One bag travel: spring packing list for Canada

Hi Frugalistas! Due to a publishing error, I apologise that some of you may be receiving this post (now finished!) for a second time.  But I think it’s worth the wait!

I’m making my first trip to Canada shortly.  It’s my first trip and of course I’m very excited.  I’ll be doing some travel for work, and catching up with my dear friends Vanessa and Ryan from Turnipseed Travel in Ottawa.  Then I’ll be spending five days exploring Montreal and Quebec City with Quebec Tourisme.  So I need a versatile wardrobe.  I also need clothes that will be warm enough for my Australian weather gauge to cope with very early spring in Canada.

The principles for my spring packing list for Canada

Because, for me, the weather is still quite cold I’m looking at clothes that I would normally wear during winter here in Sydney.  It’s not so cold that I need my European winter down coat.  I do own an overcoat, but it is very heavy and of course not at all waterproof, so it’s staying home.  I’m therefore relying on all my layering tricks to create a spring packing list for Canada that keeps me warm, but still looks smart and gives me plenty of options.

As always, I’m basing my packing list around a capsule wardrobe.  Everything needs to go with everything else.  For simplicity, I’m choosing blue and black as the basis for my wardrobe.  I’ll inject more colour with my accessories.

Bottoms

I’ve decided to break with tradition, and make long pants the foundation of my wardrobe.  I’ll take one skirt, but then three pairs of pants.  The pants will keep me warmer, plus I can wear my thermals underneath when I’m sightseeing if it’s cold.

My one blue and black skirt goes with my blue cardie….

My skirt is a blue and black boucle so is very classic, but with a bit of pizzazz for going out at night.  Then two pairs of black pants – one classic business style, and one velvet jeans style.  My final pair of pants are dark blue skinny pants.  Fitted, but still stretchy enough to get my thermals underneath if I need to.

Tops

As usual for this time of year in temperate climates, lightweight cashmere forms the basis of my packing.  A blue cardigan, purple cardigan, and purple (different shade) Vneck jumper can be easily layered one on top of the other when it’s cold, or worn singly.  I’m adding a classic black jacket that will still fit a jumper or cardigan underneath if need be.

…..and with my purple cardie……

Three long sleeved Tshirts and one white singlet top to go under cardigans complete my list of tops.

By layering with my cashmere and a thermal top I think my trench coat will be fine as my coat.

……and of course with my black jacket

Accessories

My accessories are designed largely to keep me warm.  A cashmere beret, cashmere gloves and merino & possum scarf all match my other clothes, and will keep me extra warm.

Colour coordinating accessories to keep me warm

Two light weigh silk scarves (one navy, one in purple and blue tones) and a chunky necklace will accessorise my outfits.

Shoes & Socks

My trusty ankle boots and ultra light, ultra flat ballet flats are the only shoes I’m taking.  To keep my feet warm I’m packing two pairs of thermal socks – I find my feet get cold, and there’s nothing worse on a busy day outside.

Because I only have one skirt, one pair of tights will be ample, plus one pair of lighter socks to wear with my boots in milder weather.

Extras

My iPad, cords and chargers, plus a book and guide book are all I need.  All my toiletries go into my 3-1-1 bag as usual.  I’m taking make up brushes, powder and blush that are almost past their useful lives.  I’ll use them while I’m away, then toss them before I go.