PACK IT IN – BRITS HOLIDAY SUITCASES FOR TWO WEEKS IS WORTH AN AVERAGE OF OVER £500

Avanti Travel Insurance who cover people with pre-existing health conditions and specialise in cruise cover ran a poll of 2,000 UK holidaymakers to see how much the average cruiser spends on their holiday wardrobe and how this might be affected by the cost-of-living crisis and found that 1 in 10 holiday suitcases for two weeks could be worth over an astonishing £500.

Brits are notorious over packers, many travelling with more clothes in their suitcase than they actually need with 22% of those surveyed admitting to packing too much for a holiday. But when it comes to cruises and the different themed nights that some ships offer, it seems that cruisers will purposely take more than needed to ensure they have a suitable outfit for every occasion and to meet the endless dress code demands.

Avanti found that 53% of those packing for a cruise take a larger suitcase for all their outfits and to include essentials such as straighteners, headphones, hats, designer sunglasses and shoes. Not surprisingly, the average person who has been on a cruise will go through 3 outfit changes per day with the many day trips, sitting round the pool, lunch, afternoon tea and of course the lavish evening functions all to dress appropriately for.

42 per cent of those asked by Avanti said they have a dedicated space in their wardrobe for clothes which are only to be worn on holiday. Over half of said they always end up packing the same things but 29 per cent will buy almost everything brand new each time their holiday comes around.

However, with the cost-of-living crisis having a huge strain on us all, 16 per cent said they refuse to make any new purchases before their next trip. It’s therefore no wonder that 1 in 25 will resort to charity shops and second hand vintage outlets. While just over 1 in 10 plan on turning to friends and family to borrow and swap outfits which they can dress up and down to suit any occasion.

Interestingly, as much as we all love going on holiday, 39% of those asked said that packing their case makes them feel very stressed and 23% would describe their packing style as ‘chaotic’. And it isn’t just women who suffer with holiday packing worries either with over a third of men finding packing their case the most stressful part of a holiday and not knowing what to take. Over 30% of men even leave packing to their partner to delegate the stress away. However, there are ways to look like you have many outfits by thinking about which items can be cleverly ‘adjusted’ to look like you’ve had a wardrobe change that won’t break the bank and enable you to look your best whatever the occasion, while travelling with lighter luggage.

With only 6% of cruisers saying they customise their clothes for a trip, we’ve enlisted the help of two well-known style icons so everyone can travel lighter with what looks like a fabulous selection of outfits. Here to offer their top tips on how to be smarter with your cruise wear whether your budget is big or small are legendary fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes and notorious raconteur Henry Blofeld.

“Whenever I start packing to go on a cruise my first stop is my nearest charity shops to see what colourful garments and accessories are up for grabs. I tend to incorporate as many colourful linen or cotton trousers paired with linen shirts and then accessories I can alternate depending on the dress code. With a bit of imagination it is wonderful how you can reheat old ingredients so that on the next occasion they look sparkling, new and terrific fun. A different coloured shirt, a change of cravat and belt or a new bow tie, different shoes and hey presto.” – Henry Blofeld, OBE

“On a cruise there are always so many activities going on! Taking garments from day to night with some accessories and a change of shoes is a must for a cruise. Pack lots of jewels and plenty of amazing evening shoes! Depending on where you are cruising to, it can get cold in the evenings, especially if you are walking around the deck. Pack a brightly coloured pashmina or scarf to drape round you and it will transform any outfit to the perfect night time look!” – Dame Zandra Rhodes

Lindsey Howsam, MD at Avanti Travel Insurance said “At Avanti we’re always on hand to help our customer every step of the way so they have the right type of cover and reassurance to travel safely. We know our customers love their cruises and for some, it’s the one holiday where they can really dress up and enjoy a bit of luxury. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is having an impact in all our lives and we all need to think a bit smarter, so it’s fantastic that we’ve teamed up with Dame Zandra Rhodes and Henry Blofeld to give our customers their top tips in keeping down the cost of their holiday wardrobe and tricks to wearing the same outfit several times to save money”.