Earlier this month I vacationed in Vancouver, British Columbia and the Gulf Islands. While it was in the high 90s in sweltering New York where I live, the temperatures on my trip rarely climbed above 60 degrees with lows in the 40s and 50s. Let me remind you it was July, and I confess I didn’t bring any Cuddl Duds.

If had I been planning ahead — instead of living in denial about the cold summer forecast — bringing a set of Softwear would have made a whole lot of sense! While part of our trip was spent in the city, we also ventured off to Salt Spring Island (shown in the photo above) where we stayed at an electricity-free cabin. It was breathtakingly beautiful and had a rustic calm to cure any high-strung New Yorker’s stress, but we had to build a fire to stay warm at night. In July. A puffy vest around the campfire and a triple layer of sleeping bags on my bed could’ve both been avoided had I packed my Cuddl Duds! And after a dip in the refreshing lake with a chill in the air, again, I could’ve used a set to warm up in.

So if you’re planning a trip to somewhere that might still be chilly even though summer is in full swing — taking an Alaskan cruise, touring through the Australian outback or even traveling to South Africa (where World Cup soccer stars dressed warmly) for example — pack smart! Even though your first thought might be to pack an extra parka or puffy vest, those winter staples will take up a lot of room in your luggage. However, a simple set of Cuddl Duds can slip easily into your carry on and add warmth to your summer styles.