APRES-GROUSE KIT

Most of the time we stay in pubs or with mates where scruff order is the rule. But at some of the grander shooting lodges people are still expected to dress for dinner and it’s usually “Hampshire black tie”: dress trousers, smoking jacket, dress shoes or slippers, a cream shirt and no tie.

The most elegant manifestation of this style appeared at a Yorkshire schloss with perfectly cut designer jeans replacing the dress trousers – but since he was the host and owner of some of the world’s premier wine chateaux he had all the chutzpah needed to carry this off.

Finding a decent smoking jacket isn’t easy. The most elegant one I’ve ever seen was worn by a chap of senior years who’d inherited it from his great uncle. They sometimes appear in vintage shops but finding one that fits is a struggle. I had mine made by Jeremy Shaw of Carters Country Wear, who has a collection of pattern books dating back to the 1880s. Oliver Brown also has an extensive range.

The slippers are more comfortable than dress shoes and a wide range of styles is available from Herring, Church’s and New & Lingwood. Mine were made by Bowhill & Elliott, from Gunn Line, and my son is constantly trying to steal them – the ultimate accolade.