A short city break can pose something of a challenge when it comes to your wardrobe. You don’t, after all, want to have to lug around an enormous case of clothes when you’re only going to be in town for a day or so. But, contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to cram a select few items into your hand-luggage and to look the part throughout your trip.
Obviously, this is easier during summer, as lightweight clothes will take up less room in your bag – but there’s no reason you can’t pick an outfit that’s right for every season. With that reassurance out of the way, let’s take a look at a few ways to look great on your mini city break.
One Coat Maximum
You should only be taking one coat, so be sure that it looks good enough in every situation – whether it’s an evening in a restaurant or a day spent sightseeing. Neutral tones like khaki tend to be sufficiently versatile. Make sure that your coat is lightweight enough that you won’t want to take it off when you’re walking around at midday; if you don’t have anything appropriate, then treat yourself to a new coat or jacket just for the trip. If you’re travelling at the height of summer, then don’t be afraid to leave your coat back in the hotel room.
Make the Most of Accessories
One way to extract greater variety from an outfit is to swap out the accessories. Accessories, being small, are easily crammed into a bag at the last minute. Scarves work well whether the weather’s cold or warm; just be sure that you have somewhere safe to store jewellery that you won’t be wearing all the time.
Wear Flats
You might not want to compromise your style, but on a city break, you’re going to be putting in a few miles on foot every day as you traipse from museum to restaurant to park. When it comes to footwear, comfort is your overriding objective. And this is where a pair of rugged flats is the obvious choice. They’ll deal with cobblestones easily, and they won’t fall apart in the way that sandals might.
Pack the Right Bag
Your choice of bag will affect how all of your clothes look. If it gets squashed and shunted on its way to your destination, then you can be fairly sure that your clothes will emerge looking creased. Be sure that your bag has a hard case, as this will provide peace of mind. And double-check your airline’s weight and dimension requirements before you set out. Some airlines change theirs regularly, as doing so is quite a money-maker. Of course, if you’re travelling by train, this won’t be such an issue.