City break style

Summer is well under way! Time to get packing for those last minute holidays.

With low cost airlines a quick break is only a short flight away.
For those with little time and minimal annual leave, the European city break is the perfect vacation destination.
With a limited amount of days and luggage allowance it can be tricky to know what to pack.
As a frequent traveller I’ve had to learn the good old ‘trial and error’ way. To save you the hassle and now give you the essential guidelines to what to take for a headache free and stylish holiday.

Jeans:
Wear your favourite pair that are comfortable and will go with a majority of your tops you intend to take.

Trousers:
Unless you have a clear itinerary that says otherwise, take a pair of chinos in case you choose to dine in a sophisticated restaurant. Chino’s are smart enough for dining yet casual enough for wearing during the day saving you space in your suitcase.

Shorts:
For a traditional long weekend you don’t need more than two. Tailored shorts are a smarter, on-trend option. Choose one plain pair in a basic colour like beige or navy and one fun pair in an eye-catching check.

T-shirts and polos:
A polo shirt should be your basic top for summer. Pack a white and navy one for a standard colour base and one brightly coloured polo that would work great with both your plain shorts and your chinos.
A t-shirt is a classic choice for men’s casual summerwear. A horizontal white and navy or red striped crew neck t-shirt gives you a laidback yet stylish look.

Shirts:
A simple fine striped long sleeve shirt is ideal for wearing on smarter evenings away. Perfect for teaming with your chinos and deck shoes for a classic city break look.

Knitwear:
You may be heading off to Rome or Madrid but the weather can change anywhere at the drop of a hat, especially at night so a simple cardigan or v-neck jumper.

Footwear:
On a city break you’ll most likely be walking all over the place, visiting museums, bars and tourist attractions. The size of airports these days makes you feel like you’ve walked from Land's End to John o' Groats before you’ve even boarded the plane! For this reason comfortable footwear is a must. I find the best option is a traditional pair of deck shoes.
With a great non-slip outsole, water resistant leather uppers and a cushioned insole, deck shoes have the smartness of a loafer with all the comfort and ease of your favourite pair of
trainers.
Deck shoes are the perfect for wearing with shorts or trousers, again saving you space.
An easy to wear pair of canvas trainers are great for putting in your suitcase without weighing it down too much. It’s always a good idea to have an alternative pair of shoes incase your original pair hurt after long periods or wear, get wet, etc.

Outerwear:
Depending on your location and time of year a jacket is always a good idea if you have the space. You can always carry it onboard the plain or squeeze it into hand luggage.
If you are destined for somewhere sizzling like Athens or Florence in August you probably won’t need anything more than a bit of knitwear.

Accessories:
Depending on the weather a straw hat is an obvious choice. Lightweight, classic and ideal for keeping the sun off your head. They are a bit tricky for travel as you can’t put them in your luggage without damaging them so you either have to wear or carry it.
A good quality medium sized leather bag is essential for carryon luggage. Choose an updated satchel or a vintage flight bag for authentic jetsetter style.

You should now have a clear idea about what it is you should pack for your well deserved city break.
Bon Voyage!

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