Dress for the great outdoors

Embrace the great outdoors with pieces that are both stylish and functional

Congratulations! You made it to the end of January, a month that tends to test the strongest among us. On we go into 2021 with the help of the great outdoors.

Has it ever felt more important to escape into nature for sustenance and respite? Appropriate clothes for changeable weather are vital to keep the chills at bay. Equestrian favourite Jack Murphy Clothing have a wide selection of waterproof coats and jackets for negotiating those hills, beaches and trails. Based in Skerries, Co Dublin, the company has evolved over three generations. The original Jack Murphy was born in 1922 and went on to set up a garment manufacturing company, followed by his son Michael and now Michael’s daughter

Sarah.

This is a label that understands the details of fusing style with practicality. It’s a combination influencer Roz Purcell is injecting into The

Hike Life range, with no better model than herself to show off her wares. For a touch of luxury, Irish cashmere designer Ros Duke takes inspiration from her daily walks along the seashore, ‘textures on rocks and the water’s surface become patterns in the knitwear while flora and geological imperfections inform the colours used’ reads her website. Possibly the biggest fashion signal that we have embraced Momma Nature en masse is Gucci’s collaboration with The North Face. The playful, fancy dress vibes have us readdressing how we work our outdoor gear. Yes to pattern clashing, yes to bright colours and yes to full on glamping show-boating. It’s given us an excuse to get dressed up, even if it’s just to prance about the park like a pro.

For those who prefer a more subtle approach, there’s always Barbour, the Queen’s favourite. Founded in 1894, these guys know how to dress for the outdoors and the company has a strong repair and rewax ethos, befitting fashion’s change of pace.