Updated June 23, 2020.

It’s What I Wore Wednesday! If you’re following along on Facebook and Instagram, you may already know I’m currently in Heidelberg, Germany! It’s on the chilly side (it’s December, after all), so that makes for a challenge when packing. But never fear! If you find yourself packing for winter in Central Europe, here’s a guide you may want to follow.

Things got a little complicated because there was no place to store my luggage at the airport during my long layover in New York (which, incidentally, did not happen!). I needed to keep everything with me for that first leg of my trip, and this is how I did it!

On the Plane

This outfit needed to take me from the plane, into New York City for my 10-hour layover, and back on the plane for an overnight flight. That meant I needed pockets to keep track of everything. And that meant jeans, not leggings. And since it’s Christmastime, it’s the season for my Christmas reindeer sweater! Walking around New York City for several hours also necessitated comfortable walking shoes, not boots. I will also be wearing these jeans another couple of days while in Heidelberg. Even though the planned layover in New York City didn’t work out, I was still glad to have pockets!

Also, I’ve started always packing a pair of slippers and compression socks for the plane. Ever since my foot surgeries a few years ago, my feet have been swelling more on flights, and the socks help with that tremendously. The slippers are always more comfortable than regular shoes, especially overnight! I never ever go into the airplane bathroom in just my socks, and the slippers are the perfect solution without constantly taking my shoes off and putting them on during the whole flight.

Working Out

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I like to run in new cities I visit, and that I need a morning workout to help with my jet lag! The gray band below can be used in several different ways, so it’s a great exercise piece to pack for travel, and the little pouch goes on my arm for safekeeping of keys, my phone, ID, and a little cash, just in case. I also changed into the leggings for the overnight flight to Germany and for the first full day in Heidelberg. The rest of the time, I plan to only work out in them.

Going Exploring

Since I’m wearing jeans most days, just about anything goes! I love to look festive, and I love colors, so I pulled out two appropriately colorful sweaters for this trip. And look how small they tucked themselves away!

Keeping Warm

The latest forecast before I left for Heidelberg said temperatures would be in the low 40s for highs, and rain. Not exactly a winter wonderland, but definitely chilly! So I packed up my warmest, most packable coat, weather-proof boots, gloves, scarf, ear bags, and gingerbread girl hat. Because why not?

Toiletries

Toiletries are a necessary evil. We need them so we don’t stink, but we have to make sure they fit into the rules the airlines and safety people have set for us.

• Facial wipes/makeup remover
• Eyeliner
• Mousse
• Q-tips, hair ties, and extra contacts
• Coconut oil
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Conditioner
• Contact case
• Contact solution

Pajamas

I got these on a long-haul flight to Asia a few months ago, and they are pretty comfortable! They are also warm for a chilly winter’s night while traveling solo.

Quick Whit’s “Santa Bag”

I’ll let you in on a secret: I am on a Christmas Mission on this trip to Germany! I still have lots of gifts to buy, and a charming German Christmas Market seems like just the place to do it. This bag rolls right up and fits nicely into my backpack, so it’s the perfect bag for bringing back presents. It will also be my “personal item” for the flights home, so I am still within the carry-on only parameters!

For more on winter packing strategies, check out my dedicated Packing Page! And for everything I know about Germany, Christmas Markets, and German food, try my Germany Page!

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