What To Wear in Amsterdam and Bruges in November
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We booked our tickets to Amsterdam and Bruges for November, which is a tricky time of year to pack for. Since we are both from southern regions of the U.S., we don’t experience winter where we live. For us, fall temperatures in another country sometimes feel like winter, which is laughable to those who see us all bundled up when it’s only in the 60s (~15°C). Here is what we packed for our trip and also a list of items we wish we would have packed.
Items We Packed
Heavy Coat
I was initially going to pack my trench coat and am glad I decided to leave that at home. During the day when the sun was out, it would have been fine but the mornings and evenings were pretty chilly. I know I would not have been comfortable if I wasn’t wearing my heavy coat. When the sun was out during the day, it was actually quite nice so the coats didn’t have to be buttoned up all the time. Crystal brought two coats and purchased both of them from Express. I also packed two coats and wore my coat from HappyxNature and Mango. Our coats were plenty warm over our sweaters.
HappyxNature Medley Plaid Jacket // Sneakers Cole Haan
EXPRESS Trench Coat // Zappos Walking Cradles Kendall Boots
Margaret O'Leary 100% Merino Wool Fingerless Gloves
Although we didn’t do any biking in Amsterdam (we were thinking about it but backed out since it looked a little intense), it was a bit chilly at night and in the early mornings so it was nice to have some coverage on our hands. We prefer fingerless gloves over regular or high-tech ones because it just makes using our phones or grabbing things out of our bags so much easier.
If I am traveling someplace cold, I always pack my Uniqlo HeatTech tops and leggings. It helps keep layering to a minimum and It truly makes a difference. Plus, it’s very affordable. The HeatTech fabric is revolutionary as it works with your body to generate and retain body heat and it also features anti-odor properties. The anti-odor really works too! I wore my top for 2-3 days before changing into another one since they didn't smell at all.
CANDY: Margaret O’Leary Cashmere Sweater // Anine Bing Bar Silk Skirt // EXPRESS Long Boots
CRYSTAL: Express Coat // Paige Denim // Zappos Walking Cradles Kendall Boots
Yes, cashmere is significantly more expensive than other warm-weather material out there, but there is a good reason for it. I used to never invest in cashmere, but now it’s my go-to for my winter travels. Here’s why:
Cashmere can be seven to eight times warmer than merino wool.
Cashmere has a higher loft, which makes it super soft.
Cashmere is much lighter than sheep’s wool, which is great for packing.
Cashmere is dressier, so it can be worn for both casual or elegant occasions.
To get cashmere clothing at a great price, check out Poshmark or ThredUP. They have awesome deals on gently worn clothes.
Low Heel Boots
Candy: EXPRESS Long Boots // HAPPYXNATURE Coat, Pants, & Sweater
CRYSTAL: EXPRESS Coat // Zappos Walking Cradles Kendall Boots
Amsterdam is a walkable city with excellent public transportation so you’ll find yourself on foot pretty much the entire day. For women, it’s hard to find a pair of boots with absolutely no heel at all. We didn’t want to wear sneakers the entire trip and boots are generally warmer than sneakers. Plus, boots can be better for the rainy days if they are waterproof. We were a bit worried about not wearing sneakers, but we were both perfectly fine wearing low heel boots. Of course, after 5-7 hours of walking, our feet did get a little soar, but that would happen even if we were wearing sneakers.
Everyone’s tolerance level is different so if you want to be sure your boots will be okay for your trip, test them out at home first. When I do this, I wear the shoes I’m testing out for at least three hours with plenty of walking involved.
Items We Should Have Packed
Winter Rain Coat
There were a few days where we got caught walking in the rain and it was not fun getting wet. We didn’t get drenched, but enough that our hair got damp and our clothes a little wet. It would have been nice to be able to throw on a raincoat during the occasional showers.
Compact Collapsible Umbrella
Sometimes it would just start raining out of nowhere, so there were a couple of times we wish we would have had a compact umbrella. We didn’t want to carry around a full-size umbrella since the rain came and went most of the time. Luckily, when it did begin to rain, we were in an area where we were able to take cover.
Packing Tips for Amsterdam & Bruges
Medium Away Suitcase
Away Medium Suitcase // Vessel Duffle Bag
Away Medium Suitcase // Pacsafe Backpack
Since we traveled from Amsterdam to Burges by train, we needed to make some smart luggage choices. Our 10-day trip couldn’t fit all of our winter clothes into a carry-on suitcase and a large suitcase was too big for our needs. The trains we rode had room for luggage storage above our seats as well as limited racks at the entrance doors. Having a large suitcase would have been a pain to store on the limited racks as the space was quite small. Our medium size suitcase was just the right size for this area and anything bigger might have been an issue. We love our Away suitcases and they accompany us on all of our travels as they are durable, lightweight, and come in a variety of sizes. You can read our review HERE.
Personal Bag with Handle Sleeve
Pacsafe Backpack // Away Carryon Suitcase
Vessel Duffle Bag // Away Carryon Suitcase // Anine Bing Black Denim
It’s also not a bad idea to invest in a personal bag that has a built-in sleeve for your suitcase handle. Having a bag with a dedicated handle sleeve is so much better than trying to figure out a way to wrap your bag around your suitcase. This sleeve makes your travels stress-free and hands-free. I brought my Vessel duffle bag and Crystal brought her Pacsafe backpack and both have a sleeve so that we can walk around with our suitcases without the worry of our bags falling off.
We hope our suggestions help and if you have any tips comment below. We love hearing from you!
