What to pack for a city break (and why I hope we’ll be wearing track pants forever)
The perfect travel outfit. Photos: Claire Pepper
Perversely, I didn’t really wear track pants during lockdown but I am enjoying them now. Everyone else can’t wait to get dressed up, but when I’m running around town, going to informal business meetings ( yep, I can go to work in go faster stripes) and travelling – I like to feel comfortable and chic. As I’m in trainers or flat shoes all of the time, posh track pants are a no-brainer. One of those pull-on-and-go items of clothing that make getting dressed easier. Upgrade the look with a blazer or keep the outfit relaxed with a utility jacket.
For a recent trip to Paris, I chucked the more functional cotton drill jacket (below) into my rucksack with my passport and book. The Toast pyjama-style top (in the first photo) perks the outfit up, while longer-line shirts with an insouciant French Tuck work well with track pants, too. The side stripe joggers, in my favourite green and blue tones, are this season’s Me+Em. Warning: they are polyester. If you’re looking for cotton or cotton-rich; try Thought Clothing, Boden and M&S has some cracking side stripe trousers this summer.
Like most, I’ve hardly seen my family over the last two-and-a-bit years, so when Manhattan Brother scheduled a trip to Paris for a business conference, we headed across on Eurostar with my 89-year-old mum and older brother. In my carry-on case for a four-night city break, I packed a favourite pair of indigo jeans and two nice tops for evenings out, my white Birkenstock Arizonas and a navy jumpsuit. Plus, beauty essentials and underwear. That’s all.
On holiday, I always end up wearing the same items on repeat and for a city break there’s no need for special clothes. Effortless style and comfort are the name of the game, and I knew I’d nailed the perfect travel outfit when Corinne a lovely TNMA reader complimented me at the Gare du Nord (on the return leg of the journey). She lives in Paris and was heading back to the UK to celebrate her father’s 95th birthday. It is so good to be able to see family and friends of That’s Not My Age, again.
Oh and always wear your age with pride and take a sweatshirt when you’re travelling.
Don’t forget your That’s Not My Age sweatshirt
The Ally Capellino ‘Hank Packable’ bag was a lovely gift, to a long-term fan. Every time I use it (which is quite often) someone asks me where it’s from. The new Packable collection is designed to fold up into a pouch and be carried around. It can be worn as a rucksack, slung over the shoulder and carried as a tote. Multitalented. The main body and straps are made from recycled materials, the leather trim on the handles is vegetable tan and it’s super-lightweight. Pretty handy when you’re on the go.
Style Notes.
The cotton shirt is old Toast. Side stripe track pants are from Me+ Em. Suede sneakers were a lovely gift from Grenson. The Hank Packable bag was a gift from Ally Cappellino. All my own jewellery.
More go-faster pants, below – and we’ve added lots of lovely, style updates to the shop, HERE :
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Discussion (28 Comments)
Inspired by the way you style them, Alyson, I’ve recently bought some Birkenstock Arizonas ( in black): do they take a while to “wear in” and be completely comfortable? The footbed still feels hard, so I’m only wearing them for short periods, eg a supermarket shop.
Hi Debbie, ooh, I don’t tend to have an issue but the footbed does mould to your foot over time – so I hope your Birkis are more comfortable soon. I usually wear mine to walk quite long distances (around London).
KikiTotoro says:
They do take a little while to shape to your foot Debbie. Hope you discover the full joy of Birks very soon!
Sue says:
You need the soft foot bed, which is essential, much more comfortable.
Sadly they no longer make them in white☹️Fiona says:
They definitely do wear in… try around the house with beautiful socks!
If you get a next pair look for the Birks Arizona with a soft footbed… they are g great and the sole comfy from the start! I have a lovely gold leather pair that I’ve had a few years.
Nicola Wright says:
I can’t imagine life without comfortable trousers especially track pants but the one thing that annoys me is the dangling cords at the front. Now I cut them off and visit the tailor at the dry cleaners who sees up my mess, I don’t sew.
Joanie P says:
I’d be lost without my Arizona birkies in mid brown and I’m really pleased with the new platform sole birko flor arizona sandals I have for this summer.
Rach with an E says:
I love the backpack and your colour choice. Birkies hurt my feet bit there are so many options and I love how you’ve styled the pants. Definitely going to add another pair to my wardrobe.
How lovely for you all to be able to meet up in Paris. Makes us more appreciative, I think.Mrs Tonia says:
I got myself a pair of Me and Em striped Sided fashion joggers during the pandemic. I removed the ankle elastic which I didn’t like to make them looser there. Rehemmed the seam once elastic gone. I do wear them with all sorts of tops and footwear. I don’t care much for the fabric though and they were expensive. I would probably get a less expensive version now that the style is widely copied. I have an olive 100% linen pair, elastic waisted with drawstring which I much prefer.
So pleased for you Alyson that you managed to take your Northern relatives to Paris so you could all have a reunion with Manhattan brother. Quite a feat of logistics and organisation I’m sure. Well done for achieving this recently.Corinne Devery says:
It was so nice to meet you, Alyson, at the Gare du Nord and our conversation was one of the memorable moments of my trip to the UK. My sister had a copy of June Good Housekeeping and there you were – in a fabulous dress!
You look great and I realize it’s because you look like you and know what suits you and feels comfortable and ” right”. And TNMA has inspired me to find my own style over the last ten years. THANK YOU!Hello Corinne, thank you for your kind words both here and at the train station! It was really good to meet you too; thank you for your continued support. (Sorry I couldn’t remember your name #thatismyage – I’ve just added it to the post).
Char says:
I loved this post and all the looks! I have become hooked on track pants and joggers. I have a casual lifestyle and
the options are endless on dressing them up or down and all seasons. Wish we had a ME+EM in the US but I look
at the site for inspiration. I do my Birks in lots of ways too! Thanks again for the looks!I love this high – low mix and live in jersey trousers and smarter tops. . However I have to say that I think £150 fora pair of polyester trousers is daylight robbery. I assumed that the cut of Me +Em trousers must be magical as opposed to M&S which make us all look like we are wearing a rubber ring round our middles…..but sadly the assumption was wrong. No magic cut. Just a name. I sent the pair I ordered back, disgusted. Some clothes are worth the extra price – TOAST linen shirts are usually far nicer and longer lasting than M&S and the cut of Cos cotton dresses is amazing. But not all these semi designer brands are worth it. I want to issue a warning for anyone considering paying 8 – 10 times the price – avoid Me+Em, it’s mostly smoke and mirrors.
On another note you are going from strength to strength Alyson and I love your blog more than ever. I am meeting an American friend in Paris in a few weeks time. I can’t wear birkies round a city – trainers are my default. For some of us Birkies will never work for all day on our feet. So glad you saw your brother.
Thanks Hayley, I think Me+Em is expensive, best bought in the sale, and carefully. I don’t like some of the fabrics they use ( there seems to be quite a lot of polyester). Having said that I have a couple of pairs of Me+Em track pants that I do really like. Toast is a favourite of mine – much better fabrics! And Cos dresses are ace.
Your reply is what so many of us really value – honesty, and a personal opinion. It’s so hard to find fashion leaders these days who are not just pushing brands they are gifted. Thank you so so much for being so real. You are awesome!
Jacqui says:
Smoke and mirrors, haha yes, I find that with Me + Em too. Lovely designs but I’ve returned everything I’ve ever ordered! I just clicked through from one of Alyson’s links and am buying the Super Wide-Leg Ponte trousers. £125, so not as expensive as some of theirs, but I’ll pay that if they fit well, are quality fabric and feel like they’ll last. Let’s see if these get kept!
MaureenC says:
This is pretty much my year round uniform with a switch to dresses when I want to look smarter or it’s hot and occasionally jeans.. I’ve got several pairs from Saint and Sofia, some cotton, some recycled polyester all made in Europe. Several styles don’t have the ‘dangly bits’ that some of us (including me) don’t like! I used to buy them from Me and Em but they’ve got too big for their boots lately. Rude shop assistants and big price increases.,
Robyn says:
I love joggers too. The less dressier ones are my home uniform. In summer I wear linen ones, which are perfect for our hot, humid, and mosquito filled summers. In the winter I wear them older cashmere sweaters. To chime in on Birkenstock’s, my first pair took some getting used to, but now I’m the proud owner of 5 pairs. My absolute favorite pairs of shoes to wear. I recently purchased the silver Gizeh’s to spice things up.
I agree with Alyson and others about Birkenstock’s. They do soften and mould to the feet with wear. Mine continued into winter worn with socks with the straps loosened a notch. My newest acquisition is a pair of Arizona style ones in olive suede lined with suede from Fat Face. Very comfortable and better fit for my foot shape.
And I agree with Alyson about preference for natural materials. Linen and cotton wash well and are more comfortable to wear in warmer weather than synthetic fabrics. Even those made from more sustainable versions.
I use the Me & Em websites as well as Winser London for inspiration mostly. And then try to see if I have things already that can be styled similarly or try to buy a similar piece of clothing in a sale.Gill says:
What a great look you’ve got going there. I like the leg width so will check out your suggestions as I’ve tried on some wide legs and being 5. 5 feet and sometimes a size 14 I just felt they made me look a tad squat!!
Loving all the footwear suggestions too but as a gal beginning to embrace the trainer, what kind of socks are people wearing to avoid blisters? I’m trying out various trainer socks but they don’t seem to come up enough at the back and I can see it’s not the done thing to have any sock showing? Plasters are really spoiling my look……Jo says:
Great post I bought my first pair of this style of trousers during lockdown with a side strip from Baukjen in the sale, they been fantastic. Fantastic styling tips as always thanks for sharing!
charitygirl says:
Hi
Love this look. that’s my style.. Haven’t quite got the french tuck exactly right. Any tips would be helpful. First saw the French Tuck on queer eye for the straight guy, and it it so flattering for me being a post Menopausal woman. Luckily I was one of the fortunate ones and sailed through it, didn’t know I had gone through it until my GP told me after a blood test.
I’ve put weight on around my tummy, but I don’t mind. (mother nature doing her job and protecting my organs), but a french tuck is a gem, just need to practice doing it right.
carole b says:
Great post, Alyson… All my joggers are Adidas – classic navy with the 3 white stripes and loose legs in their lightweight Climalite range (about £12 in a sale several years ago), and wonderful Stella McCartney Adidas (2020) – one pair tomato red and one pair dove grey (and I have the matching zip hoodie in the grey). These are thicker, and have elastic at the ankles but are a gorgeous fit and style. They were about £60 or £70 I think, but totally worth it – and can be dressed up or down.
I remember my first pair of the classic 3 white stripes Adidas – they were on the uniform list for my grammar school in 1969! Wore them into my thirties, with several repairs to the elastic… wish I still had them!
Lesley Somerville Leave a Reply
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I’m a comfort dresser that likes to look chic, not sloppy, so this is right up my alley.