Visiting new cities is always exciting, but packing for a city vacation—or even just a long weekend—can be a real challenge. This goes double if the other city’s climate and aesthetic is significantly different from your own!
Enter the travel capsule designed for a city break. There are certain essential items you need no matter what city you are going to, after all, and once you get your city break wardrobe organized, you can easily adapt it for future trips.
City Break Summer Vacation Wardrobe
Here are some of the most valuable pieces for a city adventure:
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All Day Shoes
Sandals, sneakers, loafers, or something else that you can walk for miles in is a travel essential—we’re fans of Sorel sandals for this purpose. And for a city weekend, you’ll want something that looks at least a little chic and will work for multiple dress codes.
A Packable Tote
You’ll thank yourself later when you have an extra bag for souvenirs, a picnic lunch, or anything else that arises. Go for a mesh style bag like this one from Kalidi via Amazon or an astonishingly versatile Baggu tote (this constellation print is fun yet neutral to work with anything).
A Waterproof Coat
Even if rain isn’t in the forecast, a chic trench or similar jacket can come in handy for cooler evenings, plus the right one folds down to nothing like this Gap number.
Silky Tees or Tanks
A silk tee in black or white can go nearly anywhere with the right accessories. Just add a scarf or a great necklace, a nicer pair of pants, and whatever neutral footwear you have packed and you’ll be ready for nearly anything. COS has a great silk t-shirt option, but plenty of brands make similar tees that are just a step up from standard cotton.
City Summer Vacation Wardrobe: Upscale Pants
By upscale we mean something like these H&M trousers— basically, more tailored paints that are not denim or other super casual fabric; a longer skirt can also work if you’re not a pants person. Either way, bottoms that can go virtually anywhere—from a walk in the park or at a museum to a nicer dinner or drinks setting (and also wouldn’t look out of place in the lobby of a nicer hotel if that applies) are ideal for a long city weekend.
Simple Evening Look
A top made of a dressier fabric to pair with the aforementioned upscale pants or a simple one-and-done style like the Vuori Pose Modern dress (or both) is always a good option. Not only is it usually better to be overdressed than underdressed, you’ll want to be prepared for all possibilities.
What do you consider an absolute must for a short weekend away in a different city? What stays in your suitcase no matter where you travel? On the contrary, what do you think you can skip to save room and weight when packing?
A City Vacation Benefit
After all, if you are going on a city break there’s a good chance that you can find whatever you need there (and that you might be shopping anyways). Let us know in the comments or on our Growing Younger Facebook page!
–Jacqueline Zenn
You may also like to read Spring 2025 Must-Haves: How to Upgrade Your Two-Piece Sets and 11 Essentials for the Perfect Summer Weekend Travel Capsule Wardrobe.
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