A city break is a fantastic way to recharge your batteries, a quick flight over and you’re in a new country, soaking up the atmosphere, and if you’re hopping across to anywhere blessed with a better climate than the UK, you might even be lucky enough to soak up the sun, too.

So what do you take on a city break, when most of the budget airlines don’t give you very much wiggle room on your luggage? What do you wear on a stylish city break to somewhere like Verona in Northern Italy, where the weather won’t be that different to the weather in the UK, but you’re not quite sure whether to take long sleeves, short sleeves or no sleeves?

Verona is an incredibly stylish city so you’ll want to be on trend – but we’re not talking over the top fashion victim here, it’s all very subtle. The sort of fashion that is heinously expensive but looks like it’s just a casual afterthought. In Italy, you don’t want to look as if you’ve tried too hard.

Before you leave, check out some of the SS16 collections from Milan Fashion Week for an idea about what stylish Europeans are wearing. This season it’s all gone very conservative, with the hemlines and styling reflecting a trend for subtle style rather than opulent glamour. If you have anything with a pleat in it, you’ll fit in perfectly as you press your nose up to the windows of the glamorous Gucci, Chanel and Prada shops that line Verona’s cobbled streets.

 

 

 

 

Designers like Gucci and Emilio Pucci have gone wild for florals and pretty patterns and if you aren’t sure the weather forecast is quite up to a floaty, embroidered summer dress, you can always compromise with flowery PJs to lounge around your hotel suite in. Of course, you can get the best of both worlds, invest in a cute floral dress or tunic and accessorise it with a set of pretty lace Wingz, perfect for spring days when the sun is out but there’s still a chill in the air. The beauty of Wingz is that unlike normal sleeves, if you start to warm up a bit too much while you’re sightseeing, you can pop into the nearest ladies’ and slip them off, roll them up and tuck them into your handbag. Genius!

 

 

 

 

Layering is key for this season so don’t be afraid to add layers for the days you’re out and about; also a good idea for wandering around landmarks like Juliet’s Balcony or the San Zeno Maggiore Church, where again a set of subtle Wingz will come in handy as you look around. You’ll be expected to cover your arms if you visit any of the magnificent cathedrals, so strappy tops need extra arm coverage while you’re looking around, and shorts are definitely not recommended.

If you’re going to the opera while you’re there, a set of floaty Wingz will upscale your outfit and give it a touch of glamour. Most opera nights specify formal wear – so no jeans or casual dress, and a fabulous excuse to get dressed up!

What are your top tips for city break packing and dressing?