Ten days of travel divided between these countries Germany Switzerland and Paris
I want to travel light but stay warm
Traveling with wife and daughters
Usual generic advice is layering starting with light base thermal-wicking layer (tops and full length bottoms and topped with a water shedding outer layer over insulating layer(s). Add gloves and hat/cap.
Add and remove layers as needed.
What Edgar said, but a feminine approach... I take 1 pair jeans, 1 pair nicer pants, 1 dress or skirt for a city trip. I use tights instead of a base layer unless I am going hiking. Then I take winter hiking pants and either tights or a merino wool base layer. I take two pairs of shoes: solid walkers/hikers I can wear for miles that are Gortex-lined for winter, plus a slightly dressier Ecco shoe like these that I can also walk in a lot. (I really like to change my shoes at the end of the day when we go out to dinner.) If I am going to a really snowy place (mountains), I might take winter boots instead of the Eccos. I never ever take more than two pairs of footwear.
I will bring a couple of sweaters with long sleeved tees or blouses for layering, maybe a fleece pullover as well, a full-length "puffy coat" or a lined raincoat, plus scarves, hat, gloves, Smart Wool socks.
We've been to London and Austria during that time of year many times. Here's my packing list:
Layers are what work. Wear on plane: black cotton-blend pants, long sleeve turtleneck/T-shirt in winter, or short T/tank in summer, and a long-sleeved or 3/4 sleeve "big shirt" {button up that can look a bit like a jacket and can be worn alone, or over T/turtle neck and possibly combined with cardigan/fleece}, coat with hood, good walking shoes (I only take one pair).
In carry-on:
2-4 pair black or khaki cotton-blend pants (I am allergic to wool and rather hot-natured- )
3-5 T-shirts/turtlenecks (1 short sleeve, rest long) I tend to take red, cobalt or purple or black and white tops.
1 additional "big shirt"
I usually take a couple of "dressy" scarves -everything coordinates with everything else.
3-5 bras, at least 7 pair undies (often enough for entire trip) same with socks
1 pair pjs if desired (or take extra shorts/yoga pants and a t or tank)
Optional - a sweater/cardigan or fleece
Gloves, hat or hooded scarf
Possibly a pair of flip flops for shower, if desired
Phone, charger, adapter plug
3-1-1 bag with deodorant, perfume, shampoo, lipstick, Chap Stick, toothpaste, etc.
another baggie with eye shadow, blush, face powder, talcum powder, comb, brush, tweezers, razor, clippers, etc. ,
"Feminine supplies" if needed,
Wash cloth in a baggie
small baggie with laundry soap
Extra shoe liners
If you are cold natured, take heavy tights or silk 'long johns'.
In my day pack (some trips it has been a back-back style, others a cross body/messenger bag style), I also take hand wipes, stain wipes, nail clippers , first aid "kit" in a baggie- band-aids, small packets of Neosporin, dental floss, Advil or Aleve, Benadryl, Dramamine, Nyquil gel capsules, etc., - sewing "kit"(various colors of thread wrapped around a small piece of cardboard, 2 needles, buttons, safety pins), prescription medications, medical info sheets, copy of insurance info, paper & pen, umbrella.
Hubby gets by with a bit less. He wears dark dockers style pants and a long sleeve shirt. He packs 1 or 2 pairs of dark or khaki colored pants, 3 or 4 shirts, with at least one button up collared shirt, the rest usually long sleeve Ts, or polos, 3 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of undies. His 3-1-1 bag with deodorant, cologne, toothpaste. He takes the camera & charger, extra memory cards for camera, his phone and charger.
We each take one of Rick's carry-on and a day bag. We also each pack a collapsible bag in case we buy a lot of things. Our bags weigh less than 20lbs each, hubby’s sometimes less than 10#s.
Oh- don't take a blow dryer, curling iron, straightener, etc. Even with a voltage converter and plug adapter they often don't work well 'over there'. Style your hair simply and use the blow dryer provided by the hotel, if needed (or do like I like to- cut your hair short).