Travel Light, Dress Right: Men’s City Break Outfits That Fit In Your Hand Luggage

If you’re looking for sun, sea and things to do, Europe has a whole host of major cities that could fit your criteria. Cities that offer afternoon sun, warm evenings and an endless amount of tourist attractions include: 

• Barcelona, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Rome, Italy
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Nice, France

But if you’re looking to visit one of these places on a budget, you probably won’t want to pay for check-in luggage. If you’re looking to maximise space in your hand luggage and your time abroad, planning your outfits ahead of time is the key. 

Travel hacks

First of all, before you even start to plan your outfits, consider the following hacks:

• Check the maximum hand luggage size and purchase that exact bag size 
• Plan clothes that can be mixed and matched for multiple outfits
• Travel in your bulkiest clothes 
• Roll clothes instead of folding 
• Use packing cubes  

Essentials

Next, consider the following essentials you’ll need on your trip to see what kind of space you’re working with.

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, sun cream)
• Electronics (phone/tablet, charger, adapters)
• Documents (ID, passport, health information)

Outfits 

Finally, the good part, planning your outfits for long-haul flights and the vacation itself. These can be split into three types of outfits for your city break.

Lightweight daytime outfit

You’ll probably want to spend your afternoons exploring, site seeing and taking in the culture of your new surroundings. For this, you’ll need a lightweight outfit that offers comfort while getting those pixel-perfect Insta snaps. 

Many brands like Closure London offer chic men’s twin sets, such as Closure London, that are perfect for summer and can come in breathable fabrics like linen or cotton.     

Lightweight evening outfit

You’ll probably want a smarter outfit for the evenings, but many parts of Europe will still be around 30 degrees once the sun has set. 

With that in mind, a pair of smart chino shorts or linen trousers can be the best way to maximise both packing space and comfort. Pairing either of these with a smart, short-sleeved shirt or polo will allow you to visit your city’s swankiest drinking spots without feeling like you’re about to pass out.

For those visiting somewhere with cooler evenings around this time of year, like many parts of Eastern Europe, packing a lightweight cardigan is a good option that won’t take up too much space in your hand luggage. 

Smart outfit

If you’re travelling as a couple or celebrating a big milestone, you may want to visit a top establishment, such as a Michelin-star restaurant or premium nightclub. Even if this isn’t for you, it’s probably worth packing a smart outfit just in case you end up visiting a location that has a dress code to adhere to.

For your smarter outfit, a pair of tailored suit trousers can be a great option in the warmer months. Pairing with a cotton shirt is probably your best option for a smart yet practical look.

This is also where you’ll need an extra pair of shoes, men’s loafers or boat shoes work well for smart summer outfits and won’t take up as much room as shoes like boots or trainers.