Fashion

Country Style
Men’s fashion is taking a tip from the country this Autumn / Winter, and it is an ideal look for race days, says Molly Gunn, fashion & lifestyle writer for The Daily Telegraph, ES Magazine and Grazia.

 It is hardly the slickest trend to come out of fashionland, but it’s certainly hardy, and perfectly suited for fresh Autumn days spent outdoors. This season, a host of catwalk collections took their inspiration from the quintessential English country gent look. Picture a traditional land-owning, ruddy cheeked squire - of the huntin’, shootin’, fishin’ kind – and you’ll instantly get the idea.

Flat caps, tweed jackets, cable-knit wools, corduroy trousers and durable leather boots… variations on these themes are currently awash on the high street and introducing a little country-style to even the most ardent city dweller.

That’s not to say you should come over all Last of the Summer Wine at the next race meeting. Mix a country-esque piece or two with an outfit on race days and it will nod to the trend without being OTT: the tweed coat by Kolor, New York Hat Company’s tweed flatcap, or Paul Smith’s Cukor boots will make you instantly feel the part.

In keeping with this theme, outdoor wear brand Barbour is enjoying a renaissance - its dependable wax jackets are now de rigueur and being adopted by style fans who have never so much as caught a whiff of manure (its ubiquity will either be great, or terrible, news to Barbour fans who are already wearing them). Similarly, sturdy work-boot stalwart Timberland, is back ‘in’ – and the boots are best worn when roughed-up as if you really have been doing hard graft in the elements.

But it’s not all about the look, the reason this ‘country’ trend is such a success this season is because it was born for days spent outside and allows comfort and warmth in style. There is no need to suffer for one’s art, when the more tweed, wool, cord and leather thrown on, the better.

The theme is even affecting other looks this Autumn. Take a perennial favourite - the leather jacket - which is currently best with a faux-fur or shearling collar, and a scarf jauntily wrapped around the neck as if you’re just about to dash off for a weekend break in, yes, the country.

APC leather jacket
Meanwhile, the blazer’s best accompaniment right now is a pair of leather boots, like Timberlands or by ethically minded Folk Shoes, a touch that veers the blazer from looking too smart or stuffy. And scarves, always a winter must, are currently as thick, cosy and oversized as can be. And who are we to complain? Let’s get the country kit on.
 

Get the Look- Molly Style

If you need a little more inspiration, then we’ve looked to the High Street to put together five looks designed to cut a dash this autumn, both on and off the racecourse.

LOOK 1

Tweed Flatcap

Harry Sand shoes by Folk

Lyle & Scott orange scarf

Twill coat by Kolor

1. Brown tweed flatcap, £29 by New York Hat Company from www.my-wardrobe.com
2. Harry Sand shoes, £135 by Folk Shoes, from www.folkclothing.com
3. Orange cable knit scarf, £50 by Lyle & Scott from www.my-wardrobe.com
4. Washed twill coat, £1105 by Kolor from www.brownsfashion.com
 

LOOK 2

Maison Martin Margiela hi tops at Oki Ni

Quilted jacket by Moncler

Reiss messenger bag

Blanket scarf by Mijarayasuhiro

1. Classic sneaker, £325 by Martin Margiela 22 from www.oki-ni.com
2. Black Chevalier Quilted Jacket £500 by Moncler, from www.liberty.co.uk
3. Connaught leather messenger bag, £169 by Reiss from www.asos.com
4. Checked blanket scarf £215 by Miharayasuhiro from www.brownsfashion.com
 

LOOK 3

Felt trilby hat by Paul Smith

Striped scarf by Epice

Wool jacket French Connection

Timberland boots

1. Black felt trilby hat, £70, by Paul Smith from www.liberty.co.uk
2. Striped scarf, £ by Epice, from www.liberty.co.uk
3. Bubble boiled wool jacket, £150 by French Connection from www.frenchconnection.com
4. Tackhead Surveyor Boots, £200 by Timberland from www.asos.com

LOOK 4

Riding jacket by Barbour

Satchel by Ally Capellino

Cable knit scarf by Paul Smith

Cukor boot by Paul Smith

1. To Ki To Horse Riding Jacket, £350 by Barbour from www.liberty.co.uk
2. Brown Richard leather satchel, £385 by Ally Capellino, from www.liberty.co..uk 
3. Cable knit scarf, £125 by Paul Smith from www.paulsmith.co.uk
4. Cukor boots, £279 by Paul Smith shoes, from www.paulsmith.co.uk
 

LOOK 5

APC leather jacket

Asos holdall

Brogues by French Connection

Zig zag scarf by Missoni

1. Brown leather jacket, £660 by APC from www.my-wardrobe.com
2. Retro sports holdall, £36 by ASOS from www.asos.com
3. Maroon and grey zigzag scarf, £90 by Missoni from www.my-wardrobe.com
4. Seth round toe brogues, £100, by French Connection from www.frenchconnection.com

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