…Without Taking Everything but the Kitchen Sink
By Elena Taggart @the_closet_stylist
A sunny summer city break is the ultimate weekend refresh. Whether you’re dreaming of Parisian streets or Aperols in Rome, packing can bring on a sweat.
You need to look effortlessly cool, stay comfortable for hours of sightseeing, and navigate soaring temperatures, all without paying the equivalent cost of the GDP of a small country in excess baggage fees. This requires a strategic approach, you’ve got this.
The Secret? A Mini Capsule Wardrobe
For a three or four day city break, you need no more than 10 to 12 items, 14 at a push. Sounds even more stressful already? I get it but I promise you, it is entirely possible. By choosing versatile, hard-working pieces that seamlessly work together, you can create infinite outfit combinations. Let’s give you the full 12 pieces, I am feeling generous. Think of it like a sudoku grid, where the numbers all fit together neatly.
How to Pack Light
When packing, the temptation is to immediately throw everything you ‘think’ you should take in the case and you’re off. You grab every ‘summer’ dress you own, all the shoes that match and ten tops, ‘just in case’.
This is the moment to catch yourself. Pull out your options, lay them so you can see them all together on the bed. Stand back and look at your selection. Check for a colour theme, does one stand out. If you have a standalone piece that doesn’t effortlessly work with the others (like the random dresses that need specific pairs of shoes to work) put it back. You may love it, but it’s dead weight in a small carry on.
Whittle it Down to the Essentials
Be ruthless. Look at your footwear and ask: ‘What am I actually doing this weekend?’ If the answer is miles of walking and sightseeing, shoes you can walk in should be a priority. Leave the impractical options at home, you don’t need 8 pairs for 4 days.
Don’t forget a layering piece whether it’s a sweater, jacket or blazer, yes you checked the forecast and you are expecting heat but going to and from your destination will be colder, being in-flight is colder and sometimes even hot destinations are cooler in the evening.
Wear the Bulkier Items to Travel
We all aspire to have the super chic Kardashian level travel outfit. So, wear the trainers, the layering piece and the bulkier bits to travel. If you really can’t live without jeans even in the heat (me) that’s your travel look sorted right there. This keeps the packing light and keeps your travel look chic, but warm.
The Dress Rehearsal
Before a single item goes into your case, do a quick try-on. If you have time, this is to check if you’re not sure:
Does it actually fit?
Do I still love it?
Will it work in the heat?
Is it clean and ready to go?
Working this out at home means you won’t have the additional stress of pulling on a look in a hotel room and realising those lovely linen trousers have a non-negotiable stain or no longer fit. Time saved to get right down to the local pâtisserie, grab a Mille-feuille and sip rosé in a properly chilled glass (my idea of a top morning).
The 12 Item Checklist
To build your own foolproof capsule, I’d look for these functional separates, which are probably already in your wardrobe.
Layering Pieces x 2
- The Lightweight Linen Blazer or Jacket: Ditch the heavy jackets. A loose, unstructured linen blazer in a light colour or denim jacket will be ideal for travel and evenings over outfits.
- The Oversized Linen Shirt: Great for evening layering and sun protection.
Tops x 3
- A Top.
- A Cami.
- A Cotton T-Shirt: Go for a mix of the three in colours and styles to work with what you have packed. Co-ord sets are great to pack, I live in mine all summer. And the lovely thing is you can mix and match with other pieces.
Bottoms x 3
- The Linen Short: If it matches your shirt, result you have a co-ord, which will look great in the day or night.
- Lightweight Wide Leg Trousers: In linen or satin, great for day or night.
- A Skirt: A bias cut satin or silk skirt is airy and elegant. Also will work beautifully with trainers for daytime sightseeing or sandals at night. This brown set from Zara is a fantastic co-ord for day to night.
Dresses x 1
- Easy Midi Dress: A favourite dress, in linen or satin that you are as happy in during the day and night.
Footwear x 2
- Trainers: Great for travel and cobblestone streets for daytime.
- Flat Sandal: A flat, but chic minimal sandal. Perfect for sundrenched lunches and warm evening dinners.
- Elevated Sandal: If you really need to dress up, an elevated shoe is the thing you need for evening wear.
Accessories
I don’t tend to count these as they don’t take up too much space or weight. A lightweight day bag, your favourite sunglasses, perhaps a silk scarf and some jewellery to lift the look of the pieces you have packed. I always overpack on lightweight accessories as this is where you can add fun to an outfit while taking up minimal packing space. Also, we don’t count swimwear or sportswear but really, how much do you need? Sidenote, a nice swimsuit creates a free ‘top’.
Investing a little time and consideration into your packing strategy doesn’t just save your sanity at the airport, it saves you money in oversized baggage and time saved in hotel rooms when quite frankly there are more fun things to do.
LINKS:
- Mint Velvet Suede Pilot Bomber £350
- COS White Linen Shirt £55
- COS White Tank £19
- Zara Embroidered Camisole £39.99
- Zara Embroidered Lace Top £29.99
- COS White Linen Shorts £55
- River Island Satin Trousers £29
- Zara Embroidered Voluminous Skirt £49.99
- Zara Collection Lace Midi Dress £59.99
- Adidas Spezial White / Bronze £85
- Zara Split Suede Brown Sandal £29.99
- Zara Gold Cage Sandal £25.99
- Zara 3 Rigid Bracelets £19.99
- Zara Metal Geometric Necklace £22.99
- Zara Stone & Shell Earrings £17.99
- H&M Shield Sunglasses £19.99
- H&M Triangle Scarf £12.99
- H&M Leopard Straw Clutch £32.99
- H&M Crossbody Bucket Bag £27.99
- H&M Beaded Necklace £9.99
- & Other Stories Double Stone Chain Necklace £37
- H&M Three Pack RIngs £9.99
