Every time I start packing for a trip, I raid my closet, throw down at least 15 outfits on my bed, then rationalize it back only 7. For three day trips. I have a problem, I know, but I do think overpacking is helpful when you aren’t sure what the weather is like in a city or what you’ll be doing. Portland was no different. We visited in late October, though I think this guide will be helpful for any time of year to help you figure out what to pack for Portland, Oregon.
Portland is the rainiest city in America, no joke, Beats out Seattle by a couple of days. Twilight really should have been written around Oregon instead of Washington, just saying. It rains 164 days a year, so chances are, it’ll rain when you visit. But, rain here is more along the lines of tropical rain patterns. If you don’t like the weather, wait a while and it’ll change. It’ll be more misty than raindrops. When the weather predicts rain, it doesn’t mean it’s happening all day, either, like in most parts of the states. So, don’t worry. You don’t need heavy duty rain boots and rain jackets and umbrellas. Just wanted to get that out of the way.
Portland and Oregon in general is pretty casual. The city is also really small and very walkable/bikeable, and you’ll probably be doing some hiking while you’re in the state.
With that in mind, I opted to wear my black booties which are made from a plastic material most of the time. Don’t bring anything suede since it’ll get ruined. I also brought my rain booties which doubled as my hiking boots – but if you got a legit pair of hiking boots, bring those, too! Try these, these, or these.
Since it wasn’t too cold yet, I brought a skirt and a t-shirt dress to layer with a button up top, other t-shirts and sweaters. I found myself changing a couple times a day to fit our activities and wore everything more than one, just in different combos. Try this, this, this and this.
Bring a light jacket for the spring/summer. A heavier one for winter. Try this one, this and this.
I brought one pair of high-waisted jeans, but didn’t wear them because they were too tight after eating all day — Portland is an eating and drinking city, so keep that in mind and consider packing stretchy clothes. I also brought a pair of boyfriend jeans and a plaid button-up to go hiking in. Try these, or these instead.
We did bring umbrellas, but only used them once when it was raining in the evening. I have a purse that’s plastic which I use when I know it’s going to rain. Keeps everything dry inside! Try this or this.
I hope this helps you pack for your trip to Portland and Oregon! Leave a comment below if you have anything to add or any questions.
