Weekender Style: What To Pack For Your Next Trip

Travel as we know it is on hold for now, with mini breaks booked at the last minute (after intensive news checking) or staycations being the safest option for the foreseeable. And unless you’re travelling to a destination with temperature swings of more than 20 degrees, for a minimum of two weeks, with at least three kids in tow, you should be travelling with carry on luggage only. But with the British weather to contend with, or the possibility of last-minute changes, what to pack? Consider this your (sartorially superior) check list…

What to Pack for a Mini Break Or Staycation

Dress

Choose a couple of dresses that will work for day or evening wear. A silk slip is the perfect option because it will look great worn layered over a cashmere jumper or jeans for the day, or with heels and statement earrings come evening.

Annie Bing Rosemary silk-satin midi dress, £465.07, net-a-porter.com

Umbrella

Pack this cute little Hunter compact brolly to protect you from the rain. It’s not a staycation if it doesn’t rain.

Hunter Original Mini Compact Umbrella in Yellow, £35, hunterboots.com

Cosmetics Case

When it comes to cosmetics for your weekender, pack light. A decent cleanser, a serum, a foundation, mascara and a lipstick, throw in a toothbrush and you’re good to go; everything else should be in your hotel bathroom. Pack it all in this chic monogrammed cosmetics case from Not-Another-Bill, which will be perfect for your next flight, too.

Not-Another-Bill Travel Cosmetics Case, from £65, notanotherbill.com

Trainers

You’ll be wanting comfy shoes for all the exploring. Make them trainers. But snazzy trainers.

Reebok Aztrek Double Mix Shoes, £59.96, reebok.co.uk

Jewellery

Pack a piece of jewellery that feels special enough for a holiday but understated enough to wear everyday. We adore this diamond and white gold ‘The Queen Power’ necklace from new London-based jewellery brand Ksenia Mirella.

Ksenia Mirella The Queen Power White Gold White Diamonds Necklace, £2,700, kseniamirella.com

Sunglasses

Come rain or shine, holidays are a time for sunglasses, even if you’re just using them to mask the shadows and smudged mascara under your eyes after exploring the local cocktail bars.

Black Eyewear Dakota Sunglasses, £177, blackeyewear.com

Evening Shoes

You’ll want to change out of your walking shoes in the evening for dinner and drinks somewhere fancy. Opt for mid-height statement mules that will feel special enough for a holiday. (Even if you’re an hour down the road from home.)

Kurt Geiger London Dutchess Mules, £139, kurtgeiger.com

T-shirt

You’ll (obviously) need a t-shirt a day for the duration of your trip. Make them playful prints and statement tees that will remind you of your time away from your holiday snaps.

Sandro Printed cotton-jersey T-shirt, £48, theoutnet.com

Jeans

All good trips need a good pair of jeans. These straight-leg, high-rise eco-friendly MAJE ones will go with absolutely everything.

MAJE Pario straight high-rise jeans, £129.50, selfridges.com

Hat

Countryside staycations require headwear. We love this classic felt fedora from the Joules Heritage collection.

Joules Heritage Felt Fedora, £39.95, joules.com

Carry-On

Let’s start with luggage. Since airlines (if you do manage to fly somewhere) differ ever so slightly in their carry-on allowances, opt for a universally acceptable option. Thule’s hair-side cases easily navigate over any terrain and feature TSA locks to keep the contents safe.

Thule Revolve Carry On Spinner, £349, thule.com