Good afternoon folks,
You may remember my recent request for your hot tips on things to do and see in Paris (so many great tips, thank-you), well today it’s all about what to wear, or rather what to pack for the trip.
As any girl heading to such a chic and stylish City will know, packing can often turn into a bit of a nightmare. For my faire un voyage I want to feel comfortable throughout as it will involve lots of walking and taking in of sights, as well as sampling the gastronomic delights the City has to offer, but of course I still want to look stylish too. My tendency with trips away is to last-minute panic buy, pack way too much and end up with a case full of lovely, yet useless items that simply don’t work together.
And as any planner knows, a good holiday wardrobe takes careful thought and consideration, it takes time to plan the perfect selection of items that will keep you looking de rigueur and not just bedraggled.
So in my hour of need I did what any sensible girl would do and turned to a trusted and oh-so-fashionable friend for some suggestions. I am so absolutely delighted that Rebecca of Florence Finds blog is here today to solve my packing quandary with a few fabulous tips for staying stylish.
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Hi! It’s Rebecca here from Florence Finds, swooping in to help Michelle out with her packing dilemma for her upcoming trip to Paris. Jealous much? Read on for my outfit suggestions and packing tips to make a few outfits go further in the style stakes. (Note: I have used a restricted number of brands playing on the items Michelle already has, but you don’t have to go and clear the shelves of H&M to get the look. Work with what you have and scout around for a couple of holiday pieces to add to your capsule holiday wardrobe.)
Michelle’s Brief: “The trip ~ A girls weekend in Paris for 3 days and 4 nights; mainly sightseeing and wandering, with dinner and cocktails most evenings.
It may help to know some of the items in my wardrobe currently, which are coloured jeans (turquoise, pale green, bright pink, electric blue,) a sequinned sweater and mainly black jackets.”
It was Michelle’s turquoise jeans that first caught my eye from her list of items. I’m having a bit of a love affair with mint right now and thought it would be fun to work the mermaid trend into her wardrobe with a bit of glitz from her sequin jumper. That’s two outfits taken care of already and with a switch from flats to heels, (in neutral metallics so they blend with both outfits), you’ve just doubled your packing potential. Glam up your evening outfit with chunky modern jewellery and a jacket if it’s chilly, or if you want to up the formality. I chose a neutral clutch with a strap that works for sight seeing (look for one with a longer strap to go across your body and keep your hands free) which can then be tucked away to use as a clutch in the evening.
Turquoise Jeans – Warehouse // Ballet flats – H&M //
Gold sequin Jumper – H&M // Striped long jumper – H&M //
Bag – H&M // Jewellery – all H&M
If you don’t have a pair of ballet flats or want to give the look a little edge, it’ll look just as good with converse, or glitzy flip flops in the event of good weather.
Of course, you can’t go to Paris without a nod to the breton stripe and I found this long striped cotton jumper in H&M. With gold button detail it looks smart yet it’s comfortable enough for a days walking around, or even to travel in. Throw in a stripy tee for extra layers and an extra look. Everyone has a stripy tee, right?
Mint blouse – Zara // Turquoise Jeans – Warehouse //
Striped Top – H&M // Mint Jacket – Zara // Jewellery – all H&M //
Metallic Heels – Dune // Bag – H&M
Lastly, unless you’re a particularly stringent packer, you may not want to stay in the same pair of trousers for 4 days straight. 
I’m a huge fan of a pink trouser and have this H&M pair myself, so I know exactly how versatile they are. Dress them up or down with one of your existing jackets and make the pair do double duty by switching your top and adding or paring back your jewellery.
Pink Jeans – H&M // Black Jacket – Warehouse // Ballet flats – H&M //
Striped Top – H&M // Gold sequin Jumper - H&M // Metallic Heels – Dune // Jewellery – all H&M
It’s worth noting that all the jewellery here is a little bit edgy, all gold and therefore works with each different outfit, (both the mint shirt and striped jumper have gold detailing,) just add more or less according to the look.
Rebecca’s Tips:
- Sling in a dress for the evening. If you happen to have one that matches your predominant colour way (turquoise or mint here for example) then you can layer it with a jumper or your blazer for a couple of different looks. You already have your shoes and clutch covered as they’re neutral!
- Think about taking a metallic or statement belt and pack a statement necklace for evening to ramp up the shirt a notch.
- Don’t underestimate the power of a bit of eyeliner or a colour pop lip. They’re small but can take a daytime look right into the evening, just by upping the glam factor.
- Lastly, compromise! It’s 4 days and you are with your friends. They won’t be counting the ways you make one pair of trousers work. These tips are to save you time packing and space in your case, not to stress you out about having to look perfect 24/7.
Au Revoir!
Rebecca
xo
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O.M.G. How amazing is this? I think I may be setting up a hotline to Miss Florence in future so she can solve all my What to Wear dilemmas. I will be trying very hard to stick to Rebecca’s tips to make the most of my current wardrobe and make my items work harder. Merci Rebecca, Merci.
So what do you think guys, has Rebecca inspired your packing choices? Is there a must-have, versatile item that’s your trip away essential, do share? Don’t forget I’ve another week or so before heading to Paris so please do pop by the original post to add your tips on things to do and see while I’m there.
Much love,
Michelle xx
