No Time for Vacation? Wear This Instead
Sponsor Content Created With New Balance
We’re all about planning every detail of our vacations—researching restaurants and making reservations, buying show tickets, and finding the best (and most Instagram-worthy) spots to hit months in advance of our departure. If we’re saving up our PTO (not to mention our funds), we might as well make the most of our trip—but what about all of the cool sites and scenes in our own cities? We always say we’ll make it to a new gallery or restaurant, but somehow we end up back in our comfort zones every weekend.
With summer winding down, now is the perfect time to make like a tourist closer to home—any activity outside of your usual day-to-day is fair game. Keep things chic but practical by planning your outfit around shoes that are equal parts stylish and comfortable (we’ve been turning to New Balance’s Fresh Foam Arishi sneakers) and a hands-free bag. The best part about a staycation? No weight limit to our outfit options (and no worrying if we forgot to pack our underwear).
Whether you actually request time off or not, we’ve got you covered with three vacation-worthy activities to plan in your own city (and the outfits to match).
Check Out a New Exhibit
We’re always telling ourselves we’ll spend a Saturday browsing art galleries and museums, but before we know it, tickets are sold out, or the exhibition has finished and we’ve missed our chance. Sign up for e-newsletters that will keep you up-to-date with what’s coming up at your local art museum, and make a point of pulling the trigger to snap up tickets in advance. The occasion calls for a more elevated look than your typical weekend ensemble, so we suggest a midi-length skirt in a rich hue and fun textured earrings. Just make sure to swap out your go-to sandals in favor of equally stylish sneakers that are lightweight since you’re bound to be on your feet all day.
Explore an Unfamiliar Neighborhood
Get active while exploring a new area. Hit a neighborhood you don’t normally spend much time in, and prepare to wander in search of coffee, lunch, cute shops, and great spots you never knew you were missing out on. Wear something you can move in and shoes that won't hurt no matter how long you're walking around town—and while you’re at, it you might as well track your miles.
Plan a Picnic in the Park
You wouldn’t question packing a picnic and kicking back underneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, so why not plan something similar in your own city? Whether you prepare a platter with your significant other or simply dine on takeout with friends, make the effort to travel a little out of your way and spread out somewhere scenic. A breezy top, a woven bag, distressed denim, and cool-girl sneakers give off the perfect weekend-ready vibe for this daytime adventure.
Want to see more street-friendly sneakers? Shop more New Balance shoes.
Michaela Bushkin is the fashion director on the branded content team, leading the strategy for our fashion and luxury partners. She specializes in content creation and styling for photo and video shoots, specifically acrossBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and Marie Claire. She spends her free time online shopping (or "researching" as she likes to call it), reading at the beach, and trying as many new restaurants in L.A. as possible.
-
I'm a Fashion Editor That Loves to Shop the Men's Section—35 Fall Pieces That Scream Cool Girl
These picks are super chic.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The '90s Sneaker Trend Everyone Is Wearing in Paris Right Now
It's the opposite of Sambas.
By Allyson Payer
-
Zoë Kravitz Just Wore the Shoes That Will Make Your Basic Jeans Look Very 2024
A bit unexpected.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
5 Chic Skirt-and-Shoe Combos Fashion People Will Be Reaching for All Fall Long
100% adding these to my current outfit rotation.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
The 32 Best Sneakers to Buy From New Balance, Adidas, and Nike Right Now
Nothing here is over $250.
By Natalie Cantell
-
Dua Lipa and EmRata Are Already All Over 2025's Top Sneaker Trend
Prepare to see these everywhere next year.
By Eliza Huber
-
Fashion People in Paris and London Agree That These Will Be 2025's It Sneakers
I'll take one of each, please.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Kiernan Shipka and Natalie Portman Are Both Wearing This Ageless Shoe Trend
Can I get a lift?
By Drew Elovitz