Clothes for a rainy day at the holiday cottage
Short answer: A rainy day at the holiday cottage calls for soft, loose clothes and layers that cope with a house that is often cool and damp. Choose something you can sit and walk around in all day, and keep dry socks to hand.
A cottage is rarely heated like a home
Many holiday cottages have only simple heating, and thick walls and rain can make the air cold and damp even in the middle of summer. You notice it most when you sit still with a book or a jigsaw puzzle. Bring several thin layers so you can adjust through the day. Soft trousers and a long-sleeved top are a good start. See bamboo night pants for women if you want something that feels calm and soft to sit in.
Soft clothes for a slow day
Rainy weather sets a different rhythm. You get up late, drink coffee and stay in, and your clothes should suit that calm. A set in soft, smooth fabric gives comfort when you lie on the sofa or sit at the kitchen table. Viscose from bamboo feels light and soft, so you can stay in the same set from morning to evening. See pajamas for women. The clothes do not have to be smart, but they should be pleasant to wear for many hours.
Layers for damp air
Damp air feels cooler than the thermometer shows because the skin loses heat faster. Keep a cardigan, a wool jumper or a thick sweatshirt handy so you can put something on when you feel cold. Socks are essential, because the floor in a cottage is often cold, especially a wooden floor above a crawl space. Thick socks or slippers make all the difference. Keep a spare pair ready for when the first ones have gone damp after a walk in the rain.
Warm inside, cool outside
If you light the stove or turn on the heater, the house can warm up quickly. Take off a layer then and switch to something lighter, such as shorts and a thin top. See bamboo night shorts for women if you want something light for the warmer hours. Open a window when the stove has been burning for a long time so the air does not get heavy. It is easy to switch when you keep several layers in a basket by the sofa.
Dry clothes after a walk in the rain
Even a short trip to the shed or a walk in the rain can soak your clothes. Hang wet clothes to dry by a radiator or on a line in a ventilated room so they do not smell musty. Change into dry clothes quickly so your body does not cool down. Bring a few extra sets for the stay, especially if the rain lasts several days. Rain gear and wellies belong in the hall so the cottage does not fill with damp.
Care on holiday
Many holiday cottages have no tumble dryer, and that is fine, because viscose from bamboo should dry flat or on a hanger. Wash at 30 to 40 degrees if there is a machine, otherwise by hand in lukewarm water. Use a mild detergent and skip fabric softener. Hang the clothes up as soon as they are washed and make sure there is air around them so they dry quickly in damp weather. A small bag for dirty laundry keeps it apart from the clean.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring for a rainy day at the cottage
Soft layers, warm socks and a few extra sets of dry clothes. It is also a good idea to have a cardigan or sweatshirt ready.
How do I stay warm in a cold cottage
Several thin layers, socks and a blanket on the sofa help most. Keep the windows closed and air the rooms briefly but thoroughly.
Can I dry clothes in a cottage without a tumble dryer
Yes, hang them on a line or hanger with air around them. Viscose from bamboo dries best flat or on a hanger.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
