What to wear – country wear

The Field

COUNTRY WEAR

Dressing off the field can be hazardous: “matching” cerise with yellow and a dash of cerulean will have you struck off any girl’s wish list in a moment. Country clobber is worn in many professions, not just land agency, and its aim is to cause as little alarm to the wildlife (or client) as possible. The odd flash of exuberance can act as a lure, but too much and you’ll frighten the horses.


A classic tweed jacket is the mainstay of the country outfit whether lightweight or of sturdier cloth. Oliver Brown‘s
timeless jackets cut an elegant dash. For a “pick your own” experience Glenlyon tweed offers a gamut of fabrics, all woven on site at the mill, which can be made into a sports jacket, while anyone lucky enough to venture north for some sport and in want of bespoke sporting threads, may make Jeremy Shaw of Carter’s Country Wear the first port of call. Demand is such that he has fitting rooms on Savile Row for clients who are anchored in the capital.


For no-nonsense cords Pakeman Catto & Carter, based in Cirencester, is an old hand at fitting out the most discerning countryman. Pleat-fronted cords come in the usual array of colours: corn, bottle green, navy, red and toffee. The more avant-garde can take the plunge with embellished cord trousers courtesy of Orvis, but these are certainly not for the fainthearted. Moleskins are a must for the rural wardrobe and can be found in easy-to-match olive and lovat green at most country suppliers.


Going topless would never do, and the search for the perfect shirt can be baffling. With a range of classically tailored shirts, Roderick Charles is an easy fit for most. Farlows new range of country shirts comes with contrasting details on the inner cuff and collar in interesting checks, and Purdey has beautifully soft tattersall shirts. For the bespoke treatment, Emma Willis on Jermyn Street offers a brilliant online service as well as traditional fitting. Her exquisite English shirts, many of them in cotton and even cashmere mixes, also come in ready-to-wear styles.


The covert coat streaks past the also-rans when it comes to completing a look. It wears well in town and country, adding more than a modicum of dash to an outfit. Cordings, owned by Eric Clapton, so imbued with country cool points, offers a traditional and elegant version. And with over 200 tweeds – all made in England – David Saxby can furnish you with a delectable covert coat lined with English woven silk.