Opening up my suitcase and sharing my packing list for a winter weekend in D.C.
The last time I visited Washington, D.C., the weather was in the nineties and I nearly sweated through my tanks, dresses, and shorts. For a mid-January trip, the highs were barely above freezing, meaning there would be no easy packing list repeat. Not one to fret, I consulted a recent packing list for Providence, Rhode Island, for insight on what to pack. Bingo. Solid basics, woolen layers, comfy shoes, and warm coats made packing a breeze.
As usual, I packed all of the items below into my Carry-On and had room to spare to bring home a loaf of bread and some coffee beans as souvenirs. Heading to D.C. in the winter and looking for some inspiration? Here’s everything I packed for a winter weekend getaway to our nation’s capital city:
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PACKING LIST FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tops
Black Sweater* | I have a feeling this sweater, though not the nicest sweater around, will be a mainstay in my winter wardrobe for as long as it lasts. I particularly enjoy layering it over a contrasting color.
Crew Sweatshirt* | I purchased this sweatshirt to wear at home when I get chilly, but I’m surprised how many times I’ve grabbed it to run out the door at home. I figured it would be a nice cozy athleisure-like option to wear on the plane, and I was right.
Blue Sweater* | I found this sweater at a local thrift shop, and though it’s not one of my most-reached for items, it’s comfortable and fits well.
Cropped Mockneck* | This sweater has been a workhorse since I bought it last fall. I included it in my Winter 10×10, and I really enjoy wearing it with jeans and over dresses. The warmth of the mockneck means I don’t necessarily have to wear a scarf, either.
Bottoms
Black Denim | One of my favorite pairs of jeans for walking in, but not necessarily for sitting in (AKA “standing pants”). I’ve found that my body prefers a little more stretch in skinny jeans for long periods of sitting (or eating). These jeans are the thickest ones I own, however, so they helped keep me a little warmer.
Blue Denim | These have been my go-to travel jeans for some time. They have more of a “jegging” feel, which makes them a good choice for wearing on airplanes.
Leggings | If it’s really cold out, I’ll wear these over my tights with a dress. I prefer the sheer look of tights to the opaque leggings, but the rules go out the door when the mercury dips.
Bags
Crossbody Pouch* | I find that the larger my purse is, the more tempted I am to stuff it with anything and everything. Limiting myself to a small bag has really helped with back and neck pain, and I love that I can stash this bag into my suitcase or tote bag at the airport.
Folding Tote | Since I picked this up in Paris, I’ve been using this bag as my “personal item” at the airport. I’m not a *huge* fan of the nylon exterior, but I love that it folds closed between trips and the fact that it’s easy to clean.
Inner Layers
Black Long Sleeve Tee | The light, thin fabric of these tees keeps me surprisingly warm, and my top garments slide effortlessly over them.
Red Tank Top* | Just like the long-sleeved tees, the tanks add another layer of warmth without the bulk.
Blue Wool Top* | I wear this bold tee as a base layer to take advantage of merino wool’s insulating properties.
Coats
Waterproof Jacket | While not the Canada Goose my heart wanted, this wallet-friendly Columbia coat has kept my cost per wear considerably lower. With the faux-fur trim and a more defined waist than other coats, it’s also nice not to feel like a shapeless bag.
Down Jacket | At full price, I’m not sure this jacket is worth it – I found mine in the “damaged” bin at Uniqlo because the zipper pull is no longer attached – but I like having the option to wear this alone or under my Columbia coat since it’s so thin.
Dress
Sheath Dress* | You’ve probably heard me talk about this dress enough during the 10×10 challenges, but quickly this dress: 1) has pockets 2) is slim but stretchy 3) is black and goes anywhere with anything.
Shoes
Waterproof Bootie* | These boots have made an impact on both my travel wardrobe and my home wardrobe. The stacked heel is just the right height for walking but can look dressy, and the waterproofed nubuck has endured rain and snow without any issues.
Gumsole Sneakers* | You’ve probably seen these sneakers before; they’re a more ethically made option than some others out there on the market. However, the white leather is beginning to peel along the lace line. Not terribly noticeable, and I’ve seen where Veja denies this is an issue, but it clearly is.
Accessories
Wool Beret* | This was an impulse buy that I would feel silly wearing at home (and I would never, ever wear it in France), but it’s fun and functional for traveling.
Beanie* | I like the grey marled fabric of this particular beanie, and I like the fact that I can wear it slouchy or tight.
Black Scarf | It’s impossible to go wrong with a black, soft scarf, especially when it’s this luxurious.
Striped Scarf* | I don’t shop at fast fashion stores these days, but I’m really happy with this light scarf for travel year round. It’s just the right length for wrapping or looping, and since I found it in the men’s section, we will sometimes trade it back and forth.
Tech Gloves* | I don’t recall if these were a gift, or where they are from, but I love having the ability to use my phone while wearing them (I just can’t use the fingerprint unlocking option!).
Tights | These recycled tights are a little on the pricey side, but the quality and fit are both great.
Socks | I’m still new to this whole “showing your socks” trend, but this grey pair from Uniqlo has been a great way to try it out. They’re thin, soft, and fairly warm; however, I still find my toes going numb after a long period in the cold.
WASHINGTON, D.C. OUTFITS
Friday
Since my flight was so delayed on Friday, there simply wasn’t time to do much that evening. Above is what I wore on the flight to D.C., and once we arrived, I added the Uniqlo puffer, my Columbia coat, and a pair of tights under my jeans to keep me warm. The restaurant and bar I visited that night were both quite casual, so I felt perfectly fine in my sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers.
Saturday
Morning
Michael and I spent much of Saturday outside – at the zoo, walking and shopping, and on the National Mall. It was important to stay warm and comfortable, so this was my outfit of choice. It was perfectly fine for being inside and outside, though it seems like no matter what, it’s always a little bit of a pain to remove outerwear when entering a place.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Evening
Our “nice” dinner out was Saturday night, so I opted for a tried-and-true combination of my cropped sweater over my sheath dress. To help stay warm, I layered tights, leggings, and a long-sleeved tee (not pictured) under my dress. I skipped the scarf to keep the outfit streamlined; I didn’t really need one with my turtleneck and the two coats layered.
Sunday
It felt like we’d just left the airport, but there we were on Sunday, ready to return home. I’ve worn this sweater and base layer combination many times – there’s something about the swingy cropped sweater that just makes me feel more comfortable on the plane. I also opted to show my socks rather than hide them further down in my boots for a little visual contrast. Once we arrived at the airport we both removed our cold-weather accessories, and I placed mine into the easy-to-access Longchamp bag, as we would soon arrive in balmy Florida weather.
*Some items are no longer available from the retailer and I've linked a similar product
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR WASHINGTON, D.C., IN THE WINTER
Although I try to travel with a mindset of enjoying a destination despite the weather, the cold can put a damper on things sometimes. Thankfully, I’m working toward building a wardrobe with thin, comfortable base layers that allow me to move comfortably – no matter where I am in the world. After all, a good suitcase begins with a good closet!
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Do you have any tried-and-true travel outfit combinations? Do share!
