What To Pack For A Short City Break Away

STYLE & FASHION

Packing for a city break – or any vacation, for that matter – is exciting. But it can also be stressful – especially if you plan to only take a carry on and therefore have to plan your outfits meticulously, with no room for error. (Side note – we always recommend carry-ons for long weekends – you’ll save so much time in baggage claim, and time is of the essence when you only have a few short days.)

Luckily, the rules for packing a suitcase aren’t too dissimilar from the rules for curating a capsule wardrobe. And the key is all in the preparation. We recommend planning your outfits by the day, and also by the activity. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your pieces, and remember that accessories are going to be your best friends. Allow us to embellish…

One pair of trousers

As you’ll already be wearing one pair on the plane, you’ll have two to play with. As we recommend wearing your comfiest pair while you travel – we suggest a dark pair of jeans that can withstand a bit of dirt as well as go with absolutely everything – your packed pair should be slightly more formal.

Save this second pair for any evening activities such as dinner, a show, or a meeting if you are mixing business with pleasure on your trip. These Garcia Geena jeans are a great comfy jeans option, especially as the high waisted stretchy fit will tuck you in should you decide to go for second or third helpings of the complimentary breakfast buffet.

As far as your smarter pair is concerned, you can’t go wrong with these Access Fashion black trousers. The stud detailing gives them a bit of an edge over standard black trousers, and also allows for you to opt for minimal tops and accessories, should you wish to let the trousers command the sartorial attention.

Garcia Geena dark denim high waisted jeans, €48.99 (down from €69.99)

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Access Fashion woman’s black trousers with side studs, €79.00 (down from €99.00)

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Three chic blouses

A white blouse can be dressed down with your casual jeans, or worn with your black trousers for a smarter look. A white blouse can do no wrong, especially as it can be accessorised to perfection with scarves and jewellery.

Pack a blouse in another shade to add a splash of colour and jazz up another outfit – but also to wear to restaurants or events where wearing white might be risky. Another blouse, in everyone’s favourite failsafe black, is a great third option for those ‘don’t know what to wear’ days. Your black blouse day should be a day that heavily relies on accessories.

A stand-out dress

Everyone needs a go-to stand-out dress – especially one that can be dressed up or down according to the weather or occasion. When packing for unpredictable and unfamiliar weather, we like choosing a versatile and hardworking dress that can be teamed with tights and a cardigan if it’s cold, but can also be worn comfortably without.

This Access Fashion navy dress ticks all the boxes. Not only does it prepare us for all weather scenarios, but it can also be smartened up with a chic blazer, and dressed down with a fun scarf in a vibrant colour or zany print if needed.

We can also have some fun with the silhouette too. Removing the rope belt will provide a more casual and relaxed fit, and adding a different belt can cinch in the waist even more. A hot pink skinny belt, for example, can add some much needed colour to the outfit. Or, choose to keep things understated by opting for muted accompanying shades. The possibilities are endless!

Access Fashion navy dress with rope belt, €111.99 (down from €160.00)

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A small selection of scarves

Luckily, accessories don’t take up much room in the suitcase, so you can afford to take a generous selection. Accessories will save your outfits (some of which may be recycled pieces from other outfits) from monotony, so mix and match to your heart’s content.

Packing wouldn’t be complete without this Garcia Wild Flowr scarf. The colour combination is perfect for this time of year, and can be worn well into the start of spring thanks to the subtle pops of blue and yellow. It can be worn to brighten up all-black or monochrome outfits, and also to complement a variety of different colours such as blue, yellow, and green. In other words, it goes with many of the outfits we selected above, so don’t leave the country without it!

Garcia Wild Flowr scarf, €19.99

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Your favourite fashion jewellery

Don’t forget to pack some of your favourite pieces of fashion jewellery. We all know that accessories can make or break any outfit, so ensure you include that one necklace your blouse can’t do without, or that one ring that puts a smile on your face.