As the summertime finally bursts through the clouds, many of us will be heading off to make the most of our weekends on minibreaks. Yet whether you’re off to Barcelona’s beautiful beaches or Berlin’s best brunch spots, travelling economically may be optional – but packing economically is not. Knowing what to select to ensure that your wardrobe is both practical and stylish is an art form, so break it down and don’t get left out in the sartorial cold this summer.

Whether you’re exploring Paris’ hidden streets and finest galleries with your partner or discovering Budapest’s best ruin bars with your friends, city breaks can be notoriously tricky to pack for. Minimal luggage allowance and extremely changeable weather mean that packing for every eventuality is not really an option. The formula for perfect minibreak packing is the same for men and women – keep it simple, with laid-back casuals pepped up with edgy accessories only when necessary. It might seem annoying to lay out all of your outfits on the bed before you depart, but all time spent planning your outfits before the break means less time planning them in the room and more time discovering the city!

Suits are a no-no, taking up far too much room unless you plan on attending a formal event whilst there. Smart-casual staples are the way to go, and keep an eye on the fabrics – go for a loopback cotton sweatshirt for travelling, shirts in cotton or chambray to minimise creasing and some slim cut jeans or chinos for all eventualities. A daytime and a nighttime look for each day that you’re in the city will mean you always have enough to play around with just in case of crazy weather situations. You should be aiming to get two wears out of every trouser and one wear out of a shirt or blouse. A light jacket is also essential in a neutral colour, and this should last you for the duration.

For the evenings, it’s always worth having some killer accessories to up your style game. For the ladies, you can never go wrong with a statement necklace. Pair with a low-key black dress for instant glam, or pop under your shirt collar for some Fashion Editor style. You’ll also need a small clutch bag for the evenings, make sure it’s in a contrasting colour for an interesting pop on your outfit, and if possible, ensure it has a strap to keep it close by. For the men, a slick belt and a pocket square for your light jacket will transition your daytime look to Euro-tinged evening attire.

And of course, you can blame the cobbles or the local aperitifs, but whilst exploring European cities chances are you may be a little unsteady under foot! Ensure you pack some 70s style trainers this season (think Adidas Gazelles or Nike Challengers) for daytime street style cool, and some chunky boots for the evening – stick to this tried and tested formula and you’ll be on The Sartorialist in no time.

You’ll need a super organised bag to ensure that you make the most of the limited space. Our pick is the Prime Hide Distressed Style Brown Leather Holdall (£149.99), as it’s sturdy and hard-wearing, featuring all of the compartments you’ll need - whilst being perennially chic.