Holiday season is nearly here…
How’s this for a book jacket – a ‘novel coat’ has been launched to help travellers who want to take their beach reads on holiday.
Modelled by Sunday Times Best Seller and TV personality, Charlotte Crosby, the unusual outerwear has a total of 12 compartments on the front and the back.
The coat has enough space to carry 48 books at once, in a cheeky nod to getting around suitcases full of holiday clothes, many of which will come home unworn anyway.
It was released by loveholidays to encourage people to pick up a book on their travels, after the National Literacy Trust reported reading rates are at a 20-year low.
The tongue-in-cheek coat comes after a poll of 2,000 UK holidaymakers found 27 per cent of items packed for a trip are never actually worn.
While 57 per cent overpack by filling their bag up to the brim with clothes every single time – and more than a quarter (26 per cent) take too many pairs of shoes on holiday.
Charlotte Crosby said: “I’m absolutely made up with this coat, I love it. I can carry all my holiday reads and all the outfits I’ve planned for my trip.
“Reading is a key part of my holiday, but I am also a serial over-packer and have to sit on my suitcase to zip it up every time as I take too many clothes with me.
“With this coat I’ll never have to worry about leaving enough space for my books ever again.”
Al Murray, a spokesperson for online travel agent, loveholidays, which also commissioned the research, said: “It’s easy to stuff your suitcase with too many clothes – leaving less room for the things that matter, like that bestselling thriller you’ve been dreaming of reading by the pool.
“For many, a good book is the perfect way to truly switch off, so making space for a few great reads can make all the difference to a relaxing escape.”
The study went on to find the reasons for overpacking include those ‘just in case outfits’ that never get worn (62 per cent) and unexpected weather (52 per cent).
And 22 per cent of those polled by OnePoll reckon they never seem to leave enough room in their luggage for books.
Of those who don’t prioritise books when packing, 23 per cent said they didn’t think they were as essential as other items, and the same number didn’t think they will have enough time to read while away.
Despite this, among those who enjoy reading on their travels, 61 per cent said it relaxes them deeply, and 49 per cent credit having no time pressure and it being a screen-free joy.
While exactly one in 10 of those that take books on holidays don’t read as much as they’d like while they’re away.
Since 31 per cent of them struggle to find quiet time or space to read, 30 per cent end up spending time with family or friends instead and 28 per cent get distracted by their phone or social media.
While 18 per cent of all travellers admitted they would take more novels abroad if they had more space in their suitcase.
Al Murray added: “So many holidaymakers love to read but just don’t end up getting to read as many books as they’d like while on their travels.
“And with people admitting they stuff too many things in their cases that they don’t even need while they’re away, it’s a fun reminder to pack smarter and make space for the stories that help turn a good holiday into a great one.”
Top 25 Holiday Reads
1. The Thursday Murder Club
2. The Time Traveller’s Wife
3. Where the Crawdads Sing
4. The Housemaid
5. The Couple Next Door
6. It Ends With Us
7. The Holiday
8. The Alchemist
9. Me Before You
10. One Day
11. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
12. Normal People
13. The Midnight Library
14. The Road Trip
15. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
16. Big Little Lies
17. The Island
18. The Secret Life of Bees
19. Lessons in Chemistry
20. It Starts With Us
21. Daisy Jones and The Six
22. The Satsuma Complex
23. Crazy Rich Asians
24. My Brilliant Friend
25. Rachel’s Holiday
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