If you dress sensibly, you can for sure enjoy all seasons and all weather! 

How hard can it be to decide what to wear when you visit a country that is called Iceland? You, of course, have to be aware of the cold, wind, and rain. But also the heat (not so much) and the burning sun. All on the same day or even within an hour.

Now, here below, I was going to divide the year into four seasons, but after some thought, I decided not to. This may come as a surprise to you, but the seasons in Iceland can sometimes become very similar, and from time to time, it is very hard to tell them apart. You will need an expert to tell you what season it is, as some days (even some hours) can seem to have all of them. There is also a big difference (or at least there can be) between the weather in the north and south of Iceland. The weather in the northern part is more similar (usually) to a continental climate, where it is warmer in the summers and colder in the winters, while in the south the climate is more like an island climate, with sometimes the same temperature all year round (in fact, Iceland is an island, and some people even believe that the word island comes from the name of this particular island, which in fact is written in Icelandic as Ísland).

The summer doesn't come suddenly; looking at the calendar does you no good to see if it has arrived or not. It typically starts (if it comes at all) sometime in June. All the snow will probably have disappeared from the lowlands, and you don't have to scrape your windshields in the mornings. If you are going on a day tour, you can't be sure if the weather will be like it is here and now after an hour of driving. So, what do you do? Well, the answer lies in the layers. Many layers. Closest to the body, you have a layer that breathes. Cotton is a no-no. You don't wear cotton in Iceland when there is the slightest possibility of rain (unless you are Icelandic or downtown). Cotton gets wet from rain or when you sweat. When this happens and you stop walking, the wind will make you very cold. There is always wind, and I know I am not supposed to scare you off, but people have died because of not dressing right. Cotton takes a long time to dry and is therefore not suitable for clothing except for downtown use. 

For the innermost layer, use polyester or wool, and it has to breathe!

This could be a t-shirt in summer or long sleeves in winter.

The next layer would be a fleece or wool sweater to keep you warm. Depending on how thick the sweater is, you might want to add another layer of a similar kind.

The third (or fourth) layer would preferably be a windstopper, and depending on whether it is waterproof or not, you add a waterproof layer. In winter, this would be a thicker jacket, ideally waterproof if the snow turns into sleet or frosty rain.

Using layers makes it easier to adjust to the ever-changing conditions you are experiencing. When you get the hang of it, you will be taking off and putting on layers all day long.

Extra rules:

• Do not imitate how people dress when you see them outside wearing shorts and t-shirts. These are typical Icelanders who tend to rip their clothes off if the sun shines on them for a minute or two. The temperature could easily be around the freezing point, or about 32°F (0°C), and they don't notice.

• Jeans are cotton and therefore no good except for downtown or indoor use.

• Shoes! Wear preferably hard-soled shoes with support for your ankles. Spray them with silicone to make them water-resistant for rain and snow. Of course, you also have to use good wool socks or layers of socks. With the use of new hiking shoes, it can be good to use layers of socks instead of one thick pair; it eliminates the risk of getting a heel spur.

• Yaktrax or crampons are essential in winter to stay safe and to be able to walk on icy paths, protecting nature. Some tour operators provide them when needed.