Warm Winter Clothing to Add to Your Travel Wardrobe

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon.

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at smcmahon@smartertravel.com.

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Heading somewhere chilly this winter? You don’t need to be hitting the slopes to require functional-yet-warm travel clothes. The must-haves fit right into your everyday winter clothing wardrobe.

Winter Clothes That Belong in Your Travel Wardrobe

Here are the core winter clothing items to check off your packing list, whether you’re skiing and snowboarding or simply exploring an urban winter wonderland.

A Breathable Base Layer

Toasty winter clothing is key in snow and wind—but should include a breathable base layer that won’t have you sweating once you make it inside. Start with a comfortable winter layer that breathes, like a cotton turtleneck or thermal. For women, Everlane’s Pima Stretch Turtleneck looks and feels cool by the fire. For men, Under Armour’s Waffle Crew wicks away sweat with quick-dry material that comes in all your favorite colors.

Lined Jeans or Leggings

Casual outdoor adventures call for jeans with warm insulation that looks on-trend: For both men and women, Eddie Bauer flannel-lined jeans are great for camping or cold-weather tailgates.

For a more business-appropriate winter clothing option, Peacoco fleece-lined trousers look like your average pair of chinos. Women can simply layer their favorite bottoms with a thin liner like Lume Smart Leggings, which can also replace tights with a cozy dress.

Apres-Ski-Worthy Sweaters

Investing in a cozy statement sweater or jacket makes for a great apres ski accessory that also serves as an optional layer for extended cold-weather wandering when you need it. I love Orvis’ Intarsia sweater coat for layering with long jackets and as a statement piece once I’m indoors. For men, a half-zip turtleneck made of softer Merino wool like this Orvis Merino quarter-zip is adjustable enough to layer under a coat or simply pair with an undershirt.

Hoodies

If you prefer your winter clothing to be performance-focused but fashionable, invest in a high-tech travel hoodie instead. For women, Betabrand’s Knockout travel hoodie is perfect for the plane—its faux-fur-lined hood doubles as an eye mask and looks stylish. For men, the sweat-wicking no-sweat travel hoodie is on-trend athleisure that’s functional and pairs with virtually any coat or sweater.

A Versatile Jacket

A non-bulky jacket is a key component of your winter clothing travel wardrobe, and the best ones have features that can double as an extra accessory. Craghoppers’ Moina jacket has a unique, long zipper that gathers the extended collar as high on your neck as a scarf would go, so you can leave the hotel with one less item. For men, Patagonia’s Nano Puff Hoody folds down small and has an elastic-gathered hood in case you forget your hat.

Waterproof Boots

Whether you need durable boots for deep-snow adventures or a streamlined city boot that can weather slush and salt, Cougar’s waterproof options have you covered. Rain shoes like the Kerry Chelsea boot can replace your clunky rain and snow boots, and can stylishly transition into a nighttime boot. For outdoor pursuits, an option like Cougar’s Vesta Nylon snow boot could be a great fit—they’re waterproof, anti-slip, and temperature rated, plus they’re more stylish than you’d expect of a snow boot.

Reversible Scarves

Stash a soft scarf in your carry-on bag and you’ll have an accessory that can save your face from high winds and double as a warm blanket on the plane. Orvis’s warm yet lightweight options, like this reversible Double-Faced Merino/Cashmere Scarf or this Plaid Blanket Scarf, come in versatile colors and patterns for both men and women.

Cozy Plane Pants

If you’re wearing sweatpants on the plane, choose a durable pair that can weather travel and will keep you warm while looking chic. Everlane’s cashmere and fleece options like the Men’s Street Fleece Pant and Women’s Cashmere Sweatpants look and feel a lot more travel appropriate than anything you’d fish out of your activewear drawer, and will be a hardworking part of your winter clothing wardrobe.

Flexible Gloves

Ski mittens aren’t appropriate for daily use, especially when you’re trying to use a smart phone. Instead keep a pair of streamlined, touch-screen-friendly gloves in your winter clothing line up—like Outdoor Research’s Men’s PL 150 Sensor Gloves and Women’s Flurry Sensor Gloves. Both are cozy yet flexible, and have smartphone-compatible fingertips.

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Associate Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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