What to pack for a Bucharest weekend city break

I don’t know if this happens to me only, but every time I hear the words “city break”, I always think about Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. She is the perfect epitome of off-duty elegance in that film and for that very reason, I never feel satisfied with my own looks when on holiday. Yes, I know it sounds crazy and it is not something I do consciously but still, it happens. Every time I stare at my reflection in a hotel mirror I think “Hey, this is not Hepburnesque at all. Shame!” Now, I am obviously exaggerating here. (It is not like I am expecting to walk around head to toe in 1950’s Dior, right? Although, couldn’t we consider the possibility for a second? No? I thought so…) But the truth is, I tend to experience some dissatisfaction with my outfits choice when I am on a trip.

Frequently, I over-pack only to find out I have nothing to wear. And guys, I HATE that. This usually happens for a reason – I did not consider outfits. In the past, I found myself with a case full of dresses and skirts, and not a single outfit to wear. And here, as much I am hesitant to admit it, is where we should start discussing capsule wardrobes. First, I should state that in my (not very popular) opinion, capsule wardrobes are boring. OK, that is it, I finally said it. I can be officially expelled from the fashion bloggers club now. I will return my blogging camera and Starbucks membership at once…

But the thing is, I find they leave little room for creativity. However, there is one exception to this rule: they are really handy when it comes to traveling. Abroad, you don’t need 5,487,337 pairs of shoes. What you need though is a range of clothes you can mix and match. I must admit it took a bit too long for me to accept this idea, but it has proved to be efficient ever since.

Personally, I am more into skirts and dresses, and so is this capsule wardrobe. Also, I have decided to reduce the chromatic palette to three/four shades only which is, well… one of the main points when it comes to a capsule wardrobe, isn’t it?

Something you need to consider when traveling to Bucharest during the cold season is the weather. And I am going to tell you something, it can be FRIGID. Forget about light clothes and think about layers: cardigans, sweaters, coats… anything that can keep you warm enough. You should also add a scarf, a pair of gloves and maybe a hat or two. And please, don´t be afraid to pack some thermal tights too (and I am talking about 100 denier if you wish to walk around and enjoy your trip, so let’s be sensitive). Regarding shoes, I would definitely advise going for boots.

During our trip two weeks ago, we arrived on Friday afternoon and after checking-in, we went straight for a little walk and sightseeing just before dinner at our favourite place in town. I was far too tired to take any pictures but the jumper and skirt I wore were totally OK for the weather. Consequently, here you go my personal suggestions for a Friday afternoon and evening plan.

Sightseeing can be exhausting when you visit a big city. (I have got a shoes-related horror story from a trip to Vienna a few years ago and since then, I always choose my shoes wisely…) But Bucharest public transport is a great alternative to cover the biggest distances, don’t be afraid to use it. Personally, I prefer to add a pair of comfortable shoes to my luggage and I usually wear them for day tours, while I change from flats to heels in the evening. This tip also applies to shopping: please, do wear comfy shoes. You can thank me later.

Our Saturday was spent on some more sightseeing, food, and shopping. All followed by a late-evening concert in a town center club. Once again layering saved my life and let me enjoy the whole experience, so here I leave you some inspiration for your Saturday outfits both day and evening.

On Sunday we took it easy, had a late brunch and visited the old town to take our last trip pictures. Afterwards, we booked for a nice afternoon tea. Since usually, Sundays are the more relaxing day, I will suggest one versatile outfit which you could adapt to most activities on your last day in the city.