Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean holiday time has been and gone too. If you’ve booked a winter break, instead of just lazing on sun-baked sands, you might be scaling snow-capped peaks or strolling some of Europe’s top cities.

Whatever you’re planning, you’ve probably got your flights, accommodation and a list of things to see and do all sorted, so it's time to pack!

Deciding which outfits to take on a winter break can be time-consuming. For one thing, packing bulkier items like coats and jumpers into your case take up a lot more room, so it’s handy to take items that are versatile and can be worn on multiple occasions.

Indeed, dressing for warm weather is often a lot easier – something that’s echoed by presenter-turned-designer Emma Willis. We sat down with the mum-of-three, who told us she finds dressing for winter slightly challenging and shared some of her top picks for a winter holiday wardrobe.

“I think winter is trickier. In the summer, depending on where you are, you don’t have to wear as much, but in the winter, you have to layer everything. You have to look at whether you’ve got the right coat to go with the right chunky knit, and will the coat fit over the top of it?”

Dressing for Christmas Day

Christmas Day on holiday feels even more special than it does ordinarily – so it’s only natural for you to want to dress up a little while abroad.

You might decide to spend Christmas Day exploring the area you’re staying in, heading out to do some sightseeing or bedding down in your accommodation with a mountain of treats and your loved ones.

If it’s the former and you’re heading out, dress for the weather and be sure to wrap up warm if you’re somewhere chilly. Pack a coat that can be worn in the daytime, and at night, one that’s good for formal occasions and everyday wear.

Despite getting the chance to travel lots due to work (Emma names Ibiza as a place she draws inspiration from for her clothing ranges), the presenter is keen on staying in during the Christmas period. When we asked her what she’ll be wearing, she replied:

“Normally pyjamas, which I love designing and there are some great sets in my new range. I like to be comfortable and at Christmas, I like to stay home with my family as much as possible. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day is family time, so I wear pyjamas, casual joggers and Christmas jumpers!"

Dressing for evenings out

Christmas is also the time for celebrating, and much more so when you’re away from home and wanting to get a taste of the local nightlife. Whether that involves venturing to the bright lights of a buzzy city or checking out family-run bars in a quiet resort. There may be nights when you want to really dress up – especially if you’re away for New Year’s Eve.

Pack a couple of key eveningwear staples that can be mixed and matched to suit the occasion and give your holiday wardrobe a bit of variety.

For Emma, jumpsuits are her go-to outfit choice for evening occasions because they’re easy to just “throw on and wear to any event”.

Jumpsuits are great because of their versatility. They can be dressed down with flats and a denim jacket or jazzed up with heels and a blazer. And because they keep you completely covered, they’ll help you stay warm as well.

Quick-fire tips to help you nail packing for a winter break

Tip 1: Don’t leave it to the last minute – although busy days at work and packed weekends may not leave you with much time, try not to leave packing to the last minute. You’ll probably become stressed and end up forgetting vital things.

Tip 2: Purchase additional hold luggage if you need to – this will help maximise packing space. You’ll be able to take bulkier items like coats and cardigans that you might have had to leave behind otherwise.

Tip 3: Leave some space in your suitcase – you may want to stock up on clothes, trinkets and souvenirs from your destination.

Tip 4: Check the weather forecast – there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realising you’ve underestimated the weather. Warm or cold, it’s important to be prepared!

We hope we’ve given you some food for thought when it comes to dressing for your winter break – and if you’re in need of a little winter holiday wardrobe inspiration, you can check out the new Emma Willis collection here. Not quite at the packing stage yet? Dive into our destination guides to find your next holiday spot.