What to Pack for a Vermont Winter
📍 Stowe, Vermont

Sweater (Similar) || Jeans || Boots ($50 off with SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Similar Handbag || Similar Beanie || Earrings || Bracelet || Coat (Similar)

One last post from my stint in Vermont! I’ve been to Stowe several times in the winter and each time I learn more about what to pack. For this Floridian, it’s an ever-developing process! Because I want to share what I learn along the way, here’s my latest guide in what to pack for a Vermont Winter.

Warmest Possible Jacket

The jacket is the number one pick on my list for obvious reasons. As I write this, Vermont is currently -20° F. That’s not for the faint of heart or even the toughest of souls. While NYC didn’t get to anything close to those numbers, I swear by my LL Bean Ultra Warm Parka. It’s measured for -40° temperatures and comes in several colors. The best perk of all is it will keep you just as warm as the ever-popular Canada Goose jacket but at a fraction of the cost! 

Classic Bean Boots

This piece of footwear is a New England staple for a reason! No Vermont home is complete without several pairs. While there are several different heights and styles to choose from, I’m partial to the original 8-inch Bean Boots. They pair perfectly with your favorite skinny jeans and truly keep my feet dry. Consider adding a pair of the shearling insoles for even extra warmth on the coldest Vermont day. 

All Winter Accessories

Vermont is the destination to pack all of the winter accessories. The top staples to include are definitely the beanie, gloves, and scarf. Especially for the gloves and beanie, bring multiples in case an extra snow day leaves them too damp. Nothing’s worse than slipping into a pair of wet mittens. Stick to neutral colors like black, navy, or camel for a safe bet. That way, you can mix and match to fit any outfit you pack. 

Layering Turtleneck

Because these J. Crew tissue turtlenecks are so thin, you can pack several in your suitcase and take up minimal space. While I love wearing them by themselves, you’ll want to layer them under a cozy, oversized sweater. Wearing these pieces is also the easiest way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. I especially love this icy pastel pink, even for a cold Florida day. 

Cozy Oversized Cardigan

An oversized cardigan sweater will work double-time for you in Vermont. Start the day by slipping it on over your layered shirts. You’ll be so happy to have an extra layer with the temperatures dip below zero. At the end of a long day of being out in the snow, I like to wear mine with my pajamas. It’s the perfect addition while sitting next to the fire. It’s the kind of piece that you may just wear 24/7.

Flannel PJ Set

The right pair of pajamas may be just as crucial as the parka that you pack. Especially if the weather is nasty, you may end up staying in your PJs all day long! While flannel is the best for frosty nights, the length is probably the most important. Have a full-length set to help you stay warm as you cuddle under a mound of fleece blankets.

Dark Wash and White Wash Skinny Jeans

I’ll be honest. The skinny jean is not my favorite silhouette. I’m much more partial to straight and wide leg jeans. Whenever I head up north, I’m always sure to pack my skinniest pair to help me stay warm. It only makes sense, the more space between the fabric, the more cold air can get in to give you a chill. My go-to is this pair from J. Crew. Isn’t the color of the wash just gorgeous?

Set of Warm Socks

Bring as many wool socks that will fit in your suitcase. Even consider bringing multiple types to help keep your feet extra warm. For a touch of luxury, you could even pack this pair of cashmere socks. They definitely kept my feet toasty warm during my entire Vermont stay!

Oversized Turtleneck Sweater

This oversized turtleneck sweater from J. Crew was the best new addition to my Vermont wardrobe. I always love a cable knit pattern, but it was the incredible warmth that made me fall in love. On this particular day, we walked around Stowe when it was a balmy 4 degrees, but this sweater made me feel so comfortable and warm. I even mustered up the courage to take a picture without my wool coat.

Cashmere Leggings

Another new-to-me staple that I couldn’t live without is cashmere leggings! They were an absolute must for this particular blog post, but I found myself wearing them nearly the entire trip. On their own, they are perfect for lounging around the house. On those frigid days, you can even wear underneath your jeans to stay warm.

SPF 30 Sunscreen

If I said it once, I said it 1000 times, always pack sunscreen. Just because it’s cold and cloudy, you still need at least SPF 30 to help keep your skin healthy. My recent favorite has been SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen from Sun Bum. Even though your hundreds of miles from the ocean, this brand is reef safe and harsh chemical-free. 

Polarized Sunglasses

It’s surprising how damaging the sun can be to your eyes on a snowy day. The light reflects off the white of the snow and makes the UVA/UVB rays even more powerful. Packing a pair of polarized sunglasses is always a good bet, but especially so if you’re expecting to spend a lot of time in the snow and sun. Krewe is always my favorite for sunglasses and their polarized pairs are always crowd-pleasers.

And just like that you’re packed for a Vermont Winter. While staying warm is clearly the name of the game, I want to still be as fashionable as possible. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for, right? Weather you spend the wintertime up north or in the southeast, stay warm folks!

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Stowe, Vermont Mornings
📍Stowe, Vermont

Sweater (Similar) || Shirt || Jeans || Booties ($50 off with Code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Similar Handbag || Coat (Similar) || Beanie (Similar) || Scarf || Gloves

Each New England town that I have a chance to visit is just brimming with a unique character unto itself. Stowe, Vermont is undoubtedly on that list. With a population of just over 5,000 residents, it would certainly classify as a small town. David grew up just on the other side of the mountain from Stowe in Cambridge. During the summer months, it’s only a 15-minute drive, but the mountain pass, Smugglers Notch, closes in the winter. The drive to Stowe is extended to about 45 minutes or so but is still very much worth the trip! On our most recent trip, we woke up with the sun to get to Stowe just before all of the shops opened up. The result was a morning with Stowe, Vermont, all to ourselves! 

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Breakfast at Butlers Pantry

Every good day in a small town begins with a hearty breakfast from a local favorite. In the case of Stowe, that means following your stomach to Butlers Pantry on Main Street. Established in 1830, they specialize in breakfast and is just the ticket to warm up on a frigid Vermont morning. Everything on their menu is absolutely mouth-watering, but the Cheddar Jalapeño Pancakes are the way to my heart.

Daydream About Vacation Homes

As David and I think about the future, we like to daydream about purchasing a second home. While I love so many destinations, we know Stowe would be a pretty great option. With its proximity to family and the mountains, it’s something that we could take advantage of year-round. We always like to stroll through historic homes and peek at the local real estate. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this! Just a few blocks away from Main Street, you’ll find a row of beautifully maintained 1800s homes. Walk around to work off a portion of your hearty breakfast.

Window Shop at the Local Boutiques

In my humble opinion, small businesses are the exact thing that makes a small-town so unique! They really help encapsulate the personality of the locals. Better still, you can bring something home that will always remind you of your visit. My personal favorite in Stowe is The Country Store on Main for beautiful houseware, but be sure to visit as many boutiques as you can!

Buy Provisions at Stowe Mercantile

Vermont is sort of known for its food. Maybe you’ve heard of a little thing called maple syrup? There are also the cheeses, the ice cream, and the beer companies that have their roots in the Green Mountain State. No trip to Stowe is complete without serious shopping at Stowe Mercantile. Here, we stock up on our favorite VT fare to snack on for the rest of the visit. You may get a bit overwhelmed with all they offer, but I recommend going with your gut. However, don’t miss out on a set of Runamok maple syrup, based in nearby Fairfax. 

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Hot Chocolate To-Go from Laughing Moon

Before your morning in Stowe comes to a close, I have one more recommendation for you! Especially in the winter, the ride home is most likely a cold and snowy affair. To help you stay warm on the journey, make a quick visit to Laughing Moon. They have a full selection of chocolate confections and treats, but my eye is on the hot chocolate bar behind the counter. Order up your perfect concoction, but I challenge you to leave without an order of truffles or bark. It just can’t be done!

If you ever find yourself in New England, particularly Vermont, Stowe is a must-visit! With its quintessential small town charm and sheer beauty, you’ll be sure to fall in love instantly! Just be sure to bundle up if you’re brave enough to visit during the winter. These single-digit days are no joke!

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

A Winter Wonderland in Vermont
📍 Stowe, Vermont

Dress (Similar) || Cashmere Wrap || Heels ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Earrings || Cashmere Leggings

We interrupt my sunny, coastal-inspired blog posts for a brief stint in a Winter Wonderland. I know these are well overdue, but I wanted to back up to our Christmas trip to Northern Vermont. Because they live so far away, we can’t see David’s family as often as we would like. That just makes the trips we do have extra special. It’s also a wonderful excuse for a change of scenery. Each time we visit, especially during the wintertime, I just marvel at how beautiful the snow can be and how different it is from where I grew up. I feel so lucky to have an excuse to visit such a unique part of our country.

Even though I was well overdressed for this particular corner of Vermont, the backdrop at the Kennedy home is just too good to pass up! Although not my favorite Disney movie, I couldn’t help but have an Elsa from Frozen moment! However, not seen in this picture are the cashmere leggings and fur-lined boots that I wore to help me stay toasty and somewhat comfortable. I can’t remember exactly, but I want to say the temperature was in the teens when I ventured outside to take this picture. Afterward, it was quickly back to the fireplace inside to warm up.

Another essential piece that helped me stay warm was this cashmere wrap from J. Crew. I’ve had it for years, and it’s become one of my top travel must-haves. It can play the part of the scarf, pillow, blanket, and everything in between. While black may be the most versatile choice, it comes in a rainbow of colors. Currently, I’m also eyeing the camel choice. I think I’m going through a neutral phase because that’s all that I want to add to my closet. Does that mean I’m getting more mature, or is it just a sign that winter is here? Anyways, the other great thing about this wrap is that you can add a little monogram to make it your own. I love this as a gift idea for a bride-to-be because it’s an accessory that will be forever loved and cherished.

Truth be told, I wanted to take pictures of this stunning J. Crew Factory maxi dress at the New York Public Library while we were visiting the city. On a side note, those posts are also coming soon! Sadly, the cold and rainy weather wasn’t cooperating with us, but I think this Winter scenery was a great backup plan and may even be better than the original! This dress was under $50 but looks and feels well beyond that price point. With the proper styling, you could wear it to a black-tie event, like a winter wedding or gala. For something a bit more casual, it’s also available in this long-sleeve, mini-dress design. One great floral print, two fun silhouettes!

Because the temperatures were so low and I’m not much of an outdoorsy person, I ended up standing inside for most of our stay. I don’t feel too bad about it, though. One of the perks of working remotely is that I can be wherever I want to be without taking personal days, even though I’m still one to schedule them in. Outside of work, I could catch up on some reading, enjoy hot chocolate, and visit with David’s family. Actually, one of my favorite things about visiting Vermont is how I can feel off the grid. The chaos of life seems to melt away for a short time, but I know it’s not something I’m permanently looking for.

I’m so excited to share a few more wintery looks from our Vermont visit. While I know a huge part of my audience lives in Florida, it’s a fun opportunity to show a new window into what actual winter looks like. I don’t want to call it playing dress-up, but I had so much fun styling for a cold, snowy day. Does that mean we should move to the Northeast? Only time will tell! 

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.