If you were shopping/packing for a spring city break...

[Paq]

... what would your go-to items / brands be? My current wardrobe is smart work clothes and scruffy dog walking clothes with not much in between...

The trip is to Dublin in March, I'm nearing 50, 5'2 and a size 10 if that helps!

I'd start with ankle boots and some trainers and work up from there!

1. A smart-looking waterproof coat/jacket/trench, either hooded or worn with hat - I hate using umbrellas and they get in the way of you looking about at everything without maiming passerbys

1. Waterproofish shoes that are comfy, eg some kind of flat, slim chelsea boot... I prefer trainers but boots go better with most outfits for day-night, and don't get soaked through.

1. A crossbody bag, totes are alright but they slip off my shoulder when empty or make it sore when full!

1. A knee-length or midi dress that can be worn as is for dinner, or with a jumper over

Boots ✅
Bag ✅

Looking at trench coats on Vinted now, are either of these any good?

I prefer the green for a city break. The first looks a bit 'dog walking'

How are you travelling to Dublin and have you limits on baggage? Ie car so you can take as much as you want; flight with hand baggage only; flight with hold luggage?

Do you normally wear dresses or are you more comfortable in trousers?

Jeans (Levi's)
Comfiest trainers (Nike)
Daytime tops long sleeved t shirts (cos, arket, stories)
A warm layers autograph cashmere jumper / cardigan/hoodie
Nice top top wear with jeans (stitchfix)
Dress and tights (newlook and snag)
Boots per una
Warm coat rab
Joggers TU
Sweatshirt (Nike)

I wore a trench coat in March for a city break and was frozen!

Most people are wearing down style puffer or quilted. I have a lovey long down rab and my mum has a lovely long Didrikson. Most people eating those out in the evening too.

Also a hat (north face) and leather rucksack (vinted)

I'd want to wait and see the weather forecast before I properly made up my mind. If it's going to be wet, I'd want a proper raincoat, not a trench coat. I also find trench coats only work with jeans or narrow trousers on me, and just don't work with dresses or wider trousers.

I like the idea of a trench. In reality I would freeze. Better to be too warm and waterproof than cold? I'd wear my big duvet coat, scarf dms or high top vans and straight leg jeans and jumpers etc

Dublin in March? Sounds lovely but I fear a trench is optimistic! I would take a warmer coat.

😀 I know, it could be anything from zero to 20!

Based on chilly personal experience, I’d go for warm and waterproof. A trench coat is neither.

The coats don't look warm enough!

Every time I pack for a spring city break end up frozen, so I would pack warm jumpers and a padded coat.

Parka rather than trench for Dublin spring I'd say.

What's your dog-walking coat like? Could it do with a refresh?

Then I'd go for a pair of grey jeans, a basic jumper, leather trainers or comfy ankle boots, and an Acne scarf dupe.

We went to Dublin February a couple of years ago, and it was light jumper/t-shirt weather warm on one of the days!

Acne scarf.
amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/nov/26/acne-studios-rainbow-scarf-is-latest-splurge-of-choice-to-beat-the-blues
Knock-offs available on the cheap from all retailers in a wide range of colours and prices.

I hate packing for spring weather as it can be so variable. I tend to go for a slightly lighter coat (with hood) as it feels more appropriate by then but take a padded gilet (mine is H&M but Uniqlo always have them) which you can easily have in your case or bag. A scarf is also very useful- not wool but something quite thick and substantial.

Don't take a scarf, treat yourself to a new one in Avoca when you get there.

It'll almost certainly be brassic or wet OP.

Though we moved to Dublin at the very end of March 2012 and it was so hot we sat outside the pub taking in the sun during the day...and then I got my first chilblains early evening when the temperature plummeted.

When I travel I pretty much bring a collection of Icebreaker/Smartwool merino. My main outfit would be black Icebreaker crush pants, a long sleeved Icebreaker top with some colour/pattern and an Icebreaker zip hoodie. Then I might bring some merino leggings and another long sleeved merino top of a different thickness, which would give options to layer underneath, or as a second outfit, along with a stretchy short merino skirt. I would add a warm padded jacket and a thin, packable goretex jacket I could wear over it if it rains. Plus my Hoka goretex trainers as I can walk miles in them. I would wear most of it and bring the rest in a small backpack that could double as a daypack, then add a small packable handbag. But I am probably not very conventional and love to travel as light as possible. DH and I did 3 weeks travelling round China twice with a 24 litre backpack each weighing 5kg max and only a couple of changes of clothes. So maybe I'm not the right person to ask about travel packing!

Is there an advertising thing going on with that merino stuff from Icebreaker? I keep seeing it all of a sudden.

I live near Belfast and when I go to Dublin I always find it much colder. If you are going to the rugby dress for the artic and then add layers.

Jeans
Chelsea/ankle boots
Duster coat
Roll neck sweater
Thermal vest
Wrap top for evening
Cpl lighter tops
Gloves
Hat - just in case
Umbrella

Thanks all, this is so useful but yes, @RockingMyFiftiesNot I am pretty restricted on my luggage allowance!

So far I have on my packing list:

• Brown ankle boots
• Jeans
• Black trousers (such a cliché but practical!)
• A pair of dark silver ankle boots with a heel which are really comfortable and work with jeans/trousers/short dresses with black tights
• Possibly a purple jumper dress

And on my shopping list:

• A coat/jacket that will be warm enough but not too warm and smart enough for day and night (🤯)
• Some tops to wear over jeans and trousers (really hard to find because I'm short and they usually swamp me!)
• Something else nice/smart to wear in the evenings that doesn't demand uncomfortable shoes!

Nothing related to me, I just wear it a lot.

Dublin, you will need:

Walking shoes.... Everyone walks everywhere.
Comfortable walking clothes, soft slacks that won't chaff your thighs.
Couple of layers - t shirt, light jumpers.
Snood?!?, if you want, gloves deffo.
Long, waterproof jacket, with hood.
Night time: comfy heels (lots of cobbled streets), black legging, tops.

Just seen this on Vinted...