7 Helpful Hacks to Pack for Opposite Climates

The smartest frequent travelers don't leave the house on travel day without a trusty scarf, which can double as a travel blanket, shawl, or hood in a pinch. But not all scarves are created equal when it comes to packing for opposite climates: Choose a large infinity scarf made of breathable material, which can double as an extra layer, a shrug, or even a make-shift shirt or sleeves. Lululemon's Vinyasa Scarf stows away easily and opens into a huge circle of fabric that you can get creative with. Here are 10 ways to wear it.

Price and Where to Buy: Lululemon's Vinyasa Scarf from $48 on their website.

Don't underestimate the power of shape-changing clothing. Before you write off convertible pants as nerdy or ill-fitting, consider streamlined hiking clothes like REI's Mesa II Men's Convertible Pants, with lightweight material that discretely zips off to create shorts. For women, roll-up convertible capris like Columbia Women's Aruba Pant are a good option if you can't stash a pair of shorts in your carry-on, or if you're traveling somewhere that requires more modest clothing.

Price and Where to Buy: REI Mesa II Men's Convertible Pants from $52 on their website; Columbia Women's Full Leg Roll-Up Aruba Pant from $30 on Amazon.

The most important packing rule to live by: If you need to bring clunky shoes or boots, wear them on the plane. Plus, find just one versatile pair that will work with your destination and different types of outfits.

Beach vacations call for a comfortable pair of packable sandals, like stylish and supportive Tevas. Colder or urban destinations call for durable shoes that are still almost as easy to pack as sandals, like wool Allbirds or slip-on Suavs. The right pair for you will depend on the destination, but sockless, warm options like these are easy to rely on as your only pair of shoes. Allbirds merino wool material packs flat and insulates bare feet, while Suavs come in both summer and winter (read: fur-lined) options.

Price and Where to Buy: Teva Avalina Leather Sandals from $20 on Amazon; Allbirds Wool Runners from $95 on their website; Suavs from $79 on their website.

In terms of small accessories worth throwing in your travel bag, tights or leggings can go a long way: as an extra layer underneath pants, or for making travel dresses cold-weather friendly. For women, a standard pair of fleece-lined tights like Heat Holders will do. Men should invest in a thin option to go under trousers, like Under Armour Men's ColdGear Compression Leggings.

Price and Where to Buy: Women's Heat Holders Fleece Lined Thermal Tights from $12 on Amazon; Men's Under Armour ColdGear Compression Leggings from $38 on Amazon.

(Photos: Everlane; Uniqulo)

Lightweight layers are the secret to packing for opposite climates: You can throw them on when the temperature drops or peel them off when you've reached warmer weather, and they don't take up much bag space. Go for reputable brands that last and won't wear out easily from packing.

Uniqlo's HEATTECH T-shirts and Everlane's Luxe Sweater U-Neck are some of my favorites for layering because they're both cozy-warm, yet ultrathin. It's a good idea to have both a fitted shirt for under your travel outfit and an oversized sweater you can throw on if you need it.

Price and Where to Buy: Uniqlo Women HEATTECH Crewneck T-Shirt from $6 on their website; Everlane Luxe Sweater U-Neck for $68 on their website.

Before you resolve to leave your winter coat at home to lighten your bag, consider a jacket that's warm and packs flat or small. Senior Editor Caroline Morse rounded up ten travel jackets that fit the bill, including the Orvis Nimbus Travel Parka, which packs away into its own tiny stuff sack, and has a detachable hood. For men, Helly Hansen's Express Jacket has lightweight insulation throughout that isn't bulky and won't weigh your bag down.

Price and Where to Buy: Orvis Nimbus Travel Parka for $189 on their website; Helly Hansens' Express Jacket from $204 on Amazon.

If most of your travel wardrobe will be short-sleeved or sleeveless, bring a lightweight cardigan or two. Keeping one in your carry-on or day bag will give you the option to transition from hot to cold in a snap—a warm cardigan and a pair of tights alone can turn a sun dress into a cozy travel outfit. Merino wool options are best since they're both light and warm, like Benetton's Marino Wool Cardigan that comes in five neutral colors. Men might prefer a zipped version like this Calvin Klein Men's Full Zip to throw on when it's no longer T-shirt weather.

Price and Where to Buy: United Colors of Benetton's Merino Wool Cardigan is on sale from $23 on their website; Calvin Klein Men's Full Zip Merino Sweater is on sale from $30 on Amazon.