4 Shoulder Season Packing Mistakes Women Make (And What to Pack Instead)
If you’re planning fall travel this September or October, unpredictable weather is your biggest carry-on challenge. Today, I’m sharing a fall travel packing list—with autumn layers and water-resistant picks you need for packing carry-on only. You’ll avoid the top overpacking mistakes most women make.
I’ll show you some Potential Packing Pitfalls and wiser picks so your carry-on bags will be full of what-if essentials, so you are prepared for unique weather patterns of the shoulder season in September and October, but still pack in a carry-on if you must.
One travel tip is that “just in case” can be your enemy when packing. Pack two items so that just in case it is freezing or too hot or pouring rain, you’re covered…literally.
- Choose one shoe that is waterproof or water-resistant.
- Choose a lightweight but effective warm layer.
- Pack one waterproof travel gear item like an umbrella, a rain jacket or just a few ponchos for your pocket.
Layers
As a pilot’s wife only packing in carry-on bags for 24 years, I have learned how to balance style and functionality so you are prepared for every forecast on a trip.
Packing pitfall number 1 is the risk of overpacking.
Choose 1 or 2 long-sleeve tees, depending on your style and activities; for example, white button down, fishing hiking shirt, basic long sleeve tee.
Warmer layers for September and October:
- fleece zip jacket
- a puffer vest
- thin cotton cashmere sweater that cuts the cold
- a poncho that can be worn 3 ways
The wise pick would be 2-3 warmer layers to be worn based on your activities and the weather forecast.
Will you be inside or will you be outside? Which 2 could you pack that you could wear several times? Will the temps be in the 40s or high 50s?
For a river cruise in Europe, when I got back on the boat is when I would ditch the sweater and just wear my long-sleeve tee or short-sleeve shirt and jeans.
The 2nd Pitfall: Dealing with that ‘sweaty workout’ scent after a long day of sightseeing.
The Pick: Merino wool. Unlike other fabrics, it won’t hold onto moisture or odors. Whether it’s a short sleeve or long from Amazon or Quince, it’s a body temperature regulator.
Quick tip: Hand-wash your Quince pieces to make them last!
Another reason for this wise pick is that it’s incredibly quick-drying for sink washing.
Solids help you pack less in carry-on luggage.
- Red tee
- Gray tee
- Blue tee
- A more elevated tee, like my sweater tee from Quince. It is a tee, but made out of cotton and cashmere.
Bottoms
- Baleaf water resistant pant: 3 lengths, elastic waistband, zippered pockets
- Denim- cropped or flare
- Athletic pants that can be worn with a dressier top and sweater like mine from Athleta.
- Quick-drying, pockets, versatile colors with the short sleeve tops and the long sleeve tops, the cotton cashmere sweater or cashmere one. If you drape a sweater over your tee, you automatically elevate it.
You may even want to add some skinny scarves. There are tons of tutorials on how to tie them long or tightly.
Now, layers are great unless the forecast on the New England coast is a downpour every day. You could pack a massive raincoat for every scenario, but that’s a major Number 3 Packing Pitfall.
Instead, here are the water-resistant layers that keep you dry without the bulk. Here are the only three you actually need:
- Outer layers
- waterproof rain jacket, water-repellent hiking pants, over-pants to wear over jeans if raining, and they pack in a tiny bag, water-repellent shoes or waterproof if your forecast is definite rain.
- If you are traveling in the Fall to the Pacific Northwest, consider adding a lightweight puffer jacket that is also water-repellent.
- One travel tip: Some jackets may have their own pouch for packing the jacket, but you can also just have a trash bag in your coat pocket and stuff it in there before boarding.
Shoes
Packing Pitfall #4 is packing too many shoes!
Choose at least one that is water-resistant or waterproof that you could wear for a couple of days if it is raining.
Choose 1 of these:
- A double duty waterproof sneaker if raining is my On Cloud 6 which are waterproof.
- Another waterproof shoe is a Merrell hiking shoe. They hug my foot and have a patented sole for hiking grip but are incredibly comfortable for walking miles.
- This is just my opinion, but I don’t think you need hiking shoes if you have a sneaker with a rugged, grooved sole.
If you want to add some fun and function to your river cruise packing list, add these ballet sneakers, which are true sneakers. Wear them with so many outfits, even shorts if it is still warm. Would be great for a long flight if your feet swell.
But if you know it will rain, these waterproof slide shoes from Blondo are comfortable for walking all day long; they have room for an arch support insert and can be worn with multiple pairs of pants. They’re great for lounging after all-day excursions.
But remember: if you packed waterproof sneakers, you may not need these slip-on shoes.
If you are not a sneaker traveler, pack these arch-support loafers that mix and match with almost any outfit. Vionic makes comfortable shoes for walking that have an elevated look, making them versatile for travel.
When packing in the shoulder season, two tips to remember:
- Limit the number of shoes you pack
- Choose 3 and wear one with your airplane outfit.
Now you are ready for the what-ifs and can ditch clothing and shoes you really do not need because you prepared by using this list to find out what is really essential for you!