What to pack for a mini break in Bruges?

[Meggles76]

Off with DH, DS(7)and DD(8) mid December. 3 nights to celebrate husband turning 40. Will be walking / sightseeing and shopping during the day and eating out in the evening. What to take to wear?

Its pretty flat with lots of cobbles so I would do boots. I have always worn my UGGs but obv it needs dryness for that.

Can be rainy so waterproof jackets needed.

Weather is similar to Britain tbh so I would pack as you would for a December city break in the UK.

No need to mega dress up in the evening so smart casual will be fine for meals out.

Hope this helps!

You flying or going on the ferry?

1st class Eurostar. We have been several times before but not for a few years. DH is insisting that we don't take too much luggage so I need to put together a little capsule wardrobe!

Huge floods in Belgium at the moment so I'd say pack wellies and waterproofs!

Sorry maize but I have never seen anyone wearing Uggs in Flanders - the flemish are not fashion victims

And it can get very cold, usually a bit colder then the UK.

Hope you have a lovely time!

A gun

We went to Prague in December last year. It was VERY cold! I think Bruges will probably be a bit warmer, maybe?

I took:

• comfortable boots for walking - sort of a cross between cowboy and biker
• slightly smarter boots for evening but still no heel because of the cobblestones
• a pair of jeans / a pair of cords and a mini to be worn with thick tights
• a couple of cashmere jumpers to mix and match
• a long boyfriend cardigan for an added layer, or an alternative to the jumpers
• a couple of pashminas - also to mix and match
• a warm coat, gloves, hat
• layers for underneath
• lots of warm tights, either to wear with the skirt, or to layer under jeans
• thick socks to wear inside the boots; one pair with ribbons to peep out of the top of the boots when wearing the skirt

We didn't dress up at all in the evenings tbh.

Watch the film first!

no don't watch the film first!

Good film! Bruges itself is fab too, I'm so jealous, that lovely Christmas market......mussels and chips....Hoegaarden......mmmm....

I would say wear pretty much what you'd wear here. Just make sure you have plenty of warm stuff. I had a city break in Amsterdam once and underestimated how cold it would be out and about all day on those canals. All I could think about was how quickly I could go back to the hotel - I was frozen!

It will be cold. Lots of warm socks and jumpers. Gloves too.

Money and a healthy appetite for chocolate and lace.

If you can follow my self-imposed rule of only one pair of footwear your capsule wardrobe will be a breeze! I would make it:

flat warm knee-high boots;
1 pair trousers/ jeans;
fine polo (or 3) or longsleeved tshirts;
cosy jumper or cardi;
1 jersey dress/ woollen dress you can wear the polos under;
warm/ waterproof coat;
really nice hat/ scarf/ gloves;
I usually only take one pair of earrings also!
usual nightwear & underwear.

If everything tones it's much more versatile. I organise everything round 2 colours - one neutral (which for me is usually black or charcoal), and one "proper" colour (which for me is usually red or purple).

Have a lovely time.

Cashmere wrist warmers, as well as gloves - they keep you lovely and warm.

I am not Flemish though Belgo! So I wore my Uggs and was warm.

glad you were warm

It can get very cold in Belgium, especially if you are outside sight seeing or sitting on a canal boat.

a very very very warm coat - I went to Bruges in December and it was fucking freezing, I have never been so cold. Beautiful though, have a lovely time!

oh GOD I AM SO ENVIOUS

good walking shoes
have a fantastic time

Ahh, thanks peeps. Some good suggestions.
For day time I am thinking:
Tan knee high riding boots
Skinny jeans
Jumpers/cardigans/Ts
Lands end chevron coat, hat, scarf gloves

Then for evening
wedge heel boots
Denim mini with tights/leggings
Boden boyfriend cardigan
FC floral tunic/dress with leggings

Have just got DD and DS all in one ski suit type things from H&M so they are not complaining about being cold the whole time

Shopping bags. It is retail heaven.

Pluto, I shall be doing some shopping - getting xmas gifts and the odd treat for myself