As I was queing to board a no-frills flight to London recently, I watched ahead of me as the eagle-eyed attendant scanned every bag. As my turn came, I prayed that a big, toothy smile and a friendly ‘Hello’ from yours-truly, would distract just long enough to slip past without her noticing my bulging case. Not a chance. She barely looked in my direction before ordering me to step aside and place my bag in the almost impossibly small ‘Does your bag fit here?’ thingy.
To avoid those nerve-wrecking moments before you are about to board, I’ve compiled a list of essential style garments that will see you through any occasion over a weekend trip, while saving on precious bag space and avoiding additionally charges.
A Tailored Blazer
No weekend wardrobe is complete without a casual tailored blazer. Whether you find yourself near a Casino or perhaps a fancy yacht, a well-cut blazer will cover you for any occasion that requires semi-formality. A neutral colour like navy-blue or grey, available from M&S and River Island, will look super slick and timeless. Or stand out more with this navy trimmed blue blazer from Asos.com.
V-Neck Sweater
A staple of any well-dressed man’s wardrobe. The classic v-neck style is highly versatile and goes with T-shirt and jeans as well as dress-shirt and blazer. Don’t be afraid of a vibrant colour.
Jeans
One pair of good dark, straight-leg jeans will get you through a relaxed business pitch and on to the nightclub. Make sure they are the perfect fit and size. You can dress them up with a designer belt and smart shoes or pair with some runners for a great casual look a la David Beckham. Wear these to the airport to save space.
Chinos
A pair of chinos or simple flat-front trousers will step in for any slightly more formal occasions where jeans just wouldn’t be appropriate. Navy, camel or grey are a good choice. I’m loving this promenade grey pair from Reiss. The cut is just perfect. If you’ve spare space throw in a pair of white ones too. It is summer after all.
Shirts
A short-sleeved cotton shirt is a lifesaver and won’t crease much in your bag. Pick a colour of your choice and wear with jeans during the day or trousers at night. Also never leave home without a crisp white dress shirt and tie (pick one up in Burton for only €37), just because you never know where you might end up!
Brown Shoes
Add a dash of instant insouciant chic to any holiday look with a pair of brown shoes (my preference is for brogues) like the Timothy Everest lace up’s from M&S. They will coordinate beautifully with everything in your bag.
White Runners
I always find a pair of clean white runners really adds a great visual pop to an otherwise run of the mill casual outfit. Because they are white you won’t have to worry about clashing colours. Check out Lacoste for simple classic style.
And of course, it goes without saying the one area you do not want to skimp on is with underwear and socks. Even if you don’t plan on wearing any, you always want to have a clean set just in case.
By Darren Kennedy
