Cold weather conferences are such a tricky thing to pack for. This year, I’m going to two academic conferences when it’s chilly out. How are we going to layer, fit it all in a carry on, and still feel warm? Here’s my plan.
Start with a coat
I recommend starting your packing list with a coat. You can build your entire capsule wardrobe to match your outerwear, minimizing the need to bring more. I picked this fantastic long plaid coat (similar). I always drape my coat over the handle of my suitcase to bring it on the plane, and stuff gloves and a beanie in the pockets.
Pick your confidence outfit
The next thing I do is pick the most important outfit, or the outfit I will be presenting in. I started with a navy blazer and midi dress I love and used that to pick the rest of my color scheme for other days of conferencing. (As you can see, my last conference ended up unseasonably warm, but I had tights packed just in case!).
Pick your downtime clothes!!
Conferences are not all work, so don’t forget some sweats or stretchy pants you can wear to be a tourist or just to walk down to the lobby for coffee without donning a full suit. I brought this Leze sweatsuit (you can get 15% off with code REBECCA) and it was the travel MVP.
General tips:
-Dress in layers, conference centers are very cold
-Start with your confidence outfit (for the day of your biggest talk, etc) and build around that outfit–in this case, I started with my navy blazer and used that to pick my color scheme
-Don’t forget down time clothing (clothes for in between PJs and conference wear–so helpful when running down to the lobby for coffee!)
My full packing list:
1 coat: Plaid (this is similar)
1 blazer: Navy Blazer
1 dress: Midi dress
3 other tops: Sweater, Mockneck tank, and White tank
2 pants: Sweats (15% off with code PHDINCLOTHES15), Wide leg pants (comes in petite and tall)
2 pairs of shoes: Waterproof boots and Sneakers
Happy packing! Cover photo by the talented Sarah Bodri.
This post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author.
I’m traveling for an interview next week and the temps will be in the 30s. This is a good reminder that I really only need one good outfit for the actual interview day. I don’t have a dressy coat that is warm enough, so I might end up bringing my giant puffer coat.
I think that’s totally fine when it’s cold!!!
Loooooove the idea of a confidence outfit! Whilst I’m not an academic, I work in HE recruitment events so go to a lot of conferences and events, this post has really got me thinking about how I present myself professionally <3
Rosie Abigail | http://www.rosieabigail.com ✨
Thank you!!!