From snow to sun: getting your outfit right

By Bob Atkinson

We’ve all done it. Rocked up to the airport dressed head to toe for an arctic winter only to find on arrival that its baking hot and we feel completely over-dressed for the weather. But how on earth do you get around the need to wrap up for freezing temperatures on your way to and from your departure airport AND the heat of your carefully-chosen sun-baked hotspot? Getting changed at the airport is one idea. However, that just leads to baggage problems and hassle.

Research we conducted found that over half (57 per cent) of British holidaymakers admit they’ve stepped off a plane in unsuitable clothing for their destination’s climate. I know I have been one of them. One in four of us state it’s a hassle factoring in the changes in climate on the day of travel. And a further 26 per cent say they enjoy their holiday more if they’re appropriately dressed on arrival. Not that easy if it's snow and ice as you leave home for the airport.

Our team here thought it would be fun to see if we could solve the dilemma of what to wear, so we employed a UK designer to create a solution for women and their kids. Dads seem to have been left out of this for now so thankfully I did not have to model a male version of the outfit.

Mum’s winter sun travel outfit

So, what did our designer come up with? Well, it boasts one winter and two summer weather styles, comprising an all-in-one, long-sleeve, hooded dress with mittens, that falls to just below the knee, to cater for the UK’s occasional arctic weather. The outfit is also equipped with a self-inflatable neck pillow (ideal for sleeping on the plane) and pockets for essential accessories. On landing in your winter hotspot, the travel outfit transforms into a choice of summer outfits:

1) Leaving the upper jacket in place, the dress unzips and folds down to reveal an attractive mini-skirt. The jacket sleeves can retract to complete a fashionable two-piece combination.

2) Alternatively, the detachable upper jacket unzips, to transform into a handy over the shoulder beach bag, leaving a stylish, above the knee, strapless dress.

And we also looked at kids. How do you keep them at the right temperature as well as comfortable in the air?

Kids winter sun travel outfit

Well, the child’s outfit is a simple, frog-styled, lime green ‘onesie’ snug, that features a padded hood to aid comfort and sleeping. Strategically positioned poppers ensure nappies can be changed easily in any situation.

The new ‘onesie’ also comes complete with ‘drawable’ knee pads, made of blackboard material, and a pocket with coloured chalk for colouring in, to keep the kids entertained. It also comes with an inbuilt GPS tracker that synchronises to a mobile phone SIM chip, for any time the kids are out of sight and has a clever clasp for socks and a teddy as they can often get lost in transit.

Before you start emailing us directly for your local stockist I do have to point out they are only prototypes and not yet available for purchase, so in the meantime, you’ll have to make do with my top tips on how to travel to the sun more comfortably at this time of year. Here goes;

Pack your sunglasses and your flip flops in your handbag so you’re prepared for the sun the moment you get off the plane
Attach your mobile phone number to your child on a safe release necklace or bracelet they can wear in case your child wanders off at the airport
Dress in layers, rather than one chunky jumper
Wear a scarf. Not only are they ideal for keeping you warm or acting as a pillow on the plane, they’re light weight and easy to carry
Check your hand baggage allowance before you go – you might have more room than you think