Gennifer Birnbach A Casual Weekend in New Hampshire
Trade the beach bag for a weekend bag. Our next Wish You Were Here adventure takes us to Manchester, New Hampshire, where mountain views, historic mill buildings, art, good food—and great shopping—make for the kind of getaway that doesn’t require a packed itinerary.
This is a casual weekend in the mountains, Alembika style: comfortable enough for exploring, polished enough for dinner, and versatile enough that you don’t need to bring your entire closet.
First Stop: Statement Boutique
Every good weekend getaway needs a little shopping. Make Statement Boutique, at 250 Commercial Street in Manchester’s historic Millyard, your first stop. The boutique carries Alembika and visits to the Manchester location are by appointment only, so plan ahead and make your shopping trip part of the weekend itinerary.
What to wear: Start with Iconic Stretch Jeans and an easy jersey-knit top or tunic. Add a lightweight jacket or vest and you’ve got an outfit that works for the drive, shopping, coffee, and whatever comes next.
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Head for the Hills: Mount Monadnock
For the mountain portion of the weekend, head to Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey. At 3,165 feet, Mount Monadnock rises dramatically above the surrounding landscape and is known for its expansive summit views. You don’t have to make summiting the mountain your entire mission, either. The park has more than 30 miles of trails, with options ranging from a shorter, more relaxed walk to a serious hike.
If you’re planning to hike, check trail conditions and choose a route that suits your experience. Weekend day-use reservations are strongly recommended because the park can fill up.
What to wear: This is where Iconic Stretch Jeans really earn their place in the suitcase. Add a soft cotton or jersey top and a lightweight sweater or jacket for changing mountain temperatures.
The goal?
Casual Weekend, not “I trained for this hike for six months.”
Dinner: The Foundry
Back in Manchester, head to The Foundry, located in the historic Manchester Millyard along the Merrimack River. The restaurant combines a cozy industrial setting with seasonal farm-to-table fare, cocktails, wine, and local craft beer. There’s even live local music in the bar and lounge on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
What to wear: Change your jeans for Essential Flow Pants or the signature Essential Punto Pants in Slinky Matte Jersey. Both offer the comfort of stretch jersey with a more polished silhouette. Pair them with an artistic top or tunic and a lightweight sweater.
The result is exactly what a mountain weekend calls for: comfortable, but definitely not sloppy.
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A Little Art Before You Head Home
Give the weekend a cultural finish at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester. The museum’s collection includes works by Monet, Picasso, O’Keeffe, Frank Lloyd Wright, and other important artists, along with exhibitions that change throughout the year.
It’s an especially good stop when you want to swap hiking boots for something a little more polished without abandoning the relaxed spirit of the weekend.
What to wear: Punto Pants with a comfortable jersey-knit top and a lightweight cardigan or sweater is ideal for wandering the galleries. Add a statement necklace or scarf and you’ve gone from mountain town to museum-ready in minutes.
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Pack These 5 Pieces
A casual mountain weekend doesn’t need a complicated wardrobe. Pack five hardworking pieces and mix them throughout the trip.
1. Iconic Stretch Jeans
For traveling, shopping, sightseeing, and casual coffee stops.
Washed Iconic Stretch Jeans in Brown and the Flounce Tee (available in solid colors and other patterns).
2. A Jersey-Knit Top or Tunic
The easy base layer you’ll wear more than once. Choose a print or color that works with both jeans and pants.
3. Essential Flow Pants
Relaxed, stretchy, and polished enough for dinner. The Flow silhouette features an all-around stretch waistband and side pockets.
4. Essential Punto Pants
Alembika’s bestselling silhouette brings a little architecture to your casual wardrobe while keeping the comfort of stretch jersey.
5. A Lightweight Sweater, Cardigan or Jacket
Mountain weather can change quickly. A lightweight layer gives you warmth without adding bulk to your suitcase.
The Casual Weekend Formula
The best part of a mountain getaway? You don’t have to dress like you’re going anywhere—or nowhere. Model seen here is wearing Surfside Collared Sweater in Latte Stripes and Iconic Stretch Jeans.
Think stretch, layers, texture, and pieces that move. Alembika makes it easy to create a weekend wardrobe that feels relaxed enough for the road and refined enough for wherever the road takes you.
So pack your jeans. Bring a sweater. Leave room in the suitcase for something new from Statement Boutique.
The mountains are calling. You should probably look fabulous when you answer.
