Style Guide: What to Wear & Pack on a City Break

What Should Men Wear on a City Break?

Beach breaks are easy, stick on a nice pair of shorts and a breezy shirt and you’re in business. City breaks are a different kettle of fish. You need to be prepared for everything—air conditioned cafés, baking hot streets, unexpected drizzle, fancy restaurants, and plenty of walking. Let’s get you packed.

Men’s Summer City Break Outfits

A city break outfit needs to be adaptable and versatile. You don’t adapt to the city, you don’t survive. Well, you will probably survive but you’ll look daft. How do we create adaptable outfits? Yes, that’s right—layering.

The Art of Layering for 20+ Degree Days

The key here is to keep each of those layers nice and light, and, for the sake of your armpits and your core body temperature, please make sure they’re breathable too. We’re talking a sleeveless vest base layer, breathable midlayer, plus a Linen Jacket outerlayer if you need it.

Shop Elio Crochet Cuban Shirt

The Holiday Shop

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Casa Martini Knitted Polo | Cotton | Forest

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Casa Martini Knitted Polo
Cotton Forest

£83.40 £139.00

40% Off

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Citrus Oversized T Shirt | Embroidered Organic Cotton | White

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Citrus Oversized T Shirt
Embroidered Organic Cotton White

£35.40 £59.00

40% Off

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Casa Piccante Shirt | Knitted Cotton | Blue Jacquard

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Casa Piccante Shirt
Knitted Cotton Blue Jacquard

£43.60 £109.00

60% Off

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HQ Knitted Polo
Cotton Forest

£54.50 £109.00

50% Off

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Men’s Autumn City Break Outfits

Did you know that the word ‘fall’ as in ‘autumn’ originated in England about 500 years ago, but the English reverted back to the more European way of saying things after the colonisation of America? Just a little interesting fact for you to ruminate on. Anyway, bit chillier in autumn than in the summer, isn’t it? Best prepare for that. Some jackets, then, for your consideration:

Shop Suede Western Jacket

Men's Smart Holiday Outfits That Still Feel Relaxed

There’s no point going on holiday if you can’t relax. Even if you’re going for a fancy meal or night out, you still want to give off an air of relaxation and nonchalance. That’s exactly what our Linen Suit Outfit Builder is for. Mix and match to your heart’s content, so long as your heart pairs colours and tones appropriately.

Shop Tailored Linen Blazer in Brown

Men's Linen Suits

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Pleated Tailored Trousers | Linen | White

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Pleated Tailored Trousers
Linen White

£38.70 £129.00

70% Off

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Tailored Linen Trousers
Cream

£77.40 £129.00

40% Off

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Tailored Linen Blazer | Suit Jacket | Forest Green

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Tailored Linen Blazer
Suit Jacket Forest Green

£229.00

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38 / 32
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Tailored Linen Trousers
Forest

£129.00

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Capsule Wardrobe for a European City Break

You’ve probably seen the phrase ‘capsule wardrobe’ thrown around online. Unlike most nonsense you see the world wide web, capsule wardrobes are actually a pretty good idea—the thinking person’s solution to holiday packing.

What is Capsule Packing?

Essentially, capsule packing means packing fewer items, but items that can all be matched with each other in various combinations, and are all high quality. An economic and efficient way of packing. The opposite of your sister when she packed four sets of hair straighteners for the family weekend away at the campsite.

Key Pieces to Pack: Shirts, Trousers, Light Jackets

Think about the essentials for your holiday capsule. A few nice, versatile Shirts, a couple of pairs of Trousers that’ll go with everything, a Light Jacket or two for the evenings, couple of high quality pairs of Shorts, job’s a good’un.

A short poem by Percival:

Berlin, Paris, Florence, Prague

Barcelona, Copenhag…

…en, Vienna, Dubrovnik

Amsterdam or Reykjavík

Europe’s cities are diverse, unique, and full of culture. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, they can be a nightmare to dress for. Allow Perci to be your European style guide.

Weekend Away Outfits

Time is humanity’s most valuable commodity, and that is no truer than on a weekend away. Every second brings you closer to Monday, therefore any time spent travelling to and from the hotel to change your outfit is time wasted. Here’s how to plan ahead.

From Brunch to Bars: Casual Looks

For a day of café/restaurant/bar hopping you need to keep things semi-smart. Don’t be that Brit or Irishman or American stinking out the vibes of the nice restaurant with your flip flops and your swimming shorts and your sunburn. Let’s go with a Linen Shorts and Shirt combo. No place worth eating or drinking at is turning you away in this fit.

Day to Night Transition Pieces

If you’re making the absolute most of your time and foregoing a trip back to the accommodation to freshen up for the evening, you need something that’s going to keep you comfortable as you explore the city, and looking stylish at night. You need something like this Crochet Knitted Stripe Shirt.

Old Money Holiday Outfits for Men

Get yourself a new money outfit and keep it for ages. Now it’s old.

Shop Checked Pearce Shirt

Footwear and Finishing Touches To Sort Before Going Abroad

The right footwear and accessories can be the difference between a good fit and an absolute all-timer. The wrong choices can sabotage an otherwise stellar look. Let’s not put that carefully selected outfit to waste, shall we?

Shoes that Handle Cobblestones and Compliments

For something casual and comfortable, go for a classic pair of Vans, clean and classic. For a little more continental sophistication, Sebago Boat Shoes are your high-class pal. Looking for something in between? Klemen Sandals. Done.

Hats, Socks, and Other Stylish Essentials

For the full collection, take a look at Perci’s Accessories page. Here are some holiday favourites, though:

Men's Accessories

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Wax Bouquet Embroidered Socks
Navy

£12.00

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Amor Jacquard Socks
Ecru

£12.00

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Floral Embroidered Trucker Cap | Cotton | Black

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Floral Embroidered Trucker Cap
Cotton Black

£45.00

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Floral Embroidered Socks
Forest

£12.00

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Country Styling Notes

Europe is a cultural melting pot of differing styles and attitudes to life. You might want to tailor your style to whichever country you happen to be in (don’t literally tailor your fit, leave that to us).

France: Understated but Sharp

For a French holiday, keep it simple but make sure you do those basics brilliantly. Tailoring is key here. A tailored Linen Suit is perfect.

Shop Relaxed Tailored Linen Blazer in Rust Red

Italy: Tailored but Breathable

The Italians love a tailored suit too, but it gets very bloody hot down there in the summer, especially when you get south of Rome, so go linen or perhaps Seersucker. Have a little more fun with accessories (see above) in Italy, they love anything like that.

Shop Cross Stitch Boxy Clerk Shirt

Portugal: Relaxed Yet Put-Together

They’ve got a sort of philosopher chic thing going on in Portugal. You know how Nuno Espirito Santo sort of resembles an Ancient Greek bust, and very clearly would look absolutely superb smoking rollies in an open-chested crochet shirt and chinos, with a pair of penny loafers on his trotters, sitting on a deck chair somewhere hot? You do. You know exactly what we’re talking about. Aim for that.

Shop Crochet Groundsman Cuban Shirt

Spain: Laid-Back Layers with a Pop of Personality

Spain style is a little more layer-oriented. A cleaner look, if you will. You could get away with a nice white tee and a workshirt in Spain, no problem. A top quality pair of sunglasses and you’re set.

Shop Wide Leg Denim Jeans