Camping guide to dressing comfortably

"There's no need to buy special clothing to go camping," boomed the voice at an outdoor show. He had a point but it's far from the full story. Jeans and t-shirts work well much of the time and are certainly fine for overnight and weekend trips. Combined, that is, with clothes to keep you warm and dry. We're drawn to camping because of the fun of being outdoors. In our minds and recollections, the sun shines and all is well with the world. Over the years, I've developed my own layering system for dressing flexibly and comfortably; layering that has parallel dimensions depending on season and activities. Most of us do the same and use a combination of everyday clothes and those designed for active use outdoors. After all, it's an odd person who chooses to dress up in mountain bike gear to pop along to the pub for a meal; similarly, jeans and sweatshirt are not the best wear for a long, wet, muddy bike ride.

The idea of a camping suit is amusing to contemplate. Would it be inspired by Mao or by safari suit styling? Just as the reverie was about to spread its wings, I trundled off to the wardrobe. Without planning, it dawned on me that my own ‘uniform’ had developed almost without thinking. By default, many of the favourite daytime items were made by Paramo with Craghoppers as 'smart' wear; favourite nightwear included a Regatta hooded fleece. Other favoured items include Buff neckwear, a Rogue hat and SmartWool socks. The camping wardrobe had evolved through the happy combination of wanting flexible, comfortable clothes and spotting bargains in sales.

Despite the seductive ads for outdoor clothing designed for the world's extreme places, the associated price tags have ensured that such items have never been bought - no need to part with the cash for pitching up in the UK even in winter. Of course, not everybody enjoys camping and outdoor pursuits. If stately homes, gardens and museums are your main focus, then you'll probably feel the need to pack more urban clothing. As there are no rules, it's impossible to get clothing for camping wrong. Hmm. Well a white three-piece suit would be less than ideal.

The key words are 'flexible' and 'comfortable' combined with easy care and quick drying fabrics. One memorable camping trip was made with a couple who changed their clothes three times each day. Not to suit outdoor activities or special events but because, even after just a few hours, they both felt that the clothes were dirty. They brought huge suitcases with them as they wouldn't use public washing machines. Mad!

For a week's camping with walking on the agenda, my clothes fit into a modest-sized soft duffel bag. Quick-drying synthetic t-shirts, a light full zip fleece, fleece hoodie, track pants, zip-off polycotton trousers, gilet, waterproof, Buff, hat, sandals, socks, underwear. The chances of going anywhere that has a dress code are so miniscule as to be laughable; the need for fresh clothes every day is irrelevant. In winter, a Snugpak Sleeka jacket adds all the insulation needed.

A friend's comment on clothing for kids was succinct and to the point, "Let them wear anything you don't mind being trashed." It's great advice; throw in a fleece top and a waterproof and it's job done. On the other hand, especially if you want them to actually enjoy days spent walking for several miles, kitting them out with scaled-down versions of what you wear not only makes sense but is also fundamentally decent. Good outdoor shops will have a selection of clothing and footwear for children from toddlers to teens.

The principle adopted by active outdoor enthusiasts is useful but hardly essential for campers. It's about building up clothing layers from a next to the skin garment for warmth and/or wicking away sweat through an insulating layer to a waterproof/breathable outer shell. In many ways, it's been overtaken by developments in technical clothing but it's also been hyped up.

All of us have been using 'layering' all our lives in everyday situations. At school, for instance, we wore vest, shirt, sweater and coat. Don't fall prey to the alarms sounded about being outdoors but dress to suit yourself on site. Any mistakes you make are not likely to cause anything more than short-term discomfort.

When packing, bear in mind not only what you like and what you're planning to do but also where you're going, the weather and how much free space will be left in the car after camping gear and family are stowed. Useful items to pack are laundry soap, a clothes line, pegs and a dirty laundry bag if the trip is short and you can't be bothered to wash them.

Lightweight - although it's a relative term, heavy clothing feels quite archaic these days.

Low bulk - alongside reduced weight, low bulk is a feature of most clothing these days and makes sense when you're packing the family car.

Easy care - uncomplicated washing instructions and non-iron fabrics really come into their own on site.

Warm - feeling cold in the evening inhibits sitting around and enjoying company. Fleece and other insulating tops are great but so is a cheap fleece blanket used as a wrap/shawl.

Fast drying - whether wet through rain or washing, the quicker it dries the better; nobody wants a tent full of damp, fetid air.

Durable - that's a matter of taste not an absolute necessity though creating waste for no reason is hardly responsible. Some like well-worn favourites; others prefer continual renewal. Either way, recycle old clothes don't send them to landfill.

Easy on/off - as you'll probably want to avoid wearing your footwear inside your tent, then the easier it is to slip on and off the better.

Shower block - as with your tent, it's an odd person who wears outdoor footwear in the shower. Unless, of course, the footwear is plastic flip-flops or the really versatile Crocs.

Around site - your everyday footwear is mostly all you'll ever need - until you experience hour after hour of torrential rain. Then, a pair of wellies can become your most precious possession.

Activity - if you are into outdoor activities, then you'll know what suits you - walking, cycling or watersports. If you're tackling something for the first time, listen to the advice on offer.

A note on colour

There's no doubt that walkers and campers in the hills and wild country would do well not to choose bright garish colours that jar with the landscape - a sort of visual pollution. Generally speaking and particularly on campsites, it's a shame that colour schemes are so dreary. Green, blue and brown tents are rather depressing so cut a dash on site with clothing that cheers everybody up. Now you know who to blame when orange, yellow, red, saffron and lime green register on your eyeballs as you wend your way to the loos in the morning.

If you're keen on outdoor pursuits, then you'll probably have an idea of the sort of clothing and footwear you need and will be shopping at specialist outdoor shops with a wide range of quality, durable, performance gear from big brands. On the other hand, if you enjoy camping and walking but don't want to spend small fortunes on kitting out the family, then outlet shopping and the websites below can turn up some real bargains, especially when they run sales/clearance offers. Key advice is to keep an open mind and not just focus on a brand or proposed function. Make your own rules about what suits where and spend the cash saved on getting out there camping.

Then there's TK Maxx where canny or lucky shoppers can pick up outstanding bargains; it's pot luck, of course, but the odd win feels great. A Patagonia Gore-Tex jacket for £60 and a Lowe Alpine chunky fleece jacket for £18 are just a couple of my one-off lucky finds - tkmaxx.com.

Read more camping buyers guides here.