Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are, mercifully, open again, as of the most recent stage of lockdown lifting.
Of course, we can only enjoy the pleasures of our favourite drinking holes outdoors for now, meaning there are currently a lot of Brits braving the cold as they shiver down their pints.
Yes, until May 17 at the very earliest, we'll need to continue eating and drinking in the Great British weather. Even once that next stage arrives and we're all allowed to dine indoors again, it's likely the government's guidance on fresh air and ventilation means there might still be a breeze flowing through our chips. And given our one designated warm day of the year doesn't usually arrive until July, that means we're all going to be bearing the cold for a little while yet.
With that in mind, we thought we'd trawl through Primark, itself newly reopened, as well as Asos to see what thermal gear we could scramble together from its spring/summer collection.
Women's beige superlight gilet - £12
If you want to feel warm, it's important to keep your core temperature up, so a gilet is a good way of retaining heat while not restricting your movement or feeling like you're wearing a huge extra layer. This beige gilet is £12 at Primark and should help you stave off the cold until summer.
Women's longline padded duvet coat - £35
For those really cold days! This one is heavy duty, and should keep you warm no matter how cold it gets this spring. It's a long one, too, so the tops of your legs will thank you! This coat also contains recycled materials, though Primark doesn't state which materials or how much of the coat is recycled.
Men's plain black funnel neck puffer coat - £15
This lightweight puffer coat should keep you toasty without adding too much bulk to your frame. If you want to feel warm, the neck is one of the most important parts of the body to protect, so it's a good job this comes with a high neck.
Scarf with blanket stitch - £3.40
Staying with the neck theme, this blanket stitch scarf looks large and cosy, and it's down from £14 to just £3.40. One reviewer says it better than anyone else ever could: "So so so soft and such an on-trend colour. I’ve had loads of compliments wearing it. It’s a good thickness, you can wrap it around your neck without feeling like you can’t move."
Fingerless gloves - £6
Fingerless gloves are a great way of keeping your hands warm while retaining the ability to use your fingers with precision. In the reviews section, 100% of customers recommended these gloves, which have an average rating of 4.8/5, while one review even mentions their suitability for the pub.
Finally, four plastic bottles were recycled to help make these gloves, though new fibres were also used.
Deep Cuff Beanie Hat - £2.50
This is listed as a men's item, but we don't see why women couldn't enjoy it, too. A beanie hat is probably the closest you'll get to a proper woolly hat until the autumn, and it should prove sufficient for the spring weather. There are also blue and beige versions available, if grey isn't your colour.
Large silver soft ribbed throw - £12
Finally, what outdoor spring pub trip is complete without a huge blanket to make everybody else jealous? This throw should do the trick, and it's also available in different sizes, without the ribbing, or in other colours, such as pink, beige, or white.
