What to wear to a theme park: fun and practical outfits for everyone

Theme park outfits are all about balance. Learn how to stay warm, dry and ready for fun in our guide.

For footwear, you can't go wrong with some comfy trainers. Avoid heavy, tight or wobbly shoes – as stylish as they might be, they're likely to give you grief after a few hours. The last thing you want is to be nursing a blister when you could be whirling on the waltzers.

2. Dressing for the weather

Unless you're new to the UK, you'll know that our climate can be a little, well, unpredictable.

Summers are warm – generally speaking. But even the hottest days like to spring a shower on you, just to keep you on your toes. Winters are cold – but variably so. And spring and autumn just do whatever they like, which is usually the opposite of what you would like.

So dress for the weather – but bring backups.

Loose, breathable clothes are a good idea for summer. Think linen shorts, T-shirts and sleeveless tops. However, you should pack a comfy jumper just in case you stumble into a cold snap.

Lightweight, semi-disposable ponchos are a good idea too. You can stash them neatly in your bag without sacrificing much space – and you'll be grateful that you did if the heavens open.

For cold or wet days, layers are key. You want to stay warm and dry but give yourself the option to shed a layer or two if you need to cool off.

And you don't want to spend the day babysitting an umbrella, so opt for a warm, breathable waterproof jacket. Bonus points if it also has a hood.

3. Staying dry

We don't mean "staying dry when it rains". We mean "staying dry on a water ride".

Of course, getting splashed on log flumes and the like is all part of the fun. But it won't be much fun if you're still sopping wet 20 minutes later.

Again, lightweight, waterproof ponchos are your friends here. You can slip them on, flume to your heart's content then either bin them or pop them in a plastic bag to dry off later.

You might also want to consider wearing waterproof shoes. Water rides can – surprise, surprise – get rather waterlogged. But wear a good pair of water-resistant trainers and you'll have dry socks all day.

Sensible accessories

Want to make the most of your day out? These little extras can make all the difference.

• Sunglasses or a cap to tackle summer sunshine or winter glare
• Suncream, to stay safe and comfortable on hot days
• A woolly hat and scarf to stay cosy on cooler days
• Hair bobbles, if you have long hair – you'll enjoy the rides so much more if you can see
• A backpack for snacks, loose clothing and personal items
• A bum bag to keep valuables like cash and credit cards safe (they can sometimes escape your pockets on fast rides)
• A spare pair of socks, just in case yours get wet on the log flume
• Emergency medication like painkillers and antihistamines

Showing off your style

You've probably noticed that most of our advice has focused on staying warm, dry and comfortable.

But that doesn't mean you have to settle for bland, boring outfits. Quite the opposite, in fact: a day at a theme park is the perfect excuse to break free from the style status quo.

The key is balance. You want to show off your unique look without feeling like you're overdressed, underprepared or as chilly as a camel in Croatia.

Use colour to your advantage. A fairly neutral outfit can come alive if you throw in a colourful T-shirt with an all-over print. The same goes for vibrant hoodies and sweatshirts – they'll keep you warm without docking any cool points.

Or why not choose one shade and run with it? Perhaps a top with a little flash of red, paired with some similarly cherry-flavoured high-top trainers and a matching headband.

Of course, you could just go wild and adorn your outfit with all sorts of fun accessories.

How about a light-up headband? Or a pair of colourful, amusement park-themed socks? Or even some funky, funny plastic sunglasses?

It's like they say: you should dance like nobody's watching. At a theme park, you're free to have fun and wear the kinds of things you wish you could wear in your day-to-day life.

If you play some of our prize games here at Southport Pleasureland, you might even bag an accessory or two to take home.

Final thoughts

Theme park outfits are all about balance. Start by making sure you've ticked off the essentials – stuff that will keep you warm, dry and out of trouble – then accessorise to your heart's content.

Whatever you wear, we hope you have a fabulously fun day out.

Southport Pleasureland is a family amusement park based in the northwest of England, near Liverpool. With more than 30 rides and a host of amusements and surprises, Pleasureland is the perfect destination for a fun family day out. It's quick and easy to book tickets online.