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City break outfits

17 replies

beancounting · 28/03/2023 22:54

I'm going to Copenhagen for a couple of nights in May and I need some inspiration on what to wear. I'll only be able to take a small bag (school backpack size) so will have limited space. I need something to travel in, something for the evenings (nothing too dressy) and something comfortable for sightseeing.

I spend all my time in jeans and hoodies these days (WFH) and seem to have lost the ability to dress for anything else. I'm mid forties, size 10 and tend towards the conservative/classic.

Any outfit suggestions would be gratefully received!

OP posts:
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CountryCousin · 28/03/2023 23:39

I love vicarious outfitting!

It’s possibly easy.

Two main things: a trouser suit and a luxurious track suit. You could replace the hoodie with a sweater if you prefer. These are the basis and should all be interchangeable.

So, for the flight (?): Jacket, t shirt, joggers. Wrap hoodie / jumper around neck as scarf.

Smartest day: jacket and trousers.

More casual: jacket and joggers again.

Even more casual: Jumper / hoodie and trousers.

Only clothes in your rucksack will be suit trousers tightly rolled, extra t shirt, silk t shirt / vest, nightwear, etc. You probably won’t need a change of footwear from whatever you wear on the journey. Coat over your arm?

Photos below are Raey at Matches suits and Ven Store cashmere - only because quick for me to search. Could be substituted at any price point in whatever colours. In fact, everything except suit could be found at Community Clothing for very much less. Or you could choose a Danish designer.

City break outfits
City break outfits
City break outfits
City break outfits
CountryCousin · 28/03/2023 23:49

(Tap for prices, obvs.)

allswellthatends · 29/03/2023 01:53

I have to say that both for work and for leisure I've had this situation come up often over 30+ years, and the only solution is black. If black doesn't suit your colouring, still go with black bottoms and shoes, because virtually any colour will go on top, including navy or brown (apart obvs from orange or yellow, unless you are a wasp or it's Halloween). Also, a black bag is discreet. My sole concession to luxury over, as I say, decades of compact travel is that now I sometimes take a black clutch with a crossover strap as well as the backpack for the flight. It helps, after all, even in the airport, for tickets and passports.

Take one bottom, one pair of shoes, and one bag (besides the actual backpack). You get on the plane in the single pair of trousers and pair of shoes. So, base on black jeans and black shoes. You could wear blue jeans, but they're not ideal for evenings or dinners in nice restaurants. Basically, in most of the world, dark jeans are formal enough for anything outside Buckingham Palace. (If you get invited to BP while on your weekend, there ARE shops outside the UK and pretty clothes are a great souvenir.)

Forget about joggers. Not ok anywhere unless you're at the gym or at bedtime. Europe isn't formal these days (I assume for a city break we're talking Europe, or the US) but it's not wearing joggers in the street. But your jeans can be skinny or bootleg or straight. (This assumes it's a short-haul flight, btw: for long-hauls, jeans can be uncomfortable.) You could, if you are not a jeans person, go with some other black trousers, though, from wide-leg to yoga pants to leggings to wool work-type trousers: as long as they're black, you can wear them from the airport to the cobbled roads to the Royal Opera House, I promise.

If you're expecting a lot of walking, trainers are the way to go unless you already have broken in some v v comfortable flats or ankle boots. But not WHITE trainers: not because they're out of fashion, though they are, but because they only work in daytime. Preferably even black trainers shouldn't have white soles but black soles, which are surprisingly difficult to find but can literally take you to the Palace.

Tops: me, I add cotton t-shirts for the flights, topped with a cardi in black or in my favourite colour for the flights (temperatures are v v unpredictable on planes and I also get surprisingly sweaty stressing about check-in and which gate) and for hotel/AirBnB rooms (one gets cold at night and room temps are variable). I don't mean granddad's droopy grey cardi, but a neat-fitting jumper that can unbutton at the front so it can be either jumper or jacket as you need.

For any evening event from dinner with DP to business dinner to opera at the New York Met, a pretty shirt or popover will gussy up your jeans. I have a black lace shirt that is my go-to, but also some very thin silk or polyester shirts that roll up small, don't wrinkle, and are pretty much ok for, again, the street, the cafe, the museum, the opera house. TBH even here at home, when in doubt I fall back on this combo.

For the most part, I find I don't want to stand out too much in foreign cities. If you expect to take a lot of photos for social media, though, consider taking a bright jacket. A true red is always great because it stands out against photos of buildings, etc, and suits almost any colouring. And the coat matters less in any formal situation because it comes off as you enter. At this time of year those pack-small Uniqlo type puffers are great. In almost all of the world, a navy blue or black puffer will work in any situation. Look around you in the UK: at this time of year everyone, but everyone, is in a darkish quilted puffer. But again, if you want great photos for your Instagram site, a red one will be perfect against the grayest weather or architecture, and I've noticed the Chinese photograph-everything women go for red. Or else consider going bright in your one cardigan or even scarf (I don't mean a silk square; I find a small warm solid-colour thin winter-type scarf a necessity though: again, variable temperatures)

TL;DR: stay with black, take only the one coat, trousers, shoes, and bag. Don't forget your toothbrush and a folding eco bag for expansion; if it looks like a shopping bag, most airlines will let it through on top of your backpack even if it's full of things you bought outside the airport. Also, bear in mind a lot of European AirBnBs don't supply shampoo, let alone hair conditioner. And if there's the slightest chance of a swimming pool, take your swimsuit: for difficulty of replacing at the last minute in a flattering style this could well be you most valuable item, even over an Hermes scarf.

Leave space in your school backpack to bring back your souvenirs, which in my case often include bright non-black unique clothes that I wear all over the UK!

StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf · 29/03/2023 02:47

I agree with the pp that all or mostly black is ideal.

For example you could go to Uniqlo and start with their 7/8 stretch pants which are smart enough to wear anywhere but as comfortable as joggers. Add a blazer (wear that on the plane) and a puffer to stuff in your backpack. Then a couple of thin drapey tshirts and a thin merino jumper or two. Cross body pouch/bag (Uniqlo sell those too if you don't have one), a pair of smart dark trainers and you are done.

BurNishLeathEr · 29/03/2023 03:56

If it’s any help I went to Copenhagen not long ago and Danish fashion seemed to be all about long full oversized folk style dresses, with a craft inspired cardigan your grandmother knitted, with Japanese influenced oversized jacket in a bright colour and clompy shoes or boots. Colourful wool scarf on top. All charmingly but deliberately mismatched. Often with braided hair. Lots of layers! Looked great!

But for classic look for two nights three days you can’t beat a slightly over-sized light trench coat (great for day or evening) that you can wear on to plane with nicely cut flared darker jeans and classic trainer ( I took German walking shoes that are like a smart trainer) and a cross body bag. But I’d check the weather forecast carefully as it can get suddenly quite warm in May in which case a light (bomber?) or quilted jacket or body warmer will suffice? Zara have some nice bomber jackets currently.

Three or four tops (one dressier than rest; (maybe a plain dark blouse with 70s exaggerated collar & cuffs?) I find ribbed long sleeved polo tops always good in plain colours for day. Another dressier pair of trousers; I always take M&S navy flared jersey trousers that are like yoga pants but better fabric. Come in black, navy or dark khaki. Can be rolled up. One chunky necklace/bracelet for going out. Maybe a lighter pair of leather moccasin/mules for evening if you can fit them in. Underwear. Fine long socks. PJs. Tiny umbrella. Mini make up/toiletries.

Top tip: buy a roll of Micropore silicone tape 5 cm size from chemist for your heels if walking long distances.

The above is probably far too boring for you as I am older 😃 but it gives you a rough guide to quantity, but key I think is to choose colour palette of three: in my case it was navy, toffee, bright light cream. Jewellery was gold/pearl. Then you can wear everything with everything. If forecast cold: add two thermal vests.

The above look with trench coat and flares is good for someone fairly tall but obviously adapt style of jeans and trench according to height.

Have a great trip!

Stravawindow · 29/03/2023 06:35

I hope you don’t mind me joining in for ideas OP. I’m off to Porto next month.

OldHouseLover · 29/03/2023 07:46

I recently visited Berlin for 3 nights travelling only with handluggage sized backpack which had to go under the seat in front.

I had a range of events to attend & it was early Feb & v v cold there. I managed to pack the following:

Black tapered trousers with a turn up - stretchy material (benetton)
Black wide legged cropped trousers (whistles)
Patterned dressy silk shirt (local boutique)
Black cotton shirt with small gold pattern (French connection)
Black cashmere roll neck (whistles)
Black cashmere v neck fitted cardigan (COS)
Black silk sleevless shell top (maje)
Socks, underwear, cotton vest (for sleeping), cosmetics
Cashmere beanie & gloves
Umbrella (ultra compact)
And I even squeezed in an extra part of Chelsea boots as it was v wet there that week

Travelling I wore:
wide leg jeans (COS)
Black chunky knit wool cardigan (M&S)
Black cotton vest under cardigan
Black flat laced boots (whistles )
Down filled puffa (COS)

I also wore a cross body v small leather bag which had passport etc (whistles)

I had plenty of clothes to take me from more casual to a work lunch & a launch event.

I replicate this sort of packing for city breaks all the time.

OldHouseLover · 29/03/2023 07:47

In less wintery weather I would swap the boots for trainers & still bring the same sort of clothes

LawksaMercyMissus · 29/03/2023 08:11

Stravawindow · 29/03/2023 06:35

I hope you don’t mind me joining in for ideas OP. I’m off to Porto next month.

I did Porto in September - steep hills and a lot of uneven cobbles, trainers are your friend..... I even managed to fall over wearing them and had to wrap my ankle in a towel full of ice pops! Fantastic place.

CountryCousin · 29/03/2023 08:26

@BurNishLeathEr I so wanted to suggest a Cecilie Bahnsen wardrobe to the OP - but it doesn’t sound as if that’s her style, so it might be daunting to put together for travel. (Also quite difficult to wear - I tried my big puffy dress look in the South of France last year and ended up a hot sweaty mess.)

@allswellthatends Perhaps you didn’t have the time to look at the narrow cashmere trousers I suggested to the OP - and described as joggers. I’ve found them perfectly acceptable as casual wear in Europe. Also she’s going to Copenhagen - it says so in the title. Must say, for myself, after a previous career requiring a black suit as standard I no longer wear black - and would never wear leggings except for exercise - so I guess it’s a good thing we’re all free to choose!

Cecilie Bahnsen

Cecilie Bahnsen operates at the intersection of couture and ready-to-wear to create luxury clothing with a relaxed, timeless style.

https://ceciliebahnsen.com/

CountryCousin · 29/03/2023 08:33

Sorry - Copenhagen in first line of OP, not title.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 29/03/2023 08:47

I just had a three night weekend in Spain (was pretty warm). Navy is my black (black makes me look like a corpse).

I had two pairs of navy cigarette pants, one in a summer weight for walking round and one thicker for travel and evenings. I had a thin linen blend cardigan which tied round my waist when not worn and a navy blazer for the flight and the cooler evenings and a linen sweater. A couple of sleeveless tops for the day time and a couple of chiffon-y tops and just added the blazer for the evenings.

I wore my very neutral oloured sketchers during the day (might have taken my trusty Birkies if I'd known how warm it would be). Had nude flats for the evening. With my fair hair and skin I had zero chance of passing as a local, although I might do better in Copenhagen 😂

(There were a lot of p/leather and black leggings on show which just looked too hot.)

I did take a lot more than I needed but we had a hold bag included in the deal. Have fun!

Floisme · 29/03/2023 09:30

I think CountryCousin's trouser suit and tracksuit idea is genius. Every piece interchangeable, all levels of smartness covered, available at all price points.

beancounting · 29/03/2023 14:02
Blinking I Love You GIF by EleMcKayArtist

Thank you all very much for your suggestions, all really helpful. I've made some notes so I can review my wardrobe/make a shopping list.

Cecilie Bahnsen looks out of my comfort zone (sounds like current Danish fashion is too!) but this has definitely given me some ideas.

OP posts:
BurNishLeathEr · 29/03/2023 14:23

I so wanted to suggest a Cecilie Bahnsen wardrobe to the OP - but it doesn’t sound as if that’s her style, so it might be daunting to put together for travel. (Also quite difficult to wear - I tried my big puffy dress look in the South of France last year and ended up a hot sweaty mess.)

Thats interesting CountryCousin. Thanks for link! I couldn’t put a name to it! I’ll have fun looking!

I didn’t mean to suggest it for op; just wanted to reassure her that local style was fairly eclectic!

I made the same mistake in the S of France. My dark and muted colour palate looked awful!

Meant to add the most important thing for city breaks is footwear. You have to get that right if you are walking everywhere. Everything else you can style out!

Cecilie Bahnsen

Cecilie Bahnsen operates at the intersection of couture and ready-to-wear to create luxury clothing with a relaxed, timeless style.

https://ceciliebahnsen.com/

BurNishLeathEr · 29/03/2023 14:48

Enjoy your shop op!

I’ve had to work a lot harder at choosing recently because the price of everything is so extortionate. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of stock in actual shops, well they never have my sizes, so it means a lot of measuring according to size and back and forth with parcels!

Mercurial123 · 29/03/2023 15:26

Nothing to do with clothing but if you like licorice this is the best. I'll be buying it for gifts when I'm in Copenhagen in a few months.

City break outfits
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