm, complete opposite of shorts As style statement the two would look great, but you're after comfort for a lot of walking - so at least two pairs of comfy flats would be better. Joy packed some great footwear options recently, check her thread for Japan.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Your short black booties would be good with the Caspians, I'll bet.