Style monitor: romantic city-break packing tips
Posted by Lucy on April 16th, 2009
Fashion editor Toni Jones continues her series of posts highlighting on-trend weekend-wardrobe essentials for Mr & Mrs Smiths, with a stylish his ‘n’ hers packing list for romantic city breaks – just in time for your May Bank Holiday getaway.
Let’s face it, you’ve already got enough to worry about – picking the perfect weekend escape (more on the world’s most romantic hotels coming in the next few days), setting the scene for seduction, ensuring you are groomed to perfection, etc – without getting into a flap about what to pack for a dirty weekend of wooing. So here’s another capsule-wardobe shopping list for all you style-seeking Anthony and Cleopatras…
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MR SMITH’S ROMANTIC CITY-BREAK PACKING LIST
The snuggly jumper Merino jumper, £70, All Saints
Save valuable time on weekend dressing with a few stylish basics, one of which should be a manly yet cuddly sweater (ideal for that big-clinch moment). A classic round-neck knit will go with most things in your wardrobe, and these All Saints crew necks are made with Merino wool so they’re extra touchable – result.
The man bag Canvas messenger bag, £125, Comme des Garçons at Asos.com
Getting lost while showing your beloved around a new city is not a good look, so make sure you’ve got somewhere stylish to stash your A-Z and insider city guides. These Comme des Garçons bags are low-key cool, plus there’s plenty of room for a bottle of chilled fizz for those sunset strolls along the Seine you’ve got planned (you have got one planned, surely?).
The dashing-hero scarf Reversible cashmere and silk scarf, £140, Aspinal of London
Give yourself an air of Euro sophistication and old-time derring do, with a grown-up silk scarf. Use it to instantly dress up the most basic of blazers for a hot dinner date, and then use it on Mrs Smith when you get her back to the suite … ooh, we love a versatile prop here at Smith HQ!
The under-the-radar seduction tool Acqua di Parma shower gel, £21.50, Brummels of London
Trust us, women can’t get enough of the sultry but sophisticated Aqcua di Parma scent, so Mrs Smith shouldn’t need much persuading to join you in the shower if you’re splashing this citrussy number on…
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
MRS SMITH’S ROMANTIC CITY-BREAK PACKING LIST
The love-me lingerie Elize bra, £79, and knickers, £49, both Myla
If you pack one thing for a romantic break, make it a jaw-dropping set of lingerie. Myla is still our favourite lust-have brand and the Smith girls – and boys – know a good thing when they see one. AND, because we’re super nice, we’ve sorted out a tasty discount of up to 30% off Myla for Smith members.
The killer heels
Late Night patent platform courts, £75, Office
Mini breaks are the perfect excuse to blow a fortune on taxis… which is just as well, because the sexiest shoes are NOT made for walking in. We just love the name of this shoe – Late Night – as well as the ridiculously high platform heels. (NB, if Mr Smith is making you get the bus, you should be rethinking your relationship status about now, and perhaps looking out for Mr Jones instead).
The Sex and the City dress Floral-print minidress, £60, Monsoon
Now is not the time for practical dressing: you’re aiming for girlie glam by day and sex bomb at night. This flirty floral prom dress fits the bill (and who knew Monsoon could do sexy?): worn over skinny jeans for the day and teamed with bronzed bare legs and your boyfriend’s blazer for a delicious dinner date. You know Carrie would… its perfect for city breaks from Madrid to Manhattan…
The under-the-radar seduction tool Horny Cow scented candle, £20, Cowshed
There’s nothing sexy or spontaneous about hundreds of products weighing down your handbag, so – as well as those hotel freebies you’ve been half inching on your travels (the Smiths do it too!) – slip some of these travel-sized Horny Cow candles scented candles into your carry on and you’ll have the power to turn any hotel room into a very enticing boudoir. If you stay at Somerset’s Babington House or High Road House in London, you’ll find mini products in the bathrooms, too, for the full monty effect…
Leave a comment