Vırginia Chadwyck-Healey What to wear to... the pub

Now we can finally ditch the duffle coat, it’s time to reassess what we wear to socialise

Step inside, the pub is open… and this time you can stay inside! We no longer need to dress like an Arctic explorer. The pretty shirts and flattering knits you shopped for during lockdown can now be revealed! However, I’m going to say (hand on heart) I will miss the duffle coat shrouding me as I enjoy another bite of sticky toffee pudding outdoors (hot sponge puddings were a must, you understand). There’ll be far less warming limoncello at the end of a crisp night, no more reclining into the hot-water bottle propping you up. Inside, you have to sit up a little bit taller; inside you have to watch your conversation volume levels (but let’s not forget that inside just feels less akin to a camping ordeal).

The other silver lining is that we can dress up a little more, and look a little less as if we are heading off to a night at the dogs. Today I’ve donned a pair of 1970s-inspired floral wedges from Penelope Chilvers and paired them with a bold print top by Rae Feather, one which, importantly, offers movement. Who needs clinginess if you are going to order the steak and triple-cooked chips?

If you’re tired of wearing the same style of jeans, I’m showing you how a flared look (these are by Essentiel Antwerp) might be a style to dust off or try. You might be sniggering that this is exactly what you wouldn’t wear to the pub, but I’m simply illustrating how colour, high heels and florals are looks we can now become familiar with again.

And you won’t be short on choice as the shops are brimming with options and would love your business. For the “B side” to my pub look, I’ve opted for a twist on “cricket whites chic”. It says: “I’m wearing white because this is an adult-only soirée and I’m not at risk of a child coming near me with ketchup on their hands.” It comprises a fitted knit top by Kitri (great brand, go visit) and wide-leg jeans, coupled with a luxurious cashmere wrap by Kalita for when I do start to feel the cold, and some smart (box-fresh) Superga canvas trainers.

The pub visit of course comes in many guises, depending on how often you frequent your local. The more visits, the more casual our clothing becomes. The effort I tend to put in would indicate that I don’t get out very much. So when I do have pub plans I want to bring a bit more than a jumper and jeans to the party. I want to show my friends how excited I am to see them in the flesh rather than yet another WhatsApp chat. For me, a hamburger and glass of malbec with my nearest and dearest also entails: finding a taxi, securing a babysitter, locating a functioning cashpoint to withdraw the cash to pay said babysitter, and negotiating the shortest bedtime story with my children so as to be able to have a shower and put on some proper make-up – maybe even dry my hair. When all is said and done I want to shift things up a gear from Marigolds to “My goodness, the jeans still fit!” levels of excitement.

Do factor in waistlines, do bring out your “car to bar” shoes. (“Car to Bar”? Shoes that only need get you to the bar from the car.) You only need navigate a wonky wooden pub floor and possibly dip for low ceilings. Do focus on your top half if you are stuck for ideas. Do put on a bit of lipstick.

We aren’t just upping the ante for ourselves, our friends or our plus ones. We are celebrating all that the hospitality industry stands for, all we’ve missed. Great food, fun atmosphere, your favourite pint, bumping into familiar faces… but mostly we are applauding all the bar staff, landlords, cleaners, chefs and suppliers who have had a rocky time of it. The least we can do is celebrate in style.