Are you wondering what to wear in Poland? This guide tells you what you should pack for Poland whatever season you are visiting and no matter whether you are visiting seasons like Krakow, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Gdansk or further afield.
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Poland Dress Code Rules
Like most European countries, Poland doesn’t have strict dress code rules. If you plan on eating at some more fine dining establishments you may want to add one smart casual outfit into your travel capsule wardrobe.
What to wear in Poland in Summer (June, July and August)
Poland in Summer is classified as June, July and August andhas fairly moderate summer. Typically July is the hottest of the summer months in Poland with the average temperature beinga round 19C/66F with June and August being only marginally cooler.
As such we would recommend putting the below on your Poland summer packing list:
Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts.
Because of the combination of moderate weather and a local fashion styles steering away from short dresses and skirts we recommend packing a mix of maxi or midi dresses and skirts.
We recommend selecting items made of natural fabrics as opposed to man made fabrics. These are more breathable and will reduce sweat when outside.
We also recommend selecting items that are more loose and flowing as opposed to tight fitting as these are better for heat and dress code adherence.
Loose Trousers
We tend to avoid jeans in summer as it can be warm. Instead we recomend loose trousers and linen trousers.
Blouse
A loose blouse is another good pick for visiting religious sites and for evenings in Poland. Personally I like plain white linen shirts as they are very easy to use as part of a capsule wardrobe.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Poland no matter what season you are visiting. For Summer I like to pack a short sleeve t-shirts and style-wise, I tend to stick to a plain or lightly patterned t-shirt instead of neon, graphic or slogan tees as they work better in a capsule wardrobe.
Layers
Although Poland can be warms in summer we recommend packing a couple of top layers like a light hoodie, smarter sweater and waterfall cardigan for evenings.
Click here to shop layers for Poland
Waterproof Jacket
Poland in summer is actually pretty rainy with around 17 days seeing rain in each of the summer months. Therefore if you plan on spending time outside be sure to have a waterproof with you.
Jacket
Although the temperatures are warm in Poland in Summer it is always a good idea to have a light jacket with you.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Europe without a pashmina. These are perfect for chilly mornings and eveningse, and are great for making outfits more modest especially when visiting religious sites.
PJs or Nightie, Underwear and Socks
Goes without saying.
Hat
Hats are the perfect instagram accessory so if you plan on taking some insta snaps this is a good addition to your packing list.
Sunglasses
It is bright during the summer months in Poland so don’t leave the sunglasses at home.
What to wear in Poland in Winter (December, January and February)
Poland in Winter is a magical destination especially with the Christmas Markets. However it can be a tricky season to pack for. Winter throughout Poland is classified as December, January and February and it is not uncommon to see snow and ice on your Poland Winter vacation.
The average temperature during this period is -2C / or 28F with January taking the title for coldest month of the year.
You can also expect to see about 13 days of rain during each of these months so it is worth being prepared with some some waterproof wear.
So what should you wear to cope with the Winter in Poland?
Layers
And lots of them! I’m talking thermal base layers, shirts, hoodies as well as warm coats.
It is better to have too many layers and be able to remove some than find yourself shivering while wandering around the markets.
Hat, Scarf and Gloves
As I mentioned above it definitely does snow in Poland in Winter, (How much and how often depends on where you are going and in what month),and you will absolutely be wanting all the normal regular Winter accessories with you.
Beanie hats are a good choice. We also recommend taking gloves that allow you to use your phone while still wearing them as this will stop faffing in the cold.
You may also want to a pair of earmuffs for a particular cold snap.
Jeans / Trousers
Jeans are a great choice for Winter in Poland as they are thicker than other trousers. We also recommend picking fleece lined jeans for extra warmth.
But you will also want some trousers that are more comfortable for walking in, especially for walking in the rain in.
Coat
A coat is absolutely a necessity during Winter in Poland no matter whether you are in cities like WArsaw and Krakow or heading out into the countryside.
We recommend something warm like a down parka. However we also recommend picking a coat that has some water resistance or waterproof coating to cope with the rainy days in Poland.
Hiking Socks
For me there is nothing worse than cold feet so you will want hiking socks with you for out of trails and in the outdoors.
We also recommend merino wool socks for thinner socks that are still insulating.
Dress and Tights
If you want to wear a dress for smarter evenings out we recommend slecting a warmer jumper / sweater style dress and pairing it with thick tights.
Shoes with Good Sole
We talk about shoes more in the best shoes for Poland later in this post, however it is worth pointing out here that is is essential to have shoes with a good sole for Winter in Poland due to cold, snow and ice are being likely weather during the season.
What to wear to Poland in Spring and Fall (March, April and May and September, October and November)
The shoulder seasons in Poland are one of the best times to visit for both crowds and weather. Depending on the month you are traveling in will depend on whether your list should lean more towards the summer or the winter packing list.
Generally speaking however, for March and November I would consider packing more layers as they are closer to Winter. And for April, May, September and October I would add more summer wear but still have layers with me.
I recommend adding the below to the Shoulder season packing lists
Hoodie / Sweater / Jumper / Poncho
You will definitely want top layers with you during this period. For May and September you can probably get away with a lighter weight hoodie. However for the Winter adjacent months you will want thicker and more layers with you.
For November you may also want a heavy weight coat.
Sunglasses
Great no matter the month you visit Poland.
Pashmina
Again this is perfect as an additional layer for cooler periods and is great for making outfits more modest.
Best Shoes for Poland
Sneakers
My number one shoe for Poland at any time of year is a sneaker. Sneakers cope well with the historic centres where you will find uneven surfaces and cobblestone strets.
However we recommend having looking for some waterproof sneakers due to the amount of rain you get in Poland year round.
My favorite waterproof sneaker is the Ecco Soft Seven.
Ankle Boots (Winter)
For Winter and part of the shoulder seasons we recommend having some waterproof leather ankle boots with you. We recommend flat boots over thin heels as they cope better on historic streets.
What to Pack for Poland – non clothing
As well as clothing you may be wondering what to pack for Poland that isn’t clothes.
Well we recommend adding the below to your Poland Packing List no matter the season:
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Poland is no different. A crossbody bag with lots of zips is the best way to protect your belongings.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Travel adaptor
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Sun screen
- Compact Umbrella – year round.
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here. However toiletries should be easy to buy in Poland if you want to big them on arrival.
- Lipbalm – absolutely an essential in Winter to protect your lips from cracking in the cold.
- Moisturiser – needed to protect your skin from drying out in the cold weather.
- Hand Warmers – as the weather is so cold in Poland in Winter we recommend packing a plentiful supply of hand warmers with you to add into your gloves.
- Ice Scraper (optional depending on car hire) – If you are renting your own car then you may want to bring an ice scraper / deicer with you. This way you can clear your windows and head off early in the morning.
FAQs about What to wear in Poland
Can I wear leggings in Poland?
Yes you can wear leggings in Poland. In Winter these are a great additional layer for when you are spending lots of time outside in the cold.
Do you have any questions about packing for Poland? Drop us a comment below and we get back to you as soon as we can.