Style Theory: Minimal packing for a break away, your clothes have to be comfortable, practical, stylish, interchangeable and chic.
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I must admit I have never been the best packer, now I have kids I am actually worse, I spend hours packing them outfits for every eventuality and end up leaving myself an hour or two to throw in a few mis-matched outfits.
So having been away last week, I now have a good idea about what works and what does not, whether you actually need 5 pairs of shoes (no...!) and how to hopefully look stylish in fairly practical outfits:
The key is to try to make it simple, tops that can be worn with the same pair of jeans, then a smarter top thrown on in the evening and a pair of heels and you are ready for an evening out.
A beautiful scarf always add a stylish touch, and if you are taking trainers buy a scarf that has elements of the same colour as your trainers, it will make a trainer outfit look a little more together and less schoolrun-like.
Finally try to stick to a loose colour scheme, this is so helpful when mixing and matching.
So here are a few ideas..I am thinking Spring European city/uk break
Outfit no1.
Parka - Topshop £60
Breton - Boden £25
Jeans - Topshop Baxter £40
Scarf - M&S £19.50
Trainers - J Crew £80
Bag - Zara £79.99
Outfit no.2 Another Daytime look, if the weather is warm and if cold swap denim shorts for blue jeans above and take supergas instead of new balance if you will be somewhere non-muddy.
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| Top: Mango Embellished Blouse £29.99 Jean Shorts: Gap Maddie Shorts £29.95 Trainers: Superga as above Scarf: M&S as above |
Outfit no.3/4 Using the same clothes, add a chic chambray shirt to create these two looks:
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| Key Item: Chambray Shirt - Gap Fitted Boyfriend oxford shirt £29.95 All items listed above, Jacket see outfit below. |
Outfit no.5 For an evening out, smarter city daytime look:
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| Jumpsuit: Wallis £65 Blazer: Zara £49.99 Sandals: Dune £69 |
Additional key items:
Swap the red scarf for this scarf for more colour:
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A grey tee is so versatile, looks fab under a smart blazer or with a bright scarf wrapped round.
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A grey cashmere sweater for a touch of luxurious warmth.
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| Cashmere Sweater: Whistles £165 |
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| Jeans: Oasis Cherry Skinny Jeans £45 |
Black jeans look smart on an evening out, they do not crush in your suitcase and can be worn in the daytime with a boho top and superga trainers.
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| Lace Top: Whistles £115 |
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A good basic trainer, very 'European chic'.
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| Swimsuit: Gossard @ Asos £55 |
Love this swimsuit..I will be ordering it, this is the first year I really feel I need to wear a one-piece rather that a bikini, this swimsuit looks young and is a flattering shape.
So is my outfit list as clear as mud? Thought so..just to clarify here is my packing list:
Tops
Breton top
Boho Top
Grey T Shirt
Going out top (Lace Top)
Grey Cashmere Sweater
Bottoms
Blue Jeans
Black Jeans
Jean Shorts
Jumpsuit/Black Dress
Shoes
Trainers/Superga
Jewelled Sandals
Outerwear
Parka Jacket
Blazer
Accs
Scarf x2
Tassell Bucket Bag
Fine gold jewellery
Swimsuit/bikini
Underwear
Ta-da!! I think that is it...do you have any packing gems..what are your must have for a weekend away?
My Style
For the schoolrun, taking the kids to their clubs and coffee with friends:
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| Sweater: Primark £10 Jeans: H&M Trainers: Stan Smith Bag: H&M |
Todays outfit, schoolrun and some freelance writing from home, then up to collect little J from pre-school, I have promised a little stop off at a cute new coffee shop just opened up in our village, then taking him to tennis etc etc! I will miss him when he starts school in September, he is lush to hang out with. |
| Trench: Topshop Bag: H&M Jeans: Topshop Trainers: Converse (very old!) |
For a lovely dinner in town last night with one of my very best friends, just loved it:
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| Top: H&M Concious Collectio Jeans: Topshop Bag: H&M Ballet Shoes: Russell and Bromley |
A lovely Bank Holiday to look forward to, we are spending it at home looking forward to the little May village fete tomorrow.
What are you up to for the Bank Holiday..do you have a little break away planned, would love to hear your packing tips,
Next time, the Preppy look, Frances xxxx
Hi Frances - great tips! Loved and pinned that Topshop Parka it's great.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I am not one to travel light - I find it soooo difficult and I hate it even more now on the Budget Airlines with all the baggage restrictions. Ooh to travel in style and luxury :-)
For the Bank Holidays we are off ... KNOB throwing this weekend lol! Don't ask, it's a Dorset thing (!) I must blog about it - enjoy yours x
Hope you had a great time KNOB throwing...sounds hilarious and enjoyed the sunny bank holiday. The Parka is a fab throw over xx
DeleteGreat advice Frances. It's taken me many years to work out minimal packing, think I've cracked it now. I love your coca cola top - seriously, Primark?? x
ReplyDeleteIt is tough to get light packing right, I am still not sure I have quite got it, always panic at the end and throw extras in! Yep Primark, £10! x
DeleteWell where do I start, I am working almost non stop from now until we fly to Marbella early hours of Wednesday morning (including bank holiday - I have all the hens wanting tans, lashes etc I haven't even thought about what I shall be taking! x
ReplyDeleteHa, you will be busy, but with a lovely treat of Marbella on Weds have a fab time xx
DeleteThank you SO much for your time with that post :) Super tips and I really like the trench coat.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab weekend!
Heidi xxx
No problem Heidi, I hope that has helped a little xx
DeletePerfect mix and match outfits for light packing Frances....some fab picks here!! I have now scheduled a trip into Bristol tomorrow so that I can can check out that fab sweatshirt from Primarni!! What a brilliant buy for a tenner!! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle, pretty good for £10 eh? xx
DeleteGreat post, I am a terrible packer so will refer back to it when the times comes! I always take things are really inappropriate for the weather/ what we are doing etc I once wrecked some gorgeous boots in Prague as I took no comfy flats - long time ago and I am slightly better now but it still stresses me out big time!
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Me too Abbi, I find it sooo difficult to get the right stuff for the right weather! x
DeleteAfter years of serious mistakes & always over packing I think I've pretty much nailed it now! I find laying it all on the bed so you can see what goes with what really helps & then I throw the accessories on there too! It helps to start with footwear sometimes too & build around them as that helps you from packing too many! Lovely to meet you yesterday! <3 xx
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