Style Theory: Weekend away......think mini capsule collection, think comfort, think practicality, think Style!
 |
I am off to Paris this weekend for my littlest sister's 30th Birthday, rather excited as I am going with my Mum, my other two sisters, littlest and her friends. So what to wear for a 30th Birthday in Paris?? Now littlest is cool, as are all her friends (they all live in Shoreditch, Hoxton etc not the suburbs like moi!) Obviously I cannot compete, so I intend to go for a classic look and as we off to Paris, black will play a major role. I thought I would share my packing logic with you (I am seriously bad at minimal packing but have got to give it a go) and some inspiration from Paris street style in a bid to try to create a Parisian look!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
And here is an idea of what I am planning to pack:
For Friday....Travelling, a little sightseeing, coffee and hopefully an afternoon glass of wine or two!
Comfort is key so I will be wearing my cashmere Whistles jumper, skinny jeans and New Balance. Here is the best from the high street, I have given options on some, expensive 'Spree' and more reasonable 'Steal'
 |
| Whistles Rose Cashmere Jumper £165 SPREE: This is a little pricey but so soft and luxurious. I love the soft grey colour. OR |
 |
| Gap LuxLight Sweater £19.95 STEAL: A more reasonable sweater, will look fabulous too, elegant with skinny black jeans below. |
 |
| New Look Gold Pearl Contrast Choker Necklace £7.99 STEAL: So reasonable, this will smarten the sweater, making the outfit look chic. |
 |
| J Brand 811 Mid Rise Skinny Jeans £147.29 SPREE: A classic black skinny jean, J Brand have great stretch and keep their shape. |
OR
 |
| Topshop MOTO Black Baxter Jeans £40 STEAL: I always return to the Baxter, a quick, flattering, cheap fix for a skinny jean! |
 |
| New Balance 420 £54.99 These are fab, will look great with the skinny black jeans and pull the colour of the sweatshirt together. OR |
 |
| New Balance 574 Suede and Mesh Trainers @ Schuh £65 Another colourway, love the black and grey together. |
 |
| ASOS Faux Fur Detachable Lined Parka £75 I cannot bear being cold so I will be taking my Zara parka (which has sold out) as it can get so cold walking around a European city in February. |
 |
| Zara Leather City Bag £39.99 I love an across body bag when I am walking around so easy to carry and this would not be too bulky to take out in the evening OR |
 |
| Zara City Bag with Zips £59.99 I love a pop of colour and red fits |
First evening...I always want to make the first evening out comfortable and if I am not still wearing my travelling clothes and in the same bar I visited in the afternoon then I will have the following clothes in my suitcase...to fling on, a 'dressy' jumper, slouchy jeans and some heels to dress the look up:
Necklace as Above - Re-use
 |
| COS Textured Jumper £49 I tried this jumper on in Cos and loved it, the puff shoulder detail is beautiful and it sits really nice at the bottom. The knit is textured and is most forgiving on lumps and bumps. |
 |
| Gap Sexy Boyfriend Jeans £49.95 These are the best boyfriend jeans I have spotted in a while I love the colour and the level of distressing. |
 |
| Boden Party Heel £119 A little on the pricey |
If I have space in my case I will sneak in a little leather/pleather biker jacket to wear over my jumper and it can be worn under a parka so you can take off the parka and still have a cool jacket underneath, layering is key!
 |
| ASOS leather jacket £90 |
Saturday...A Day Sightseeing....
Wear the Gap boyfriend jeans, NB trainers (comfort is key on this day!), Parka with leather jacket underneath with..
The Breton
 |
| Petite Bateau Breton £58 This is a fabulous thick fabric and looks beautiful on, one of the originals and although a little pricey definitely one of the best. |
On Saturday evening:
 |
| Next Black Check Mesh Dress £68 Wear this fab dress with the Boden Leopard Print shoes and biker jacket. |
Sunday..A little more sightseeing and travel home..
Sweater with black skinny jeans, NB trainers and Parka with...
 |
| Cos Jumper with Side Spilts £55 OR |
 |
| Zara Printed Sweatshirt £25.99 Sooo fabulously, obviously unsubtle, this Paris sweater would make a fab travel home jumper so cosy and stating the fact you have just been to Paris! |
A few little additional things to add on, I will be taking my grey Uniqlo cashmere scarf, black deerstalker hat and a few neutral coloured vests from M&S..these ones are best (2 for £8), pjs etc.
So there you have it, my capsule collection and hopefully enough clothes to look stylish throughout...or I will just get lazy and tipsy in a Parisian bar and end up wearing the same in the evening as the day. I will update you next week with Photos of the trip, places we visited (we have an extensive hit-list!) and hopefully a little Parisian street style (always a bit 50:50 that I will go with two little ones...I am not holding my breath!).
My Style over the weekend:
Saturday for shopping and hanging out with my Little J girl...
 |
| Coat: M&S Jumper: Topshop Scarf: Uniqlo Jeans: Gap Trainers: John Lewis |
Sunday for a walk in our favourite woods with friends (boots were replaced with wellies) then lunch out and kids parties and it was sunny!!! Heaven!!
 |
| Jacket: Zara Jumper: H&M Denim Shirt: Gap Necklace: H&M Leather look and suede look leggings: Zara Boots: Russell and Bromley |
 |
| The Kids loved it....not raining for one day! |
What are your must haves for a weekend away...what is in your capsule City Break case? I would love to hear your tips and thoughts for light packing as I do struggle!
Thanks so much for reading xxxxxx
Looking great, as always. Love the boyfriend jeans.
ReplyDeleteYou will certainly hold your own in the style stakes Mrs! I love this post as you remind me of me when I was planning my weekend to Tenerife to me that is part of the trip too!, exciting I think you've chosen wisely and I adore that Next dress (who knew?) I may have to look at it myself too! Have a great trip, looking forward to the pics. Vikki xx
ReplyDeleteI have the Cos textured jumper and LOVE it! It is so comfortable and easy to throw on but the texture and shoulder detail makes it a bit special. Love all your looks x
ReplyDeleteLove the next check mesh dress - its so eye catching and different, and It would make a stunning outfit with the boden heels and jacket as you suggest. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThis post is JUST what I need for London!!! THANK YOU!! I hate packing and after years of traveling I'm still rubbish at it!! Have an amazing time! xx
ReplyDeleteYou've done really well with these capsule ideas, I am a terrible packer and have never achieved anything remotely 'capsule'. Really hope kids stay well so you get to go!! P x
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have it sorted...... I use to always pack the wrong stuff & too much. I find colour co-ordinating what you plan to take works and planning each day & occasion like you have cuts down on the packing. I love that Next dress...... You are going to look amazing in it. Have a wonderful time x
ReplyDeleteI love packing and I love that I have to choose items that mix and match. You've done a fantastic job here. You'll look stunning in such a stylish city. I love Paris and I was there last February (it was freezing!). Lynne x
ReplyDeleteI'm rubbish at packing lightly but with a trip to London coming up and the restrictive RyanAir carry on baggage allowance, you've given me some great tips! Thank you x
ReplyDeleteI think you've cracked the capsule wardrobe Frances! I think it got it right on a recent trip and managed to pack two outfits in hand luggage, was so pleased with myself as it's no mean feat! Super jealous of a weekend in Paris, you'll fit right in with the fashionistas!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI do that thing where I try to pack as little as possible just to prove to myself that I can and then it all goes horribly wrong when I realise I've missed something vital. Basically I am a rubbish packer. But you look like you've thought this through and your'e sorted and to be honest, I think you've got no worries about not holding your own against the younger sis - she's probably thinking she's got to contend with you! Enjoy your time in Paris and take pics!
ReplyDeleteVery envious that you are off to Paris....looks like you will be packing for it perfectly though and holding your own amongest the French ladies too!! xx
ReplyDeleteSomeone asked me the same question about travelling to Paris this week and I recommended black all the way - and a trench coat! haha.....always feel so frumpy in Paris. The women there are so effortless. But as for you - you'll look amazing in your funky trainers and pink coat. Cannot wait to see your French style - have a great time! Ax
ReplyDeleteooh can't wait to see your Paris wardrobe!!
ReplyDelete