Vienna or Prague, Paris or Berlin, Amsterdam or Venice – there are lots of European cities that look even more beautiful in winter than they do in summer. The only downside? Dropping temperatures and potentially icy cobbled streets raise a few sartorial problems you don’t have to deal with on a sunny getaway, mostly trying to stay warm and fashionable at the same time. Instead of spending the countdown planning how to stay cool and chic, you’ve got to figure out how to make cosy layers look stylish and find a suitcase big enough to accommodate all those chunky knit jumpers. The real trick, though, is putting together a new capsule wardrobe without burning through all your holiday money.
That’s when I turn to my fallback online clothing stores (AX Paris is a favourite for everything from dresses for prom to comfy jumpsuits for the flight) to buy a few key sophisticated pieces I can play around with and wear in different ways for the entire trip.
I love what’s in my suitcase style posts and I’ve created wish lists for every type of holiday from beach holidays to cruises. To help you get started with your own outfit planning, here’s five items currently sitting at the top of my wish list.
#1: a killer red dress
Let’s be honest, the highlight of any holiday is hitting up a local hot spot for cocktails, mostly because it’s the perfect excuse to get all dolled up in a show-stopping party dress. This red bodycon midi with strappy, off-shoulder detailing is a definite winner. The structured fit and midi length cleverly enhances your curves for a sexy but elegant night out.
#2: a day to night blazer
Your outerwear is all that’ll be seen in most of the holiday snaps, so make sure you’ve got a stylish Insta-worthy blazer. This blush option will keep you warm, whilst the shade pattern is one of AW16’s biggest trends.
#3: fallback denim
There’s no point getting totally dressed up for long day trips exploring the city – well-fitting and comfortable jeans are all you need. Plus, they’ll go with anything, which means you can have fun with colourful jumpers and accessories.
The frayed hem on these ankle grazers ramps up the style points and will look perfect with a pair of metallic or nude boots.
#4: oversized knitwear
You need at least one killer knitted jumper to throw on in the morning, preferably oversized to properly hold the winter chill at bay. To keep it looking edgy, go for one with cutout arm details. Wear a stripy long-sleeved top underneath for a quirky touch.
#5: sensible footwear
At the risk of sounding like your mother, you need to pack some sensible footwear if you want to keep up the pace during your weekend break. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. These ankle boots will see you through an entire day and night of sightseeing, whilst also adding a chic vibe to your ensemble.
Do you have any other top packing tips for a stylish but cosy winter city break? Leave a comment and let me know.
*This post was written in collaboration with Claire Mcphillimy.
