CheckoutWith the hope of future escapes on the horizon, we’ve been daydreaming about a little British staycation. So, we teamed up with Barbour and country living expert Jasmin White (aka @thesecountryroads) to bring you a guide for a truly great staycation, including tips for exploring scenic spots close to home, what to pack and how to style it out with Barbour’s new Summer Shop collection.
The perfect place to staycation
We’re so lucky to live close to what I consider one of England’s hidden treasures — the Norfolk coast. While I’ve always been a big fan of holidaying in the UK, the British coast has become one of my favourite places to staycation. There’s just something so special about the quaint seaside villages, beautiful beaches and fresh sea air. The best bit? A UK staycation means you don’t have to leave your four-legged friends at home. With plenty of scenic coastal walks and lots of dog-friendly pubs and accommodation, you can holiday with your pup by your side. Vinny is such a huge part of our family; I don’t like the thought of leaving him behind!
Tip 1: Pack for comfort (and unpredictable weather)
The weather along the coast (as with the rest of the UK) can be unpredictable. For a British coastal escape, I like to pack transitional basics that I can layer up should the weather change. Comfort is key, so opting for casual transitional basics in breezy fabrics means I’m prepared for whatever the day throws at us!
Tip 2: Shorts for all occasions
Shorts are the hero of my staycation wardrobe and these khaki Essential Chino Shorts are my absolute favourite! They’re lightweight, comfortable and a really flattering relaxed fit! I pair mine with the classic white Rebecca T-shirt and easy-to-wear strappy Gabbie sandals. The neutral colour palette suits the British summer so well.
Tip 3: Take outfits effortlessly from day to night
The best thing about chino shorts is that they’re secretly smart casual. Throw on a blazer and you’re ready for date night at a local restaurant, despite the fact you’re just wearing shorts and a t-shirt. These strappy leather Gabbie sandals are my secret weapon when it comes to taking an outfit from day to night. The flatform sole and rope detailing adds a stylish touch to casual espadrille styling.
Tip 4: Pack with the Summer Shop
The Barbour Summer Shop collection is full of lightweight pieces that are ready to pack up and go for any adventure! With a large dog and all my camera gear to fit in the car, we’re always looking for ways to save space and the versatility of the collection means there’s less to pack. That’s a big thumbs up from me.
I love the Summer Shop range because you get the quality that comes with every Barbour collection. Each detail is carefully considered and the versatile, yet feminine colour palette is perfect for long summer days. I love that I can be comfortable, without compromising style.
The Men’s collection is equally versatile, drawing inspiration from Barbour’s coastal heritage with classic stripes and neutral colour palette. There’s plenty of laid-back t-shirts perfect for keeping cool in the warmer weather and Bobby said the shorts are the comfiest pair he owns! Ideal for a long day running around with the dog at the beach.
Tip 5: Embrace slowing down
We live in such a fast-paced world, so taking time to slow down and appreciate the calm nature brings is so important. Over the last year, a walk in the countryside with Vinny has become my medicine; a chance to clear my head and a welcome change of scenery. From forest walks, to beach staycations, we’re always looking for our next outdoor adventure.