my daughter 50 me 80 have generalities but not spacifics. we have heard - layering -- but what? we want to follow the travel light rules but we want to be not too warm not too cool. a jacket? what kind? what do you do with it when you are out and the weather warms up? thinking in the less is best mode, what are the best fabrics -- we want to be comfortable, look ok, and keep to the back pack limitations. thanks Fran
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
First go to the Weather Channel website and monitor the weather in all 3 cities prior to your trip, and plan your clothes accordingly. I was in Paris in April and it was chilly and there was some rain. I would bring a mid-weight jacket or coat, not too heavy -- perhaps one that looks nice but is a waterproof fabric, but probably just bringing an umbrella will be fine. Even in January in Paris I experienced a few days when it was too warm to wear my coat, and had to buy a light-weight jacket, so things can be changeable, you just have to make your best guess. Look at the clothing items for sale on the Travelsmith and Magellan websites (although they are showing summery things now that may not be appropriate for April). They have good choices of styles and fabrics, and you can find similar items at regular stores, for less, also. AND don't forget - comfortable shoes are the most important thing. Good luck!
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Frances - as my wife tells me, "underpacking" is a great excuse to go shopping!
I think BG & Ted are exactly correct. The weather changes dramatically this time of year. In Rome Thursday it was about 70 degrees. Today it is in the mid-50's. Walking in the sunlight Thursday we WERE HOT! But when we got back into the city and the shade of the buildings we were cold.
Then know that in Europe when you walk into a store you better be preapred to start peeling off clothes. For whatever reason most keep the thermostats at 80 degrees. (I 've seen this in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc.) Fellow travelers will back me up on this.
So yes, dress in layers, get breathable fabrics, and things you can wash & dry in the sink if necesary. (We've had our luggage lost a few times and lived in ALMOST the same clothes for days washing each night!)
Just take what MAKES you comfortable... and thus you will feel and look GREAT! Have fun - and as my wife says, we can always buy more!
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
3 posts
I basically agree with BG. I've spent 5 of my last 8 Aprils in Paris or other France. April in Paris (and especially Amsterdam) will most likely be cool to cold with good chance of rain. Layered clothing works best. I'm a senior male and use these layers: tee shirt, turtle neck, long sleeved sport shirt, lightweight fleece vest, and trenchcoat (w/o liner). I also have a waterproof lightweight nylon windbreaker and visored cap to wear under hood. Never take a sport coat. When it gets warmer (only towards or at end of April, early May), switch to short sleeved shirt. Expect to get wet! You'll have a great time.