EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear to See Christmas Lights (Trails, Gardens and City Centres)

“Christmas lights are very generous to everybody's face and very unkind to everybody's toes. Dress for the temperature at the end of the trail, not the one in the car park. And wear something pale near your face, or you'll only appear in the photos as a floating smile.”Her take

Why a light trail needs more clothing than you think

Most illuminated trails at gardens, parks and stately homes are outdoors the entire way, with little or no shelter, and you may be walking slowly or standing in a queue. The biggest run for around two miles and can take a couple of hours, while smaller ones are shorter. It's after dark, the temperature has dropped, and you aren't moving fast enough to warm up.

It can also be surprisingly muddy, particularly at parks and gardens after rain. Check the venue's website before you go for the length of the trail, whether it has hard paths, what time it starts, and whether it goes ahead in bad weather. Dress for that information, not for the weather forecast at your front door.

The layers that work

Build the outfit from your skin out. Slim layers will keep you warmer than one big jumper, and you can unzip when you stop for a hot drink or head indoors. Take a coat that closes all the way to the neck and covers your hips, since a short jacket lets in the cold when you're standing still.

• Base: a close-fitting thermal or merino top, with thermal leggings or opaque tights under your trousers on very cold nights.
• Middle: a fine wool jumper or a roll-neck, plus a thin gilet if you feel the cold badly.
• Coat: warm, knee-length or hip-length, water-resistant, with a hood. Keep umbrellas at home on narrow, crowded paths if you can.
• Bottom half: dark jeans or wool trousers. Avoid wide hems, which pick up mud and get wet.
• Extras: a large scarf, a warm hat that stays on and a spare pair of socks in the car for the journey home.

What shoes should you wear?

Choose waterproof boots with a textured grip and plenty of room for a thick sock. Paths can be slippery with wet leaves or frost, and there's less light to help you see the puddles. A pair of walking boots, lug-sole Chelsea boots or smart wellies are all practical. Save heels and smooth soles for dinner afterwards, or leave them in the car.

Wear wool socks that aren't tight, as a little room around the toes helps keep your feet warmer. New boots are a poor choice for a two-mile trail, so wear them in on a shorter walk first. If your venue's route is hard surfaced and you're heading to the city centre instead, smart leather ankle boots with a rubber sole will be fine.

How to look good in the photos

Dark coats disappear at night, particularly in front of strong coloured lights. Bring something pale near your face: a cream scarf, an ivory hat or a light-coloured coat. It lifts your features and gives your phone's camera something to focus on. Soft metallics and glossy finishes are also fun, because they catch the glow from the display.

Keep hair and make-up simple. A slightly stronger lip and a little cream blush will show better in low light than heavy powder or contouring. Take off your gloves only when you need them off, or wear a pair with touchscreen fingertips. Clean your phone's lens before you start, and don't lean on flash, which flattens the lights you've come to see.

Bags, gloves and going with children

You'll want your hands free for hot chocolate and taking pictures, so use a crossbody bag or a small backpack instead of a tote or clutch. Keep it light, with your phone, a power bank, tissues and a card, and check the venue's rules if you're bringing a larger bag. Mittens or thicker gloves are warmer than fine leather if you don't need your fingers.

With children, take an extra layer for each of you, plus spare gloves, as they tend to get lost or wet. Let them wear a bright hat or coat, which makes them easier to spot in the dark. Pack wipes for sticky hands too, and a plastic bag for muddy boots if you're driving home.

Three outfits for different nights

Where you're going afterwards decides how far you can dress up. Carry anything fragile, and let your warm layers do the work until you're safely inside.

• Family trail at a stately home: thermal top, thick jumper, dark jeans, long padded coat, waterproof boots, bobble hat, cream scarf.
• Date night at a botanic garden: merino roll-neck, leather-look trousers, long wool coat with a waterproof layer underneath if rain looks likely, lug-sole boots, soft leather gloves, stronger lipstick.
• City-centre switch-on or lights walk: fine knit, tailored trousers, a smart wool coat, rubber-soled ankle boots and a small crossbody, ready for dinner after.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Dress for two cold hours on your feet, keep your hands free, and wear something pale near your face so the camera can find you.

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