FASHION
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR NEXT CITY BREAK
By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 7 April 2025
If you only ever wear maxis for formal occasions, you need to read this. Let bandeau or tea dresses move with you as you breeze through boulevards or go sightseeing. It's a simple outfit formula and you don't need to find anything to go with it, except maybe a light jacket. Simply take your maxi from day to night by swapping ballet flats for heels, or a slouchy crossbody bag for a statement clutch.
PACK THESE:
Daisy Street shirred drop waist maxi dress in red ditsy floral, £32
ASOS DESIGN seamed midi dress in olive, £36
River Island Stripe pleated bandeau midi dress in stone - light, £48
Brave Soul bandeau midi dress in black, £24
While T-shirts and vests may be the classic on-the-go uniform, you’ll want blouses, shirts and 90s-inspired mesh tops to take those holiday flicks in. Our tried-and-tested way to elevate a look? Fun prints and patterns – think gingham, stripes and florals. We’ll be wearing shirred blouses at restaurants and corpcore-inspired button-ups for museum visits.
PACK THESE:
Miss Selfridge wide stripe fitted shirt in cherry red, £31.99
Labelrail x Olivia Grace Herring floral print mesh top co-ord in multi, £45
Topshop shirred top in blue & yellow check, £38
Reclaimed Vintage ruched cinched in shirt in black and white gingham, £32.99
Jeans are the anchor to almost every city-break look, especially when it comes to European travels – so why not pack a few? Although the barrel silhouette’s having a moment, infuse some early 2000s vibes into your rotation with flares, mom jeans and – the biggest fashion revival of recent times – the skinny jean. Scandi brands like Stradivarius and Monki are your go-tos for these styles.
PACK THESE:
Pull&Bear crossover waist mid rise wide leg jean in blue, £29.99
ASOS DESIGN comfort stretch straight leg jeans in rinse, £30
Monki Katsumi low rise flared leg jeans in blue fade wash, £40
Stradivarius D10 mom slim jean in white, £22.99
Pictures: ASOS
Prim and polished, it’s no wonder everyone’s obsessed with the ballet flat. They’re easy and city-proof – you can slip into them effortlessly and stay comfortable from the pavement to the grass. Our favourites are both work and play-ready with bold colours, mesh details, woven designs and sporty variants c/o PUMA.
PACK THESE:
Puma Speedcat ballet flats in pink, £70
Public Desire Clementina laser cut mary jane ballet flats in brown, £25
Stradivarius crotchet ballet shoe in beige, £35
New Look key hole ballet flat in red, £22.99
