Clothing for a stay in a holiday house

Short answer: In a summer house, the temperature swings most indoors, because these houses are often less well insulated than an ordinary home. Pack layers rather than thick pieces, and bring a spare pair of socks and a home set.

Cold indoors

A summer house cools down quickly in the evening, even after a warm summer day, because the walls and floors do not hold heat the way a year round home does. A layer on the legs does more for comfort than a thicker jumper on top of what you already wore that day.

Long john as a solution

See bamboo long john, thin enough to wear under ordinary clothes all day, yet still makes a noticeable difference once the temperature drops after sunset. It is easier to pack than several pairs of trousers for the same purpose.

Socks

Cold floors are what you notice most, especially if the house has wood or tile floors without underfloor heating. A spare pair of soft socks takes up no room in the bag. See all bamboo socks for women, which keep feet warm without gripping even when moving back and forth on cold floors.

A home set

A neutral set that can be used both for evenings and for sleeping saves space in the bag. See bamboo loungewear for women, comfortable enough for a full evening on the sofa but still tidy enough to greet neighbours who stop by.

Towels

If there are no towels in the house, two sets take up less room than you think, provided they are thin and light. See bamboo towels, which dry quickly between uses, meaning less laundry to get done during a week when a washing machine is not always free.

Washing along the way

If there is a washing machine in the house, you can halve the amount of clothing you bring by washing once midway through the stay. See washing and care for gentle temperatures, otherwise count one set of underwear per day plus one spare.

Evenings outside

Even if the day is warm, temperatures often drop quickly once the sun sets, especially near the water. An extra layer in the bag means you can stay sitting outside a little longer in the evening, instead of having to go in as soon as it turns cool.

Rainy days

A stay at a summer house usually brings at least one rainy day, when you end up indoors more than planned. Pack something comfortable to wear inside that is not only swimwear and shorts, in case the weather does not hold as forecast for the whole week.

Frequently asked questions

What should you remember for a summer house?

Layers rather than thick pieces, spare socks and a home set. That gives you flexibility when the temperature swings most in the evening and at night in a house that is not as well insulated.

Why a layer on the legs?

Because cold floors and a cool indoor climate are felt most there, especially in a house without underfloor heating, where the floor is often colder than the rest of the room.