What To Wear in Seattle

One of the questions I always get is "What kind of clothes should I pack for my trip to Seattle?" In this post I'll share my strategies for moderating my comfort while in Seattle or in conference centers.

One Size Does Not Fit All
It’s not surprising that many of you have different opinions on clothing.  You come from different climates and are used to different temperature ranges.  I have some relatives who grew up in the southern part of the state of Texas.  When they travel to Washington State, it’s pretty clear they have been acclimatized where is it is usually warm and humid.  We can essentially be wearing the same clothes but they will always complain about how “cold” they are.  Conversely if I travel to where they live, I am always too warm.

I was asked this week if shorts made sense for Seattle at this time of the year.  Since that MVP came from a southern climate, I said "No…pants made more sense."  If the person lives in an northern area where “warm” is 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-16 degrees Celsius) is considered warm, I might have said, "yes…pack those shorts."

Another item I heard were stories of people who packed garments that were too heavy, too light, or not sufficiently waterproof.  Their chief discovery was that weather in the Seattle can be unpredictable, especially for someone who dressed for the day without the option of layering.  So, rather than suggest a specific type of clothes, I prefer to offer a strategy for clothing layers you can apply.  As a daily bus commuter with 20 mile (about 32 kilometers) trip to work with transfers, layering has been the key to my comfort for years.

Weathering with Layers
The “layered-look” is not just a fashion statement in the Pacific Northwest; it’s a practical answer to our environment here.  The Puget Sound area is a melting pot of weather systems.  Cold dry Arctic air blows from the North.  Warm humid air sails in from the Pacific Ocean from the south and west around the Olympic Mountains.  The tug-of-war between these systems is determined by the relative strength of these systems and the battle is forced by the blocking presence of the Cascade Mountain Range.

The varied topography of the land between water and mountains only makes it more interesting, creating multiple weather “zones.”  Just in the city of Seattle, can be sunny in spots, rainy in others and even sport now snow and hail at some altitudes in a day.  Since our many hills and valleys draw in weather systems at different rates and with different intensity, when and how the weather changes within a zone cannot be predicted well.

With that uncertainty, you need to be prepared for anything.  Some of this can be mitigated keeping alternative wardrobe around with you.  However, as Global Summit participant, you will be traveling quite a bit and will want to minimize what you have with you.  That is why layering is the best solution for you.

What is Layering
The whole idea of layering is to regulate your body temperature by adding or shedding clothing layers.  For those of you who are very active outdoors, there is a whole science around the strategy of layering.  In short, the idea boils down to three levels:

1. Base Layer
2. Insulation Layer
3. Outer Shell

The Base Layer is designed to hold your warmth.  In the outdoor setting, it’s also designed to wick away perspiration which could chill you as well.  For urban layering, I think the idea of the Base Layer is that it be the base garment you are willing to strip down to when you can warm.

While the Base Layer holds your warmth, the Insulation Layer holds out the other elements and traps heat in the space between it and the Base Layer.  The last point is key because the strength of layering is as much the space between garments as it is the garment themselves.  That gap becomes a layer as well and allows you to wear lighter, more portable clothing.  While my Base Layer is fairly consistent, my Insulation Layer varies in thickness depending on the time of the year.  As nights will still be cool, consider a warm but breathable covering for this layer.  This layer also helps in chilly meeting rooms! If winds could have a chilling effect, adding a vest on top of the regular Insulation Layer here often helps.  Remember, you can always take it off, but only if you take it with you in the first place.

Completing the set is the Outer Shell.  This is what keeps the rain off.  I don’t chose my Outer Shell for warmth…I let the Insulation Layer take on that duty.  I want something light enough to roll up and stow in my backpack or bag.  On times when the sun is out and it’s nice, I might peel off the Insulation Layer and just use the Base Layer with my Outer Shell.  As the sun disappears and temperatures drop, out comes Insulation Layer to restore the balance.

It’s really that simple.  Too warm?  Remove and stow a layer.  Too cold? Retrieve that layer and put it back on.  The key is making sure you take the time to consider the range of temperature and what choices for your Insulating Layer and Outer Shell should address that.  If you believe that temperatures could dip lower than you like, try adding another Insulating Layer.  Two lighter Insulating Layers are flexible and storable than one heavy Insulating Layer. 

Layering is a Useful Tool, Not a Requirement
While layering for the outdoors is pretty necessary survival strategy, urban layering is more of a comfort and convenience.  When you range much beyond the hotel room, the clothes on your back are the most convenient shelter.  Carrying an extra coat or other garment that can’t be easily stored in your bag or backpack gets old pretty fast.

For some of you, layering may seem overkill or not very fashionable.  I suppose it’s all a matter of taste and personal comfort.  For my teenage daughter, layering is ALL about fashion.  I wish I could share some of her personal understanding on layering as a fashion statement but I confess I don’t understand it and, as a teenager, she isn’t inclined to share her insights beyond some like, “Dad, you just don’t get it!”

All I can say is that is works for me <smile> and keeps me comfortable.

Authored by: Brian Boston, MVP Lead, Americas