There’s no denying I love the winter time. Well, I really love fall but winter is magical in its own right. I took my first big trip in the winter months and I completely fell in love with the cold, snowy destinations. I would spend my days exploring the quaint European towns and my nights in a cozy cafe eating goulash and drinking tea. Ah, the life.
Having the proper clothing for cold weather is crucial. Seriously, it can make or break a trip. Prior to backpacking through Europe in the winter I researched every article of clothing I brought with me. I was so happy with the pieces I ended up choosing. I shared all about what I packed and my favorite winter pieces last year: 2017 Winter Travel Essentials.
This go-round I’m sharing a few of my tried and true pieces PLUS new additions all of which are sustainably made and produced.
My criteria for winter clothing:
-Comfy
-Warm and cozy
-Versatile
-Weather resistant
-Compact (which isn’t always synonymous with winter clothing)
Winter Warmer Coat from LL Bean
Hands down the best coat I have ever owned. I am actually wearing it as I type this (the heat has been out in the house for over 24 hours). It is warm, flattering, and comfy. I live in this coat every winter and it still looks brand new. I am bringing this baby with me to Bavaria Germany in two weeks, and have worn it on extra cool fall days. It is the perfect cool weather coat, and affordable at $130.
I am a big fan of LL Bean and their sustainable practices. The quality and durability of their products is hard to beat especially given the low prices.
Read all about LL Bean Sustainable Practices here.
Merino Wool Leggings from Icebreaker
Icebreaker is one of my all time favorite brands. I first discovered Icebreaker back in 2015 and purchased an absurd amount of Icebreaker clothing since. Many of their products are 100% merino wool which means temperature regulating, antimicrobial (aka doesn’t smell bad), soft, comfy, and compact- all things I love in my travel clothing. They sell everything from base layers to heavy coats to the coziest gloves. To be honest, I recommend all of their products but especially the Metro Pants. The pants have all the benefits of a winter training pant plus the coziness of sweatpants. I wear these around the house, on airplanes, and cold weather hiking. The Crush Pants are also fabulous if you are looking for something a little lighter weight. For really cold days I throw on an Icebreaker base layer under my pants.
Icebreaker Sustainable Practices
Read More: My favorite pieces from Icebreaker
Fleece Sweatshirt from Everlane
Does this sweatshirt look like it is made from 35 renewed plastic bottles? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. One of my favorite sustainable food bloggers (@thewholefooddiary) shared Everlane’s new ReNew collection with me and I am obsessed to say the least. I have a feeling I will end up ordering more pieces from this collection but I started with this comfy, cozy, fleece sweatshirt. The bright mustard color gives my typical all-black winter wardrobe a much needed pop of color. I am looking forward to getting a lot of wear out of this piece this winter.
Cashmere Sweater from Reformation
Reformation is know for their commitment and strides toward being one of the most sustainable clothing brands on the market today. For each piece of clothing a full breakdown of the environmental impact is shared directly with customers. Full transparency and great quality- two of my favorite things in a company. Their conscious cashmere line has some of the cozies, warmest, and chicest sweaters out there. I chose this sweater because of the oversized, casual fit. My go-to winter look is high waisted jeans (or leggings if I’m traveling) and short black boots. Blue is my favorite color to wear so this baby blue boyfriend sweater was a no-brainer.
Reformation Sustainable Practices
Patagonia Nano Puff from Patagonia
Ah, the good ‘ole Nano Puff. I have admired this jacket for sometime now and finally took the plunge and purchased one for myself. I could say so many wonderful things about this jacket, but I will just highlight a few for you. It’s warm, packable, lightweight, and the perfect layering piece for any winter destination. Patagonia is also one of my all-time favorite brands to purchase from. They have incredible sustainable practices and give so much back to the earth.
Patagonia Sustainable Practices
Baselayer from Icebreaker
This is my tried and true winter essential. A merino wool base layer is essential for any cold (or hot) weather destination. I seriously wear my Siren Long Sleeve Shirt at least 3 times a week. I am not kidding, it is the most comfortable, flattering, and versatile piece I own. Icebreaker is my go-to brand for all things merino wool. However, there are other companies out there that sell great wool products.
Icebreaker Sustainable Practices
Norwegian Welted Boots from Zamberlan
If you have plans to trek through snow, hit the ski slopes, or be in extreme condition, this is your boot. They are comfy, stylish, and will keep your toe toasty warm in sub-zero temperatures.
See More: My Favorite Winter Travel Boots
Hydrating B5 Gel from SkinCeuticals
I recently started using SkinCeuticals skincare and I am obsessed. Their products are backed by rigorous research studies conducted at Duke University (just a few miles from my hometown) and make a huge impact on the texture and appearance of my skin. I don’t talk about beauty products all that much on the blog, mostly because I am far from an expert in the area. However, I have consulted with experts and SkinCeuticals gets their seal of approval. My favorite product for winter travel is their Hydrating B5 Gel. It is super-hydrating, lightweight, and comes in a TSA-approved packaging!
Moisturizer from Intelligent Nutrients
In addition to SkinCeuticals I also use Intelligent Nutrients skincare. I started using their cleanser and moisturizer in early 2018 and have seen a huge difference in my skin, particularly the vibrance of it. It is long-lasting, hydrating, and doesn’t clog your pores. Intelligent Nutrients also sells convenient travel sets of their skin care line in eco-friendly packaging. It doesn’t get easier than that!
