House of Fraser Blog

Summer is well under way! So it’s time to get packing for those last minute holidays. Europe is an easy and quick destination and has some of the best cities the world has to offer.  A wealth of culture and fine dining awaits you.

Packing to accommodate a) such a short break and b) tight luggage restrictions can be tricky, but as a frequent traveller, I’ve learnt from the good old ‘trial and error’ way.

 To save you the hassle, here’s my essential guide to packing for a stylish and headache-free holiday.

 Jeans: Wear your favourite pair that are comfortable and go with the majority of your tops.

Firetrap Rom gen regular rinse jeans, £65

 Trousers: Unless you have a clear itinerary that says otherwise, take a pair of chinos in case you choose to dine in a sophisticated restaurant. Chinos are smart enough for dining yet casual enough for wearing during the day, saving you precious suitcase space!

Gant Flat front chino trousers, £59

Shorts: For a traditional long weekend you don’t need more than two. Tailored shorts are a smarter, on-trend option. Choose one plain pair in a basic colour like beige or navy and one fun pair in an eye-catching check.

 Selected Check shorts, £35

Tees and polos: A polo shirt should be your basic top for summer. Pack a white and navy one for a standard colour base and one brightly coloured version that’ll work well with both your plain shorts and chinos.

Linea Grange Hill- Basic Polo shirt, £15

The tee is a classic choice – go for a horizontal white and navy or red striped crew neck for a laidback yet stylish look.

 Paul & Shark Short sleeve stripe T-shirt, £70

Shirts: A simple, fine striped long sleeve shirt is ideal for wearing on smarter evenings away. Perfect for teaming with your chinos and boat shoes for a classic city break look.

Van Heusen Studio slim fit stripe shirt, £22

Knitwear: You may be heading off to Rome or Madrid but the weather can change anywhere at the drop of a hat, especially at night, so a cardigan or v-neck jumper is a must.

Ben Sherman Chigwell cardigan, £38.50

Footwear: On a city break you’ll probably be walking all over the place, to museums, bars and tourist attractions. For this reason, comfortable footwear is essential. I find the best option is a traditional pair of boat shoes. With their non-slip outsole, water resistant leather uppers and a cushioned insole, they combine smartness with comfort, look great with shorts or trousers – and save you space!

Howick Harrison boat shoe, £49

It’s always a good idea to have an alternative pair though, just in case your original pair hurt you after long periods walking or get wet, etc, so an easy to wear pair of canvas trainers are great for putting in your suitcase without weighing it down too much.

Bertie Sound canvas boat shoes, £35

Bon Voyage!