Camping Clothes! Help needed

[SherlockHolmes]

Really struggling to find clothes for camping. They need to be practical, obviously but not just "outdoorsy".

For example, I'm camping next week but meeting friends for a drink in a nearby town one evening.

So I need a warmish, wind-proof jacket that's casual but not a hiking jacket, flat walking shoes (trainers?) and a warmer layer in case we sit outside in the evening.

Is there a shop that sells clothing like this or do I just continue to trawl Vinted/online stores until I find what I want?

Should also add I've never worn trainers so any advice on good brands, good support etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I like shorts for camping and change into longs at night -crucially before it starts to go cold. I say that as it's easier to dry legs than trousers if it's warm but rains
You can wear a nice vest top or shirt/ blouse with shorts. I'd be tempted to buy some hiking boots if walking or a pair of comfy running shoes if only light walking.
And crocs for the morning loo visits as the grass is wet with dew.
Layers for warmth so a light fleece jumper or jacket for night with a waterproof over is what I did before i had my dry robe (copy)
A pair of new balance is my go to running shoe. You might get some on Vinted. I walk miles in mine and don't bother with boots on our low level long dog walks as it's easy terrain.
A lightweight pair of walking trousers might be good. Definitely try Vinted for those. And the fleece actually. They had loads last time I looked.

For your drinks in town, just change into jeans. I would.

What do you normally wear in these situations when not camping?

I don’t mean to sound like an arse, but surely camping clothes are just casual holiday clothes? Why do you need special things?

Are you backpacking and needing to minimise packing bulk / weight? If not (e.g, if you're driving to camp site and staying there a few days), just take your normal going-for-a-drink clothes with you and change into them.

I am a great fan of Uniqulo heat tech under-tops. Long sleeve. Round neck, plain colour. You can wear them under practically any sleeved top and they provide a little insulation, but not so much as to be stiffling.

M&S have a similar range, usually sold in 2 packs in the lingerie dept.

That's just it - my casual clothes, eg denim jacket, may not be warm enough for a walk into town, so I need something warmer, still quite casual but not a Berghaus mac if you see what I mean. If I was going out locally I'd manage without warmer stuff as I wouldn't have to walk too far. Ditto shoes.

Outdoor shops and sports shops will have what you want.

But if you're car camping just take your usual clothes for meeting friends.

There's loads of sandals that are stylish but also offer support for walking, from specially walking / hiking sandals through to fit flops and birkenstocks.

Just take your normal evening-out-for-drinks clothes for meeting friends, and campsite clothes for camping.

Jeans / shorts , T shirts or shirt, something warm.

For camping if you haven’t got a fleece or warm hoodie, take jumpers and whatever waterproof you normally wear. Take r tea warm clothes rather than too few.

What would you wear sitting out in a garden after a BBQ once the temperature drops?

Footwear: Converse type shoes? Wellies are good if it rains, crocs / flip flops for showers and in and out of the tent.

@MaggieMJ thanks for the trainer recommendation, will take a look at those. All the other things you've suggested sound good for general camping, but not so much for a night out. Have a dry robe type thing (thanks Vinted!) so am ok for warmth on the campsite.

What would you wear walking to meet a friend for a night out in January?

It doesn’t sounds like it’s a camping issue, more a suitable for being outside for more than ten minutes issue.

What do you wear if you're going for a walk? Wear that. You don't need new clothes surely. Unless you don't own even one single pair of trainers or walking boots - do you not do any exercise at all?

If it helps, in these situations (which tbh is "normal weekend wear" for me) I'd be in trail shoes/trainers, leggings or shorts, a basic t shirt and hoody/fleece over the top if it's cold. Waterproof stuffed in my bag if rain is forecast.

Look at Passenger/ Howies/ Alpkit/ Finisterre/ Rapanui online perhaps and go from there?

Also, if you're meeting friends for a drink in a town near a campsite then I'm presuming you'll be fairly rural and there's no expectation to be "night out" dressed up for drinks.

Go into any pub in Snowdonia/ the Lakes/ the Peak District etc on a weekend and there are more people in leggings, t shirts and walking boots than anything else.

If you don't already own one, a base layer is a handy thing to have as they keep you very warm yet lots of them look decent too (far superior to say, a cheapy fleece). I like SB ones but Uniqlo heat tech are good too. Also, surprisingly, M&S.

Something like this with jeans? https://www.passenger-clothing.com/products/iris-collarless-recycled-fleece-jacket-baked-clay

Gandy’ ( great charity, sad backstory) are great for casual outdoor, rather than full on mountaineering!

Even if you don't buy their website has some good layered, casual looks.
Gandys

@SherlockHolmes , @FeelinTwentySixPointTwo made a good point that if it's a walking / camping area you'll probably find a lot of walkers in jeans and hiking trainers but if you're worried about it being somewhere smart, whack in wide leg trousers over your trainers - you could buy a smarter pair and a fine knit jumper and you'd be fine. Somewhere in the middle.

Second crocs or something similarly easy to slip
on and off when you have socks on for morning loo runs and generally going in and out of tent.

To answer a few questions - it's a reunion of sorts in a big town - I just happen to be camping nearby (3 miles away) so it made sense to go.

I do camp a lot, but usually it's just for outdoorsy stuff. I have hiking boots, walking sandals and running trainers but never usually wear trainers as normal shoes, hence wanting recommendations.

I'm beginning to think clothes that are both functional and ok for a night out don't really exist! Will check out some of the sites suggested though.