Wardrobe essentials for your next road trip

Wardrobe essentials for your next road trip

The beauty of road trips is that they allow you to see and do a lot in a short space of time. But this can pose a problem when you’re putting together your travel wardrobe. To get the most from your holiday and enjoy all the activities you have planned, you’ll need to choose your clothing carefully.   

 To help you, we’ve created this guide to selecting the perfect attire for all eventualities. 

Pay attention to your itinerary

You don’t want to get to the beach and discover you’ve forgotten your swimsuit or trunks, or start a hike without the right walking shoes. So when you’re packing, run through the list of locations and attractions you plan to visit and make sure you have all the gear you’ll need for each.

Take plenty of layers

The British weather is notoriously unpredictable. To ensure you’re never too hot or cold, whether you’re in the car or out and about exploring, it’s really important to take plenty of layers so you can adjust your outfits on the go. For example, when it comes to ladies’ fashion, teaming skirts, shorts or trousers with a simple T-shirt and thin cardigan or jumper, and completing the outfit with a lightweight jacket, means you can add or shed a layer or two to suit the conditions. Similarly, for menswear, shorts or trousers paired with a polo shirt and lightweight jumper or zipper, and a sports jacket to finish the look, will give you plenty of options.  

If you’re road tripping during the colder months, simply substitute the lightweight jumpers and coats for something cosier. And even in summer, if you’re tackling hills or mountains, it’s useful to have the option of a warmer layer.

Stick to a specific colour palette

If you’re limited in terms of luggage space in the car, it pays to choose a colour palette for your clothing. This allows you to get lots of outfits out of relatively few items of clothing. By sticking to a theme, you’ll find it easier to mix and match pieces to create different looks.

Top tip: choose a piece of clothing from your wardrobe that you love and definitely want to take on your trip, whether it’s your favourite mens trousers or some fancy new shoes, and build your colour palette around this.

Don’t forget your waterproofs

Whether it’s the rain closing in while you’re on a walk or water rides drenching you at a theme park, there’s always a chance that you’ll get soaked. To stave off the sogginess, make sure you pack a waterproof jacket and over-trousers.

Take comfortable footwear

Chances are, when you’re not in your car you’ll be covering plenty of ground on foot. From strolling through city streets to taking a hike in the countryside, you might be on your feet a lot. This means you’ll need comfy footwear, such as flexible, lightweight trainers. Make sure you pack according to your itinerary, and be sure to include shoes you like to drive in too.

These packing tips should take the hassle out of choosing your holiday wardrobe. 

Now. that you know what to wear. how about having a look at where to go? We've pulled together a list of five interactive routes to inspire your next road trip:

Check them out here: Route 66+ - Road Trips For Older Adults

All that’s left is to wish you bon voyage!