Bring a Light Jacket?

In the summer I usually take a long sleeve button up shirt that I can layer over T's . I call it my "big shirt" cause it is a bit over-large and looks somewhat like an unstructured blazer. I can layer it, or wear it alone. I pair it and a black T with black pants for theatre, etc. (some of the lOndon theatres have over-ambitious ac and some have almost none). It is also handy if the nights are a bit coolish. I also take a windbreaker/waterproof shell. In the summer, I haven't taken a sweater- even to the Austrain Alps.

Bring it all. That is exact what we would take. You always need to prepare for cool, wet weather. I have posted several times about the one time we listen to "common wisdom" that Rome in June is always hot. We hit a three day period that it was very cool. So cold one night the sidewalk cafes did not open. The next year, same time, of course, it was very hot and we didn't need the sweater.

The long-sleeve shirt, sweater, and shell is exactly right. Layers are the way to go so you can add or remove them as the weather requires. Leave the jacket with attached insulation at home; I don't bring one even in the fall and instead use layers to stay warm. Personally I bring a fleece vest instead of a sweater because I can compress it without wrinkles and because if it gets wet in a sprinkle it dries quickly, but a sweater is a little dressier.

For clothes in general I try to avoid cotton and bring synthetics that can be washed and dried in a sink, as RS recommends in his books.

Temperatures all over Europe seem resally warm right now, so it's tempting to leave the warm clothing at home. But we've been to Munich and Mürren a number of times in July and in August, and there's never been a trip when we didn't need rain jackets and wamr layers (I prefer microfleece) at some point.

sometime the weather can change dramatically in one day, especially in the Alps. Best to be prepared with light layers.

Have fun on your trip!

It's been a strange summer.

The spring rains never came, really, and the veg are happy in the garden.

Last week we were in Devon and had one wet day. The rest of the time windows were wide open and short sleeves with sandals.

This week, in the Midlands, it has been only 11 or 12 degrees, heavy rain, with the lowest Atlantic low of the year. Even had a tornado. More heavy rain and very high winds for this weekend.

I just heard from my cousin in northeast Spain and she says she has had days of 36 degrees or higher.

So I agree with layers, and be prepared for anything....

and have a nice adventure

It's been very warm this summer. Last week it was 32 in Amsterdam. But, that said, we had a storm go through that dropped the temperature down to low 20's one afternoon. And the wind picked up and it was downright chilly. It's warmed up again. I'm now in Scotland with all the mists, but my friends from the continents fully anticipate going back to the heat next Wednesday. So, I would recommend bringing the layers.

Pam

I can't imagine going anywhere anytime without a high-quality waterproof jacket, a zippered fleece, a knit hat, and a floppy hat. With these basics and a good pair of shoes, not much else matters. This will take care of me down to about 20F; if I know it's going to be colder and I'm going to spend most of the time outside, the jacket arrangement changes to waterproof thinsulate.

I only travel with long-sleve shirts, but they're the kind with sleeves that roll up and have keeper tabs.

To me, a sweater is a non-starter since you can't open it to vent.

I would take a light waterproof jacket. Actually in Airport heading back home from England! Brighton was COLD. Today was so windy and cold I thought I would be blown away. York was quite chilly as well.

Since you can never fully predict the weather, you have to prepare for the greatest possible variety of conditions. Always bring a waterproof rain shell (unlined) and at least one lightweight wool sweater or lightweight fleece to layer with your other clothes in case the weather turns wet and/or cold.

I agree, layers. I usually take a zippered fleece vest and a light wind-breaker that can protect me from getting wet. The latter hardly weighs anything. I always end up using the fleece vest once or twice, and also on long cold nights on cross-Atlantic flights!