Fashion experts and seasoned travellers share tips for packing light on weekend winter getaways, including functional layering and wearing lightweight garments in fine fabrics.
Roll, Don’t Fold
Emma Shepardson, an international flight attendant with five years of experience, emphasizes rolling clothes instead of folding to save space. She advises sticking to one colour palette and focusing on layers rather than bulky pieces. Shepardson wears her coat and boots on the plane since they take up the most luggage space and keep her warm on cold domestic flights. She opts for versatile garments like pleat-front tailored pants in technical thermal poly-blend material from Lorna Jane, which are comfortable for travel and stylish for evening outings.
Wear the Same Outfit All Weekend
James Smart, founder of Melbourne boutique Havn, recommends a functional layering approach with an all-black packing list. He packs one jacket made from technical materials like smooth matt nylon that is waterproof and functional but with a professional cut, such as a mid- or three-quarter length with nice cuff and collar detailing. This jacket works for outdoor walks and evening restaurants. He also packs one pair of trousers, like nice jeans or dense twill pants, that keep legs warm and look good at night. By wearing essentially the same outfit all weekend, you avoid unpacking and changing outfits repeatedly.
The Coat Makes It
Julia McCarthy, founder and designer of Friends with Frank, packs by the maxim that the coat makes the outfit. She takes three coats for winter travel: a trenchcoat, a Barbour jacket, and a classic wool coat. She wears the bulkiest one (wool coat) en route, folds the trench and jacket, and keeps other packing lightweight. The trench elevates casual outfits, the double-breasted black wool coat works with everything, and the Barbour jacket, made from heavy cotton drill, suits long beach walks but can be zipped and cinched at the waist for a polished look.
Plan to Mix and Match
Stylist Natalie Petrevski prioritizes comfort and modularity. Her packing list includes cargo pants, tailored trousers in black or dark charcoal, and oversized button-down shirts in cotton or cashmere blends that can be dressed up with jewellery for dinner. She takes one long vintage wool boxy coat and a softer bomber jacket. She loves oversized pieces in natural materials that keep her warm and allow rotation.
Load Up on Layers
All four experts recommend lightweight garments in fine fabrics to reduce bulk. Shepardson includes simple thin long-sleeve tops for walks or evenings with jeans and jewellery. McCarthy favours long-sleeve brushed cotton tees and fine merino turtlenecks. Smart starts with a merino wool T-shirt or thermal base layer, adds a button-down cotton poplin shirt, and takes one heavier jumper, such as a sailor knit with a high neck and quarter zip.
Stay Strict About Shoes
McCarthy and Petrevski limit themselves to a pair of sneakers and a pair of boots. Petrevski's boots have a low heel, and her black-and-white Adidas sneakers match everything. McCarthy's worn-in boots with a low wedge heel work with all her winter wardrobe. Smart restricts footwear even further, bringing only a single pair of hiking boots that work for walks and winery lunches.
