I know the dilemma. I routinely travel between warm and cold climates. I hate being cold but not as much as I hate lugging an overcoat through ATL in March. I rationalize that I will spend most of my time indoors and bring a coat that is lighter than necessary and augment it with a hat and warm gloves.

Last week, the high in CLE never rose above 30 and it snowed 4 out of 6 days. I froze my ar$e off and got snow down my shoes every morning. I am on my way to the cleaners at lunch to have the salt stains removed from the cuffs of my pants. I caught cold on Monday and still feel like horse dooky.

By the time I pack for the next trip North, I will have forgotten all the discomfort and inconvenience. It will be 75 in BHM and I will be shocked at the snow on the ground as I look out the aircraft window on the approach. I will pull my light sweater close, turn my face downwards to shield it from the icy, stinging wind and conjure up images of palm trees and Art Deco hotels to take my mind off the realization that, once again, I am unprepared for the weather.

I will add that I have a closetful of warm clothing purchased on the road; the lined raincoat from BOS in May, the sweatsuit from SFO in June, the overcoat from DTW in January. Somehow, I manage to pack it home. Why can I not bring myself to take it when next I sally forth?

My advice? Buy what you need in Europe and leave it with the UIG.