If you’re planning a city break this summer, chances are you might also be trying to make it work with hand luggage only. Packing for a city break is totally different to packing for a beach vacation.
For a beach holiday packing light is a reality, with bikinis, cover-ups and not much else needed for days lounging on the beach. Maybe a dress or two for evening dinners and drinks and you’re good to go.
A city break poses more of a challenge. There’s sight seeing and walking to consider. A bikini and beach cover-up won’t really cut it on the streets of Paris – even if it is 30C+!
I’m off to Copenhagen in a couple of weeks. We’re taking our hand luggage as it’s a long weekend. The key to packing light for a city break is to ensure that your holiday wardrobe can mix and match. One of my favourite blogs for packing tips is Wearing It Today. Laura suggests choosing your “look” and/or palette before you start packing and stick to this. It ensures that everything in your suitcase will work together and you don’t over pack.
This is my first time to Scandinavia. I want a pretty cool look for my holiday so I’m going to go for a selection of pieces that, to me, reflect the Scandi style I’m after. So, naturally, as any good fashion blogger does, I went straight to Pinterest to find out what Copenhagen style looks like:
It’s going to be warm, so I need to make sure that for sight seeing around the city, I stay cool. Nothing worse than heading out and feeling sticky and gross within minutes. The city can often feel hotter than the beach so dressing appropriately is key.
- In the summer, shorts are the corner stone to any of my daytime looks. This time I’m leaving my usual indigo denim shorts behind and instead packing some black denim cut-offs. I think black are a little edgier and possibly Scandi? Mine are from Mango – a great sale bargain after looking for a while and trying various pairs before finding the rights ones. The key to finding the perfect denim shorts is all about cut and fit. This will be a personal preference but I definitely recommend trying a few pairs to work out which ones work for you. If you’re planning on going for these Mango denim shorts, try them in a size up. I have to wear a belt but they fitted better round the thighs!
- These shorts will create the base of my daytime looks in Copenhagen. I plan on packing a few different vests and tees to team with the shorts, including my current favourite Cheap Monday striped vest.
- For evening, I’m packing a few of my favourite summer dresses, including my new dress by Scandi brand Monki.
- Footwear is where packing light can fall down. Make sure to wear your bulkiest pair for travelling. I’ll be wearing my trusty Supergas for the flight (they’ll be good for cycling and walking around the Danish capital!). In my suitcase I’ll be packing a couple of pairs of sandals and a pair of flip flops. My Havaianas come everywhere with me – they are my summer slippers at home and are ideal for throwing on with anything and everything.
- As we’re staying right near the harbour in Copenhagen, where they have created floating pools, there will be an opportunity to swim and sunbathe a little – so I’ll be sure to be packing a bikini or two. I’ve recently treated myself to a new strapless bikini from Boden – can’t wait to wear it!
How do you pack for your holidays? Are you methodical or do you chuck everything in?
Images via Pinterest
Sugar & Spice 