How to Pack for Europe in September

The general advice is to dress in layers. I'd pick two basic colors (in my case black and beige pants) and make sure everything else goes with either one, so you can get adventurous with the tops and get several different looks. Take a cashmere sweater if you have one, they pack light and skinny and are very warm. If not, take fleece (or both). Maybe take one dressy top over dark pants and a pashmina for nice dinners or a concert. A rain-proof jacket would be useful. I always take a pair of thin leather gloves and a big silk scarf or scarves. I have personally frozen there in September. I keep forgetting how rainy and cold it can really get. On the other hand, if you're lucky, it can be very warm but not hot; not like what we're used to in the South.

To minimize weight and bulk, start at the bottom. Be strict about your footwear. Wear your sturdy walking shoes on the airplane; pack one very light alternative pair. Easier for a man to say than a woman, but nobody looks at your feet anyhow. My other tip is a reminder that pay laundromats will be available, and an hour or so with the locals will add to your knowledge of how people live.

Anna's response was excellent. Layers is the key. In 2008, we had a hut to hut 3 day backpacking trip planned for September 12th. We were snowed out (and it was very cold outside the mountains as well). In 2003, it was incredibly warm. So the weather could go either way. I layer with a shirt, a base warmth layer (sweater or fleece) and then my "jacket" (a warm, but not bulky jacket. Look for one that is windproof since that means warm) I also take a lightweight rain shell (look for waterpPROOF, windproof, breathable) that I can put over all of it for extra warmth. All these pieces can be used through the whole trip. (the jacket and sweater are both great in the evening, the rain coat rolls up and fits in my day pack in case it rains, etc.) But if it does get cold (and if you take any trips high up into the mountains on a gondola it will!) I can layer them all on and be comfortable. I also throw in a pair of those inexpensive stretchy gloves (hope you have them in Florida). and a skirt (for the warm days). Add in a couple of pairs of neutral pants, some colorful shirts that go with all the pants and the skirt, underwear, socks, shoes, and maybe one long sleeve shirt and that is it for clothes for me. I have had trips that were unusually cold and wanted more warm clothes, so sometimes I tuck in an extra sweater. (I purchased a fleece in London in 2002, and one in Vencie in 2008. They were not high quality, but I did get a lot of use out of them on the trip and enjoyed wearing them at home as well. Very touristy to have a fleece jacket with London embroidered on it, but fun never the less. I would rather go with a little less and purchase something there, than drag around a lot of clothes I don't use.)

Lisa, there is a thread in the General Europe section titled (I think) Ladies this is packiing light. It may have dropped to the second page now. Lots of wardrobe lists in there. I have been following a wonderful blog with wardrobe ideas at viviennefiles (dot)blogspot (dot) com. Look back to I think the posting for April 10 where she tells her wardrobe formula. Very interesting even if the clothing she uses is too expensive for my pocketbook. Altho having said that she had a bunch of items from J Crew today.

Hi Lisa. Here's the link to Rick Steves' packing tips page: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm. His packing list for women really helped me pare down to the essentials. I modify the list a bit (i.e. I don't like wearing dresses or skirts when I travel) for my own needs. I'm going to Paris and London in September so I have the same weather questions as you. When you think about what to pack, consider if you get cold or hot easily. I get hot easily and 60 degrees outside is my perfect temperature, so I won't pack as many warm clothes as someone who tends to get cold easily. I also get hot when I walk so I have to take that into consideration.

You didn't say when in Sept or where in France/Austria. We were in France in early to mid Sept and in Paris we needed a light weight jacket with long sleeves under it for most of the day and then down in Provence and the Riviera on the same trip it was around 90 degrees. So I MIGHT take 1 pair of jeans but they are too bulky so I really prefer to pack tops and bottoms that are light weight or at least not as bulky as jeans and sweaters. I am not a skirt/dress person so I do more capris and thin pants. Tops that are really versatile, some dressier and some T's. A cardigan that is thin enough to easily fit in my backpack/purse so that if you are wearing sleeveless and you are chilly or need it to visit inside a church you have it and then it can easily stow away. If you are going to be up in the mountains in Austria you may need something a little warmer or your sweater under your lightweight jacket under your rainjacket all at the same time. I only take 1 carry-on bag and a backpack for 2 weeks so I rewear everything. I also use those "space bags" for anything that seems poofy and might take up too much room. I overpack for trips here when we drive but never in Europe. If it doesn't easily fit leave it home. Have fun!

Thank you all so much for your help! I really appreciate all of your tips!

It depends on whether you are going by train or car. By car it doesn't matter too much, but by train, don't pack more than you are able to carry (or better, wheel) for at least a quarter mile.

I too am a devotee of the Vivienne Files. On May 14th she started a series called Building a Wardrobe by Fours (http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/2012/05/building-wardrobe-by-fours.html). There are 4 postings featuring different color combinations with options that allow for layering. The exact colors aren't important, but the concept is. Beyond what you see there or in her other posts, a raincoat of some type is very important. In packing for my upcoming 4 week trip in June, using her fours ideas, adding 4 scarves or not, minimal jewelry or not, I came up with more potential outfits than I will have days to wear them. I have 3 pairs of pants, 1 skirt and 8 tops. Most people, including me, would normally think there are too many tops, but I sweat (not glow, not perspire, sweat) and I never seem to have enough tops. I hate layering, but will be able to do that if needed. I also hate being cold and have been cold in Austria in June, in Germany in September and France in October, so plan accordingly. Be sure to take a look at the Packing Light & Right video done by Joan Robinson It's fun, informative and accessible from the News & Events page on the RS website.

Many people discourage jeans when packing light. I pack light, but I always bring jeans because I like them and am more comfortable in them. Depending on the destination I wear a pair of jeans on the plane and often bring another pair. Jeans can be worn multiple times without washing. Knowing exactly where you are going and for how long would be helpful.

I was in Paris, Vienna and Prague in September 2010 and froze. It rained and was cold. I have been to Paris in September before and had beautiful weather. It changes every year. I am returning again this year and will be prepared! Gloves, hat, coat with closed toe shoes. I hope that I will not need them!! I also believe in layering and wearing things over. Because I will only be in Paris, I am not too worried about packing very light. There is a happy medium. Happy Travels!!