Several weeks after restaurants and pubs have reopened, the novelty of eating a meal that doesn’t end with a pile of washing up still hasn’t worn off. However, al fresco dining in the UK does have its challenges. There’s the risk of a soggy, rained-on main course, napkins flying everywhere and the non-stop shivering. By May, we’d usually hope to have discarded all additional layers and started to wear our high-summer wardrobes, but the current weather and restrictions mean you’re more likely to be wearing a puffer coat than pair of sandals.

Getting dressed properly has been an adjustment since the end of lockdown, meaning we have been inundated with questions about what to wear to picnics, pubs and park dates. As the forecast is looking a little grim, we’ve had many asking about how to stay warm when eating outside. If you’re hoping to retire your duvet coat, we’ve listed six spring coats and jackets that will come in handy for a summer of outdoor dining.