Mid-December: How to Dress?

We will be in Paris (our first time) from 17 Dec through 22 Dec, and we aren%26#39;t quite sure what to expect in the way of how cold it will FEEL. We know to expect high temperatures in the 40s F, but is it a dry or wet cold? Should we take gloves? Experience has taught me that 28 F in Houston is very different from 28 F in Wyoming.

Any/all advice would be appreciated. We are flying standby, so we need to take only carryon luggage. While we want to be sufficiently warm, we don%26#39;t want to pack too much bulk.

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Yes, you%26#39;ll want gloves, a nice warm coat %26amp; scarf! I%26#39;d also suggest taking silk thermal underwear--they don%26#39;t take up much space in your luggage and keep you nice and toasty when it%26#39;s cold. Add them under your normal clothes and you won%26#39;t have to buy a whole new cold-weather wardrobe.

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The real difference why 28 F in Houston and Wyoming in winter are different is that in Houston, it%26#39;s probably +28 F and in Wyoming its probably -28 F (without the wind chill factored in for the Arctic air masses that blast down from the Gallatins that roll down off of the Gallatins. All of that stuff about %26#39;..dry cold..%26#39; is simply to explain the desicated, mummified corpses that dot the lanscape every spring.

But for winter in most normal, northern European climates, relatively light LAYERS will be the the thing....and reasonably water-resistant shoes...reasonably weather resistant coat...hat and gloves (you can buy scarves there as souvenirs) and long, silk underwear mightn%26#39;t be a bad idea. Bear in mind that many museums and other indoor venues will tend toward over-heating in winter...so being able to peel off and re-don layers as the situation dictates is to your overall comfort advantage.

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Hi s--

I also endorse the silks - go to your nearest ski shop and buy silks - not thermal, underwear. Thermals will grab your slacks and cause them to assume all sorts of strange angles. Silks act like a lining and the trouser fabric will just slide over them. They fold into nothing and weigh only a couple of ounces. I carry them with me every time I travel, no matter what the season, they%26#39;re easy insurance.

There is nothing better than your first trip to Paris. Have a wonderful time, bon voyage.

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Also, silk long unders have the added advantage of doing double duty as great pajamas. All in all, a winter traveler%26#39;s great friend.

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Thanks, everyone for the great tips. And KDKSAIL, I challenge you to go to Laramie Wyoming when it is +28F and then Houston when it is +28F. The difference in humidity makes a biting difference.

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