The cobbles are wet. Your phone is at 5%. Somewhere behind you, a tram bell is clanging with the confidence of a vehicle that has never once been late. You are four hours into a city break, two (decaf) coffees deep, and your suitcase has broke down in the middle of the road. I mean it is little wonder when you’ve stuffed 15 outfits for a 3 day weekend. Oops. Add to the equation an itinerary that should have been spread across a week and you have one frazzled city breaker. But have no fear. Aunty Ana is in residence showing you how to dress for a city break without needing a chiropractor afterwards. Take it from the queen of overpacking and ‘overdoing’. I’ve learnt how to scale down and become less stressed in the process. Goodbye anxiety, hello city break heaven. Making you look stylish even if you are backpacking!
Planning your city break outfits properly is the quiet trick that separates a trip you enjoy from one you spend having a mental breakdown. The rules are simple, albeit brutal. Every piece has to earn its place, otherwise it gets chucked out of the suitcase. If a top only works with one skirt it stays at home. I’m a firm believer in reusing certain clothes like coats and shoes ( which are heavy AF) in similar colour palettes. I’ll share more of my palette tips below, but versatility is key. It is not always about what you pack but how you style it. The same goes with shoes. I always pack a ‘dressy’ pair of shoes and a ‘more comfortable pair’. City breaks normally involve a lot of walking and at this time of year cozy comfortable boots, and chunky trainers elevate your outfits without looking drab. If a shoe hurts after dancing in your bedroom for 10 minutes, it won’t survive a 10 hour walk. After all, Aunty Ana likes walking for miles exploring the local culture, grabbing delicious vegan food at a cafe and yowling during karaoke without a wardrobe emergency. If this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place.
Start With The Palette
We all know I look like a cross between Rainbow Dash and Frida Kahlo, with colourful, bold outfits that would make a minimalist vomit. So a colour palette is always important, just as long as you stay true to your aesthetic. For me, I choose two or three colours that get along and build everything around them. For those who prefer neutrals (ew, just kidding!) Black, cream and denim is a reliable trio. You can elevate it with one unexpected autumnal shade like rust, bottle green or sharp cobalt. To add interest you could also add texture, whether that is a ribbed knit, a satin skirt or a satin skirt. However if you are bold and colourful like me, there are less rules. You can mix prints with prints, match colours or clash, the choice is up to you. For me I like to channel my inner monochrome and do head to toe looks in the same colour, whether that be red, pink, or yellow. I also like to do colour clashing outfits that still feel synchronized with lemon yellow and lilac, postbox red and pastel pink as examples. Learning how to dress for a city break is much more accessible than you think. Just go with what feels natural to you.
Layers Are Your Best Friend
It is October and we’ve gone from 20 degrees to two storms, and 11 degree days. My fingers are so cold, I can barely type. My cheeks look like I am auditioning for the role of Mrs Santa Claus. Of course city break weather is dependent on where you go. But if you go somewhere in Europe, who knows what you’ll encounter. It could be rain, snow, sun, cloud, or all of the above. Maybe the mornings are freezing, and you want to dress up as a blanket. 2 o’clock and it is suddenly boiling. But wait the rain decided to absolutely hammer it down for dinner. There goes your plan for Al Fresco Dining. For autumn a lightweight waterproof jacket that folds up like oragami will protect you from the drizzle. A scarf that doubles up as a knit top is a handy hack, and will carry you through the dramatic weather without a trip back to the hotel. Make sure to also pack jumpers you can layer under dresses or over trousers that can be reworn with other outfits. Whether that is a block colour or statement piece, transitional clothing is so important. During Autumn I also love layering mini skirts in shades of burgundy, and pumpkin orange over matching tights, paired with matching ankle welly boots.
Shoes: The Non-Negotiable
If like me you have a million pair of shoes in every shape and colour, then choosing how to dress for a city break can be daunting. But hello! We only have one pair of feet (well unless there’s something you’re not telling me). You don’t need 12 pairs of shoes that weigh down your suitcase at the airport. My must haves? Shoes that are colourful, comfortable and don’t give me blisters after 10 seconds. Not cute. If you are going for a two day trip, pack two pairs of shoes. A comfortable pair of chunky trainers that match both your outfits for the day, and a dressier shoe for the evening. I like to wear Mary Janes with a small heel because I can wear them to walk in and not feel like my feet have gone to sleep. They also suit every occasion from ransacking your city break supermarket to exploring muesems and treating yourself to vegan cake. If you prefer boots choose one that A.won’t rub your feet and give you bunions for days. B. Go with the outfits you’ve chosen and C. don’t take up too much space.
Choosing A Bag That Does The Heavy Lifting
You guessed it. I also love a good bag that makes a statement no matter where I am in the world. I tend to favour larger bags as I am a bit of a hoarder and like to shove my entire living space in there. However for a city break you need to work smarter not harder. The best bags for a city break sit comfortably across the body, close securely and swallow the essentials without looking like you’ve stolen your house decor: phone, cards, a spare charger, a lipstick, a folded scarf, a snack for emergencies. Oh and if you are a book lover like me, a lightweight book that you can enjoy in cafes will be a great add too. I am the queen of colour so autumn has me gravitating towards crossbody bags in shades like burgundy, deep red, orange, and bold green. I also make sure that I am carrying around a bag that looks like it was made for a toddler (size wise, not aesthetic. kids have amazing accessories). However, if neutral is more your speed, a neutral crossbody is the quiet hero. It keeps your hands free for maps, pastries and the inevitable photograph of a doorway you will never find again. Look for an internal pocket or two, a decent zip and straps that do not dig in by hour five.
Accomodate For Dressier Moments
Let’s face it, I am not what you would call a casual dresser. My idea of toned down is a bedazzled ballgown with so many colours it’ll make your eyes hurt. I got evacuated the other week because I live above a Tesco that had a gas leak, and I was there in my pjs. But even my PJ’s were extra with a million Hello Kitties, so subtlety is not really my strong suit. If you unlike me actually have a distinction between ‘casual’ and dressing up, pack an outfit with a lil extra something. A simple dress, a sharp co-ord or good trousers with a crisp shirt go a long way. Swap the shoes, add some earrings, change the bag if you fancy, and the same suitcase suddenly produces a night out without breaking your back. I personally love bright and colourful dresses with some tights, Mary Janes and my trusty beret so my erratic hair does not escape. But as we are going into the cusp of autumn, soon to be autumn, i’ll lean towards bright and colourful trouser coords, or beautiful skirts with jumpers and a fabulous statement coat.
What To Leave Behind
Anything that needs ironing. Seriously, don’t waste your breath. I actually switched from ironing to steaming clothes a few years ago and it saved my sanity. However learning how to dress for a city break means packing clothes that don’t need extra effort. Look for clothes that can be folded five different ways and still look immaculate. Also, I reccomend leaving behind ‘perfect weather’ clothes, unless you know how to style them for the season. For example I would layer turtlenecks and jumpers underneath dresses and boiler suits. Swapping heels for boots, and hats for headbands to match the weather. But if you want an outfit that fits the colder weather then long sleeved funky cardigans, long maxi skirts or mini skirts, and thicker dresses and jumpssuits will fit the bill. I also want you to choose items that can go from walking for five hours, to a night out on the town without feeling like you’ve sacrificed yourself to Satan. Say hello to energy and goodbye to bad decisions!
Final Thoughts
Learning how to dress for a city break shouldn’t give you a panic attack. It is more about the quality of the clothes you reach for rather than the quantity. It is about choosing items that are versatile, lightweight and can go from walking to dinner with a few simple style changes. Choose a palette that makes you shine, wear comfortable (but not boring) shoes, and choose a bag that isn’t the size of a pea. Everything else, from the rain, the detours, to the third coffee, is simply part of the trip.
Tell Me How To Dress For A City Break In The Comments Below!
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by monetary compensation. Share your tips on how to dress for a city break below!
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