We just got back from Alberta (Banff & Lake Louise) and so many of you asked what I packed for venturing out in the cold! Living in Canada my whole life, I feel like I’m kind of an expert in this area, so you can trust what I tell you, you’ll need! These are the pieces that get me through the winter, that work and last…
Leopard Fleece Jacket: Topshop // Hat: Topshop // Sweater: Topshop // Pouch: Topshop
PACK ON THE PRINTS!
Winter is beautiful: a gorgeous sunny day beaming on fresh sparkling snow (nothing quite like it). Cold, dreary, cloudy days — not so much, so, I like to play up my look and have fun! Adding colour and prints in the winter picks up my mood. I got this fleece jacket on sale and just layered thermal tops under this pink sweater from extra warmth. It kept me warm in the 0 degrees celsius weather on that day. Layering is always the way to go!
Sweater: Aritzia, Similar H&M // Scarf: Aerie // Leggings: Arcteryx // Socks: Roots // Boots: UGG
BLANKET SCARF
Blanket scarves always come in handy, starting from the plane ride. I love bringing an oversized one that will keep me cozy while I travel and when I land!
UGG BOOTS
The Adirondack boots from UGG have lasted me four years of cold, brutal winters. I just got a new white pair, but I brought my old brown pair with me on this trip as well (scroll down below). They’re warm, durable and so comfortable. I recommend going up half a size, so you can wear thick wool socks. I’m usually a 7.5 but I went up to a size 8 in these!
Turtleneck: Topshop (similar at Aerie) // Hat: Free People (similar here)
TURTLENECKS
They key to staying warm in a cold place is to keep your neck covered! Sometimes scarves can be a bit much when you have a parka jacket as well, so I love turtlenecks. These colourful options look so cute under a neutral coat (my winter coat is grey).
Bikini Top: Aerie (on sale right now too!) // High Waisted Bikini Bottom: Aerie // Hat: Similar here
WINTER BIKINI
That’s right, I said it! Just because you’re traveling somewhere cold, does not mean you can’t enjoy the outdoor jacuzzis and you’ll need a bikini for that babe! So many hotels have this now and it’s also perfect if you’re visiting a spa. I got this one in a cute winter blue, but they have tons of options and colours – Aerie is my go-to for bikinis!
WARM COAT
A parka coat is your best bet for surviving a winter trip. If you’re doing any activity outside, you’ll need something thick and protective. Soia & Kyo is a Canadian brand I love – their coats are just beautiful.
Pullover Sweater: Topshop // Hat: Urban Outfitters // Leggings: Arcteryx // Socks: Roots // Boots: UGG
CUTE HATS
Something you probably see in all of my outfit posts in the winter are beanie hats. I have far too many to count, I admit, I am obsessed. They are essential to staying warm out here, look cute and I don’t have to fuss with my hair (which is awesome). My favourite places to shop for beanies are Free People and Urban Outfitters.
MORE TIPS
Hot Hands Hand Warmers: You shake these up (air activated) and they stay warm for a few hours! I also put these in my pocket with my phone to keep the battery from dying or freezing in extreme temperatures.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask: The cold can be very drying to your skin, I recommend applying this under your makeup or just on its own during the day. Otherwise, use as a treatment mask every night and on the plane!
Fjällräven ‘Kånken’ Laptop Backpack: This is a great adventure bag and they come in so many colours! We always bring our laptop to work, so I love that it also fits that in there as well.
Shopbando Waterbottle: Just because you’re not in a hot climate does not mean you don’t need water! It’s very dry in the mountains, so you have to be sure to hydrate (even if you don’t feel thirsty). I love that this one tracks and cheers you on in your progress. I aim for 3L a day.
North Face Gloves: You’ll need warm gloves to keep you going through the outdoors (your fingers and toes are the first places that will get cold, so if you keep those warm, you’ll keep the rest of your body temperature happy too). Love that I can still use my phone to snap pics with these gloves on!
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream: I never travel without this multi-purpose balm. You can use it on practically any skin concern: shape eyebrows, hydrate cracked/dry skin, use as a hand cream, use on cuts, chapped lips and more! You can apply this all over your face to prevent windburn and keep your skin hydrated for up to 8 hours!
Burt’s Bees Overnight Lip Treatment: This provides long lasting moisturization which you really want in the colder climates. Dry, cracked lips are painful to deal with when cold win is hitting them. Make sure you’re applying this everyday!
Toe Warmers: Whenever we did any hikes or dog sledding in Alberta, I popped these on outside of my socks, right on my toes and I stayed comfortably warm the whole time! It gets cold out there, especially after an hour, so these truly make your outdoor experiences a lot more enjoyable because you’re not in pain from frost bite.
RX Bars: You never know what could happen when you’re on the road, so be sure to pack snacks *just in case* I can’t tell you how handy a granola bar has come in clutch when we were in traffic, delayed or out in the freezing cold and far from a restaurant.
Hope you found this post helpful for your next winter trip! Let me know if you have any questions below! xoxo
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