Cold comfort means you can hibernate in fine shape
It’s fair to say that country fashion heads in one direction at this time of year. Layering. I could harp on about city coats, Prince of Wales checks and the power of a great Chelsea boot, or we could cut straight to the point and admit it’s time to hibernate. That means bringing out the boot socks, the gilets, the Barbours, the Schoffels, the most vintage of puffas, and favourite, moth-eaten jumpers. I wish we could always emulate a great Holland & Holland advert but, in reality, we revert to the tried and tested wonders that lurk in the boot room, opting for warmth over fashion.
To illustrate the importance of layering, I knew it was time to introduce you to… Eddie the Pony. Or rather Eddie’s owner, Georgina Woods – the most unflappable, smiley friend I know. Her task was to handle the horse and model the clothes, while “radiating all the warmth of a summer heatwave”.
As a mother of four boys, Georgina does not have the luxury, as I do, of contemplating her cold weather gear for long. While I have a daughter who insists on matching pink scarves to her pink boots before we head out, for Georgina, it’s a case of throw on anything and get outside before the boys fling something at one another.
So today, I want to highlight how layers can still be feminine, warm, quick and practical, whether it’s for a dog walk, morning hack or Boxing Day ramble.
This silk Liberty print is from one of my favourite finds, Really Wild Clothing. Long-sleeved, it has a classic collar and sits with ease when layered under a waistcoat. It adds a floral, yet effective, layer of
Liberty print silk shirt, £185, Really Wild Clothing (reallywildclothing.com); moleskin shooting vest, £155, Laksen at Farlows, (farlows.co.uk); jodhpurs and riding boots, Georgina’s own; crew-neck wool jumper, £90, Mistamina (mistamina.com); khaki trilby, price on application, Nicola de Selincourt (nicoladeselincourt. com); shirt, jodhpurs and riding boots, as before
warmth that allows for movement when grasping reins or dog leads or leaning over to prevent toddlers from falling into the mud. A flash of winter florals shows you’ve made an effort, but not too much. It’s a case of, “Oh this old thing? Had it for ages”. The waistcoat (or shooting vest) took
For every stocking…
Egyptian magic cream, £26.50, Egyptian Magic (naturisimo.com)
Georgina by surprise in terms of its warmth. It’s a more formal approach than a gilet, but it should prove highly effective at keeping things pulled together, while sitting snugly over a jodhpur (or denim) waistline, and allowing for movement. This is a worthwhile addition to your “things I
One pen, three brushes
Magnetic brush set, £28, Ruby Hammer (rubyhammer.com)
Best boot socks
never knew I needed” wishlist. The pockets are cleverly designed because those in the know (at Laksen Sporting) realise that this kind of clothing need only have room for a Murray Mint, a tissue and a whistle.
To take things up a notch from the bedraggled favourite jumper, I looked to Mistamina – the brainchild of Lady Melissa Percy, who has created a brand that meets the needs of those based in the country, while also instantly converting city escapees into country enthusiasts without asking them to break the bank.
The brand offers its jumpers at a price point (£90) that doesn’t alienate, which I admire given country attire’s reputation for being haughty and off limits. The collection of crewnecks hits the spot in terms of price, palette and practicality – for those unsure of what to ask for this Christmas, you have about seven days left to get your requests in and still make it to the Boxing Day shoot in style.
Finally, the hat. Oh, the hat. I discovered Cotswolds-based Nicola de Selincourt when I was collating my Royal Ascot outfits for a TV presenting job this summer. Nicola is one of a kind and I urge you to delve deeper should you be seeking out a new fedora, trilby, panama or looking ahead to a 2020 wedding. You can’t go wrong.
In this case, it’s a khaki trilby with a fur pom-pom. Georgina loved it (“I wish I wore more hats”) but, most importantly of all, it got the seal of approval from Eddie as well, with a gentle nudge. Enough said.
Navy shooting socks, £95, Farlows (farlows.co.uk)
Happy feet
Sky high green, £189, Rogue Matilda (roguematilda.com)