Outerwear for Europe in Dec

Absolutely NO cotton long underwear!! If you get warm it will soak up the sweat and make you cold and clammy. If you are going to purchase, get either the silks or the technical fabrics that will wick away any perspiration. (Underarmor, Chilly's etc.) For me, I would not wear long underwear unless I knew I was going to be outside for hours standing around like at a sporting event where you are not participating. If you are off and on a bus, perhaps silks would not be too hot.

My Europe winter travel includes my Patagonia Torrentshell waterproof jacket. About 9 years old now. Good sized pockets and hood. Layer beneath. Wear it on the plane and use it as my blanket on my overnight flight from the Pacific Coast. I've found a layer of capilene mid weight underwear and a Land's End lightweight fleece works on most days. However, if it's really cold I add a lightweight fleece vest as well. Always wear a hat, gloves and scarf. Corduroy is fine. Have a wonderful time.

OK, I'll say it before anyone else does. You have at least 7 destinations, in 6 countries, in "2 weeks" (does that mean 14 days on the ground, or do you have to subtract two days for travel to and from Europe?) You don't need to worry so much about the weather, because you will be spending more time in trains and train stations than outdoors. I just realized you said "Europe tour," so I'll amend that: you'll be spending more time on the tour bus than outdoors. But, to stop being bitchy and answer your question, I take an umbrella and use my regular winter coat. Unless you're going to a place that gets real downpours (and December is not usually the "rainy season" in much of Europe), staying warm at that time of year is more important than staying dry. And the easy one: Corduroy pants are quite acceptable in Europe. Wear what makes you feel comfortable. Particularly if you're on an organized tour, you won't "blend in" - no one will think you're a native, so don't worry about it and just wear the clothes you want to wear. For instance, my mother brought scarves to accessorize on our trip to Turkey. This is always advised for women - "compared to jewelry, they're much lighter and don't take up space." But when we got there, she realized she doesn't like wearing scarves as accessories; the scarves only got used to cover her head in mosques. Ironically, they ended up being more of a waste of space than jewelry would have. Similarly, there's another thread here about wearing skirts vs. pants in Europe in the summer. If you wear skirts at home, take them; if you don't, you don't have to bring them just because others say they are a "must."

I wore a wool jacket on my last Dec. trip. The forecast was for cold weather, and I'm glad I had it, rather than my lined raincoat - it would just not have been warm enough. I also brought a travel umbrella for any rainy days. A down ski jacket ( just not the really short ones) would also be a good choice - they are lightweight, and roll up to make a nice pillow on the plane. I wore a sweatshirt on the plane, and brought along a fleece vest to layer for days that weren't too cold. I also had a long-sleeved silk top and a pair of pantyhose. Both are thin, lightweight, but add warmth in cold, damp, or windy weather, plus both compact well for my suitcase. Don't forget hat, scarf, and gloves - better to have 'em and not need 'em, than need 'em and be freezing.

Thank you for the great suggestions. I,too, think I should be prepared for "cold" vs "rainy". One more thought...winter coat length?...knee length or is
just below one's bottom ok? Any feedback on silk vs cotton long underwear? I know we will be on a bus a great amount of time, but I plan on walking a lot and enjoying whatever scenery I can on foot. So I want to be comfortably warm, especially if there is wind chill to consider.

Hi Carolyn,
I spent a semester studying in Vienna (years ago), but you should know it will be COLD!! It will be at least as cold as OK in winter, and maybe snowy. Vienna still had ice on the sidewalks in March. I would recommend your "real" winter coat--whatever length will keep you warm is fine, gloves, hat, and silk long underwear. Silk is nice and thin for layering, breathable, and washes up quickly in the sink if needed.

As to coat length, I always prefer a longer coat. It helps if you sit down on a bench (or rock fence/ledge)! I like knee length or a bit longer (I'm short so most things are 'a bit longer' on me- lol). I also vote for a hood on the coat. I also take a 'hooded scarf' as I'm not a hat girl. Between the scarf and the coat hood, my head and ears are plenty warm and I can remove one layer if needed.

I wear and love an Eddie Bauer long down coat which I layer with long sleeve knit shirts, often with a vest and sometimes the silk underwear- usually just the top. If you are seeing all those places, you might be sitting on a bus most of your waking hours and won't be as exposed to chilly winds and wet snow as if you're walking for hours.
Can't predict the weather, but in Dec. 2010 there were arctic winds in Amsterdam && Munich; by the time we got to Milan the sun was out and in the 50's, so I wore the down coat open with just a tee and a scarf. A long coat is preferable I think.

Don't forget thick soled shoes or just wear boots all the time with your full-length coat. The pavement gets really cold.

I've been in Europe in Nov/Dec for the past 6 years. I have experienced temps as high as 65 degrees and as low as 20. I have mostly experienced overcast to very rainy days, with maybe just a few moments of sunshine. I go to Europe expecting that it will be miserably cold and rainy, and am very excited when it is not. I use a thinsulate jacket made by North Face. It could be used as a liner of the very thin outer layer but I just wear 2 layers underneath of long sleave shirts/sweater with a scarf and I have had minimal to no complaints.

We have been in Dublin, Edinburgh, York and London for the last 18 days during the wettest spring on record. For 6 days the temps were in the 40's, 10 days in the low 50's and 2 days it reached 62 degrees. Night temps are 30's and 40's. I've worn a Smartwool sweater and icebreaker 320 real fleece with my raincoat everyday but one. My scarf and gloves felt good too. I've seen lots of down jackets and wool coats similar to what we see in Oklahoma in the winter. With the rain and wind it has been quite cold some days. I think a longer coat would feel good for sitting on cold benches.

As others have said, it will be very cold outside during that time. However, all indoors will be heated so you need layers and to be able to take off the outside layer(s) easily and quickly. Of the coats you mention I would not take either - a wool coat is too heavy, difficult to carry (in a museum for example) and a rain coat not warm enough. I wear a down coat, which sits around knee level but they have them in longer versions. It is very light, doubles as a rug, easy to carry, wraps around my waist if necessary (no I know not a good look but..) is relatively rain proof and very warm. It zips right up and has a high neck. Mine doesn't have a hood but some do. Layers are good. What are also very important are a warm scarf, gloves and a hat, as well as warm sox. I would generally wear boots, but if shoes, make sure they are waterproof - if your shoes get wet you will be miserable. Depending on where/how cold I may wear tights under jeans or trousers. Corduroy pants are quite acceptable in Europe.

Carolyn, like you noted, it's all about the layers. Last year, I wore a fake fur, lightly lined, hooded waterproof coat. It not only worked well in a light rain, but it also kept the cold and wind out. Here's a short list of what I took: flannel lined khakis, very thick socks, two turtlenecks, warm fleece-type vest (loved this addition), scarf and the above mentioned coat. I wasn't sure what to expect in Bavaria (snow?), so I did take a pair of boots, a knit hat, warm tights for under slacks and warm gloves. Thank goodness we didn't have snow. Yes, I did lug the boots around, however, since we were driving it wasn't that bad. I have a blog on my trip. Send me a personal message if you want the website URL.

Take a wool coat, at least one that reaches to your mid-thigh. Carrying it generally isn't a problem - every restaurant, museum, tourist attraction etc. will have a coat check or coat rack. You'll be spending time outside at Christmas markets, so you'll definitely want the coat! If you weren't spending significant time outside you might be able to get away with layering plus a lighter coat, but seriously, you want to be comfortable, don't you? I take my wool coat with me everywhere Dec - Feb, it's just too cold not to.

I'm going to be the dissenting voice here. The only place I have found early December weather particularly cold in NW Europe is in the Alps. Otherwise, my experience has been temperatures averaging around highs of 8-15 ° during the day to lows of 3-5 ° at night. Not balmy by any definition, but it's usually harder to stay dry than it is to stay warm. BTW, if you will be in Brussels, consider a side trip to Hasselt. Their annual "Winterland" is the most elaborate Christmas market/carnival I have seen.

All that effort, James, and you didn't look in my backyard? Tom may never see freezing but we sure do.

Well, it usually is significantly colder in the second half of the month... I've just never been that cold here in early December... and I monitor like a fiend, because I can't wait until the slopes open. Or perhaps my fallible memory is just more stilted towards remembering warmer-than-usual days.

Cheers, James ;-)

Thanks to everyone who replied. Good feedback and lots of great ideas! I will actually be in Europe from 12/5 until 12/23; so I am going to plan on having a better chance of being COLD some time during my travels. So, I'll take silk long johns, knit hat, gloves, scarves, waterproof hiking shoes, and my red wool 3/4 length coat (just below my seat!) The coat also has a hood if needed. The coat is not overly heavy, but it is 100% wool, so mixed with layers, I think it will be ok. I'll carry an umbrella and leave the rest to luck! Speaking of rain, this question goes to you l"locals"....is there a better chance of rain or snow? Lots of rain??? Everyday? With all the past respones, I feel certain I'll get some "right on" responses to this inquiry. This is my first time to ever utilize a forum like this and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised and grateful to the responses from everyone. It is so helpful and useful when planning travel like this. Many thanks....Carolyn

I was in Bruges and Paris in late Dec./early Jan. a few years ago. The warmest it ever got was 33 degrees. From what I was told, it was colder than usual. I had a wool coat that worked fairly well. My issues were with the layers that so many people recommend. I had silk thermals, long sleeve shirt, sweater and sometimes a fleece vest on under my coat. When I would go inside I would get so overheated that I felt like I had to almost completely disrobe. I decided that if I ever do another winter trip I would bring a longer, but above the knee, length down coat with a hood. Lightweight, compactible, and only one thing to have to take off indoors. Wearing a scarf, warm gloves, warm socks and something for your head is a lifesaver. I also brought those hand warmers you buy in sporting goods stores for those days that we were out for longer periods. They worked great.

We went this past winter to Ireland, France and Italy. I brought a pea coat (nothing thick but wool), a hat and gloves. We were definitely comfortable. And we didnt really have to layer up too much. However, we live in Montana where we are accustomed to worse weather than we saw. You may not be. Bring a decent coat, some layers and walk fast! :)

I was there this past year last week of Nov and first of Dec. and it was incredibly warm, especially in Paris, Normandy and very pleasant in Germany. I planned for a variety of temperatures and did layers. I have a mid-calf velvet coat that was perfect. When it was warmer I just left it unbuttoned... cooler add a scarf and really cold I have a wool shawl that I can wear over it, or wear the shawl by itself. Had I only taken a heavy winter coat I would have had nothing to wear when it was 60 in Paris. The coldest weather we had was in Salzburg, and even then it was not really cold, but I do know it can vary from year to year. I find clothing for winter so much easier, because if you have a great coat you can just wear black warm fleecy pants under it and still look great. I usually am a skirt person so I will do a dark skirt with leggings under it and stay plenty warm. Have a wonderful time...

I think one important thing to keep in mind is your tolerance for cold. It seems that the people who live in cold weather climates do not feel the cold as much as those from warm weather climates. I get cold easily!

I will be the dissenting voice about that layer thing. Though in principle it sounds good, my experience is that so many times the indoor heating is high enough to make me feel faint with too many layers on. Museums, public transportation, stores, restaurants, etc. I would much rather have a lovely warm coat that I can take off when I enter a building. You can either check it or carry it. If I had on long underwear, tights, thick socks, a long sleeve turtleneck t-shirt, a sweater, and a vest, I would swelter on the trams, buses, trains, and in a museum. Scarves, hats and gloves are a must for the Christmas market, though knit gloves are not that warm. December can sort of be anything it wants to be, from chilly bone freezing windy rainy days, to clear blue skies, to snow and freezing.

Jo, that was my point on my post on 5/7. Layers are okay for outside, but if you plan to spend time indoors who wants to remove 4 layers to be comfortable? And what do you do with all those layers once you've removed them?

Thought I had it figured out....now I am confused...layer or not to layer? Sounds more like I should take my longest coat...shearling with fleece lining....knit hat, warm gloves, scarf.. bring silk long johns ( in case) prepare to layer or not, as conditions dictate. Is a knit hat sufficient or should I opt for a coat with a hood? Am I making this harder than it needs to be? Waterproof hiking boots or regular boots? Which is better? Thank you!
Carolyn

Yes, Carolyn, you might be making this a little harder than you need to. Its just Europe, not the Arctic Circle. Overall, its a bit further north, and a bit colder earlier in the season than in most of the US. The weather may be warm enough to wear just a sweatshirt, or it may be cold and snowy, with a biting wind. Sometimes you get both all in one day. So the main point is to be prepared. You don't have to pack like its gonna be 20 below ... just be prepared to be outside walking around in the cold and/or wind for a few hours, assuming you aren't going to be in a tour bus the entire time. If the weather is warm enough, then consider yourself lucky, and leave the hat, gloves, and the silk under- layer in your suitcase. I went on one trip fully equipped about 4 years ago, and never needed one cold-weather item. But I had them with me. Totally different story several other times. A knit hat will be fine. A hood is unnecessary. A scarf will be more valuable if it is windy. The sun sets earlier in much of Europe @ that time of year, so it tends to get a bit colder by late afternoon wherever you are. Boots - I don't like wet feet, so I go for water repellent ... but i do a lot of walking outside. Your needs may be similar or not. Only you can decide that.

Boots- unnecessary unless you plan to go hiking or walking through pastures. And December isn't a recommended time for hiking.

I am a fan of taking silk underwear because they can also be used under pajamas or instead of pajamas for extra warmth (and they are slippery on sheets, which is nice). I recommend a pair of walking boots that are almost to the knee - low heels - and water resistant. With a pair of good socks, they are great for walking and for keeping the ankle and lower part of the leg warm. I bought a pair of Naots that are great for this! Eliminates the need for heavy pants. Finally, take a lovely warm scarf. Nothing makes me feel warmer, faster, than something I can pull out and wrap around my neck, face.... Happy travels!

Weight-wise (not temperature-wise), how heavy is the shearling? Is it water resistant or would there be a problem if it got wet? Final question, what are your winter coat choices without buying anything? I do agree with some of the posters above. I do layer, but I layer up from my shirt, I don't wear under layers. I also like button or zip layers not pullover layers...for instance I would opt for a polarfleece vest over a polarfleece pullover. I need to be able to vent. Something I don't think anyone has mentioned, if you have the ability, you might want to pack glove liners. If your gloves are kind of heavy, sometimes it is good to be able to get down to a thin layer where you can handle money without having your bare hands exposed. Pam

Carolyn, I'll be going on a river cruise to visit the Christmas markets at the same time you will be going. Starting in Amsterdam and ending in Basel. I think you have been given some very good suggestions here. Especially the one about tolerance to cold. I live in the Northeast and I do n't like the cold at all, so I tend to dress as warmly as possible. My suggestion is to be prepared with different options before you go. Prior to your leaving check the weather forecasts for where you'll be going to gain some idea as to what the weather will be like. I'll be taking my knee length down coat and definitely silk underwear and a few turtleneck sweaters (not too heavy.) Thanks Jo for your tips about the outdoor markets. Will be prepared to bundle up for them.

Laura.. Thank you for "setting me straight" The reality check was helpful. All of your suggestions have made sense. Happy travels
Carolyn

I'm with Jo on layering. Unless it's below 20 F, (unlikely for when you're visiting) I don't find it necessary - and I am NOT used to cold weather! My typical getup in winter is jeans or tights with skirt, a sweater, and a thigh-length wool coat with scarf, hat, and gloves. That keeps me fine outdoors and all I have to do to be comfy indoors is take off the coat, scarf, hat, and gloves.